By Bonnie L. Grant Leaf problems abound in the home landscape but nothing is more puzzling than the causes of skeletonization. Skeletonized plant leaves are but a shadow of themselves, with window panes of damage throughout the leaf. The reasons for skeletonizing leaves may stem from insect or disease and occasionally chemical injury. Most common are insect pests whose feeding behavior is along the veins of the foliage. Recognize the signs of these pests so you can control them and prevent skeletonized leaf damage. Assessing Skeletonized Leaf Damage Plants use their leaves to harvest solar energy, which they then turn into carbohydrates for fuel. The process, photosynthesis, relies upon open leaf surfaces filled with chlorophyll. When there are numerous skeletonized plant leaves, overall vigor is significantly reduced. It also doesn’t help the appearance of prized foliage plants whose presence in the garden is due to their spectacular leaf displays. One
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