Posts Tagged ‘trees’
Autum Blaze Maple Tree – Pruning
Q: We have an Autumn Blaze maple tree that we built a deck around. The branches at the bottom are very close to the floor of the deck. Should we prune off the bottom branches or will the branches grow...
Oak Trees – Adding Dirt
Q: I am thinking of adding dirt to my lawn under several mature oak trees in two tiers. Will adding 2-3 feet of dirt around the base of these trees hurt them? A: I don’t mean this to be unkind,...
Water Oak Trees – Branches and Leaves Falling
Q: I have several old water oak trees. Big chunks of branches and green leaves are falling. A: Big oaks commonly lose “tufts” of green branches in early summer after rainstorms. Trees put on a lot of lush growth in...
Fruit Trees With Fruit Big Enough to Eat
Q: I love to eat green crabapples but the trees aren’t around anymore. What type of tree grows the fruit that is big enough to eat? A: Technically, crabapples are apple trees that bear fruit less than two inches in...
River Burch Trees – Roots Are Appearing
Q: Our river birch trees have roots coming up all over our yard. They are ruining the grass. I’d like to replace them but what would be a good tree to plant? A: Roots appearing on the surface indicate hard...
Good Trees to Grow in Georgia
Q: I am moving up from south Florida. I love Japanese maple, white birch, and poplar trees that I’ve seen in New England. Will I be able to grow any of these in north Georgia? A: Japanese maple, in all...
Ailanthus Trees- Killing Sprouts
Q: I cut down the largest of several ailanthus tree saplings next to my fence. I ended up with fifty sprouts in its place. How do I kill these things without getting a hundred more saplings? A: Cut each sapling...
Trees for a Large Atrium
Q: My company’s building has a large atrium. We need to replace the podocarpus trees there with something else. What? A: Ficus trees are excellent for atriums because the different varieties vary greatly in mature size. Black olive, Bucida buceras,...
Oak Tree – Vines to Grow on It
Q: I had limbs removed from a dead oak tree. I allowed the twenty-foot-tall trunk to remain standing. What vine suggestions might you have? A: Many would suggest English ivy but it will take years to climb up the trunk....
Pine Tree – Burning in a Fireplace
Q: My tree surgeon said pine was OK to burn in a fireplace. He said if it dries for a year in hot sun it will be fine. A: He’s right. It is a misconception that pine wood forms more...
Ficus Tree – Ants in the Dirt
Q: I have a ficus tree in my office that is doing very well. When I watered it I noticed a gazillion ants in the dirt. Will this hurt the ficus? A: The ants may be finding aphids or mealybugs...
Black Walnut Tree – Fertilizing
Q: We have a black walnut tree about 50 feet tall in the back yard. We got walnuts but they were small. Can I fertilize a tree that large? A: Black walnut is a fun tree to own, if a...
Fruit Trees – Planting Near Pine Trees
Q: I’ve heard not to plant fruit trees near pine trees. Is that true? A: Unlike black walnut trees, which attack any competitor with chemicals exuded from their roots, pines are not known to deter nearby plants. Of course, any...
Weeping Cherry Tree – Seed Vs. Grafting
Q: I want to purchase a weeping cherry tree this spring. I know there are grafted one and ones started by seed. What’s the difference? A: Grafted weeping cherry trees maintain approximately the same height they possess when planted. Seedling...
Maple Tree – Tick Prevention
Q: When I sit under a maple tree in my backyard in summer, I get ticks in my hair. How can I prevent ticks on the tree? A: According to tick expert Dr. Nancy Hinkle, ticks do not fall from...
Shrubs and Trees – Applying Horticultural Oil
Q: Is it a good practice to apply horticultural oil on shrubs and trees when they are dormant in order to prevent bugs this spring? A: Yes, applying plant-safe oil is a great way to kill insects in winter. At...
Tree Chips – Covering Land
Q: During recent flooding in my back yard many tree roots were exposed. I’m having some trees removed and the contractor will leave the chips on my site. Any thoughts on how thick to spread them? A: This is a...
Grafting A Peach Branch to an Apple Tree
Q: Is it possible to graft a peach branch to an apple tree? A: Grafting a peach to an apple won’t work. An apple is in the genus Malus, while a peach belongs to genus Prunus. The two are both...
