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About Jim Hyland
(Top Expert on this page)

Expertise
I am an expert in Forestry, Forest Entomology, Forest Pest Control, and Forest Health. Extensive knowledge in Identification of insects and diseases of trees. Expert on Bark beetles and other insects that attack forests. Also a Registrated Forester with extensive knowledge in the management and care of forests.

Experience
34 years as State Pest Management Chief in a Southern state. Extensive knowledge in Forestry.

BS with major in Forest Management and Entomology
Registered Forester
Certified Pesticide Appicator
   

You are here:  Experts > Homework Help > Trees > Trees

Questions Answered By Expert  Jim Hyland 
In Category  Trees

SubjectDate Asked

Kill Willows11/18/2009
  Q: From your answer on this subject I assume you use undiluted Roundup. If not what dilution is ...
  A: For the stump treatment you use the undiluted Roundup right from the container --make sure the ...
Cottonwood trees11/18/2009
  Q: I live in Vancouver, WA. A vast quantity of "cottonwood" trees are growing down by the river on ...
  A: You are not going to like my answer. The trees need to be left alone. They were there before the ...
sycamore tree removal11/18/2009
  Q: how feasible do you think it is to remove a 50 year old sycamore tree from the street side of our ...
  A: The first question I would have is-- Why do you want to remove it? Is it dying , causing problem ...
Topping trees11/17/2009
  Q: I have a magnolia tree that is about 16 feet tall and 6 feet around. I would like to top it by ...
  A: Do not top the trees--this will cause major problems to the tree and could kill the trees. The ...
Autumn Blaze Maple11/15/2009
  Q: I have a new tree, only planted about 5 wks ago, someone told me that the trunk needs to be wrapped ...
  A: Do not top the tree--in fact topping of any tree is not good for the tree. Any pruning should be ...
Oak tree Fungus - NE OK11/15/2009
  Q: JIm- We chatted last week. Here is a picture of the fungus. You may recall the tree incurred a split ...
  A: These are the fruiting bodies of a decay fungi. I am not real sure which one but it really does not ...
Mulching Evergreen trees11/14/2009
  Q: I live in Central Wisconsin and have planted approximately 300 evergreens, blue spruce etc over the ...
  A: No this type mulch is ok as long as you do not pile it up on the trunk. When you put the mulch ...
tree buying and planting11/13/2009
  Q: I would like to buy a deciduous tree for screening my neighbors house in CT. What is the most ...
  A: Without knowing the space and site you are going to plant this tree in it will be difficult to ...
pine trees11/12/2009
  Q: We are in West Michigan and have a 15' pine tree that is 10 years old. The middle of the tree is ...
  A: Can you attach a picture. I can not picture in my mind what you are describing. If you are saying ...
Live Oak Dying?11/12/2009
  Q: My wife and I recently purchased a new home in Fernandina Beach Florida in October. The house came ...
  A: My first thought is a bad planting job or the tree were dead or dying when they were planted. ...
Twig Girdler11/10/2009
  Q: Limbs look like they have been cut off by a beaver. What do I do to get rid of this pest? Thanks
  A: They lay their eggs in the part of the limb cut off and on the ground. The way to reduce the ...
enormous seed pod11/10/2009
  Q: I found some huge seed pods in Central Park (NYC) over the weekend, similar in look to that of a ...
  A: This sounds like Osage-Orange, Maclura pomifera. Known also as hedge, hedge-apple, bodark, ...
Red Maple Damage11/9/2009
  Q: On 3/24/2009 you responded to a question regarding carpenter ants in a maple tree. I have read your ...
  A: Since it is as large as it it I would stay with the tree for the time being. I would treat the tree ...
river birch11/8/2009
  Q: I have a river birch that is 6 or 7 feet from the back of my house. The house is on a slab and I ...
  A: You should not have a problem with root damage from a river birch--their root system is fiberious ...
fungus on oak tree11/8/2009
  Q: I have a huge oak tree, don't know exactly what kind of oak, but it has something on the side that ...
  A: Sounds like Lichens and these are not a real health problem to trees. Lichens are an example of a ...
Blue Spruce with scale insects11/8/2009
  Q: I have a 50-60 ft Blue Spruce with scale on the lower branches. I believe that the scale came in a ...
  A: The horticultural oils do tend to turn the color from the bluish to more green. Fertilizer will ...
beetles on mimosa trees11/7/2009
  Q: we have a mimosa tree that has some kind of beetles that eat a perfect circle around the ...
  A: There are two insects that cut off twigs of pecan: the twig girdler and the twig pruner. Both of ...
Deer damage11/7/2009
  Q: Deer have stripped the bark from our very young maple trees and broken some branches. What should we ...
  A: The rubbing can kill the tree if the bark is rubbed off all the way around the trunk. Damage that ...
Weeping Willow has black spots on11/6/2009
  Q: I have plated 3 Willow trees 2 of them are doing great the third has black spots.What can I use to ...
  A: It sounds like leaf spots but this late in the year I would do nothing except rake the leaves when ...
Variety of weeping cherry11/6/2009
  Q: I am trying to identify a 'snow fountain' cherry tree I recently purchased and was hoping you could ...
  A: Prunus x yeodensis(snow fountain http://www.hort.uconn.edu/plants/p/pruyed/pruyed1.html Prunus x ...
tree growth11/5/2009
  Q: homework question...Why do trees never grow above a certain height??
  A: I assume you mean height as in tall not altitude as on the top of a mountain. It is a combination of ...
Birch pests11/4/2009
  Q: can you tell me who does this?
  A: This is caused by a wood pecker called a sap sucker. They make the holes in the bark and insects ...
Crepe Myrtle11/4/2009
  Q: In live in Northern NJ. Our Crepe Myrtle has been in the ground 2 or 3 years and is about 7 feet ...
  A: The ideal crepe myrtle pruning time is either in the late winter or early spring when the tree is in ...
Fir tree in the NW11/4/2009
  Q: I have a 30 foot fir tree that I have recently put some dirt around the base in an effort to ...
  A: Yes soil added around a tree trunk can damage the tree by compressing the soil and the air pockets ...
Transplanting a Seiryu Japanese Maple11/3/2009
  Q: I read your answer of 07/30/07 to the individual who wanted to transplant a Japanese Maple and who ...
  A: Size of the root ball should be dug as follows: For deciduous trees and shrubs the soil ball ...
willows11/3/2009
  Q: i have tried round up but it hasn't killed them it just made them come back with a vengeance any ...
  A: Garlon 4 is labeled for use as a foliage spray, thinline spray, stump spray, and basal bark ...
COLORADO BLUE SPRUCE TREE11/3/2009
  Q: I LIVE IN CHALFONT, PA. MY COLORADO BLUE SPRUCE NOW HAS SOME BROWN BRANCHES, A LITTLE AT THE BOTTOM ...
  A: Conifers do lose the needles on the interior part of the foliage so some of this maybe natural. But ...
willows11/2/2009
  Q: i have tried round up but it hasn't killed them it just made them come back with a vengeance any ...
  A: Two methods that are less noticeable are basal spray and hack and squirt. Basal sprays are applied ...
Pine Tree11/2/2009
  Q: a week and 2 days ago I replanted a pine tree (don't know what type) that was dug up from a building ...
  A: Not much of a chance. If the roots dried out there is a good chance the tree will die. I would ...
Transplanting a Seiryu Japanese Maple11/2/2009
  Q: I read your answer of 07/30/07 to the individual who wanted to transplant a Japanese Maple and who ...
  A: I would wait until the hardwood leaves have fallen and then go ahead and move the tree now. In ...
Raywood Ash11/1/2009
  Q: "IN THE SACRAMENTO, CA AREA I HAVE A RAYWOOD ASH TREE THAT WAS PLANTED ABOUT 20 YEARS AGO. UNTIL ...
  A: It does not look too good for this tree. Without looking at the tree it is difficult to ID the real ...
Live Oak Acorns10/31/2009
  Q: We bought 3 Live Oak trees from "W-M" two years ago and planted them in our yard. They are now 7-8 ...
  A: The average oak produces a significant number of acorns at about 15-29 years under normal ...
Redwood Trees10/28/2009
  Q: My largest redwood tree is over 75 high and about 6 feet in diameter at the base. 3 others are as ...
  A: I is hard to tell about the situation without seeing the tree location and the driveway I would ...
chestnut seeds10/28/2009
  Q: Jim, I live in the Northwest, I had my parents send me 10 chestnut seeds from the Northeast from a ...
  A: Nuts collected in the fall must undergo several months of cold storage before they can be planted in ...
Emerald Cedar trees10/28/2009
  Q: I have 10 short Emerald Cedar trees now on October, better to planet it now out side or I can keep ...
  A: In the fall they need at least 6 weeks before the ground freezes. In the spring, Evergreens can be ...
locust trees10/28/2009
  Q: I have all kind of little locust trees all over my property give me the easiest way to kill them for ...
  A: Wipe the foliage with a herbicide called Roundup. This will be taken up by the foliage and ...
buried tree trunks10/28/2009
  Q: Sorry, I'll try to re-state the question. In my back yard are 3 adult live oaks, spaced close ...
  A: IF there has been 2 feet of soil and rock added around the trees I would remove it as soon as ...
Apple seedlings10/27/2009
  Q: I cut open an apple and found two seeds that had germinated. These are now planted in tiny pots in ...
  A: I would not keep them in the house--the low humidity and the heat will not be good fro them. keep ...
Tree ball10/27/2009
  Q: some 10 yrs ago I had a contracter plant 6 very expensive pine trees. the tree tops died off and ...
  A: Several things were done incorrect--the wire and the burlap should be removed before the tree is set ...
Sycamore tree problems10/27/2009
  Q: I have a Sycamore maple growing in front of my house. My front yard is less than 300 square feet. ...
  A: You are right the summer months are the worst time to plant a tree especially a 15 foot tree. The ...
Sycamore tree problems10/27/2009
  Q: I have a Sycamore maple growing in front of my house. My front yard is less than 300 square feet. ...
  A: Sycamore maple will reach Height: 40 to 60’ Width: 25 to 40’ at maturity. This is entirely too ...
tree fungus10/21/2009
  Q: Jim, I have asked you two questions before, one about our neighbors overhanging river birch trees, ...
  A: Sounds like lichens. Lichens are an example of a symbiotic relationship between algae and certain ...
Ponderosa Pines10/21/2009
  Q: We have a stand of ponderosa pine, that has been dying, we have just cut 10-15 trees in the past ...
  A: Sounds like the trees are under stress from the horses either by compaction of the soil or the ...
Red Maple10/21/2009
  Q: We have a Red Maple that is located 9 feet from the condo that we live in. It is now 3 inches in ...
  A: Red maples have a spread of about 15-30 feet depending on the variety of Red maple you have from ...
Live Oak next to a pool10/21/2009
  Q: I have a 6 in. live oak that is about 15 ft. tall. It sits next to our pool that we had installed ...
  A: It will not be a problem for many years down the road. Live oak has a average spread of about 60 ...
Red Oak Tree10/20/2009
  Q: I planted a Red Oak Tree in my front yard 4 years ago. Every year up until this year the tree was ...
  A: All fertilizers are labeled with three numbers, giving the percentage (by weight) of nitrogen (N), ...
Maple Tree10/20/2009
  Q: The leaves on my young maples look like Swiss cheese and they are turning black on the edges. I see ...
  A: Sounds like a couple of things. The spot on the leaves are caused by a fungi. These are leaf spot ...
Fat Albert Blue Spruce10/20/2009
  Q: I have a 4 yr. old Fat Albert Blue spruce that has suddenly (within the last 5 days) went from ...
  A: Contrary to popular opinion, evergreen trees do not keep their needles indefinitely, they just do ...
problem root growth10/20/2009
  Q: If I water and fertilize in a desired dripline quadrant will the root growth be concentrated in that ...
  A: You can try it but I do not think it will work. Roots tend to grow toward a water and nutrient ...
problem tree10/20/2009
  Q: We have tree growing near our swimming pool that drops large, tennis ball size, green orbs into the ...
  A: In the first place it will not just stand there for ever if you killed it. Over time the limbs would ...
magnolia trunk damage10/19/2009
  Q: My neighbor backed his truck tailgate into a magnolia tree aprox 15 years old. He scraped the bark ...
  A: It is not as bad as it seems. Cut the loose bark from around the wound. The wound will heal by ...
air plants/ moss killing Oak Trees10/19/2009
  Q: I have 3 acres full of oak trees that are dying. In the past 3-4 years the trees seem to be overrun ...
  A: Sounds like Ball Moss. Here is a web link to information in Ball moss. ...
Black bark on my oak tree10/19/2009
  Q: We noticed 2 large black areas at the trunk of our old oak tree and wondered what it could be. the ...
  A: If the dark areas are wet it sounds like a borer type insect. Spray the area with an insecticide ...
transplanting flowering crabapple tree10/19/2009
  Q: My question may be a 2 parter or more.I planted 2 flowering crabapple trees 1 1/2 years ago(I ...
  A: I would not put them in pots--you would need a very large pot and then you would have trouble moving ...
Land filled Mapled10/19/2009
  Q: Our hill-side house was built last year around June. We live in a mature never touched maple forest ...
  A: It will depend on how much was added. If you can still see a flare of the tree trunk then you may be ...
Raywood Ash Root stock.10/19/2009
  Q: Recently we had some cows get loose and break off a Raywood ash at the base. The tree was about ...
  A: They could be grafted on another ash species but not another hardwood like mulberry. The ash leaves ...
Kill an evergreen10/19/2009
  Q: How can you kill an evergreen tree? I don't want to pay to have it taken down.
  A: Conifer evergreen tree can be killed by girdling the trunk and cutting into the bark into the wood ...
Replanting fallen tree10/18/2009
  Q: My Ash Tree has fallen over in northern California in current wind storm. It look like the main ...
  A: It will be a hard job to re stand it but it would be worth it. The damage will depend on the amount ...
Help I D a tree10/17/2009
  Q: I have a huge tree in my front yard with pea pod things hanging from it. The leaves are really dark ...
  A: Without a picture I would guess that this is a catalpa tree. There is a Southern and a Northern ...
Leaf Collection10/17/2009
  Q: My grandson has to do a leaf collection(20) using only Georgia native trees. He has to use taxonomic ...
  A: Here are several sites that have keys to ID trees. http://www.oplin.org/tree/ ...
air plants/ moss killing Oak Trees10/16/2009
  Q: I have 3 acres full of oak trees that are dying. In the past 3-4 years the trees seem to be overrun ...
  A: By air plants if you are talking about Spanish moss here is information on the treatment of this. ...
broken branch live oak10/16/2009
  Q: We have a live oak that has a trunk diameter of nearly four feet and off of the trunk are about four ...
  A: A couple of things--If the limb was hollow and assuming it was up in the tree this means the tree is ...
Maple tree seedling in a pot.10/15/2009
  Q: I live in southern Ohio. I found a few maple tree seeds over the summer and planted them in pots. To ...
  A: I would not bring them in the house. The heavy and low humidity would cause them problems--they will ...
dead oak trees10/15/2009
  Q: I have several types of oaks in the Kosse Texas area. Trees are quickly dieing in groups of three ...
  A: It would be difficult to tell exactly what the problem is without looking at the trees. In Texas ...
green mould like substance on tree branches10/15/2009
  Q: my Japanese maple bush is approx 5 yrs old,The leaves have now all fallen to leave unsightly thick ...
  A: These looks like lichens and are not a health problem for the tree. Lichens are unusual creatures. ...
hackberry tree disease10/14/2009
  Q: I live in San Antonio Texas and have a very large hackberry tree in the back yard that covers approx ...
  A: This is an insect called an aphid. They suck the plant juices and secrete a substance called ...
raywood ash disease?10/14/2009
  Q: In a recent storm in Merced California, the huge raywood ash tree across the street fell crushing my ...
  A: The inside wood of trees are many color usually depending on the minerals in the soil and the ...
Green Giant Thuja trees10/14/2009
  Q: Last week-end we planted two large Green Giant thuja trees on a slope. They looked fine when they ...
  A: A slight lean is not a problem and the tree will straighten out. Of it is leaning say 20 degrees ...
River birch trees10/14/2009
  Q: Our neighbor has three massive river birch trees just on his side of the property line, but because ...
  A: Sounds like the tree has been attacked by an insect called a borer. They will bore into the bark and ...
growth of 'healthy' plum tree10/14/2009
  Q: I bought two plum trees three years ago in early Spring and at the same time and same location ...
  A: It sounds like the soil is lacking in urea and the dog is providing the tree in the back. Usually ...
oak tree limbs breaking off10/14/2009
  Q: We have a very large old oak tree, it has had one limb a year break off for four years. These limbs ...
  A: Is the wood on the end of the limbs where it broke from the trunk hollow or mushy or not solid. This ...
Different Trees - Similar Disease?9/29/2009
  Q: I live in the greater Atlanta area of Georgia where we had a severe drought last summer (2008). I ...
  A: The drought in the South has injured the hardwood trees and some of the effect of this damage was ...
Curly Willow Tree9/29/2009
  Q: There is a curly willow tree planted about 10 feet from my inground pool (concrete wall). Will the ...
  A: I would move it--willow roots tend to seek water and if there is a leak in the pool the roots will ...
How to clean an outdoor deck9/29/2009
  Q: Jim, Our extension agent has identified the black deposits on my deck as lycenium or mycelium ...
  A: The Maple tree is the source of the sooty mold. The tree sounds like it has an infestation of an ...
firewood9/29/2009
  Q: our firewood has mushroom looking fungus growing on it ... is it safe just to knock it off and then ...
  A: Solid wood is hard and usually not discolored. Where decaying wood is stained and starts to become ...
Umbrella Willow or Globe Willow9/29/2009
  Q: Where can I purchase these type of willows for shipment to me in California? Thank you.
  A: You should be able to check with your local nursery. They may have it or can order it fro you. That ...
Live Oak Tree9/29/2009
  Q: We have a live oak tree in Charleston, SC. It has suddenly begun dripping a thick sap-like ...
  A: Since live oaks keeps their leaves all winter it will have some transporting action through the ...
Bore worms in Oak trees9/28/2009
  Q: Is Merit something that can be bought and used without be licensed? We have been told that we have ...
  A: No you do not have to have a license to but Merit. You can get it to spray on the trunk where the ...
Black Walnut9/28/2009
  Q: I have a black walnut tree growing on my property, it is actually in a very heavily wooded part, I ...
  A: The husks do turn black and decay leaving the nut inside. The insects are just feeding on the husks ...
Transplanting from pot to ground9/28/2009
  Q: I live in Orange County in Southern California and want to transplant a Japanese Acer from a pot to ...
