Plant Health Care Operations Manager
Chris was born in Birmingham and grew up outside of Atlanta. After meeting his wife in Virginia Beach, they eventually made their way to Charlotte in 2006. They have three children: Caleb, Elijah, and Willow, as well as three cats (Pepper Edison, Poncho Velveeta, Luna Estelle), 8ish chickens (Tuna, Turkey, Dumpling, Vienna Sausage, CBK, Nurse Duckenstein, Atilla the Hen, Chikira-Chikira), and a dog (Penelope).
Chris has 20+ years of experience in the industry, is a Board Certified Master Arborist, Tree Risk Assessment Qualified, a North Carolina Licensed Landscape Contractor, and a member of the American Society of Consulting Arborists. He currently serves as Vice President of the Southern Chapter of the ISA, and on their finance, education, and membership committees.
When not overwhelmed with all of his children’s activities, he enjoys camping, reading, smoking various forms of meat and tobacco, and a decent bourbon.
Recent Articles by Chris Diffley
Juniper Spider Mites in Charlotte
Juniper spider mites can cause significant damage to junipers by feeding on the plant’s sap, leading to a stippled or bronzed appearance of the foliage. Of course, prevention and treatment for spider mites is included in a Plant Health Care subscription from Arborscapes. (As are myriad other pests and diseases) If you would like to become a part of our...
Dogwood Anthracnose Treatment
Dogwood anthracnose is a serious disease caused by the fungus Discula destructiva. It affects flowering dogwood trees, leading to large, tan to brown lesions on the leaves, dieback of twigs, and premature leaf drop. If left untreated, it can be lethal to the tree. Of course, prevention and treatment for dogwood anthracnose is included in a Plant Health Care subscription...
Treating Dogwood Borers in Charlotte
Dogwood borers (Synanthedon scitula) primarily attack flowering dogwood trees. These small moths burrow into the bark and feed on the cambium layer, which can cause significant damage and even tree death if infestations are severe. For that reason, it is important to monitor and treat for dogwood borers attentively. Of course, prevention and treatment for dogwood borer is included in...
From Dirt Distress to Soil Success
Why is soil not dirt? Dirt is what is found on your clothes after playing outside. Soil, on the other hand, is a living, breathing, symbiotic ecosystem teeming with bacteria, fungi, algae, and other tiny creatures. Dirt is what we are left with after development takes place. Whether because all the soil was scraped away for grading, or the pounding...
Charlotte’s Tree Permitting Requirements for Private Tree Removal
Our beautiful city is known far and wide for its treescape, a canopy of green that graces the fast-growing urban landscape. A new tree ordinance aims to keep it that way. Let’s walk through the policy and see how Arborscapes can help you navigate it. The theme here is to preserve what the city calls heritage trees – those spectacularly...
Arborvitae Blight Treatment
Arborvitae blight, which can be caused by Phyllosticta or Pestalotiopsis is a fungal disease that affects arborvitae trees. Infected trees display symptoms like browning and dieback at the tips of branches, often starting from the lower parts of the tree and progressing upward. Of course, prevention and treatment for arborvitae blight is included in a Plant Health Care subscription from...
Arborvitae Spider Mites Treatments
In Charlotte and the surrounding area, one of the most persistent issues homeowners deal with is Arborvitae Spider Mites. They often create fine webbing on the plants, which can be a noticeable sign of infestation. Early detection and appropriate treatment are essential to prevent the spread of these mites and to protect the health of Arborvitae plants. Arborvitae spider mites...
Elm Borer Treatment
Elm borers are wood-boring beetles that can infest and cause significant damage to elm trees. The larvae tunnel into the tree, creating galleries and disrupting the flow of nutrients and water. Over time, this can lead to the decline or death of the tree. Of course, prevention and treatment for elm borers is included in a Plant Health Care subscription...
Watch Out For What? Frass!
What, you might ask, is frass? In layperson terms, it’s excrement left by insects. For the purposes of our summer newsletter, let’s call it like it is. It’s the “little brown dots” that rain down on porches, patios, sidewalks and driveways. It comes courtesy of the orange-striped oakworms that infest oak trees primarily from July through September. You’ll know it...
Bagworms in the Charlotte Area
Bagworms can cause significant damage to your trees if left uncontrolled. In the Charlotte area, bagworms affect arborvitae, cedars, leyland cypress, junipers, and pine trees. So if you’re finding bagworms on arborvitae, or any of your other trees, we have some bagworm treatment suggestions. Of course, bagworm treatment and prevention services are included in a Plant Health Care subscription from...
Why Emerald Ash Borer Treatment Really Matters in Charlotte
At Arborscapes, what excites our arborists most about the job is caring for the canopy of our city. And there have been few threats to that canopy as urgent as the recent introduction of the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB). The EAB, which landed in North America from China in 2015, is bad business. If not stopped, it can claim 99.9...
Azalea Lace Bug Treatment
Springtime azaleas are something almost everyone looks forward to. Bright, colorful and beautiful azaleas can thrive in the Charlotte area and give a vibrant look to any landscape. But azaleas in full sun inherently get lace bugs. These insects feed on the undersides of azalea leaves, causing damage that can reduce the plant’s overall health and aesthetic appeal. Adult lace...
Boxwood Spider Mite Treatment
Spider mites are tiny arachnids that feed on plant cells, causing stippling, discoloration, and even leaf drop in severe cases. Boxwood spider mites can be particularly problematic for boxwood shrubs. Of course, prevention and treatment for boxwood spider mites is included in a Plant Health Care subscription from Arborscapes. (As are myriad other pests and diseases) If you would like...
Holly Scale Treatment
Holly scale, a type of armored scale, is a small insect that attaches itself to holly plants and feeds on the plant’s sap. Over time, this can weaken the plant, cause yellowing of leaves, and even lead to premature leaf drop. There are several variations that affect holly plants, azaleas, camellia, and other ornamentals. These are often referred to as...
Boxwood Leafminer Treatment
Why is my boxwood dying? Unfortunately this is a question we hear all too often. But there is good news. Boxwood leafminers are one of the most serious pests of boxwoods. These small flies lay their eggs between the layers of boxwood leaves. As the larvae grow, they feed on the leaf tissue, creating blister-like mines. Infested leaves may turn...
Crape Myrtle Bark Scale Treatment
Crape myrtle bark scale (CMBS) is an invasive pest that affects crape myrtles. Infestations result in a black sooty mold due to the honeydew excreted by these tiny insects, causing the trees to look unsightly. Often this gross covering will extend to your patio furniture, hardscapes, and other outdoor items. We find CMBS present on boxwoods in our area as...
Japanese Maple Scale & Dogwood Scale
Japanese maple scale is an exotic armored scale species that infests a wide range of host plants (45 genera in 27 families) in the eastern United States. It infests some of the most common nursery and landscape plants in North Carolina including: red maple (Acer rubrum) Japanese maple (Acer palmatum) dogwood broadleaf evergreens like holly, Japanese holly, and boxwood These...