Posts Tagged ‘oak’
Oak Trees – Hedge Bushes
Q: We recently bought some rural property that has quite a few lovely old oak trees. At the base of the trees are thick hedge bushes. How can we get rid of them without hurting the oaks? A: Since you...
Oak Trees- Protecting From Beetles
Q: Not long ago my neighbor lost a hundred year old oak tree. The problem was diagnosed as ambrosia beetles. Is there any way I can protect trees in my adjacent yard? A: I recently attended a lecture presented by...
Hurricane Management
Q: We have a beach house at Carrabelle, Florida, which was hit hard by hurricane Dennis. The landscape was drenched in salt water. We have crepe myrtles and some small oaks that we’re especially concerned about. Should we cut them...
Creosote – Formation in Chimney
Q: I heard part of a conversation with one of your radio callers. You were talking about firewood and the deposit of creosote in a chimney. Did I understand you correctly that if you burn a fire with the flue...
Sunlight – Full Sun vs. Partial Shade
Q: When a plant tag says full sun or partial shade, how many hours of sun or shade are appropriate when determining if a spot is suitable for the plant? A: Sunshine intensity differs across every landscape and garden. Compare...
Tree Roots – Damaging Basement Wall
Q: I have large pin oak trees in my front yard, roughly fifty feet from the front of my house. Recently I noticed roots on top of the grass heading toward my foundation. One wall in my basement already has...
Orange Striped Oak Worm
Q: Dozens of these little 2″ critters have invaded an oak tree that overhangs my deck, and are systematically stripping a big branch of its leaves. In the process, they are pooping all over the deck. What are they, and...
Plant Salt Tolerance
Q: We have a beach house at Carrabelle, Florida, which was hit hard by hurricane Dennis. The landscape was drenched in salt water. We have crepe myrtles and some small oaks that we’re especially concerned about. Should we cut them...
Blue Velvet Fungus
Q: Have you ever seen anything like this growing on the bark of a dead limb? It is a beautiful cobalt blue which I hope shows up in the picture. A: Mushroom expert Mary Woehrel says it’s called Velvet Blue...
Poison Ivy vs. Poison Oak ID
Q: Does Georgia have Poison Oak plants? A: Poison oak, Toxicodendron pubescens, does grow in Georgia but it is MUCH less common than people think. Poison oak leaves tend to have rounded lobes rather than pointed lobes; it always grows...
Polyphemous Moth
Q: I found this giant moth in the yard. What is it? A: You found a beautiful polyphemus moth! This flying creature is found in wooded areas. Its equally distinctive caterpillar is bright green and up to three inches long....
Oak Leaf Miner
Q: These diseased areas appeared on most of our oak trees. The trees have been healthy for the 40 years we’ve lived here. I think some of the trees are also affected down the street. From the pictures, do you...
Pine – Fusiform Rust
Q: My wife noticed this on one of our pine trees. Do you have any idea what it is and how to treat it? A: The knots and orange powder are signs of fusiform rust disease. The orange spores will...
Obscure Scale – Control
Q: I recently got a note from a tree company that had been out inspecting my neighbor’s trees. It stated that they had discovered a insect pest known as “obscure scale” ravaging my neighbor’s pin oak trees. The tree man...
Dog – Eating Persimmon Fruit
Q: I have two Golden Retrievers and for a month or so I have noticed that the male dog’s stool has contains lots of pumpkin-like seeds.(Sorry about that) We have about nine acres in Grayson and even after eight and...
Hypoxylon Canker – Identification
Q: Could you please look at this problem with our white oak? In the last two months the bark has come off, leaving a brownish-gray powdery substance. I can scrap it off to the wood below. The gray stuff repels...