  A: The best time is after the hardwood tree in the area have lost their leaves. Dig the hole twice the ...
Live Oak Trees9/28/2009
  Q: What are those prickly ball shaped things that grow on the branches of Live Oak trees in Texas? ...
  A: These are galls formed by insects. The insect lays its eggs on the twig and secretes a chemical that ...
Worms on River Birch Trees9/28/2009
  Q: I have pictures of these worms who are falling out of our River Birch trees. These worms have been ...
  A: These caterpillars are not from the webs last year. If there was not web this year this caterpillar ...
Spruce tree9/28/2009
  Q: I have a very large old spruce tree in my front yard. In the last few years I have noticed that two ...
  A: Sounds like the tree is sprouting suckers from the trunk. These can be pruned off. I would wait ...
oak tree leaves9/28/2009
  Q: I just noticed small red bell shaped objects on the leafs of one of my small oak trees. They appears ...
  A: Sounds like an insect called a gall wasp. There are a variety of gall-forming species of small ...
tree borers9/27/2009
  Q: We have had a problem with borers in our Eucalyptus trees. Now they are starting to affect our ...
  A: More than likely yes this sounds like the longhorn beetle. I would treat the tree with an ...
tree spread9/27/2009
  Q: The base of my oak tree has spread to the point where I can barely enter my driveway. Can I cut a ...
  A: Prune the lower limbs off so that none will be hitting the car when you drive into the driveway. Cut ...
Fruitless Mulberry9/27/2009
  Q: I have a beautiful fruitless mulberry tree which has a rust-like appearance around the leaves. It ...
  A: This sounds like a rust fungi. Mulberry rust is common in China where they raise silkworms on ...
Shelling nuts9/27/2009
  Q: I have a hican tree, cross between hickory and pecan,and the nuts are as hard as big bud hickory ...
  A: According to Mother Earth News. First you'll need to remove the green outer hull. But don't throw ...
Live Oak Tree9/27/2009
  Q: We have a live oak tree in Charleston, SC. It has suddenly begun dripping a thick sap-like ...
  A: If the sap is sticky it sounds like either an insect called an aphid or a scale insect. Both suck ...
oak tree leaf bumps9/27/2009
  Q: I am seeing red round bumps on my oaks tree leaves and wondering what they are.. and if it's hurting ...
  A: Sounds like an insect caled a leaf gall wasp. There are a variety of gall-forming species of small ...
borers in eucalyptus trees9/26/2009
  Q: You gave great info on what to do if the trees are living. We cut ours eucalyptus trees down 6 ...
  A: Eucalyptus logs used for firewood and dead or dying branches and trees are the primary ...
Black mold on tree9/26/2009
  Q: This summer I noticed some white fuzzy things under the leaves on my young tree. I treated it with ...
  A: These are an insect called aphids. They suck the plant juices from the tree and secrete a substance ...
Oak Tree Fungus?9/26/2009
  Q: I have an oak tree that has many large clumps/clusters, dark in color, on the branches. I've never ...
  A: They sound like insect galls. The branches sound like galls. Galls are irregular plant growths ...
Birch Tree Pruning9/26/2009
  Q: I've attached a picture of the Birch tree from our front yard. We live in Vacaville, CA. The house ...
  A: It is difficult to teel but it looks like there are three main branches--one lean towards your ...
cut root on a bradford pear9/26/2009
  Q: while burying a cable line at a customers house we cut a root on this pear tree. the root was only ...
  A: No I doubt the cutting of one roots would kill a tree. IF you cut more than 30 % of the roots of a ...
Worms on River Birch Trees9/26/2009
  Q: I have pictures of these worms who are falling out of our River Birch trees. These worms have been ...
  A: The caterpillars are migrating to find a place to spin their cocoons. They have done their damage ...
Bees on a Japanese Maple9/25/2009
  Q: We're seeing a swarm of bees and flies on our Japanese Maple tree. Is this an indication of some ...
  A: It could be an infestation of aphids or scale insects. These insects suck the plant juices from the ...
limbing douglas fir trees9/25/2009
  Q: best time of year to limb in the northwest
  A: Any time after the hardwoods have dropped their leaves until they bud out in the spring. This time ...
watering cottonwoods9/25/2009
  Q: I live in the Mojave desert in southern CA. I have a fremont cottonwood on a graywater system and ...
  A: Trees need about 1 inch of water per week--place a pan under the tree and turn the sprinkler on and ...
italian cypress9/25/2009
  Q: I have recently purchased 2 small trees 18" I live in north east england will it be ok to plant in ...
  A: The container should have adequate holes at the bottom for drainage of excess water. The drainage ...
Watering a Red Oak9/25/2009
  Q: Just planted a 12 foot red oak. We put two lengths of 3 inch PVC into the hole down to the bottom ...
  A: A much better way to water would be to water with 1 inch of water-place a pan under the tree and ...
pruning sucklings from willow9/24/2009
  Q: I have a large willow tree on the bayshore of NJ. Lots of wind here. Should I cut the limbs ...
  A: The sucker--sprouts near the bottom of the trunk can be removed without harming the tree or the ...
Damage to bark from children9/24/2009
  Q: I have a mature weeping Japanese Red Maple (approximately 50 years old) that some children have been ...
  A: I would remove any loose bark from around the wounds and let the tree heal by itself. You could ...
Bore Worms in Pine Tree9/23/2009
  Q: I have been told that I have bore worms in my pine tree of about 30 years and have advised it be cut ...
  A: If the needles on the ends of the branches are turning brown then the tree is dying. Pines will ...
FLORIDA SCRUB OAKS9/23/2009
  Q: A tree guy topped off some old scrubs oaks in the front of my house. He was suppose to leave some ...
  A: It will depend on the size of the trunk. It may sprout out of the trunk BUT it will look like a bush ...
Hedge Trimming9/23/2009
  Q: I have a lot that is infested with river cottonwoods, as they are commonly known around here. ...
  A: It is going to depend on the make of chainsaw you have. each make has its own attachments and one ...
Oak tree Sap9/22/2009
  Q: I have three oak trees in my back which is fenced in into two sections and used for a dog pen. For ...
  A: The foul-smelling and unsightly seepage of sap from the trunk of shade trees is commonly called ...
Sap On From Oak Trees9/22/2009
  Q: The oak tree in my back yard produce a great deal of sack and is very messy and dirty how do i ...
  A: More than likely the tree has an infestation of either aphids or scale insect. Both of these will ...
Trees9/22/2009
  Q: Is Cottonwood Trees native to Nebraska?
  A: Yes it is the Sate Tree of Nebraska. The Cottonwood (Populus deltoides marsh) became Nebraska's ...
japanese acer small tree9/22/2009
  Q: when is the best time to transplant a small japanese acer
  A: Deciduous plants may be moved in the spring as soon as the frost is out of the ground, up until the ...
Help! With my pine tree.9/22/2009
  Q: a woodpecker made alot of holes in my 30ft pine tree.I have seen sap collect in globs from these ...
  A: These are insects--If the glob is white the insect is a cone moth called Dioryctria. These will bore ...
cutting tree roots9/21/2009
  Q: I have an approximately 10-12 year old jacaranda tree (about 7" diameter trunk, drip line spreads ...
  A: Yes cutting these roots will damage the tree and possible cause it to die. IF they pavers are solid ...
Iford Weeping Cherry Tree9/21/2009
  Q: My friend has just purchased a weeping cherry tree and someone said we should plant it in a large ...
  A: No if you plant it in a pot the roots will be confined and as the tree grows it will die since the ...
Citrus Tree Disease9/21/2009
  Q: I have an orange tree with a white powder on the underside of the leaf. What is it and what is a ...
  A: Sounds like powdery mildew. Powdery mildew fungi belong to the group of plant pathogens called ...
Red Oak tree - diseased?9/21/2009
  Q: My neighbor has 2 very large red oak trees. One is OK but the other seems sick. For about the ...
  A: Small branches accumulating on the ground and the presence of clean-cut twigs, and in some cases ...
cedar trees9/21/2009
  Q: We recently acquired 5 15ft cedar trees and have planted them in our backyard. I am worried that the ...
  A: Mulch around the tree with not more than 3 inches deep of organic mulch not piled up on the trunk. ...
Purple Robe Locust9/21/2009
  Q: I have a two Purple Robe Locust trees (probaly about 4 years old) that we transplanted to a ...
  A: My first thought was a response to the move--this is a fairly good size tree to move and the root ...
plum tree9/21/2009
  Q: I have a plum tree that is 4 years old and had a few blossoms this year but no plums. I fertilized ...
  A: Yes plum tree should be pruned to produce more fruit. Pruning should be done in June on a dry day to ...
Laural Oak struggling in North Houston9/21/2009
  Q: Jim, We planted two Laural Oaks (one in front, one to side) of house almost 2 yrs ago. The one on ...
  A: Planting tree in heavy clay can be a problem. The hole needs to be about twice the size of the ...
using evergreen stump grinding material as mulch9/21/2009
  Q: I am having 5 evergreen stumps ground down. (1 White Pine, 4 Norway Spruce) I'm told there will be ...
  A: Yes the chips can be use as mulch. They will work fine. Some folks say the fresh chips may reduce ...
Arborvitae and chain link fence9/21/2009
  Q: We have a 6' chain link fence that we'd like to grow arborvitae against. If we start off with 2' ...
  A: Yes these tree will grow through the fence if planted close to it. Emerald Green Thuja a ...
Weeping willow9/20/2009
  Q: I bought a weeping willow about 2 years ago not really knowing how big it could get. I bought it in ...
  A: Weeping willow trees will have a spread of about 20-30 feet when mature. Which will mean the ...
Fat Albert Spruce Tree9/20/2009
  Q: We purchased our Fat Albert in May 2009, 7' tall. We are noticing some of the needles around the ...
  A: No needles of spruce as well as other conifers will drop naturally. As long as the upper needles ...
10 yr old Leyland Cypress9/20/2009
  Q: Can I trim my Leyland Cypress back 2 to 3 ft without damaging the tree and also end up with new ...
  A: No if you cut your tree back to 2 -3 feet tall and cut the terminal if the tree does not die you ...
tranplanting shoots9/20/2009
  Q: I have towering poplars around my yard for shelterbelt ,there are alot of shoots coming up in ...
  A: It will depend on if the sprout have there own root system or are sprout from the roots of the ...
weeping willow9/20/2009
  Q: my willow plant is two years old and is thriving, i'm worried I have planted it to near the house. ...
  A: Weeping willow trees will have a spread of about 20-30 feet when mature. Which will mean the ...
italian cypress9/20/2009
  Q: is it safe to put italian cypress on a very steep slope 12 feet of it at 45 degrees before leveling ...
  A: It will depend on the depth of the soil over the sandstone. Cypress will have a fairly shallow root ...
Live Oak in Texas9/20/2009
  Q: We had a long hot summer and trees were watered regularly. All are doing fine with the exception of ...
  A: No the wound dressing would not have effected the foliage of the oak. The hot dry weather followed ...
trim fruited malberry tree9/19/2009
  Q: I have a fruited mulberry tree and when I do have to trim a large limb 1" or larger I always leave ...
  A: Pruning of Mulberry trees should be done in the dormant months (after the leaves have dropped in the ...
Fig tree9/19/2009
  Q: When is the best time ti plant a fig tree? What is the best to plant in Alabama? Thank you
  A: When To Plant. Plant fig trees while they are dormant--spring is the best time. In warm areas, ...
Weeping Pusssy Willow9/19/2009
  Q: At a local nursery they have a weeping pussy willow that has a nice umbrella shape to it and is ...
  A: Willows are invasive as far as septic tanks and lines go. They should not be planted within 20 feet ...
Magnolia tree fungus?9/18/2009
  Q: I have a 2 part question about a Magnolia tree in my yard. I live along the Gulf Coast of Florida. ...
  A: These are lichens and are not a health problem to the tree. More likely, the plant is missing ...
Swedish columer aspen tree9/18/2009
  Q: They have been doing really well for the last 2 yrs until august when i noticed the one has ants on ...
  A: Ants and wasps will be attracted to a substance called honeydew. There are insects that suck the ...
Weeping Willow with small red buds on trunk9/18/2009
  Q: Good evening Jim. So in reading your post about what could potentially be the cause of the small ...
  A: It could be scale insects. take your finger and see if the "bumps" can be squashed. Scale insects ...
willow tree9/18/2009
  Q: I planted a weeping willow 4 days ago and i have watered it like i was told to and some of the ...
  A: This is not unusual for newly planted trees. They can go through a shock from the planting and lose ...
Liquid Amber tree9/17/2009
  Q: The roots of our liquid amber tree have been getting higher and higher in our yard the past 12 yrs. ...
  A: If the roots are starting to be exposed above the ground you can add sand over the roots as long as ...
conk on giant, old oak tree9/17/2009
  Q: Jim, We live in the coastal area of South Carolina and have numerous, very old (200 year range), ...
  A: The trimming back of the limb can cause the entire limb to die. IF any limbs are pruned I would take ...
Weeping Cherry Tree9/16/2009
  Q: I bought a weeping cherry tree about a month ago. The nursery that I bought it from gave me ...
  A: You can check to see if the tree is dead by starting near the top on an upper outer limb and scrape ...
river birch vs drake elm9/16/2009
  Q: I had 2 river birch trees about 6' from my house. They died last winter from a hard freeze. I just ...
  A: The drake elm has a spread of about 20 feet at maturity which would mean the roots spread about ...
Root Trauma9/16/2009
  Q: I've had to have a Michelia Alba dug up. Due to walls and sidewalks, the roots were pretty severely ...
  A: The roots should not be allowed to dry out. Plant the tree in a hole twice the size of the roots and ...
Black and Chestnut Oak Root Systems9/16/2009
  Q: Jim, I understand that these two trees do not have a tap root system. To avoid damage to either, ...
  A: It does not have a tap root and the roots spread about 1 1/2 time the distance of the branches. At ...
conk on giant, old oak tree9/16/2009
  Q: Jim, We live in the coastal area of South Carolina and have numerous, very old (200 year range), ...
  A: Was the limb that was removed hollow or mussy or was the wood attached to the trunk solid? If the ...
peach tree9/15/2009
  Q: I have a peach tree in a pot. When is the best time to transplant? and does it need more or less ...
  A: The best time would be early spring after the last frost. Peach tree do best in full sunlight. The ...
Oak Tree galls9/15/2009
  Q: One of the children at my preschool briefly chewed on a white gall from an oak leaf. I am concerned ...
  A: No they are not poisonous or dangerous. They are formed by an insect that lays its eggs on the leaf ...
Cutting a Pine Tree - Erosion (part II)9/15/2009
  Q: Jim, I appreciate your comments in ...
  A: The roots of cut trees do hold the soil after cutting. But the cutting process sometimes causes bare ...
maple tree mulch9/15/2009
  Q: What kind of mulch should be used for a mature maple?
  A: Any of the organic mulch is ok. I would use pine straw. Use not more than 3 inches deep and not ...
Corkscrew Willow9/15/2009
  Q: I have several limbs from a corkscrew willow that has been cut down. How can I root these so they ...
  A: Willows can be rooted from a cut branch or twig but this would have to be done at the time of the ...
Cutting a Pine Tree - erosion9/15/2009
  Q: Jim, In your answer to a past question ...
  A: What I said was 'Cutting trees" could cause a problem with erosion on steep sites. The trees and ...
Nut tree identification9/14/2009
  Q: My grandaughter has a nut tree in her yard and we are trying to figure out what kind it is. The ...
  A: This is a tree called the Buckeye, Aesculus species. The tree species Aesculus glabra is commonly ...
weeping pussy willow tree9/14/2009
  Q: My mother has a weeping pussy willow tree that has a black substance on the leaves. The entire ...
  A: If the dripping sap is sticky then this is a sign of an insect either aphids or scales--more than ...
my sick raywood ash9/14/2009
  Q: my names derek, i planted 2 raywoods in my front yard , an area with alot of hard pan . i planted in ...
  A: The worst time to plant a tree is in the summer months due to the heat and lack of water. Adding a ...
Pin Oak Location?9/14/2009
  Q: I live in a condominium in New Jersey that is comprised of 3 buildings. Each building is comprised ...
  A: Pin oaks are not usually a problem tree for sidewalks or patios. They can have a spread of about ...
douglas fir9/13/2009
  Q: My neighbor doesn't want to cut dead limbs off his fir trees. The tree limbs in question hang over ...
  A: Firs will naturally shed the dead limbs over time. The safe part depends on the size of the limbs ...
oak tree pruning9/13/2009
  Q: Jim, I live in Westchester county, New York and have a 250 yr old oak tree and would like to know ...
  A: For oak trees, the recommended pruning time is November through March. In the summer months, pruning ...
weeping willow9/13/2009
  Q: My parents have a weeping willow in their garden situated near the river. It is approx 5yrs old. It ...
  A: This is called slime flux caused by a bacteria. The bacteria builds up in the tree and the pressure ...
oak tree9/12/2009
  Q: can the weight of many acorns cause large branches to break like they would in an ice storm or is ...
  A: I think this is something that folks in Calif. are calling Sudden Limb Drop Syndrome. It is mostly ...
little leaf linden disease9/12/2009
  Q: All of the leaves on our little leaf linden are covered with a black mold of some sort. It drips ...
  A: Sound like aphids or scale insects. Both will suck the plant juices from the leaves and twigs and ...
blackjack trees9/12/2009
  Q: The majority of our trees are blackjacks,we have three dead in our back yard,and this happened real ...
  A: There is just not enough information to provide a reason for the trees dying. It could be anything ...
globe willow tree9/12/2009
  Q: My tree has a white like puss coming out of the trunk and it is also getting holes in it. What can I ...
  A: Sounds like a condition called Froth Flux. Frothy Flux is different from the Bacterial wetwood ...
Covering Surface Tree Roots9/12/2009
  Q: I live outside Charleston, SC on land with 8 to 16 inches of real "dirt". Beneath the dirt is ...
  A: " Damaging the roots" referred to the added soil. When you add soil over roots it tends to compact ...
pest defoliating willow oak tree9/11/2009
  Q: What kind of worm would defoliate a willow oak tree and how do you get rid of it?
  A: There are several insects that will defoliate a willow oak tree. Most are caterpillar type. They all ...
pruning bradford pear trees9/11/2009
  Q: i am tired of getting my head knocked off when i cut grass. when can i remove the lower branches and ...
  A: You can prune Bradford pear at almost any time except early spring before they flower. Cut the lower ...
Is my huge old red oak dying?9/11/2009
  Q: Shortly after we bought our home in the Lakewood area of Dallas the city came along and hacked the ...
  A: Yes I am sorry it does look like it is dying. More than likely a fungi entered the pruned limbs when ...
