Ornamental Trees
Good example of tree healing a wound
Q: A few years ago my neighbor hit this tree with his car. He covered the damaged spot with tar and we thought everything was fine until a few days ago when I noticed a patch of raised bark on...
Bradford pear pruned severely
Q: Recently our Bradford pear tree was pruned to this extreme. Will it still grow and bloom? A: Bradford pear is a tough tree to kill so your tree will probably recover. The person who did the pruning thought this...
Are brown limbs always sure death for Leyland cypress?
Q: We came back to our home this fall to see our 25-year-old Leyland Cypress & 10-year-old Sky Pencil holly dying. Any idea as to cause? Any hope? A: They both look like they were damaged by dry weather. Leyland...
Should I Prune My Peach Tree Early?
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...
Should Cut Off The Tops Of My Pine Trees
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...
Georgia Fruit Tree Recommendations
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 Do Meyer Lemons Bloom?
Q: My Meyer lemon has about ten blooms starting to form. Is January the normal time? A: It is behaving normally. Mine has bloomed indoors in January as well as outdoors in May depending on the weather conditions. When a...
Can Arborvitae Splitting Be Avoided?
Q: I’ve seen arborvitae in many beautiful landscapes. But it always seems to split as it grows. Can this be avoided? A: Arborvitae is an excellent needled evergreen but it can have a problem with splitting. When it occurs close...
Correct Way To Plant White Oak Acorns
Q: I have recently collected some white oak acorns. What is the correct way to plant them? A: The best time to plant white oak acorns is in fall immediately after you collect them because they sprout so quickly. In...
Can I Trim My Medium-Sized Trees Myself?
Q: We have five medium-sized trees in our landscape. They need to be trimmed up at the bottom and thinned out to keep branches off the house. Is this something I can do or do I need a pro? A:...
Do Ginkgo Trees Stink?
Q: Do ginkgo trees stink? Does it depend on whether it is a male or female tree? If so, how do you know which you are getting? A: The tree itself does not stink but the fruit from female ginkgo...
Does Elm Have A Deep Root System
Q: Maple trees surface roots are a problem, do Dutch Elm have a deep root system? A: The type of tree you have is not as much a problem as is the hardness of the soil around the tree. Tree...
Using Native Soil To Plant Trees
Q: On the radio, you told a listener they should remove most of the soil the tree has around its roots before planting. You said use only native soil to fill around the roots. A: You should get a prize...
Discoloration Of Japanese Maple Tree
Q: I have a healthy twenty-year-old Japanese maple tree. Every year the leaves have been purple but this year they are a bright green. How do I get the purple back? A: see...
How To Keep Roundup From Tree Roots
Q: I have a lot of old pines and dogwoods on my property. English ivy, trumpet vine and poison ivy are trying to take over everywhere. I would like to spray Roundup and kill everything but I’m concerned about getting...
Getting Rid Of Oak Wilt
Q: We have a red oak tree that seems to have oak wilt. In September, the top began to turn brown long before any other oaks nearby. We plan to have the tree removed soon. Should I have the wood...
White Oaks Are Dropping Sap
Q: Our newly-purchased 110-year-old home is surrounded by white oaks. We’ve noticed the oaks are dropping sap on our cars. Is this raining of sap normal? A: I very much doubt that actual tree sap is coming down from your...
Any way to heal a damaged white oak?
Q: I have a 100 year old white oak. It has a few dead limbs, but most limbs are healthy and have leaves. To slow the demise of this old oak should I fill in the hollow with dirt or...
