Ornamental Trees
Why redbud tree has bumps on trunk
Q: What would cause these bumps on the trunk of a redbud tree? A: My friend Bill Blum is a tree connoisseur. He notes that: “the tree is a fairly significant size for an Eastern redbud. So it must be...
Magnolia tree has tufts of brown leaves
Q: My magnolia tree has tufts of brown leaves at the ends of several branches. A: I believe you have an infestation of black twig borer. UGA horticulturist Matthew Chappell says: “The borer will enter the stem 6″ to a...
Dogwood with hole in trunk
Q: My 23-year-old Dogwood tree is having an issue on the trunk. Other than this, it looks fine. I saw some ants going in a hole on the trunk. A: I finally got my crystal ball Time Machine out of...
Start over with damaged crapemyrtle or not?
Q: I am concerned about two crape myrtle trees in my yard. When I purchased my house over two years ago I kept these two crape myrtles. The crape myrtles had been massacred in the past before I purchased the...
If Pine Tree Is Cut Down Do The Roots Keep Growing?
Q: When a pine tree is cut down do the roots keep growing? A: They do not. Without the sugar energy coming down from needles or leaves, tree roots don’t have any way to elongate. In addition, plant hormones that...
White, Sticky Stuff On Hemlock Trees
Q: I have a white, sticky substance on my hemlock trees up at Lake Burton. Any advice would be appreciated. A: It’s very likely you are seeing hemlock adelgid insects. These sap sucking creatures have killed thousands of hemlocks in...
Gum oozing from cherry trunk – Gummosis
Q: I noticed this gelatinous mass on the trunk of my six-year-old cherry tree. Can you tell me what the fungus is? A: Your actual condition is called gummosis, which is most often caused by stress. From your photo I...
Crapemyrtle bark accidentally peeled off
Q: My two boys and their friends were climbing in my 20 ft. tall crepemyrtle and decided it would be neat to peel off the bark. I don’t like the new look and I’m wondering if it will die. A:...
Do Roots Grow After Pine Tree Is Cut Down?
Q: When a pine tree is cut down do the roots keep growing? A: They do not. Without the sugar energy coming down from needles or leaves, tree roots don’t have any way to elongate. In addition, plant hormones that...
Sticky Stuff On Hemlock Trees
Q: I have a white, sticky substance on my hemlock trees up at Lake Burton. Any advice would be appreciated. A: It’s very likely you are seeing hemlock adelgid insects. These sap sucking creatures have killed thousands of hemlocks in...
Tree healing after wound
Q: Can you please tell us what is going on with our tree? Most of that bump is hard as a rock but some of the edges are crumbly. A: Your Japanese maple suffered an injury that caused internal trunk...
Healing a Rising Sun Redbud Planted too Deep
Q: I planted my Rising Sun redbud in the fall 18 months ago. It seems to not be doing well, but there is growth at the very bottom. It had a little life last year, maybe one or two branches....
Should I Paint The Wounds Of My Pin Oak Tree?
Q: I pruned some rather large limbs from a huge pin oak tree a few days ago. Today almost every cut is “weeping” heavily. Should I paint the wounds? A: There is no harm at all. The tree’s roots are...
How Far Should Trees Be Separated From Pines To Avoid Damage By Juglone?
Q: I have some loblolly pine acreage with an easement road down the middle. I‘m considering planting black walnut trees on both sides of the road for my grandchildren to sell the lumber and for wildlife. How far should the...
Should I Top My Pine Tree?
Q: What would happen if I topped my twenty-foot-tall pine trees? A: If you cut off the top of any tree, eventually a small nearby limb will begin veering upward toward the sun to make a new trunk. This might...
Good Fruit Trees For Georgia?
Q: I am new to Georgia and am interested in planting a few fruit trees in my back yard. I’d like rare but hardy ones. Any suggestions? A: “Rare” and “hardy” may not be possible. If a fruit tree is...
When To Prune My Peach Tree?
Q: How soon after planting can a peach tree be given its first pruning to develop the wine glass shape desired? A: The first pruning is usually done a few minutes after the tree is planted. Many growers cut the...
When Should I Prune Our Peach Tree?
Q: We have been waiting for the right time to prune our peach tree and I know you recommend March for that. However we just noticed that they seem like they will bloom very soon. Should we still wait until...