Brown Pine Trees9/11/2009
  Q: I had noticed the other day that my neighbors pine tree had completely turned brown so I was worried ...
  A: It could be several things from bark beetles to a root disease. Without looking at the trees it ...
dogwood tree9/11/2009
  Q: I have a dogwood tree that I would like to relocate, what is the best time of the year to do this? ...
  A: Deciduous may be planted either in the spring or the fall. Deciduous plants may be moved in the ...
Raywood Ash Dropping a Tacky White Powdery Substance9/10/2009
  Q: Hope you had a nice vacation! We live in Vacaville, CA about 30 miles west of Sacramento. Our ...
  A: Yes sort of--it contains a fertilzier and is usually more expensive than the Bayer Advanced Trre and ...
Covering Surface Tree Roots9/10/2009
  Q: I live outside Charleston, SC on land with 8 to 16 inches of real "dirt". Beneath the dirt is ...
  A: You can safely cover tree roots as long a sit is not more than about 2 inches of fill. More than ...
Silver Maple insects9/10/2009
  Q: My silver maple tree is loaded (tens of thousands) with tiny insects that resemble a knat with wings ...
  A: Sounds like bark lice. A picture would help. Bark Lice are more properly called Psocids (pronounced ...
peach tree9/10/2009
  Q: i wonder if you can help me. I have a peach tree which is now approx ten foot tall which i planted ...
  A: Two feet from a building is too close to plant a tree. The roots of a peach trees will not be a ...
ash tree9/10/2009
  Q: Mr. Hyland: Greetings. Hope you enjoyed your holidays. I have a ASH tree in the front yard. It is ...
  A: I would not think it will be a problem. the roots will spread about 1 1/2 time the width of the ...
tiny spiders on ponderosa pine9/9/2009
  Q: We live in the foothills west of Denver, CO. Our deck is built around a large, old ponderosa pine. ...
  A: Lets start anew--spiders have 8 legs and insects have 6 legs as adults. IF you have a magnifying ...
willow trees9/9/2009
  Q: i have 2 rows of willow trees at the lake lot about 25ft h 80ft long i seem to have a lot of white ...
  A: The only other thing it could be is a wooly aphid. these insects will suck the plant juices from a ...
Crimson Maple9/9/2009
  Q: This spring I planted a crimson maple and everything seemed to go well, new shoots, bright maroon ...
  A: It sounds like a normal reaction to the dry weather and the frost. Maple leaves will turn from ...
Scyamore Trees9/9/2009
  Q: At a marina on a creek off the Ohio River near Ripley, OH, boats that are moored near a large ...
  A: If the spots are sticky these are honeydew caused by scales or aphids on the tree. These insects ...
rotting stump9/9/2009
  Q: planning on letting ground sink till next spring and add dirt and plant grass seed my concern is are ...
  A: These are not a problem. They are the fruiting bodies of a decay fungi that is infecting the roots ...
Eastern Red Cedar Tree9/9/2009
  Q: Should you mulch an Eastern Red Cedar Tree that was planted in May of this year? I have read in the ...
  A: Yes I would. Mulching is one of the most beneficial things a home owner can do for the health of a ...
Raywood Ash9/9/2009
  Q: Also very small greenish bugs. They don't seem to be white flie. Nothing will grow under it except a ...
  A: These are an insect called an aphid. They suck the plant juices from the tree and secrete a ...
willow trees9/8/2009
  Q: i have 2 rows of willow trees at the lake lot about 25ft h 80ft long i seem to have a lot of white ...
  A: Sounds like the fruit from the willows. The fruit is a small capsule containing numerous tiny (0.1 ...
lawn care9/8/2009
  Q: how do i keep weeds out of my grass without hurting my roses and trees.
  A: Most liquid herbicides will not harm the tree or the roses assuming that the spray is not applied to ...
how far apart to plant trees9/8/2009
  Q: There is 25 feet along my yard ,I want to plant Arapaho Crape Myrtle,how far apart do i plant them? ...
  A: Crape Myrtle has a width at maturity of about 10-20 feet. I would plant them about 10 feet apart. ...
Bore worms9/8/2009
  Q: I live in Southern California and I have a 30 year old Japanese or Chinese elm tree that has bore ...
  A: Spray the trunk as high up as you can reach with an insecticide called Onyx. This will kill the ...
tiny spiders on ponderosa pine9/8/2009
  Q: We live in the foothills west of Denver, CO. Our deck is built around a large, old ponderosa pine. ...
  A: Sounds like spider mites. The Astro would have killed the predators of the spiders and allowed them ...
Decease on my Magnolia tree9/8/2009
  Q: My 3' new Susan magnolia tree has some decease with the leaves having big red spots and slowly ...
  A: Sounds like a leaf spot fungi. Leaf Spot - Leaf spot diseases caused by various fungi attack ...
Raywood Ash Dropping a Tacky White Powdery Substance9/8/2009
  Q: Hope you had a nice vacation! We live in Vacaville, CA about 30 miles west of Sacramento. Our ...
  A: Since the substance is sticky it does sound like aphids or scales. There are some that are cottony ...
Whit Oak spacing9/8/2009
  Q: we are getting the opportunity to transplant about 10 white oak trees approximately 20' in height we ...
  A: When mature the white oak has a spread of about 50 feet so I would plant about 25 feet apart. ...
accorns9/8/2009
  Q: I have a very big problem with acorns my yard and patio are covered with them the tree is very large ...
  A: I do not know of a injection system that will stop acorn production. Maybe possible but not ...
navajo globe willow8/26/2009
  Q: My tree has white like pus and has a weird smell, it is about two years old. Please help.
  A: Frothy Flux is different from the Bacterial wetwood (slime flux) seen afflicting many other hardwood ...
brown leaves on red sunset maples8/26/2009
  Q: At a commercial site i planted last October 08, today i noticed the leaves on some of the maples in ...
  A: My first guess would be in heavy clay soils when a hole is dug sometimes the sides of the hole a ...
tree branching from root8/26/2009
  Q: I have a couple of young trees (5-6 yrs old) that have branches coming up from the base of the ...
  A: Why a tree sprouts and another does not is not really under stood. More than likely it is how the ...
weather causing pruning question8/26/2009
  Q: These last few weeks in August seemed to have triggered flower buds all over our dogwood. The tree ...
  A: I would wait until after the leaves have fallen to prune the tree. You can cut the limb back to a ...
Thuja green giants8/26/2009
  Q: I live in New Hampshire and just ordered eight Thuja trees. It is now the end of August, is it safe ...
  A: Evergreen trees and shrubs may be planted either in the spring or the fall. Evergreens should be ...
trees8/26/2009
  Q: i have noticed black tiny winged insects on trunk of my hybrid willows. when rubbed them theyfall in ...
  A: Sounds like an aphid most likley the Giant willow aphid. The Giant Willow Aphid is one of many ...
fertilizing cypress trees8/26/2009
  Q: My husband put spike fertilizer in our cypress trees during August in Las Vegas. He said they got ...
  A: First check to see if the tree is alive--start near the end of an upper branch and scrape a small ...
chinese dogwood8/26/2009
  Q: I have 2 chinese dogwood trees about 7' tall that I believe were planted here 2 - 3 years ago. One ...
  A: Looks like fertilizer burn. The sticks concentrate the fertilizer and if a roots contacts the stick ...
tree8/25/2009
  Q: I live in central WI. I have a balsam poplar with small white rice-like "stuff" on the trunk. It ...
  A: It looks like bark lice Archipsocus nomas, the webbing bark louse. Bark lice are small, brown ...
Rotting Bark on trunk8/25/2009
  Q: My maple tree is approximately 13 years old and has done well until this year. At first we noticed a ...
  A: You do not need to to anything except cut any loose bark from the wound. With time the wound will ...
walnut tree and potential trigger for nut allergies8/25/2009
  Q: I am a school nurse-walnut trees on play area (mulch). Believe them to be black walnut trees...have ...
  A: I would lean toward this being a problem with a severe allergy. Here is a reference I found on ...
Mature Alder Trees/Fungus8/25/2009
  Q: I reside in a private community in Long Beach, CA which has an urban forest which includes more than ...
  A: Here is a reference for Calif. Dr. Deborah Mathews, UC Riverside, Riverside, CA A new canker ...
Hybrid Poplar8/25/2009
  Q: I have a maple tree that was planted about 8 feet from our house. I am wondering if this tree's root ...
  A: Maples size will vary depending on the variety of maple. Japanese maples vary from 6 feet tall to 25 ...
spruce tree leader8/25/2009
  Q: I live in NH, and have a 20+ year old spruce that has been growing well, except that I just noticed ...
  A: Something has killed the leader of the tree--the most common would be a beetle boring into the stem. ...
Rotting Bark on trunk8/25/2009
  Q: My maple tree is approximately 13 years old and has done well until this year. At first we noticed a ...
  A: Sounds like an insect called a borer. These will enter the trunk and cause a swelling and cause the ...
Mature Alder Trees/Fungus8/24/2009
  Q: I reside in a private community in Long Beach, CA which has an urban forest which includes more than ...
  A: Yes there seems to be a problem with alder in the Western US--it is classified as a decline. due ...
Crab apple declining8/24/2009
  Q: My crabapple (I don't know what variety it is) is declining really quickly now...it has been ...
  A: Unfortunately some crabapple and apple trees are susceptible to a fungal disease called apple scab. ...
Bag Worms of tall tree treatment8/24/2009
  Q: I live in Peachtree City GA a suburb of Atlanta. I have a very tall Ash tree with bag worm bags ...
  A: First lets get some terminology out of the way--there is an inset called a bagworm that lives in a ...
Colorado Blue Spruce8/18/2009
  Q: I hope you can answer a question, I have a 22 year old blue spruce and I noticed the ends are ...
  A: Sounds like a tip moth. These insect bores into the tip and the tip will curl and die. Check and see ...
river birch leafs turning yellow8/18/2009
  Q: for the last 2 years in august all my river birch tree's leaves start turning yellow and falling off ...
  A: River birch needs more water than most trees. The name implies it grow naturally along rivers. ...
aphids on birch8/18/2009
  Q: We have 4 old birch trees in our SF Bay area landscaping (3 in a group/1 large alone) and as always ...
  A: There are a couple of insecticides that will work well. (Malathion is not one of them). It will take ...
Small Share Tree8/18/2009
  Q: About 5 years ago I planted a maple tree in my front yard. I have pruned it once about 2 years ago. ...
  A: Here is web link to the SC Forestry Commissions tree selection guide. I would maybe pick ...
Linden Tree maladies8/18/2009
  Q: I am a president of a condo association and one of my unit owners had concerns about a such a tree ...
  A: It sounds like an insect called a scale. These insects live under a shell like structure and suck ...
Dying trees8/18/2009
  Q: Again, we live in northeast Ohio. We so appreciated your answer to our last question that we have ...
  A: There are several diseases that will infect ash. each have their own signs. Here is a web link to ...
red buds8/18/2009
  Q: I recently got redbud trees dugout at a nursery. I realize summer digging is risky. # redbuds were ...
  A: The lack of water and the heat are the limiting factors for not planting in the summer months. ...
Tree Fungus8/18/2009
  Q: I recently had a tree man come to my home to give me a quote on removing a Bay Tree that had fallen ...
  A: Let me tell you up front I am Not a fan of "tree removal men" who are not foresters telling ...
pecan trees8/17/2009
  Q: The new crop of pecans has started to fall (august) and some of the leaves have been stripped of ...
  A: Care of Bearing Trees Fertilizing — Fertilization is one of the most important practices for bearing ...
Willow8/17/2009
  Q: Don't know what type of willow neighbor planted, but they did plant it a foot away from the property ...
  A: The diameter will depend on the kind of willow but generally they can reach a diameter of about ...
flowering crab apple tree8/17/2009
  Q: Is there any way to make my 12 foot crab apple tree stop having apples ? Live in Utica, Michigan, ...
  A: Florel Fruit Eliminator will reduce or eliminate undesirable fruit on many trees. Look at: Florel® ...
Cherry Tree8/17/2009
  Q: I too purchased a Snow Fountain Weeping Cherry from Lowe's. I live in a zone 5 in NW Pennsylvania. ...
  A: Too much water is as bad as too little. Sounds like the yard does not drain well and the roots are ...
Split oak tree8/17/2009
  Q: An oak tree in our backyard recently split (almost in half). It did not split all the way down the ...
  A: Sounds like the tree with a forked tree (one having two main trunks) and one split off from the ...
pussywillow/bees, wasps,hornets and black8/16/2009
  Q: G'morning, I have a pussy willow that I have trimmed up into a tree shape, approx 15 feet tall with ...
  A: Here is a list of insecticides that will work on aphids but will take several applications to ...
Cherry blossom tree8/16/2009
  Q: The leaves on my cherry blossom tree just died within a matter of weeks. The did not fall off of ...
  A: Sounds like a blight disease. If you take you finger nail or a small knife and scrape a small bit of ...
Global Willow Tree8/16/2009
  Q: My son has a Global Willow Tree that has some of the bark loosing on the trunk of the tree. It ...
  A: Do not think from your description that there is a problem. Willows as they grow older will have ...
Italian Cypress Trees8/16/2009
  Q: We live in southwest Idaho - in the Boise or Treasure Valley. I love the look of the Italian ...
  A: The cold will be the limiting factor. This tree will live in a range of soils. The Hardiness growing ...
Small Share Tree8/16/2009
  Q: About 5 years ago I planted a maple tree in my front yard. I have pruned it once about 2 years ago. ...
  A: I would call the SC Forestry Commission and ask them to come by and take a look. With out seeing the ...
Maple leaf spots8/16/2009
  Q: Have avery healthy tree, about 9 years old. This year I see dark spots verying in different sizes. ...
  A: The picture was not attached. These are leaf spot caused by a fungus. I am going to guess it is ...
bagworms in blue spruce8/16/2009
  Q: I just learned that I have bagworms in 2 blue spruce trees on my property in Eastern Pennsylvania ...
  A: The common bagworm, Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis (Haworth), is an interesting caterpillar. The most ...
blue spruce8/16/2009
  Q: I have an orange powder in 5 or 6 small lumps per needle on the whole tree. The tree is turning ...
  A: Sounds like a rust fungi. Two rust fungi that infect the current year's needles, Chrysomyxa ledi and ...
Aspen Spreading8/16/2009
  Q: Aspen are spreading all over the front lawn at 5400ft. Is there a way to stop them from coming up ...
  A: Unfortunately, controlling root sprouts will be an ongoing, but ultimately futile task. Grubbing ...
pussywillow/bees, wasps,hornets and black"stuff"8/15/2009
  Q: G'morning, I have a pussy willow that I have trimmed up into a tree shape, approx 15 feet tall with ...
  A: Aphids suck the plant juices form the plant and secrete a substance called Honeydew which is high in ...
Pecan Trees8/15/2009
  Q: We bought a house last year in southeastern Georgia that had 3 pecan trees. The nuts fall ...
  A: There are numerous causes of premature pecan drop. Some varieties such as 'Desirable' shed ...
apple tree roots8/14/2009
  Q: My father has a couple apple trees and one pear tree and he is afraid the roots might damage his ...
  A: These are generally larger trees with massive crowns and the root system is wide and the roots them ...
apple tree roots8/14/2009
  Q: My father has a couple apple trees and one pear tree and he is afraid the roots might damage his ...
  A: Not if it is a cement pool. Vynal lined pools if there is a leak could be damaged. Tree roots extend ...
Sprouts form chinese Elm8/14/2009
  Q: I have had a chinese elm removed form my front yard, and the stump was ground, but tere are still ...
  A: Treat the sprouts with a herbicide called Roundup. This can be either sprayed on the foliage of the ...
elm trees8/14/2009
  Q: How can I get the black sooty mold off of the deck next to my elm tree? Power washing doesn't seem ...
  A: First you will need to control the sucking insects that are causing the sooty mold. The fall ...
tired of spiders8/14/2009
  Q: I would like to know if there is any type of tree that won't attract insects, specially spiders. ...
  A: The trees in the yard are not a problem unless the limbs are touching the house--then this may give ...
Dying trees8/14/2009
  Q: Again, we live in northeast Ohio. We so appreciated your answer to our last question that we have ...
  A: There is really not enough information to be able to determine what killed the oak-sorry. But if it ...
Paulownia Tree8/14/2009
  Q: I recently planted a paulownia tree which was only 6" high. It is now 4' high. I need to move it to ...
  A: Deciduous plants may be moved in the spring as soon as the frost is out of the ground, up until the ...
maple tree root damage to foundations8/13/2009
  Q: Will the root system of a red maple damage a slab foundation planted 7 feet from a house located ...
  A: Not going to be a problem. Red maples have been used as foundation plantings for some time and have ...
does chemical Triflurilin have any side effects on humans /pets8/13/2009
  Q: I am considering the Biobarrier root system fabric installed inground in my yard.......is this ...
  A: One of the most visible and unique inhibitor barriers is the controlled release herbicide fabric. ...
Which Red Maple???8/13/2009
  Q: I live in Des Moines, IA (zone 5) and am looking to plant a red maple this fall in my yard. The ...
  A: Here is a list of the seedless maples all have green foliage until the fall and then the color will ...
Southern Live Oaks8/13/2009
  Q: Southern Live Oak as opposed to a Laurel or Water Oak? How can I tell which one is growing in my ...
  A: Here are the web links to the three trees with great pictures and descriptions. There are distinct ...
Willow8/13/2009
  Q: Don't know what type of willow neighbor planted, but they did plant it a foot away from the property ...
  A: Weeping willow can get about 30-40 feet tall at maturity and about 20-30 feet spread if growing in ...
Red Oak Tree8/13/2009
  Q: I planted a Red Oak Tree in my front yard 4 years ago. Every year up until this year the tree was ...
  A: Sounds like a root problem--could be compaction of the soil, grade change )added fill dirt), use of ...
japanese maple tree and spiderwebs8/12/2009
  Q: This spring my tree did not bloom entirely. Only one half of the tree had leaves. The other side is ...
  A: Sounds like spider mites. Spider mites have tiny mouthparts modified for piercing individual plant ...
Oak Tree problem8/12/2009
  Q: I have an oak tree that died and was recently taken down. The tree's inner wood appeared to be ...
  A: I really do not think it is oak wilt. So I would fertilize and this should do the trick. Durban is ...
cherry tree8/12/2009
  Q: I have a flowering cherry tree(12 years old), there are roots growing in a circular direction around ...
  A: Sorry it took so long to get back--had computer problems. Looking at the picture I would not be ...
RED OAK TREE SEEMS TO BE DYING8/12/2009
  Q: June 24 our landscaper planted a 15' red oak tree. We are in the Dallas, Ft. Worth, Texas Area. We ...
