Using SPSD to Hone Your Diagnostic and Management Skills, Part 2
Description
BY MICHAEL J. RAUPP, PH.D., AND PAULA M. SHREWSBURY, PH.D.
In Part 1 of this article (TCI Magazine, October 2025), we introduced four foundational elements useful in diagnosing problems with trees and shrubs, represented by the acronym SPSD, and discussed the first “S,” which stands for “site,” and the “P,” which stands for “plant.” In part 2, we’ll discuss the second “S,” which stands for the “symptoms.” Knowledge of signs and damage symptoms is a powerful tool in making an accurate diagnosis and developing an effective intervention. We’ll also discuss the “D,” which stands for “date.” Date can be defined by an actual Gregorian date, such as May 15, or by using a proxy such as a growing-degree-day value or phenological plant indicator that is linked to the seasonal development of pests and plants.
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