  A: I answered this question on 08/12/09 Here was my answer This is the worst time to plant trees due ...
Shade8/12/2009
  Q: I need to know which are good shade trees other than Maple, Oak, and Poplar Trees.
  A: It all depend on where you live and the size of the yard and the effect you are looking for-color. ...
Application of Merit 75WP8/12/2009
  Q: Jim - On Aug. 10, you suggested I use Merit for the weeping cherry problem (peeling bark and sap ...
  A: I would not apply as an injection since the wound is already there and the tree will absorb the ...
Yoshino Cherry Tree8/12/2009
  Q: We have a Yoshino Cherry Tree planted next to a house with a full basement. It grew quickly to 20 ...
  A: This tree is entirely too large to have 5 feet from the house. It has a spread width of 25-49 feet ...
webbing on younger oak trees8/12/2009
  Q: We live in the deep South. Oaks grow well and wild here. We have 6-8 mostly pin oaks that are 30 ...
  A: Sounds like bark lice. Bark Lice are more properly called Psocids (pronounced "SOSS-sids"). They ...
linden trees8/11/2009
  Q: I have a linden tree 7 or 8 yrs ago and it has a insect that forms needle like protrusions about 5mm ...
  A: Sounds like maybe a couple of things. The leaf 'projections" are called leaf galls. They are caused ...
Crimson King Maple8/11/2009
  Q: I live in northeast Ohio. I rescued a very small Crimson King maple sapling that was growing next to ...
  A: If it was a crimson when you first moved it it still is. I think the tree is reacting to the many ...
RED OAK TREE8/11/2009
  Q: June 24th our landscaper planted a 15 ft red oak tree. We are in the Dallas, Ft Worth area. We ...
  A: This is the worst time to plant trees due to the heat and the usually drier weather. You will ...
cherry tree8/11/2009
  Q: I have a flowering cherry tree(12 years old), there are roots growing in a circular direction around ...
  A: A tree is girdled when something is tightly wrapped around the trunk or stem. A stem girdling root ...
Chinese Dogwood8/11/2009
  Q: I have a young Chinese Dogwood tree (about 12" High). How do I plant it? I have a spot in the back ...
  A: The Chinese dogwood is easier to grow than our native dogwood, but it still does best when given a ...
Tulip popular lean8/11/2009
  Q: I have a native tulip popular tree on my property which is approximately 12 inches in diameter and ...
  A: 10 % lean is not a real danger. Trees do not necessarily grow straight up. However, trees with a ...
red bud tree roots8/11/2009
  Q: My "red bud" tree died last summer. It was about 9 inches in diameter at the truck base. I cut the ...
  A: The roots system will spread about 1 1/2 time the width of the branches. As you go further from the ...
Ceratomia catalpae8/11/2009
  Q: How do I get rid of them? I have 4 very large Catalpa trees and the Ceratomia catalpae has killed 1 ...
  A: First I would not think the caterpillar will kill the tree. It will eat all the leaves and make the ...
Catalpa trees: do they cause foundation damage?8/11/2009
  Q: There are 6 gorgeous catalpa trees on my property, including 2 huge old ones. One of the huge ones ...
  A: I would remove the tree. Sorry. The trunk will continue to push against the house and over time will ...
Post Oak Leaf Growth8/10/2009
  Q: I have a very mature Post Oak. Some damage was done to it during construction of our home and it has ...
  A: Looks like a gall insect called oak apple gall. This is one of many leaf galls that affect oaks. ...
spruce tree8/10/2009
  Q: I live next to 2 spruce trees that had a Boxelder in front of them and as the boxelder grew the more ...
  A: This is natural sheding of the limbs. If lower limbs are shaded from a competing tree the tree will ...
Oak Tree problem8/10/2009
  Q: I have an oak tree that died and was recently taken down. The tree's inner wood appeared to be ...
  A: Sounds like a decay type fungi --these infect the woody cells and do not cause the death of the ...
globe willow8/10/2009
  Q: the bark of my globe willow has what looks like mushroom shelves growing on it. What would be the ...
  A: This could be a lichen or a mushroom. The mushroom is the fruiting body of a decay fungi that over ...
Weeping Willow Trees/City Sewage Lines8/10/2009
  Q: This summer we had re-landscaped our yard after the city came in installing city sewage lines ...
  A: No you should not have any problem with the sewer lines and the roots. Sewer lines are sealed and ...
Crape Myrtle trees8/9/2009
  Q: If I remove the spent blooms from my white crape myrtle tree,will I get new blooms for the remainder ...
  A: If you cut off the newly forming seedheads then the plant will often bloom again. You just need to ...
Sap oozing and bark peeling on a weeping cherry8/9/2009
  Q: About a month ago, I noticed a spot where sap was oozing about a foot above the ground on a weeping ...
  A: I agree it does look like borer damage. I would cut the loose bark off the wound and re spray but I ...
Water Oak disease?8/9/2009
  Q: My water oak tree has these (see picture) growing all over it. Also the leave are starting to turn ...
  A: Hard to tell from the dark picture but it looks like a insect gall. There are a variety of ...
Black spots on silver maple leaves8/9/2009
  Q: I planted a sapling silver maple in the spring of 2008. The tree has grown well, with no problems. ...
  A: Several different fungi in the genus Rhytisma infect the leaves of maples and cause raised, black ...
gall mites8/9/2009
  Q: We have a large more than 20yrs old oak tree. This year we noticed gall mites on the leaves. ...
  A: These insect suck the plant juices and secrete a sugary substance called honeydew. Treat the tree ...
Catalpa trees: do they cause foundation damage?8/9/2009
  Q: There are 6 gorgeous catalpa trees on my property, including 2 huge old ones. One of the huge ones ...
  A: I assume that by hitting the gutter you mean the limbs not the trunk. The roots of tree will ...
infested maple tree8/8/2009
  Q: i have a giant very old (50+ yrs) maple tree being infested by something. A large part, about 4 X 6 ...
  A: Sounds like an insect called a borer. they will bore into the trunk and the wound will form and the ...
Weeping Cherry Tree Leaves Yellow8/8/2009
  Q: I purchase a weeping cherry this past spring and planted it, all has been great. However, in the ...
  A: A tree needs about 1 inch of water per week. Most sprinkler systems for lawns produce a lot less ...
Tree transplanting8/8/2009
  Q: I live in Eastern CO and have very sandy soil. A former owner planted what appear to be some type ...
  A: The sprout are from the roots of the parent tree and do not have a root system of their own. These ...
Autumn Maple8/8/2009
  Q: leaves have brown spots and seem to be withering....the trunk bark is splitting....and ...
  A: A vertical split that occured over the winter is probably frost cracking or sunscald. Young maples ...
Tree for very wet site8/7/2009
  Q: I live in western Colorado (zone 5). The landscape is sloped to where my front yard gets alot of ...
  A: River birch should work or a weeping willow will also work. Willows need more water than most trees ...
root system on oak tree8/7/2009
  Q: We have just put in a swimming pool and it is close to an oak tree that is about 3 to 4 feet in ...
  A: The roots of trees will spread about 1 1/2 times the width of the branches. Roots will seek water ...
Weeping Pussy Willow looks like it's being eaten8/7/2009
  Q: We have a 6 ft weeping pussy willow that has always been bountiful and healthy, all the sudden it is ...
  A: I would spray the foliage with an insecticide called Orthene this will kill any insect that is ...
Red Oak Fungus8/7/2009
  Q: I have a Red Oak tree in the Atlanta area which has a fungus showing at the base of the trunk. There ...
  A: These are the fruiting bodies of a decay fungi. The fungi enters a wound in the trunk and will ...
ShadeTrees8/7/2009
  Q: We live in the Rio Grande Valley and want to plant a live oak. Is there a type of live oak that ...
  A: I would suggest that you visit the local tree nursery and tell them your situation as to the site ...
Sprouts8/6/2009
  Q: How can I get rid of all the sprouts from my live oak? They are killing my lawn...... Thanks
  A: Most people simply mow them regularly to keep them under control. Herbicides that will kill the root ...
blue spruce covered in ants8/6/2009
  Q: This is a photo of my neighbour's blue spruce. It seems to be covered in ants. I know ants go after ...
  A: Check to see if the foliage and maybe the twigs are sticky--this would be a sign of the honeydew. ...
orange dust on blue spruce8/6/2009
  Q: I live in a small Northern Ontario community & just about every blue spruce in town looks like this ...
  A: Sounds like a rust fungi. Two rust fungi that infect the current year's needles, Chrysomyxa ledi and ...
bald cypress roots/bathroom pipes8/6/2009
  Q: my husband does not believe me (and the articles i've read to him) that the 3 cypress trees he ...
  A: The foundation problem with roots are to slab type foundations. Root can and will get into sewer ...
Pin Oak Has Black trunk8/6/2009
  Q: I live in northeast Tennessee. I recently planted a pin oak in the spring. It is around 20 feet ...
  A: try fertilizing it with 10-10-10 fertilizer at the rate of 1 lb per inch of trunk diameter scattered ...
weeping pussy willow8/6/2009
  Q: I have a weeping pussy willow and there is an extremely small yellow bug that has been covering the ...
  A: sounds like spider mites. Mites are not insects but are more closely related to spiders. They are ...
Effects of Pruning Leyland Cypress Trees8/6/2009
  Q: I have 20 Leyland Cypress Trees we planted 9 years ago to provide privacy from a house that looks ...
  A: No the Leyland cypress will not sprout new limbs when the limb is pruned to the trunk. The pruning ...
Live Oak Trees8/5/2009
  Q: We live in the Rio Grande Valley and want to plant a live oak. Is there a type of live oak that ...
  A: No I know of no oak tree that does not produce acorns. The acorns are the reproductive part of the ...
Magnolia Tree Health8/5/2009
  Q: There are lots of trees in my Little Rock, Arkansas neighborhood, but my Magnolia tree has been one ...
  A: Since it says is is a general Maximum N I would guess it is 13-13-13. But essentually the same ...
Hole in Oak Tree8/5/2009
  Q: Ok...I understand the comment regarding leaving cavities in oak trees alone. However, I have five ...
  A: They will not really harm the overall health of the tree. They may excavate more of the hollow for ...
Cleveland Pear8/5/2009
  Q: We had a 5 year old Cleveland Pear in our landscape. It got hit by a storm that came through. I want ...
  A: Planting in the exact same spot will be difficult due to the stump wood. You can try digging the ...
Tree-dead, infected, or confused8/5/2009
  Q: I live in the Chicago area and we have had a cooler summer than usual. i am not sure what kind of ...
  A: Well I have looked and looked at the leaves and the other pictures and the leaves look like dogwood ...
Weeping Cherry Tree8/5/2009
  Q: We have three flowering weeping cherry trees that are about 3 or 4 years old. One has leaves that ...
  A: Probably needs water about 1 inch ---place a pan under the tree and turn the sprinkler on and when ...
Magnolia Tree Health8/4/2009
  Q: There are lots of trees in my Little Rock, Arkansas neighborhood, but my Magnolia tree has been one ...
  A: I would fertilize the tree with 10-10-10 fertilizer at the rate of 1 lb per inch of trunk Diameter ...
purple plum tree8/4/2009
  Q: I recently lost a purple plum tree in a storm and was wondering how much it was worth for insurance ...
  A: About all you can claim is the replacement value. Example: 8-10 feet tall (Fall Shipment) $179.95 ...
Pin Oak Has Black trunk8/4/2009
  Q: I live in northeast Tennessee. I recently planted a pin oak in the spring. It is around 20 feet ...
  A: This is called slime flux or wetwood. The foul-smelling and unsightly seepage of sap from the trunk ...
Cottonwood tree8/4/2009
  Q: We have lived in Eugene, OR for four years. Our cottonwood tree has rust spots this year that ...
  A: Sounds like cottonwood leaf rust. Yellow or orange pustules, containing spores, form on the ...
pruning a crimson maple8/4/2009
  Q: We live in Western Pennsylvania and have a crimson maple approximately 12-15 years old that is now ...
  A: While deciduous trees can be pruned anytime during the year, the best time to prune is late winter ...
WILLOW OAK BLACK BARK8/4/2009
  Q: MY WILLOW OAK TREE BARK HAS TURNED BLACK. IT DOESN'T SEEM TO GROWING AS WELL AS LAST YEAR . IT IS ...
  A: I would fertilize it with 10-10-10 fertilizer at the rate of 1 lb per inch of trunk diameter ...
crepe mertle8/4/2009
  Q: I have several new shoots of crepe mertle comming up do to seed. I'd like to move them to my back ...
  A: Woody plants are preferably moved in the spring after the ground thaws and before the buds on the ...
cottonless cottonwood tree8/4/2009
  Q: I have a cottonless cotonwood tree 90 feet tall in my backyard. The base of the tree is surrounded ...
  A: I would say that they are getting too little water--the ivy is getting more than the tree. The time ...
water oak problems8/3/2009
  Q: My mother lives in central La...(Natchitoches) She has a large water oak very close to her house ...
  A: TGR are used to reduce the growth of a tree and reduce the need for pruning. Selected trees may be ...
tree identification8/3/2009
  Q: I live in Kansas City, Missouri and in our neighborhood there are several trees that have leaves ...
  A: The city of Kansas City has an Urban Forestry department with Foresters on staff. It is located in ...
aspen trees and alkalinity8/3/2009
  Q: We live in Alb,NM at the base of the Sandia Mtns. (6,200 ft elevation) Our aspen trees are turning ...
  A: Soils usually have adequate amounts of mineral iron. However, as soil pH rises above 7.0, iron ...
water oak problems8/3/2009
  Q: My mother lives in central La...(Natchitoches) She has a large water oak very close to her house ...
  A: Wetwood and slime flux are poorly understood tree disease problems. Wetwood is an internal bacterial ...
Globe Willow pruning8/2/2009
  Q: I have had my Navajo globe willow for about 2 years, maybe 3, growing great my husband wants to ...
  A: You can prune the lower branches off to about 1/4 inch from the main trunk. A weeping willow tree ...
pecan trees desease we need help8/2/2009
  Q: I recently purchased a property with about 25 huge pecan trees, we bought in the winter so was not ...
  A: Sounds like the trees were not taken care of and need fertilizing and other treatments. I would ...
Birch tree worm infestation8/2/2009
  Q: I live in Virginia Beach, VA, and over the last couple of days I noticed leaves being stripped from ...
  A: The smaller ones are the Dusky Birch Sawfly,Croesus latitarsus. Larvae are yellow-green with black ...
dying sour cherry tree8/2/2009
  Q: I have a sour cherry tree thats about 10 years old, i did not get any cherries this year, and the ...
  A: Since you did not say what was sprayed I really can not comment on IF it cased a problem. But since ...
Pine Trees8/2/2009
  Q: I live in Ocala, FL and recently noticed a pine tree ( i believe it is a scrub pine)that lost 80% of ...
  A: Attach the pictures to the question and I will see if I can ID the insects. Yes the pine was dead. ...
transplanting tree's8/1/2009
  Q: My friend planted an ASH tree in her backyard nearly 2 years ago. She says it was a 15 gallon when ...
  A: Deciduous plants may be moved in the spring as soon as the frost is out of the ground, up until the ...
Crepe Mirtle Not Blooming8/1/2009
  Q: We transplanted our Crepe Myrtle tree a year and a half ago. Last year it bloomed a little. This ...
  A: Too things that slow crept myrtle from blooming--not enough sunlight and the need for fertilizer, ...
summer branch drop7/30/2009
  Q: How often do you recommend to remove or shorten and lighten long horizontal branches and thin the ...
  A: Tree limbs that drop in summer without any apparent cause is not uncommon.We call it Summer limb ...
worms on river birch7/30/2009
  Q: how do i get rid of worms on a river birch
  A: This sounds like birch sawfly. They feed in groups and can defoliate a tree. For small trees you can ...
sugar maple7/29/2009
  Q: I bought and planted a sugar maple in sept. 2007 in southern NH. It was about 8 feet tall and is ...
  A: Sounds like what you have done is pruned back the roots when you dug down the 4 inches. There is a ...
Oak tree not sprouting leaves7/29/2009
  Q: I purchased 25 oak trees last April 2009. Most of them have taken to the soil. I used a root ...
  A: The tree that have no green under the bark are dead. Sorry Trees do go into shock when planted ...
riverbirch trees7/29/2009
  Q: Will river birch trees grow in the water in the edge of a pond. I bought several trees about 15' ...
  A: No they will grow near the waters edge but not in the water. The roots will not get enough oxygen ...
pine trees7/29/2009
  Q: We recently planted 25 small pine trees along our sons driveway. They were approximately about 6" ...
  A: Pines do not put on new needles after they have completely lost there needles. So if all the needles ...
tree roots7/29/2009
  Q: I live in western Pa. I had 2 80 foot lombardy poplar trees cut down. Since then, there are new ...
  A: The root system is still alive and sprouting new growth. The roots that are on top of the ground can ...
Coral Japanese Maple, dead limb7/28/2009
  Q: We have a dead limb on our Coral Japanese maple. There is a black section right below where the ...
  A: Not real sure from your description but it seems to be a canker type disease. Just prune the dead ...
Red maple tree bark decay7/28/2009
  Q: My red maple tree was planted 2 years ago in a zone very close to a Hwy. Now, it has bark decay ...
  A: Looks like borer damage. I would spray the areas with an insecticide called Merit. This will kill ...
globe willow7/28/2009
  Q: I have a beautiful globe willow but it is getting a sore of sorts. My husbands thinks it's a worm. ...
  A: This is called slime flux caused by a bacteria. The bacteria builds up in the tree and the pressure ...
Golen Chain Tree7/28/2009
  Q: My Golden Chain tree leaves have brown spots on them does that mean that it is dieased and can I ...
  A: These are called leaf spot fungi the one most common on Chain tree is Cercospora. Circular to ...
tree branch growth7/28/2009
  Q: Hoping you can settle a discussion question........do tree branches grow with the tree? In other ...
  A: The tree grows from the top. Branches that are two feet up the trunk will be two feet when the tree ...
White oak tree leaf7/28/2009
  Q: I have these growths on my white oak tree leaves. I can't tell if they are some type of leaf bug or ...
  A: Sounds like a leaf gall more than likely Wool Sower Galls, Some insects and mites cause unusual ...
Weeping Cherry tree7/28/2009
  Q: I have recently bought a new house in Eastern Wahshington State and have come to the conclusion thru ...
  A: The wasps are attracted to and feeding on sap. Check the foliage and it should be sticky. It sounds ...
Should I leave a weeping willow in a residential neighborhood?7/28/2009
  Q: I just purchased a new home and there is a weeping willow that is about 3 feet tall in the center of ...
  A: Not a problem. Willows have a tendency to clog septic lines due to their roots needing more water ...
Sapsucker Woodpecker Damage on Curly Willow Tree7/28/2009
  Q: We live in MN and have an eight year old curly willow that was attacked for the first time this ...
  A: The burlap will not keep the woodpecker from pecking. It will heat up the bark in the summer months ...
maple trees and aphids7/27/2009
  Q: I have five maple trees lining my corner lot. Two of them have to be over 3 stories tall. They ...
  A: The "pimples" on the leaves are galls from an insect. the small wasp like insect lays its eggs on ...
Magnolia tree7/27/2009
  Q: I see white nubs on the branches of my tree. I live in Northwest Indiana and the tree is 1 1/2 yrs ...
  A: If there is a sticky sap on the leaves or on the twigs then this is an insect called scales. If ...
cottonwood tree7/27/2009
  Q: At the base of a large cottonwood tree there is a knot approx. a ft sq. and sticking out of the ...
  A: Sounds like a canker type disease that has formed a burl on the root. Yes it could be cut off and ...
elm trees misting everything this year7/27/2009
  Q: I park my car in a space up to the front of our house and we have elm trees on the swath between the ...
  A: The tree has a population of either aphids or scale insects. Both of these insects sunk the plant ...
Wild Cherry Leaf Die Off7/27/2009
  Q: My wild cherry had bag worms in the spring and now many twig branches are leafless, leaves are ...
  A: The "bagworms" sounds like eastern Tent Caterpillar. These insects make a web like tent over the ...
Insects in Globe Willow Tree7/27/2009
  Q: We planted a Globe Willow in our back yard - west side of the house - about 3 or 4 years ago. It's ...
  A: The black is called sooty mold. The bugs sound like an insect called an aphids. These insects suck ...
Large oak tree drips sap7/26/2009
  Q: I live in Northern California, the San Francisco Bay Area. I have lived in this house for 25 yrs. ...
  A: Sounds like either an insect called an aphid or a scale insect. Both suck the plant juice from the ...
Royal Empress Tree root system7/26/2009
  Q: I'm planing on planting a royal empress tree in my garden, it would be planted about 20 feet from ...
  A: The roots will be about 1 1/2 times the width of the foliage. 20 feet should be plenty of distance ...
Crape Myrtle7/26/2009
  Q: I recently moved to a new house in North Carolina and discovered a Crape Myrtle in my yard. It only ...
  A: Crape myrtle flowers on new growth of the season, so you can prune plants any time during the late ...
japanese maple trees7/25/2009
  Q: I have a Japanese maple tree. It has brown spots all over its leaves. Is this tree dead or can it ...
  A: These are leaf spot caused by a fungus. I am going to guess it is Phyllostict leaf spot. A leaf spot ...
Oak tree worm7/25/2009
  Q: We have one inch white worms that are severely eating the leaves of our oak trees. We live in north ...
  A: Sounds like Scarlet Oak sawfly. The scarlet oak sawfly, Caliroa quercuscoccineae (Dyar) skeletonizes ...
Willow tree7/25/2009
  Q: I have a mature Weeping Willow tree that has one big limb growing almost straight out towards. Can I ...
  A: Yes you can prune off any branch as long as it it not the top. Whenever removing limbs greater than ...
pine trees7/25/2009
  Q: I have a lovely small pine tree planted about 6 in away from my house. I would like to trim just ...
  A: As long as the branches that are cut are not the upper branch or the top there is no problem pruning ...
Cherry Tree bores7/25/2009
  Q: Do the bores in the tree itself affect the fruit so you can not eat the cherries even though the ...
  A: No. Insect borers are in the woody cells of the tree trunk (sometimes the limbs) and are not in the ...
Little leaf Linden Tree7/24/2009
  Q: I have a little leaf linden tree next to my driveway.It seems to be producing a lot more sap this ...
  A: Sound like aphids or scale insects. Both will suck the plant juices from the leaves and twigs and ...
scrub oak7/24/2009
  Q: I am with a large group of church girls attending a camp up by Kolob Reservoir near Zion's Natl. ...
  A: I would use Roundup--this is a safe herbicide and will kill any green plant it is sprayed on. The ...
LOCUST TREE ROOTS7/24/2009
  Q: LAST YEAR I HAD FOUR LOCUST TREES CUT DOWN AND THE STUMPS GROUND. THIS YEAR I HAVE MANY SMALL LOCUST ...
  A: The root system is still alive and sprouting new growth. You can either keep mowing over the sprouts ...
japanese beetles7/24/2009
  Q: I live in northern Ohio and I have an eleven year old Japanese plum tree that has been eaten alive ...
  A: Hardwood trees have the capability of leafing out again after they have been defoliate. The beetles ...
japanese beetles7/24/2009
  Q: Jim, I live in Springfield MO, and this summer we have had a horrible run with japanese beetles. ...
  A: Hardwood trees have the capability of leafing out again after they have been defoliate. The beetles ...
sap from our Oak, coastal or black7/24/2009
  Q: All of a sudden we are finding sap all over our cars all of which are under our three oak trees. It ...
  A: Sound like aphids or scale insects. Both will suck the plant juices from the leaves and twigs and ...
Catava trees with worms7/23/2009
  Q: I have 3 older catava trees in my yard and I don't want the worms. Where do they come from and how ...
  A: Catalpa sphinx Ceratomia catalpae (Boisduval) Catalpa sphinx Host The catalpa sphinx caterpillar ...
BROKEN WEEPING WILLOW TREE7/23/2009
  Q: WE RECENTLY HAD A VERY BAD STORM WITH STRAIGHT LINE WINDS THAT BROKE TWO LARGE LIMBS OUT IF ONE SIDE ...
  A: It may sprout new growth from the trunk but it will look lopsided for many years until the growth ...
Sick alder trees7/23/2009
  Q: I have about ten twelve-year old well spaced alder trees located on a lawn in the high desert near ...
  A: When a hardwood tree is cut off from water in the summer they will shut down and drop their leaves. ...
Oak wood7/23/2009
  Q: I have cut some oak wood for my girlfriends fire place. We have left it out to season. It now sounds ...
  A: Thee are several insect that will bore into the wood. Usually you will see their sawdust. Also as ...
GREEN MOLD ON ASH TREE7/23/2009
  Q: I have two ash trees in my front yard. One has always been punier than the other (dead branches, ...
  A: Sounds like a lichen. Lichens are an example of a symbiotic relationship between algae and certain ...
Follow Up: Brown Velvet Magnolia/Edith Bogue.7/23/2009
  Q: it has been awhile. I have searched far and wide but can not come up with much on the internet in ...
  A: Sounds like every thing is fine. When trees are moved they usually will not flower the first year ...
Kousa Dogwood Sapling7/23/2009
  Q: I planted a Kousa dogwood sapling 2 years ago. It is about 4-5 feet tall. My Aunt thinks I should ...
  A: I agree with you--leave it alone. If the lower branches are causing problems with walking under them ...
Leyland cypress trees7/22/2009
  Q: I have a few where the leaves near the trunk are getting brown. It seems to be getting worse as the ...
  A: Leland cypress trees are subject to a couple of canker type diseases that effect the foliage. ...
very large tree wound7/22/2009
  Q: Jim Hyland, I live on 1-1/2 of woods in southern/central Tennessee. My largest and most beautiful ...
  A: The wound will heal by itself. Large wounds may never completely heal over. Any type of wound ...
Splitting bark maple tree7/22/2009
  Q: We have 3 maple trees that have severe bark splitting. The foliage color is turning like it is ...
  A: Looks like sun scald. Sunscald is another form of winter injury that can cause cracks and splits. ...
Tree Selection7/22/2009
  Q: I would like some advice on zone 9 (Stockton, Ca) backyard tree selection. My three candidates are ...
  A: The Crepe (or Crape) Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica) is one of the most planted decorative trees in ...
transplanted spruce7/22/2009
  Q: I have just transplanted some 6-7 foot spruce,done professionally,(bobcat & spade),am keeping them ...
  A: The top of the root ball should be even with the ground level and the soil should not be up on the ...
Pussy willow tree7/22/2009
  Q: I have a pussy willow tree25 years old,when I trimmed it this year itstarted to seep sticky sap all ...
  A: Sounds like a scale insect probably willow scale. These insects attach to the twigs and suck the ...
Leland Cypress7/22/2009
  Q: The first question on your website was concerning the pruning of the Leland Cypress. The answer did ...
  A: With its rapid growth a Leyland cypress hedge can soon become overgrown if not maintained at the ...
installing pavers around large live oak tree7/22/2009
  Q: I want to install a 12 ft wide circle drive made of pavers completely around a very large live oak. ...
  A: Yes it will damage the roots of the tree. To what extent will depend on the amount of soil that is ...
premature acorn drop7/22/2009
  Q: My 20 year old laurel oak is dropping acorns early this year. Last year seemed like a record year ...
  A: Acorn take two tears to reach mature size. Weather plays a big part in how many reach maturity. ...
Health of Red Oak7/21/2009
  Q: I have a red oak tree approximate. 100' tall. The base is larger than the trunk (mushroomed) I have ...
  A: No If the foliage is green and full the tree is healthy. It sounds like the wood in the center of ...
Sick redbud tree7/21/2009
  Q: I have a 4yr. old redbud that doubled in size the first 2 years. Last year the leaves seemed small ...
  A: Sounds like there was too much fertilizer and it burned the roots. I would water with 1 inch of ...
honeydew7/21/2009
  Q: So I read a reply to a question you answered last year regarding honeydew and I'm just wondering.. ...
  A: Honeydew is secreted by an insect that sucks the plant juices from the plant. Until the insects stop ...
weed b gone on my weeping birch7/21/2009
  Q: About 6 days ago I put weed b gone on my grass. I was very careful not to get the spray on any thing ...
  A: Water it heavily. The water will dilute the herbicide and the tree should recover. Water with 1 inch ...
oak trees-watering7/21/2009
  Q: I have twin oak trees seperated ground level, one is 39" the other 50" in circumference and they ...
  A: Continue for the previous question--With no space between the boards there will be no water under ...
oak trees7/21/2009
  Q: I live in South Jersey,zone 6 and have hostas planted around all my oak trees is that ok? I just had ...
  A: If it had not been done I would have said do not do this. The problem can be that digging under a ...
transplanting pecan trees7/21/2009
  Q: We live in Kansas and are getting ready to transplant some pecan trees from an overgrown pecan ...
  A: Deciduous trees may be planted either in the spring or the fall. Deciduous plants may be moved in ...
What is the life of firewood7/21/2009
  Q: I have easy access to White Oak from a veneer logger. I stack my wood on 53" pallets. Two rows per ...
  A: It all depends on where you are located. Here in the Southern US firewood will start to decay after ...
Globe Willow7/21/2009
  Q: I live in the Albuquerque, NM and planted a globe willow 2 years ago. The temperatures are ...
  A: Willows need more water than normal tree species. I would water with 1 inch of water-place a pan ...
Cottonwood loosing leaves7/16/2009
  Q: I recently purchased a home in Albuquerque, NM. There is a mature cottonwood tree. The leaves are ...
  A: Sounds like a lack of water--I would water the tree with 1 inch of water -place a pan under the tree ...
Globe Navajo willow7/15/2009
  Q: My husband and I planted a glove Navajo willow last fall. It is now about 5 1/2 feet tall. the top ...
  A: First check to see if the branches are dead--start near the end of a branch and scrape a small bit ...
live oakes7/15/2009
  Q: I live In Louisiana and it has been hot and dry this summer and my live oaks are about 15 yrs ...
  A: Try watering them with 1 inch of water--place a pan under the tree and turn the sprinkler on and ...
2 dogwood trees - beautiful, but must they come down?7/15/2009
  Q: Your answers online are excellent (thank you). My situation: believing our local tree-guy's "cut it ...
  A: Two questions here- 1. the tree sounds like it is healthy -foliage green and full and healthy ...
trees7/15/2009
  Q: what is the longest tree ?
  A: Top ten worlds tallest trees. #1 Coastal Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) Hyperion: 379 feet (115 ...
swedish columnar aspen7/15/2009
  Q: We have a 7 years old Swedish columnar aspen. We notice this year there are suckers coming up in our ...
  A: These are natural in some tree species. You can either cut them off as they grow or you can use a ...
spots on maple tree7/15/2009
  Q: I have a small maple tree about 10 feet tall. The trunk is about 3 inches in diameter. I found it ...
  A: The white patchy sounds like lichens and these are not a problem to the health of the tree. Lichens ...
corkscrew willow tree7/14/2009
  Q: I have two corkscrew willow trees in my Texas backyard. When the weather turned hot and dry the ...
  A: The water is the main thing--willows naturally grow near a water source and need more water than ...
pruning oak trees7/14/2009
  Q: When is the best time to prune what we think are native post oak trees in north central Texas.
  A: While deciduous trees can be pruned anytime during the year, the best time to prune is late winter ...
Tree trunk sprouts7/14/2009
  Q: I have three maple trees that put out numerous sprouts near the base of the tree. I have to cut ...
  A: Cutting the sprouts is usually the best method. If you were to use a herbicide the parent tree may ...
Dogwood tree7/14/2009
  Q: We did not realize that our lawn moving service has been hitting the base of our dogwood tree. The ...
  A: No it would do more harm than good to put any type of wound dressing on the wound. If there is loose ...
crape myrtles near septic7/14/2009
  Q: My side porch is brutally hot in the summer, it needs some shade. I want to plant crape myrtles ...
  A: You should not have a problem with the crept myrtle and the septic lines. Most trees IF they are ...
Dogwood tree7/14/2009
  Q: We did not realize that our lawn moving service has been hitting the base of our dogwood tree. The ...
  A: Water it with 1 inch of water per week-place a pan under the tree and turn the sprinkler on and when ...
japanese red maple7/13/2009
  Q: In Victorville, CA. How close to the home is it safe to plant a japanese red maple? My sister in ...
  A: There are several varieties of Japanese red maple. Some are dwarf most have a spread width at ...
TREE CHOICE7/13/2009
  Q: Im looking to buy the colorado blue spruce for a wind/privacy barrier on a one acre lot in northwest ...
  A: The time of the year will effect the planting failures. The best time is early spring or fall. ...
browning needles7/13/2009
  Q: I have a very young pine tree that I got while in Southern Colorado and have since replanted the ...
  A: It sounds like the roots dried out when it was transported to Okla. form Colorado. Maybe it got hot ...
Transplantring in S Ontario , Canada7/13/2009
  Q: Jim...I live in Toronto Canada and have a Red Maple in my backyard that I wish to move. It is approx ...
  A: Deciduous plants may be moved in the spring as soon as the frost is out of the ground, up until the ...
Blue Spruce7/13/2009
  Q: My neighbors tree looks like it is being attacked by a bug, its a caterpillar, lots of them. It ...
  A: Sounds like an insect called a sawfly. More than likely the Yellowheaded Spruce Sawfly. Evidence: ...
Poplar7/13/2009
  Q: Jim I have a poplar in my back yard, I think it is a northwest. In the last couple it has began ...
  A: Keep all the sprout cut--the lawn mower will do a good job. The grass is more than likely suffering ...
Can pruning shock a Japanese Maple?7/13/2009
  Q: Live in the Pacific Northwest and planted a Coral Bark Japanese Maple last year. It is shaded by a ...
  A: Yes it could. One side was growing better toward the light and away from the house. When these limbs ...
live oak tree7/12/2009
  Q: I was told when we planted our live oak tree 15 years ago that the roots didn't run along the top & ...
  A: No the live oak will not cause any problems with the foundation. Dying limbs and their falling on ...
oak tree droppings7/12/2009
  Q: my oak tree is dropping little pellets and when the land on my patio if it is raining they become ...
  A: Sounds like immature acorns. Acorns are the fruit of the oak tree and take two years to mature. IF ...
Ladybug type bugs on pussy willow tree7/12/2009
  Q: It seems like overnite that my pussy willow tree - it is about 15 feet tall - has tight clusters of ...
  A: Sounds like a scale insect probably willow scale. These insects attach to the twigs and suck the ...
'Chaining' tree together to save it7/12/2009
  Q: We have a large maple tree with three 'trunks'. One, which faces the house, is split almost to the ...
  A: I think you mean cabling a tree or bracing. Cables and brace rods are supplemental structural ...
White Swamp Oak Leaf Loss7/12/2009
  Q: We have a 10 year old white swamp oak that looks quite healthy but has suddenly started to drop ...
  A: Small branches accumulating on the ground and the presence of clean-cut twigs, and in some cases ...
drippy maple tree-sticky on everything7/12/2009
  Q: This is the first summer that we have had such a problem with the sticky drippy maple tree that ...
  A: Sounds like aphids or scale insects. Both will suck the plant juices from the leaves and twigs and ...
Herbicide Damage7/11/2009
  Q: I live on two acres surrounded by soybean fields. Approximately two weeks after herbicide was ...
  A: I would say it sounds like herbicide damage. Diseases do not effect different species but the ...
tiny sticky white fuzz on tips of spruce needles.7/11/2009
  Q: several healthy looking mature black spruce in a row look like they have been sprayed with that ...
  A: Sounds like spittlebugs. The presence of spittle masses on twigs of conifers in May and June is ...
Sap Running from Oak Tree7/11/2009
  Q: I have planted two Nutter Oaks in February 2009. They are about 15 Ft. tall. One tree has sap (i ...
  A: Sounds like it is an insect called a borer. These insects will bore into the tree and sap will flow ...
Fruitless purple plum7/11/2009
  Q: I have a purple plum that has been in the ground for about 3 years. It has feeder sprout roots ...
  A: Yes you can cut the root that is causing the problem with out damaging the tree. It will grow back ...
how to save an over watered tree7/11/2009
  Q: Two weeks ago a landscaper put in a 12 foot beautifl crimson king maple. It looked pretty good. I ...
  A: The summer is the worst time to plant a tree--the heat and the lack of rain fall are the problems. ...
linden tree7/11/2009
  Q: We have a linden tree aprox 40 yrs old and very healthy.I went to pick some flowers to smell and ...
  A: Sounds like linden wart gall. http://www.entomology.wisc.edu/insectid/insect_info.php?206 Linden ...
Bagworms in Pecan Trees7/11/2009
  Q: Is there anything that I can do to prevent bagworms from getting into my pecan tree?
  A: I am guessing by "bagworm" you mean Fall webworm. http://www.bugwood.org/factsheets/webworm.html To ...
Bradford Pear damage7/11/2009
  Q: Recently, vandals tried cutting down a large Bradford Pear (~10-12 inch diameter) and cut a circle ...
  A: The cambium layer of cells is between the bark and the wood. This is the layer that is living and ...
TRANSPLANT7/10/2009
  Q: I HAVE SOME TYPE OF EVERGREEN ABOUT 8 FEET TALL WITH WIDE SPREAD AND DROOPY BRANCHES (DON'T KNOW ...
  A: Not the time of the year to move a tree especially a large one. Evergreens should be moved earlier ...
Paper Birch7/10/2009
  Q: I recently had kids completely remove the white bark on 4 trees from about 3 feet off the ground to ...
  A: Paper Birch bark does sluff off and can be peeled but not recommended. The loose bark can be easily ...
Pussy Willow Bush7/9/2009
  Q: I have a bush in front of my house that was allowed to grow large like a tree. In the Spring it ...
  A: The sap from the leaves is caused by an insect called an aphid or a scale insect. These suck the ...
maple tree health7/9/2009
  Q: We planted an October Glory Maple tree last year in the fall. I recently noticed the leaves have ...
  A: This is Leaf Blister of Maple. The culprits are fungi in the genus Taphrina. One species has caused ...
Japanese Maple and yellow jackets7/9/2009
  Q: We have a green (I think varigated) maple tree. The foliage is very dense. I notice that yellow ...
  A: Sounds like the tree has one of the sucking type insects. These suck the plant juices from the ...
cottonwood trees7/9/2009
  Q: there is something that is chewing off the ends of my cottonwood tree branches. Pieces are 12 - 20 ...
  A: The small twigs sounds like damage from an insect called a twig girdler or twig Pruner. These ...
What kind of tree is this?7/9/2009
  Q: I found a small green tree growing in the woods in South Alabama that has green leaves shaped like a ...
  A: Please attach a picture of the leaves and berries and I will try to ID it. Without the picture of ...
snow fountain weeping cherry tree7/9/2009
  Q: I planted it two months ago and the leaves turned yellow last week of June and now the leaves are ...
  A: It does sound like too much water however digging it up and leaving the roots to dry out will kill ...
liquid amber tree7/8/2009
  Q: Our liquid amber is about four years old. It is VERY late in leafing out in the Spring, and there ...
  A: Part of the problem maybe it is out of its natural range--Southern NY to the Souther states and out ...
Magnolia tree problem7/8/2009
  Q: I hope you could help us with a recent problem on our 20+ yr. old Magnolia tree. Over the last ...
  A: These are magnolia scales. Magnolia scales have sucking mouthparts and when heavy infestations ...
Pin Oak infestation7/8/2009
  Q: Clusters of leaves are falling off of my Pin Oaks. Also the bees are so thick that you can hear them ...
  A: The small twigs sounds like damage from an insect called a twig girdler or twig Pruner. These ...
Cherry tree leaves being eaten up7/8/2009
  Q: I have a 5 foot Stella cherry tree, planted this spring, in Iowa. It has been doing quite well. It ...
  A: Looks like an insect is feeding on the leaves. I would spray the tree with an insecticide called ...
Crimson King Maple roots7/7/2009
  Q: I have a mature Crimson King Maple that we absolutely love. It has a great shape and great color ...
  A: If the pipe is a sealed pipe do not worry about it. Tree roots are a problem with septic tanks and ...
dead leaves7/7/2009
  Q: all of the leaves on our tree are dead. I think it is a red maple. It was here when we bought our ...
  A: It sounds as if the tree has died. Check to see if it is dead by starting near the end of an upper ...
black sap coming out of tree7/7/2009
  Q: What could be the cause of black sap coming out of the trunk of our tree (don't know whatr kind it ...
  A: Sounds like it is slime flux. Wetwood and slime flux are poorly understood tree disease problems. ...
Oak tree7/7/2009
  Q: I have oak trees in yard over our backyard deck. I love the trees but the sticky substance it ...
  A: Sounds like either an insect called an aphid or a scale insect. Both suck the plant juice from the ...
filling hole in black walnut tree7/7/2009
  Q: My neighbour is building a fence and has shown me that on their side of the tree there is a hole ...
  A: I would do nothing. The cement will cause problems as the tree grows. Walnut is fairly sound wood ...
Bradford Pear7/7/2009
  Q: How far away from our septic tank should we plant a Bradford Pear tree in our backyard. Are there ...
  A: At least 20 feet from the tank and lines. There are many trees that are better than Bradford pear. ...
Root Suckers7/6/2009
  Q: We had an aspen in our backyard that took major storm damage and had to be removed a couple of years ...
  A: If they have their own root system they can be dug and transplanted. Check the sprouts root system ...
3 maple trees seem to be dying7/6/2009
  Q: My father has 3 very large maple trees in his yard all of which seem to be dying. They are abt 35yrs ...
  A: It sounds as if the ice storm damaged the trees and they might need a shot in the arm to regain ...
arizona ash tree7/6/2009
  Q: i have two arizona ash trees about two years old that refuse to grow. we live in southern new ...
  A: Hardwood trees tend to grow a root system before they put on much height growth. If the foliage is ...
Moving a tree7/6/2009
  Q: Last year I had the golden locust in my front yard cut down. Although I loved it, it was too close ...
  A: If they have their own root system they can be dug and transplanted. Check the sprouts root system ...
Mimosa Trees7/6/2009
  Q: I live in Taos, NM. I am wondering if I can grow a Mimosa here, since my son sent me some pods from ...
  A: Yes both will grow in NM. Make sure the pods are completely dry, like paper. Mimosas are from the ...
Cypress Tree knee problems7/6/2009
  Q: We have three cypress trees that are on the property line in our back yard in Mississippi. The ...
  A: Cut the knees off at the ground level and paint the cut stump with a herbicide called Roundup. Use a ...
autumn blaze maple tree7/6/2009
  Q: I bought an autumn blaze maple tree 2 years ago. It is growing ok but this year it has red spots in ...
  A: These are leaf spot caused by a fungus. I am going to guess it is Phyllostict leaf spot. A leaf spot ...
tree roots a problem6/26/2009
  Q: Sacramento Ca.just on the other side of my fence my neighbors sweetgum trees grow with roots that ...
  A: Cut into the roots and apply a herbicide called Roundup to the cut surfaces. You can just paint the ...
bag worms and evergreen trees6/26/2009
  Q: Do bagworms kill evergreen
  A: If they completely defoliate a conifer and do this a couple if years in a row they can kill a ...
bradford pear roots6/25/2009
  Q: my neighbors bradford pear was cut down 2 years ago and the roots have been invading my yard to the ...
  A: I am assuming that the tree has re-sprouted foliage and is still growing. If not the roots system is ...
pussy willow trees6/25/2009
  Q: We have a large pussy willow tree in our yard and have noticed this year that there are small black ...
  A: Sounds like willow flea beetles. Spray the foliage with an insecticide. Insecticides containing ...
liquid amber6/25/2009
  Q: I have a 50 foot liquid amber. One year ago I built a planter around it. The planter is square, ...
  A: Fill dirt around a tree will compress the soil and the roots and cause the dieback. Soil up on the ...
Bark black on oak or maple trees6/25/2009
  Q: There are three trees in my Mom's front yard and the bark is black. The leaves are green and the ...
  A: Sounds like slime flux or wetwdoo. Wetwood and slime flux are poorly understood tree disease ...
gall in white oak tree6/25/2009
  Q: We have a peach leaf oak tree that is heavily infested with gall. We are getting rid of this tree, ...
  A: More than likely not- insects are the most part species related insects that will attack one tree ...
cypress knee removal?6/25/2009
  Q: In the Low Coluntry of South Carolina I have two bald cypress trees between my house and the next ...
  A: I would suggest if only the knees are the problem cut them off level with the ground. A new one may ...
Linden Tree and Japanese Beetles6/25/2009
  Q: My last linden was eaten to lace by the Japanese beetles. The city replaced the tree with the same ...
  A: Here is part of an artilce on Milky Spore and the timing of the treatment. "The man considered to ...
suckers from roots6/25/2009
  Q: There are five (5) Southern Live Oak trees in my back yard in Sun City West, AZ (NW Phoenix). The ...
  A: Cutting the sprouts is usually the best method. If you were to use a herbicide the parent tree may ...
Tricolour Beech Insect a Pest6/24/2009
  Q: I live in Oakville, Ontario just 30 minutes west of Toronto in zone 6a or 6b. I just planted a 15 ...
  A: These are aphids (an insect) and what you are doing will kill the insects. The treatment should be ...
worms on red pines6/24/2009
  Q: we live in a stand of red pines that are 20ft or higher. we notices on the smaller trees that have ...
  A: These are called sawflies. It is the only caterpillar type insect that will eat pine needles. ...
Mayday tree6/24/2009
  Q: We recently transplanted about a 20ft tree from a friends yard. We watered it really well after ...
  A: It sounds like shock from the move. A tree this large needs a good root system. Do not know how it ...
evergreen6/24/2009
  Q: I live in a townhouse community that was built 8 years ago, a tree was planted in the center of my ...
  A: From the distance it is hard to tell exactly what species of tree this is. It looks like one of the ...
Pruning blue spruce trees6/24/2009
  Q: Is it to early to prune mature blue spruce trees in Western New York ?
  A: Whenever a situation calls for a conifer to be pruned or sheared, It is typically recommended that ...
black locust tree borer6/24/2009
  Q: we just discovered a borer in our black locust trees the trees are young, 4 to 5 years old i have ...
  A: A good spray for borers is one called Merit or Onyx. These are sprayed on the trunk and are ...
Problem Tree6/23/2009
  Q: We recently moved into a home that has a white birch. It doesn't seem to be that old. It appears to ...
  A: First start check and see if the tree is still alive. Start near the end of an upper outer branch ...
Bald Cypress6/23/2009
  Q: I've recently purchased a waterfront lot on Toledo Bend Lake in Louisiana. I would like to plant ...
  A: It is best to plant them at the waters edge not in the water. They can stand some water in the ...
oak tree ants and fungus?6/23/2009
  Q: My friend has an large oak tree in her yard. About 10 feet up there is a large split in the tree ...
  A: Just 10-15 brown leaves is a very, very small percent of the leaves on the tree and it sounds like ...
Linden Tree and Japanese Beetles6/23/2009
  Q: My last linden was eaten to lace by the Japanese beetles. The city replaced the tree with the same ...
  A: There is a product that will control and prevent Japanese beetles form defoliating the tree. It is ...
sticky beech tree6/22/2009
  Q: I have a very healthy looking beech tree (about 12 years old, about 20 feet tall) which this year ...
  A: this sounds like aphids. Aphids are small (1/16-1/8 inch long), soft bodied insects commonly called ...
silver maples parasite6/22/2009
  Q: should i worry, i have green and black sac like growths on my silver maples, it is causing brown ...
  A: Galls are irregular plant growths which are stimulated by the interaction between plant hormones and ...
oak tree ants and fungus?6/22/2009
  Q: My friend has an large oak tree in her yard. About 10 feet up there is a large split in the tree ...
  A: No If the foliage is green and full the tree is healthy. It sounds like the wood in the center of ...
locust tree bugs6/22/2009
  Q: What can be done for a locust tree that seems to be dying because of some little green bugs. ...
  A: Sounds like locust leaf miner. The primary and most conspicuous damage is caused by the leafmining ...
Maple Trees6/22/2009
  Q: Can Maple trees be planted the first of July ANSWER: Not very successfully. The heat will cause ...
  A: I would go ahead and plant them rather than leaving them in the pots. The problem will be water and ...
systemic use6/22/2009
  Q: I've been using a systemic made by Bayer for two years with great results.The flowering crab apple ...
  A: It depends on which product you are using. Bayer Advanced has a product for diseases and one for ...
meyer lemon tree6/22/2009
  Q: i made the mistake of planting my lemon tree in an area that is too shady in the afternoons it has ...
  A: Deciduous trees may be planted either in the spring or the fall. Deciduous plants may be moved in ...
china berry tree6/22/2009
  Q: i have a china berry tree approximately 55 years of age and 40feet in height we live in southern ...
  A: Small branches breaking is not usually a sign that there is a health problem. There are a couple of ...
spruce tree problem6/21/2009
  Q: I have noticed a problem with my spruce tree. There are small holes on the trunk of the tree that ...
  A: If these holes are in a line around the trunk they are caused by a wood pecker called a sap sucker. ...
Maple Tree dripping sap6/21/2009
  Q: This is our 20th summer in our current home. We have a Maple tree 2 1/2 stories high in front of ...
  A: Yes this sounds like aphids. Aphids are small (1/16-1/8 inch long), soft bodied insects commonly ...
tree cattle6/21/2009
  Q: Is the relationship between insects called tree cattle and their host trees symbiotic? If so, what ...
  A: In some sense maybe. symbiotic relationship is a relationship between two entities which is ...
Berry Tree ID6/21/2009
  Q: We are in MN and moved into our new house in Dec. The garden areas haven't been kept up and things ...
  A: It looks like Mulberry probably Red Mulberry, Morus rubra. The upper surface of the leaves is ...
Florwering Magnolia tree6/21/2009
  Q: Is it possible to root a cutting from a very large, 12 year old flowering magnolia tree? If so, how ...
  A: It is possible BUT will take some time. Most propagation is done through seed, cuttings taken in ...
Maple Trees6/20/2009
  Q: Can Maple trees be planted the first of July
  A: Not very successfully. The heat will cause much damage or death. The best time is not the summer ...
Newly planted 12 foot cedar hedge6/20/2009
  Q: I just read your info on watering cedars that are newly planted. Are you able to give me a ...
  A: for new planted trees I would water every third day for the first 4-6 weeks then once a week. Water ...
New River Birch6/20/2009
  Q: I planted a new river birch tree (10'-12') last week, today I notice after three very hot, humid ...
  A: River birch as the name implies grow near water and need more water than most trees. This is why it ...
stopping tree roots6/20/2009
  Q: Our neighbor's tree is sending huge roots into our yard---we just found a 6 inch one very close to ...
  A: Cut the roots back to your property line. Dig a trench along the line and cut the roots. This will ...
possible damage to scrub oak6/20/2009
  Q: I need to cut down some dead and dying jack pines in a small wooded patch near my home. The pines ...
  A: Go ahead and cut the pines. Dead trees or trees that you want to remove can be cut at any time ...
weeping oak6/20/2009
  Q: Is a weeping oak and a pin oak the same tree? My daughter bought me a weeping oak and it looks ...
  A: No Weeping oak is Quercus robur (pedunculata) commonly known as the Pedunculate Oak or English oak. ...
green mold or fungus on the branches of a red maple tree6/19/2009
  Q: The tree is a Japanese red maple and the trunk has a green spotted mole on fungus on all the ...
  A: Sounds like Lichens. Lichens are an example of a symbiotic relationship between algae and certain ...
Oak trees raining sap on sunny days6/19/2009
  Q: All of the oak trees in the surrounding area are raining sap when the sun is out. Also the small ...
  A: Sounds like the problem is a scale insect. Scale insects are so prolific that they quite often cover ...
Tree 26/19/2009
  Q: Tree 2 loosing bark
  A: Tree 1 has been attacked by an insect called a borer. This insect will bore into the bark and wood ...
Tree 1 - 2nd view6/19/2009
  Q: 2nd view of tree 1
  A: Tree 1 has been attacked by an insect called a borer. This insect will bore into the bark and wood ...
Problem with trees6/19/2009
  Q: We have 2 trees that are having problems. Will have to send pics in seperate emails. There are 2 ...
  A: Tree 1 has been attacked by an insect called a borer. This insect will bore into the bark and wood ...
stopping tree roots6/19/2009
  Q: Our neighbor's tree is sending huge roots into our yard---we just found a 6 inch one very close to ...
  A: There are root barriers that will stop the roots from going under sidewalks and foundations. Salt ...
magnolia grandiflora6/19/2009
  Q: We have two magnolia trees about 10 ft tall that we want transplanted. We live in Ramona Ca and ...
  A: Deciduous trees and shrubs may be planted either in the spring or the fall. Deciduous plants may be ...
tree care6/19/2009
  Q: I've just had some yard work done, and the contractor piled up earth against the trunks of two ...
  A: I would disagree--the soil that was added around the tree will cause much damage to the trees root ...
Hardwood cuttings6/19/2009
  Q: I want to propagate some poplars. How do I take the cuttings? The Poplar tree has small ...
  A: Cuttings should generally consist of the current or past season’s growth. Avoid material with flower ...
pink dogwood6/19/2009
  Q: I turn to you once again. My Pink Dogwood is 30 plus years old, it's flowers the past 3 years have ...
  A: I would try Roundup. It is sprayed on the foliage and is transport to the root system killing the ...
bald cypress6/19/2009
  Q: bag worms just about stripped my bald cypress.can i still save my tree.
  A: The tree should leaf back out from the defoliation. I would water it once a week with 1 inch of ...
eucalyptus tree6/18/2009
  Q: I live in Portland, OR. My 4 yr old eucalyptus trees appear dead after an extended winter. All the ...
  A: The top died back from the cold and the roots are still alive and are sprouting new growth. All the ...
pink dogwood6/18/2009
  Q: I turn to you once again. My Pink Dogwood is 30 plus years old, it's flowers the past 3 years have ...
  A: These are Japanese magnolia trees. They have very few insect or disease pest that would cause death. ...
Linden tree near septic tank and tile bed6/18/2009
  Q: We are located in Southern Ontario. We just moved to a new property where a young Linden tree (4.5 ...
  A: The general recommendation for linden tree would be 20 feet from a septic tank or lines. I ...
Small bumps on leaves6/18/2009
  Q: I live in Fort Worth Texas and I just noticed that all of our trees and bushes are getting little ...
  A: Leaf galls are a frightening sight, but are not usually as serious as they appear. These bumps and ...
Orange Dust on Ash Tree6/18/2009
  Q: I have an ash tree that is about 7 years old. I recently noticed several leaves with a splotch of ...
  A: Sounds like Ash Leaf Rust. The "dust" will be short lived, al the tree will recover. SYMPTOMS AND ...
Scrub Oak disease6/18/2009
  Q: I live in Colorado and some of the scrub oak in my yard appears to have a disease. There are dark ...
  A: The branches sound like galls. Galls are irregular plant growths which are stimulated by the ...
Sap On maple leaves6/17/2009
  Q: I have a Maple Tree Not sure what kind. The leaves are green in early spring and turns very dark red ...
  A: Then you will need to use a spray insecticide on the foliage. The key will be to cover both sides of ...
mold in oak trees6/17/2009
  Q: I had a limb that fell off it had purple between the bark, could that be some kind of mold or ...
  A: After a tree limb dies there are many different decay fungi that will infect the woody cells. Their ...
Sap6/17/2009
  Q: We trimmed our maple tree last year and now we have sap dripping all over our deck. Is there ...
  A: If the sap is dropping from the pruned stubs or wounds this is normal fro maples for the first year ...
Black Spurge6/17/2009
  Q: Have you heard anything about "Black Spurge" disease on fruitless mulberry trees? I live in the ...
  A: I am not real sure what this could be but I lean toward a disease called Black Knot. The best ...
weed wacker damage to new evergreen tree6/17/2009
  Q: sadly for me i damaged my new (3 yrs old) evergreen tree. it was dusk, i wanted to finish the job, ...
  A: About all that can be done is wait and see. IF the bark was not cut off all the way round the trunk ...
Washingtonia Robusta Palm6/17/2009
  Q: We live in a beach town in Southern California. The palm trees that surround many of our historic ...
  A: There is an excellent chamce that damage will occur form this. Palm trees are more like a corn ...
sapping magnolia6/16/2009
  Q: we have a 75 yr old beautiful magnolia tree in our front yard that is sapping like crazy! it feels ...
  A: Sounds like a scale insect. i would treat the tree with an insecticide called Bayer Advanced Tree ...
Sap On maple leaves6/16/2009
  Q: I have a Maple Tree Not sure what kind. The leaves are green in early spring and turns very dark red ...
  A: If the sap is sticky this is an insect that sucks the plant juices and secrete a substance called ...
Crabapple trees6/16/2009
  Q: I have a five year old crabapple tree that has always produced beautiful pink flowers...this year, ...
  A: Flowering trees should be pruned after they flower. If you prune before they flower you have a ...
Red maple roots in sewer line6/16/2009
  Q: You answered question about "Red maple roots in sewer line" and recommend to use copper sulfate to ...
  A: 1. 1/2 cup is 118 ml. 2. Put it into the toilet. 3. Until the tank refills. 4. Repeat routinely ...
Oak tree6/16/2009
  Q: The leaves on my oak (aprox' 25 years old) are slowly being eaten away. Started last year somewhat ...
  A: There is an insecticide that can be applied to the soil around the tree and the roots will transport ...
Difference between stress & cercospora6/16/2009
  Q: How can one tell the difference between stress and cerospora on leyland cypree trees? Three in my ...
  A: Cercospora needle blight, caused by the fungus Cercosporidium sequoiae (syn. Asperisporium sequoiae; ...
crepe myrtle sucker6/16/2009
  Q: I have a 20-25 foot tall white crepe myrtle that sends a multitude of suckers up from around the ...
  A: Cut or break them off do not use a weed whacker this is injure the trunk causing more suckers. Treat ...
Fertilizing a Japanese Maple Tree6/16/2009
  Q: I would like to know what type of Miracle-gro tree fertilizer spikes are better for a Japanese Maple ...
  A: I do not recommend tree spikes since you can easily damage the roots. Fertilize in early spring by ...
Catalba Worm6/16/2009
  Q: Where can I find a Catalba tree. they are grown for the worms as fishing bait
  A: You could try your local nursery or here is a web link to a couple of nurseries that sell them. ...
help my street6/16/2009
  Q: I have a neighbor that has a tree that grows a cotton like substance. The tree is at least 20 ft ...
  A: There is a substance that when srayed on the tree just prior to flowering will stop the seed from ...
Red maple roots in sewer line6/15/2009
  Q: You answered question about "Red maple roots in sewer line" and recommend to use copper sulfate to ...
  A: Measure out about one-half cup of medium sized copper sulfate crystals. Pour the crystals into the ...
pink dogwood6/15/2009
  Q: I turn to you once again. My Pink Dogwood is 30 plus years old, it's flowers the past 3 years have ...
  A: Their life span is about 80 years. I would suggest fertilizing the tree with 10-10-10 fertilizer at ...
cottonless cottonwood trees6/15/2009
  Q: I think I have a bug problem, however, I never see them. Each year, the limbs and leaves and limbs ...
  A: It's the Poplar Petiole Gall, caused by the Poplar Petiole Gall Aphid, Pemphigus populitransversus. ...
Silver Maple in Distress6/15/2009
  Q: My silver maple tree is 15 years old. We live in Indiana. The bark started splitting during the ...
  A: Sounds like an insect called a borer. Maple callus borer, Synanthedon acerni. The larva of this ...
My weeping cherry tree is in trouble6/15/2009
  Q: I recently purchased a Snow Fountain weeping cherry tree from Lowe's. It is approximately six feet ...
  A: Sounds like just shock from the planting. The top of the root ball should be even with the ground ...
Mulberry Trees6/15/2009
  Q: When is the best time of year to prune a Mulberry tree. Ours is located in Perth Western Australia ...
  A: Deciduous trees like mulberry trees are best pruned when the leaves are dormant. Late fall or early ...
Crooked Willow bugs6/15/2009
  Q: I recently cut a lot of dead branches out of a 30 foot crooked willow that is on our front lawn, and ...
  A: Insects that feed on trees can be treated with an insecticide called Bayer Advanced Tree and Shrub ...
cottonwood tree question6/15/2009
  Q: I have several of them right behind my house and they make a mess in my yard and pool... I dont ...
  A: In the South they drop the seed from about May-July In the North from about June through July. The ...
dogwood tree6/15/2009
  Q: I have a dogwood tree that is at least 10 years old. It has never bloomed. Last year I read that a ...
  A: I would suggest you fertilize the trees and water. For established trees, one-half pound (one cup) ...
Large dead section of Mountain Ash tree6/14/2009
  Q: Help! I just recently discovered that a large section of branches in my Mountain Ash tree (which I ...
  A: Not really sure why one branch would die and the rest live--could be an insect called a borer. I ...
CRYPT MRYTLES TREES6/14/2009
  Q: WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO FERTILIZE AND CARE FOR CRYPT MRYTLES?
  A: Fertilizing Crape myrtles respond to fertilization. Since many types are fairly fast growers and ...
River Birch leaf loss6/14/2009
  Q: We live in Potomac, Maryland (suburb of Washington DC) and have a number of large (approx. 23 yrs ...
  A: No it is not normal. It could be one of several problems--too little water, leaf blight disease, ...
Japanese Acers6/14/2009
  Q: I have several acers and just recently I noticed white marks on the trunks. On further ...
  A: Sounds like a scale insect. Scales attach themselves to the branches and will not move it ...
Watering Needs of a Full Grown Ash Tree6/14/2009
  Q: We live in the Phoenix AZ area and have a full grown Ash tree in our front yard. The tree is over 30 ...
  A: Trees need about 1 inch of water per week. Thee best way is too place a pan under the tree and turn ...
Hemlock Tree6/14/2009
  Q: We live in Indiana, and had a person hired to trim our bushes, and he decided to trim our young ...
  A: No it is not "doomed' but the lower branches will not grow back. The upper branches over time will ...
Carpenter ants and silver maple trees6/14/2009
  Q: best way to get rid of the ants oneself?
  A: Carpenter ants nest in trees in one of two situations: 1) in rotted, decayed wood or 2) in the ...
Japanese Maple and Maple pruning6/14/2009
  Q: From your forum: http://en.allexperts.com/q/Trees-739/2009/4/PRUNING- JAPANESE-MAPLE.htm When is ...
  A: Fall and winter is a common time to prune and shape deciduous trees and shrubs . Exceptions to this ...
Problems with our river birch trees5/18/2009
  Q: We have two Birch trees each about 25 ft tall, one with 2-trunks and the other with three. Both ...
  A: Sounds like it could be Bronze Birch Borer. The bronze birch borer attacks paper (canoe), European ...
Heritage River Birch5/18/2009
  Q: Mr. Hyland, I recently had a large HRB planted (25') at my home in the north Georgia mountains on ...
  A: Check the upper outer limbs--start near the end of the branch and scrape a small bit of bark off and ...
swamp willow trees5/13/2009
  Q: We live by the river, we have many swamp willow trees. This type of willow sends off runners every ...
  A: They are fairly easy to kill. Buy a herbicide called Roundup. It will not take much so get the ...
White Oak losing leaves5/13/2009
  Q: We live in North Texas and have several white oaks in our yard. One of the trees is dropping ...
  A: From the description I can not tell what the problem would be. I would suggest that you call the ...
weeping cherry tree problem5/13/2009
  Q: I have a weeping cherry tree that I planted about 5 years ago. I have had great success with it ...
  A: Check and see if the tree is still alive--start near the end of an upper branch and scrape a small ...
weeping cherry problem5/13/2009
  Q: I have 3 weeping cherries in my yard 2 of them are beautiful the third one is sick. The bark on the ...
  A: Sounds like it is a borer problem --an insect that will bore into the tree trunk weakening the tree. ...
Dappled willow near paver sidewalk5/13/2009
  Q: I would like to plant a dappled willow near a paver sidewalk(about 3 feet away). Will the roots be a ...
  A: The roots will not be a problem with this tree near a sidewalk. This trees roots do not have a ...
bore worms5/13/2009
  Q: how do tell if we hAVE BORE WORMS IN OUR WILLOW TREE AND HOW DO WE TREAT THEM
  A: Under limbs and trunks, look for sawdust and frass pushed out of the galleries. Holes in the trunk ...
woodpecker damaging our tree limbs falling off5/13/2009
  Q: We have a woodpecker that has made ton's of holes in our very large tree and one big hole which I ...
  A: When large limbs fall and the end that was near the trunk is either hollow or decayed--soft, this is ...
sudden poor health japanese lettuce leaf red maple5/12/2009
  Q: My Japanese lettuce leaf red maple tree was in the peak of health last year. However, this spring, ...
  A: This sounds like aphids. Aphids are small (1/16-1/8 inch long), soft bodied insects commonly called ...
magnolia trees5/12/2009
  Q: recently bought a home and there's a medium size magnolia tree in back yard. I HATE THESE TREES!!! ...
  A: Triox is a total vegetation killer! It’s advertised for use on walks, driveways, along fences and ...
Mountain Ash5/12/2009
  Q: I have a big dead branch in front of my tree. It died last summer. Wrote to this site and they said ...
  A: Just cut the branch about 1/8 inch from the trunk. The area of a branch right next to the trunk is ...
Magnolia tree beside our house5/12/2009
  Q: I have a fairly mature Magnolia tree about 3 1/2 feet from the side of my garage. My A/C unit and ...
  A: I do not think you will have a problem with this tree from the roots. Since it is a "fairly mature ...
WEEPING CHERRY TREE5/12/2009
  Q: JUST PURCHASED TREE LAST YEAR ALREADY PAST "BLOOM" STAGE LEAVES APPEARED THAN BECAME FULL OF HOLES. ...
  A: Several insects will do this--caterpillars, Japanese beetles etc. I would treat the tree with a ...
Pin Oak green balls5/12/2009
  Q: My 7 year pin oak tree has developed a 1/4" green round ball on all leaves. They grow into the leaf ...
  A: These are leaf galls formed by an insect -tiny wasp. There are a variety of gall-forming species of ...
redbud tree5/12/2009
  Q: A red bud tree, was planted about 2 feet from my house and roots are growing under foundation. I ...
  A: The roots have done all the spreading they can. Without foliage the roots system will die. Now if ...
oak trees5/12/2009
  Q: We have 3 huge oak trees in our back yard in witch I just put a raised flower bed around each with ...
  A: Soil filling around trees causes compaction of the existing soil, with the same results previously ...
Trimmed Blue Spruce5/12/2009
  Q: I have a 45' blue spruce in my yard. Recently the power company trimed back the tree on the windward ...
  A: I assume you meant the 35 foot level to the 20 foot level and the branches are cut to 5 feet from ...
Japanese red lace maple5/12/2009
  Q: Last Fall I pruned the tree and cleaned up the deadwood. Our winter in northern Illinois was ...
  A: Check and see if the tree is still alive--start near the end of an upper branch and scrape a small ...
Yoshino Cherry propagation5/11/2009
  Q: My Yoshino has sprouts growing from exposed roots a few feet out from the trunk. I have removed all ...
  A: I am sorry I was wrong Yoshino is a cross not a grafted tree (Prunus x yedoensis) . The Kwanzan ...
Fireglow Japanese Maple5/11/2009
  Q: I recently purchased a Fireglow Japanese Maple from Lowe's. There was no tag stating where to ...
  A: Height 12-15 feet and width 6-8 feet at maturity. Fireglow is an impressive, vigorous, reliable ...
Weeping lace leaf red japanese maple5/11/2009
  Q: We bought the maple last May, it was beautiful all summer and lost it's leaves in the late fall ( we ...
  A: About all that you can do is just wait and see if the tree buds out. We had a late cold spell here ...
Oak Tree Fungus5/11/2009
  Q: Jim, I believe I have Live Oak trees in my front yard, and they both have a blue-ish, grey ...
  A: Sounds like lichen too me. Lichens are an example of a symbiotic relationship between algae and ...
Is my seiryu japanese maple dead?5/11/2009
  Q: It is spring and all the trees are in bloom with their leave or have green buds on them except for ...
  A: If maples are planted in correct the roots can wrap around the tree and girdle the trunk. If a tree ...
heritage birch5/11/2009
  Q: we have a heritage birch planted spring 2008. We are located in Nebraska. Have had some late ...
  A: Yes the late freeze could have killed the buds. But hardwoods usually will bud out again. The tree ...
PINE TREE WITH A PROBLEM5/11/2009
  Q: I AM IN FORT WORTH TEXAS, I HAVE A 9 YEARS PINE TREE. RECENTLY IT HAS BEEN OOZING A LIGHT YELLOW ...
  A: Sounds like the damage from a boring insect called the Dioryctria moth. These bore into the tree ...
fungas on magnolia tree5/10/2009
  Q: I have a fungas (I think) at the base of my magnolia tree. It is a white mass with the texture of a ...
  A: This is a fruiting body of a decay fungus. They grow during periods of high moisture. Heart rot in ...
southern magnolia5/10/2009
  Q: I have a pair of 'important' southern magnolias which are believed to be at least 150 years old. ...
  A: Borers attack trees that are under stress. yes the recent digging would put the tree under stress. ...
weeping cherry tree with holes in leaves5/10/2009
  Q: My daughter purchased a weeping cherry tree and the day after we planted it, holes began appearing ...
  A: Several insects will do this--caterpillars, Japanese beetles etc. I would treat the tree with a ...
Is my seiryu japanese maple dead?5/10/2009
  Q: It is spring and all the trees are in bloom with their leave or have green buds on them except for ...
  A: Sounds like with the drastic change in temperature the buds were frost bitten. If you cut all the ...
Transplanting a Japanese Red Maple Tree5/10/2009
  Q: We have a 10-15 yr. old JRMaple too close to our house..We need to move it into the front yard about ...
  A: If you use the calculations for the size of the rootball above it will work BUT it will be a large ...
Green Giants and deer rut (antlers)5/10/2009
  Q: I have just had planted 14 beautiful Green Giants. These are 6-8 or so feet tall. I am very worried ...
  A: Protecting trees with plastic collars and tree guards in late summer will protect trunks from deer ...
river birch trees5/9/2009
  Q: We had 3 river birches planted in the fall (near Chicago, IL)in the back of our yard where there is ...
  A: If the branches are pliable they are still alive. I would wait and see--I think the tree is just ...
Bagworms5/9/2009
  Q: I discovered bagworms on a Japanese split leaf maple that got about 15 years ago. Would seven be an ...
  A: The common bagworm, Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis (Haworth), is an interesting caterpillar. The most ...
oak tree5/9/2009
  Q: I have 2 oak trees. I have had this tree for about 2 years now. It was freshly planted probably 2 ...
  A: Oaks in general have a growth rate classified as medium--medium refers to 13 to 24” of growth per ...
walnut trees5/8/2009
  Q: I have two old walnut trees in my yard in WA. They appear to be common walnuts but one tree bears ...
  A: Walnut trees are self pollinating so you do not need two trees to produce nuts. Not sure why one ...
disc fungus on a tulip poplar tree5/8/2009
  Q: I cut down this tree about 2 years ago, but left about 3 feet of the trunk and roots. It was totally ...
  A: These are the fruiting bodies of the decay fungi in the hollow. They will not kill the tree -they ...
catawba worms and trees5/8/2009
  Q: I have a large catawba Tree in my yard and it has never had worms on it or any evidence of eaten ...
  A: THE CATALPA SPHINX is a common hawk or sphinx moth, but it is the caterpillar stage, that is most ...
dogwood trees5/8/2009
  Q: do both male and female bloom white flowers?
  A: The Dogwood flower is a small flower cluster. The flower cluster is surrounded by 4 large showy ...
needle cast - spruce5/8/2009
  Q: Jim, I have 10 colorado blue spruces in my backyard and last year I noticed that one of them has ...
  A: If trees are infected, fallen needles should be cleaned up and discarded in a sealed plastic trash ...
round sac-like projections under oak leaves5/8/2009
  Q: we live in a wet area of oregon . visiting a park by the illinois river ,we noticed oak leaves on ...
  A: They are called galls caused by an insect (small wasp) The wasp lays its eggs on the surface of the ...
possible disease to my oak tree5/8/2009
  Q: I live in western Pennsylvania(Pgh.)and recently noticed a spot on one of my oaks. It is on the ...
  A: This sounds like a oak borer--an insect that bores into the trunk and the tree exudes sap making the ...
Transplanting a Japanese Red Maple Tree5/8/2009
  Q: We have a 10-15 yr. old JRMaple too close to our house..We need to move it into the front yard about ...
  A: Older deciduous trees can be successfully moved only if a ball of soil is left around the roots. ...
help5/7/2009
  Q: I have a globe willow about 15 yrs old. my husband really pruned it more than it ever had been just ...
  A: Willows and septic tanks and lines do not mix well. willow trees (and their roots) grow very ...
Maple Tree lost very large branch5/7/2009
  Q: We have to be what we are told a 200 year old maple tree on our property. December 2008 we had a ...
  A: Cut any loose bark away from the wound and any splinted wood that may be sticking up. The tree will ...
15 ft. blue spruce.5/7/2009
  Q: I have a 15 ft blue spruce in my backyard. It is next to a wooden fence, and it is hard to believe ...
  A: It is difficult to envision the lean and the site without seeing the tree. I would have a certified ...
Raywood Ash5/7/2009
  Q: I have a Raywood Ash tree planted last year. There are no leaves on the top half of the tree this ...
  A: No wait a month and see if it will leaf out. You will have plenty of time to prune any dead limbs ...
Florida Live Oak pests5/7/2009
  Q: We have recently purchased a 57 year old house with 5 Live Oaks that seem to be about that age too. ...
  A: The signs of borers would be patches of dark bark or moist patches on the trunk. This would be where ...
mimosa tree5/7/2009
  Q: will mimosa tree roots hurt my septic tank
  A: Any tree planted on top of a septic tank or the fill lines could cause problems. Tree roots seek out ...
Red Maple Tree Roots5/7/2009
  Q: My 10 year old red maple is developing fine roots above ground. We have a dirt collar about 6 inches ...
  A: I am assuming that by a "dirt collar" you are referring to the tree planted on a mound. The tree ...
oak tree5/6/2009
  Q: I have 2 oak trees. I have had this tree for about 2 years now. It was freshly planted probably 2 ...
  A: Try fertilizing then with 10-10-10 fertilizer at the rate of 1 lb per inch of trunk diameter ...
blue spruce trees5/6/2009
  Q: Is there a certain care or food supply that willhelp the tree be more blue?
  A: I would fertilize. For blue spruce, what I would suggest is the following. Use 30-10-10 fertilizer ...
Hawthorne Tree5/5/2009
  Q: I have a two year Hawthorne tree and would like to know if I can prune it? It has a few little buds ...
  A: You can prune the sprouts from the lower trunk anytime during the year. It will not harm the tree in ...
Plum tree pests5/5/2009
  Q: My plum tree has blossomed but now the leaves are being eaten by something. Many holes no sign of ...
  A: Sounds like it maybe Japanese beetles eating the leaves. Many insecticides are labeled for ...
Cedar trees5/4/2009
  Q: We have what our neighbor calls junk cedar trees. We live in Missouri and the trees are all over. I ...
  A: This is cedar apple rust fruiting bodies. During warm rainy days in late April and early May, cedar ...
plum trees5/4/2009
  Q: 2 years ago my plum tree bark split up and down with a gold color sap coming our of small holes, i ...
  A: A tree nursery or garden center should have the Merit or be able to get it. Department type stores ...
crab apple seedling5/4/2009
  Q: Our crab apple tree has two seedlings coming up from the ground and are about 3-5 ft. high. I wanted ...
  A: First check and see if they have their own root systems and are not sprouting from the parent tree ...
moving a tree5/4/2009
  Q: location-central OK I need to move 2 trees, both are about 4 years old. the first is a Japanese red ...
  A: Yes. Yew bushes can be grown in sun or shade. Their shade-tolerance gives landscape designers an ...
Flowering plum planting/care5/4/2009
  Q: Got 4 flowering plums cheap. Now what to do w/them? I have limited space and don't want them to grow ...
  A: They need full sunlight to produce flowers. Ornamental plum trees are among the hardiest of all ...
Willow Tree not bearing leaves yet5/4/2009
  Q: WE have recently move into a new property which has a very old willow tree, we think at least 60 ...
  A: Any damage fro the construction of the building would have show up within the first two years of the ...
PIN OAK5/4/2009
  Q: Last spring I purchased a 7' pin oak tree from a local department store (Lowes). Because the tree ...
  A: There are a couple of problems with manure--the concentration of nitrogen is unknown and if too much ...
Dying 100 year-old pink dogwood5/4/2009
  Q: In doing a search about possbiel causes of the 100 year old dogwood in my yeard, I ran across an old ...
  A: You should see some improvement in a few months in the away of greener foliage but it may take next ...
Trenching near Walnut tree5/3/2009
  Q: I am planning on expanding my garage and that will require that a foundation trench be dug along one ...
  A: Building foundations, driveway, sidewalk & road excavation are common events that can cause serious ...
River birch leaning5/3/2009
  Q: We have a river birch tree leaning toward the ground, it started back in February after a snow fall, ...
  A: Topping trees is generally a bad move. Topping birch is a particularly bad idea. Their form does ...
River birch leaning5/3/2009
  Q: We have a river birch tree leaning toward the ground, it started back in February after a snow fall, ...
  A: Topping the tree will at the very least make it a bush or may kill it. The tree is fighting for ...
Raywood Ash Growth5/3/2009
  Q: I have had a Raywood for 3 years... Every year in the spring as it blooms, it produces growth around ...
  A: If you are talking about the tree grows sprouts form the lower trunk or from the roots--these do sap ...
Willow Tree not bearing leaves yet5/3/2009
  Q: WE have recently move into a new property which has a very old willow tree, we think at least 60 ...
  A: I would just wait and see --the tree may just be late leafing out. You can check to see if the tree ...
PIN OAK5/3/2009
  Q: Last spring I purchased a 7' pin oak tree from a local department store (Lowes). Because the tree ...
  A: two problems here--first the top of young tree is where the height grow is formed, cutting the top ...
excessive leader branch on purple maple5/2/2009
  Q: 3 years ago planted some type of purple maple, curb/grass area next to sidewalk. Now main tree with ...
  A: No this is the main terminal of the tree and pruning it may damage the tree. The main terminal is ...
Fat Albert Thinning5/2/2009
  Q: I have a 6-7 ft Colorado blue spruce (Fat Albert) in a partial shaded raised bed about 3-4 ft from ...
  A: Yes too much water is as bad as too little, I should have said water IF it does not rain. Usually ...
plum trees5/2/2009
  Q: 2 years ago my plum tree bark split up and down with a gold color sap coming our of small holes, i ...
  A: If I am reading this right--the tree had borers and you treated it with Bayer advanced Tree and ...
moving a tree5/2/2009
  Q: location-central OK I need to move 2 trees, both are about 4 years old. the first is a Japanese red ...
  A: I would leave it where it is. After the winter freeze damaging it some the root damage from the ...
tree pruning5/2/2009
  Q: what is best way to trim a red maple tree? it is about 20 ft tall and 15 ft wide
  A: Most red maples, if in good health and free to grow, need very little pruning. Maples should not be ...
Specimen Tree for San Diego5/2/2009
  Q: I'm looking for a nice specimen tree for a small residential yard in San Diego. Needs to provide ...
  A: There is too many variables to give a good answer. There are many trees that will fit but it will ...
BIG cottonwood tree5/2/2009
  Q: I have several of these trees on my property. I just noticed that one of them has a big split / ...
  A: Remove any loose bark and spray the wound with an insecticide called Merit. This will keep wood ...
Roundup/Small Trees5/2/2009
  Q: Will roundup sprayed around the bottom of a small tree kill it? I just planted a small live ...
  A: No unless there was a cut into the bark where the Roundup could get to the cambium layer. Roundup is ...
Fat Albert Thinning5/2/2009
  Q: I have a 6-7 ft Colorado blue spruce (Fat Albert) in a partial shaded raised bed about 3-4 ft from ...
  A: I would do two things--water and fertilize. Fertilize with 10-10-10 fertilizer at the rate of 1 lb ...
green giant arborvitae5/2/2009
  Q: What kind of fertilizer should I use for new trees?
  A: Use 10-10-10 fertilizer at the rate of 1 lb per inch of trunk diameter scattered around the tree and ...
Tree Identification5/2/2009
  Q: I make bird products from wood and I need a great book to help me identify diffreent trees so that I ...
  A: The only reference I could find deals with perches and wood used in cages but it should also apply ...
moving a tree5/2/2009
  Q: location-central OK I need to move 2 trees, both are about 4 years old. the first is a Japanese red ...
  A: No this is not the time to move these trees. Deciduous plants may be moved in the spring as soon as ...
Bald Cypress roots5/2/2009
  Q: I have a neighbor on the west side and north side of my backyard where I have a pool. The neighbor ...
  A: Not a problem since the tree is 4 feet below the pool and behind a retaining wall. The roots will ...
Flowering Cherry Tree5/2/2009
  Q: We have a pink flowering cherry tree that we purchased 2 years ago. Last year in the fall the ...
  A: First make sure the tree is still alive--The small twigs should be flexible and can be bent without ...
Autumn Blaze Maple5/1/2009
  Q: A few questions; if you don't mind. I had the city of Chicago plant a tree in my parkway last year. ...
  A: My bad. I read right through Autumn Blaze maple. Autumn Blaze is a seedless cultivar, you won't ...
brown spots on new growht5/1/2009
  Q: Is this a diseases Is this something to be concerned with and if so, what is your recommendation for ...
  A: A leaf and twig spot disease on willow, caused by the fungus Marssonina, can result in unsightly ...
best tree for privacy screen in Houston TX4/30/2009
  Q: I have a small yard and I am looking for a fast-growing tree that I can plant as a privacy screen ...
  A: Almost any evergreen hedge type plant will work as long as you keep them pruned to the size you ...
Purple Robe Locust Tree4/30/2009
  Q: We had a beautiful tree that was killed by boring insects, but since there were several small trees ...
  A: Some cultivars of flowering trees are grafted on the root stock of other trees of the same species. ...
Autumn Blaze Maple4/30/2009
  Q: A few questions; if you don't mind. I had the city of Chicago plant a tree in my parkway last year. ...
  A: The flowers of the Maple contain both male and female parts instead of separate female and male ...
tree4/29/2009
  Q: i live in south jersey and would like to know when is the best time to trim a flowering tree.i do ...
  A: It will depend on the flowering tree. Some set the flower buds in the summer some in early spring. ...
Ants living in a Tree4/29/2009
  Q: I have a beautiful cherry blossom tree that I am concerned about. My husband discovered that a few ...
  A: When the bark of a tree is damaged decay fungi can enter and over time cause the tree to become ...
willow trees4/29/2009
  Q: How far from other trees should a weeping willow be planted? Thanks, Lee
  A: Willows like sunlight or partial sunlight so planting them under another tree will not be too good ...
Dying 100 year-old pink dogwood4/29/2009
  Q: In doing a search about possbiel causes of the 100 year old dogwood in my yeard, I ran across an old ...
  A: If the product used is a granular weed and feed product this will damage trees. The hollow is not ...
Oak tree4/29/2009
  Q: I have a 30 year old oak tree that doesn't let grass grow under it. It is just bare dirt and looks ...
  A: Not a good idea. The weight of the stones will compress the soil and damage the root system of the ...
Cherry tree4/29/2009
  Q: last weekend, a 20 foot cherry tree and a 12 foot tall crabapple and I just wanted to know what ...
  A: If you have not done so mulch around the trees with not more than 3 inches deep of organic mulch not ...
Bald Cypress roots4/28/2009
  Q: I have a neighbor on the west side and north side of my backyard where I have a pool. The neighbor ...
  A: This one is difficult to picture. The tree to the West that has a shed and cement basketball court ...
tree triming4/28/2009
  Q: i live in southern delaware and would like to know when is the best time to trim a cherry blossam ...
  A: Prune the tree in the summer, after you have harvested the fruit. While most fruit trees are pruned ...
liquidamber stump & roots4/28/2009
  Q: After we apply Roundup to the Liquidamber stump, how long should we wait to have the stump ground ...
  A: If the Roundup was applied in the spring I would wait about a month before grinding the stump. This ...
Oak balls4/24/2009
  Q: We live in south central FL. Have an oak-sorry the squirrels planted it several yrs ago and I'm not ...
  A: There are a variety of gall-forming species of small wasps that commonly infest oak, Quercus spp. ...
Borers4/24/2009
  Q: I live in northeastern Oklahoma and I discovered bores in my Japanese Maple. They are about an inch ...
  A: Borers will infest wounds and and can be controlled with the use of an insecticide called merit. ...
Question about 2 Japanese Red Maple Trees (dwarfs)4/23/2009
  Q: 4/24/09 I just planted 2 Japanese Red Maple Trees (dwarfts)(planted about 2 days ago). They are ...
  A: Sounds like they are too close to the walkway--when mature this tree has a spread of up to 15-20 ...
yellow leaves on oak tree4/23/2009
  Q: I live in SE Texas (Houston area). I have an oak in my backyard(8" trunk at the base) whose leaves ...
  A: When the tissue between the veins turn yellow, it is iron deficiency. The most common cause of iron ...
Weeping Pussy Willow Tree4/23/2009
  Q: I saw them and fell in love. I would like to use them as a focal point near my house (close to ...
  A: The roots will not give you any problem. I assume the pipe from the washer is sealed except for the ...
Weeping Cherry Tree4/23/2009
  Q: Here in the south,my weeping cherry tree had just begun to bloom when a late cold snap killed the ...
  A: First check to see if it is still alive. Start near the end of an upper branch and scrape a small ...
pin oak over sewer line4/23/2009
  Q: I purchased a home recently and began having sewer issues due to one of the previous owners planting ...
  A: Hard sewer pipes will not be crushed by the tree. If the sewer pipes are the old felt type this ...
Maple Tree has wood chips @ base4/23/2009
  Q: Our maple tree was hit by high winds 3 yrs ago, lost major limb. tree surgeon who cut and cleaned up ...
  A: No I do not think you will lose the tree. The living part of the tree is the layer of cells just ...
globe willow trees4/23/2009
  Q: I have 2 globe willow trees in my yard. They are around 5 years old. They have always shed ...
  A: I would do two things--treat the tree for the aphids and fertilize the tree. There is a product ...
royal empress tree4/23/2009
  Q: I planted a small Empress about midway through last summer. It only grew to about a foot tall, with ...
  A: Empress do look like long sticks fro the first couple of years. Once they establish a root system ...
Liquid Amber Seed Pods4/23/2009
  Q: Is there a any chemical that can be sprayed on Liquid Amber Trees to prevent the development of the ...
  A: There is a new product Florel® brand Growth Regulator (Liquidambar/Sweet gum). "Florel® brand ...
willow tree4/22/2009
  Q: i am in process of buying a bungalow with a large willow tree about 15 feet from building can it be ...
  A: It can be cut without damaging the foundation assuming it falls away from the building. Do not worry ...
Michigan Blue Spurces4/22/2009
  Q: I moved to the garland area in Texas, we have heavy clay(Texas mud)and dirt. My question is my best ...
  A: Blue spruce (Colorado Blue Spruce) Grows best in hardiness zone 3-7. Your seem to be just at the ...
northwest popular male4/22/2009
  Q: an you take branches soak them in water to make seedlings and have them still remain a male
  A: Yes they will remain male. Cuttings should generally consist of the current or past season’s ...
Maples4/22/2009
  Q: I have a maple in my yard. It was there when I purchased the home in Aug. It seems to be about ...
  A: Trees can be moved but each time you will have some root damage. So try to keep movement to a very ...
Weeping Willow tree4/21/2009
  Q: I want to plant a weeping willow. I have a small pond, approx. 15' across. Also, I have a low area ...
  A: It will do great in a damp area in fact this is the habitate they grow in. It will not bother the ...
Transplanting Japanese Maple4/21/2009
  Q: we just transplanted a Bloodgood Japanese Maple a couple of day's ago,my husband did it with a ...
  A: The proper way to transplant a tree is: Deciduous plants may be moved in the spring as soon as the ...
Large oak...dead?4/21/2009
  Q: We have a very large oak in the backyard of our Hartsville, SC home. It turned brown in August last ...
  A: Call the SC forestry Commission office and ask one of their Foresters to come take a look. BUT it ...
Fruit and nut trees and other4/21/2009
  Q: I have several fruit and nut trees here in TN and on my land in MS. The problem that I am having is ...
  A: The holes are from a bird. Sounds like sap sucker damage. These are wood pecker type birds that make ...
Maple Tree has wood chips @ base4/21/2009
  Q: Our maple tree was hit by high winds 3 yrs ago, lost major limb. tree surgeon who cut and cleaned up ...
  A: He is right it does not need to be treated with a wound dressing. I would treat the hole with an ...
Trees growing from the root system4/20/2009
  Q: I have a bradford pear that has babies trees growing from it's root system, why and is it bad for ...
  A: Bradford pear do have roots that will come close to or at the surface of the ground. And the roots ...
ornamental plum tree4/20/2009
  Q: I have a beautiful ornamental plum tree in my backyard in New Jersey. About two weeks ago -- the ...
  A: Black knot of plums and cherries is a widespread and serious disease throughout the United States. ...
colorado blue spruce4/20/2009
  Q: How far do I need to stay away from a building for planting a colorado blue spruce concerning the ...
  A: You should have not problems with Colorado Blue Spruce root system and the foundation. When mature ...
globe willow tree4/20/2009
  Q: My Mother has a tree that she purchased from a hardware store the top of the tree was damaged before ...
  A: There is always a chance but the yellowing leaves do not sound too good. Willows will sprout back ...
Time to trim oak trees4/15/2009
  Q: When in Florida is the best time to trim oak trees & is there a time that you should not be trimming ...
  A: While deciduous trees can be pruned anytime during the year, the best time to prune is late winter ...
dogwood tree4/15/2009
  Q: My ten year old dogwood trees was fine last fall, it made the little pods at the end of the stems. ...
  A: Check the upper out limbs--start near the end of the branch and scrape a small bit of bark off and ...
Round Up4/15/2009
  Q: Is there anything less expensive I could use to kill the cluster of scrub oaks I have? If I use ...
  A: Not true. Roundup will kill any green plant it get on but after it dries there is no problem ...
Tree selection4/15/2009
  Q: I live in Las Vegas and would appreciate some suggestions for types of trees that would do well ...
  A: Not a place for trees there is just not enough space for trees to grow. Live oak will grow way too ...
Crimson King Maple4/15/2009
  Q: I have a Crimson King Maple in my front yard that is about 34 years old. I would love to have a ...
  A: You can take cuttings of green wood about 8 inches long. Strip off all but the last couple of ...
Newly planted Live oak trees4/14/2009
  Q: We just recently planted 16 live oak trees about 10-15 feet tall girth is about 3-4 inches. I have ...
  A: Cut back on the water and water once a week with 1 inch of water--place a pan under the tree and ...
Dogwood weeping profusely after pruning4/8/2009
  Q: An arborist recently pruned our huge Dogwood (early april) and the tree is weeping profusely after 2 ...
  A: Bleeding of pruning wounds can be heavy on certain trees, such as birch, dogwood, sugar maples and ...
Weeping Willow4/8/2009
  Q: We moved into an old house, in eastern Washington, and it has a weeping willow tree in the front ...
  A: I would prune off the dead branches and the lower branches should become the new tree top. I would ...
Sunscald4/7/2009
  Q: We have a maple tree that appears to have sunscald from an answer you gave previously to Harlie ...
  A: Sunscald is another form of winter injury that can cause cracks and splits. Sunscald occurs when ...
corkscrew willow trees4/7/2009
  Q: do i need to worry about a newly planted corkscreww willow tree roots damaging my septic tank piping ...
  A: Willows like water and the roots are fibrous and will seek water. Do not plant it near a septic tank ...
New Globe Willow Tree4/7/2009
  Q: I just planted a Globe Willow Tree this weekend, I live in West Texas is there anything I need to do ...
  A: The main thing will be water--willows like and need more water than other tree species and do best ...
Spraying spanish moss4/7/2009
  Q: I live in Tampa, Florida and have a small tree with spanish moss. The spanish moss is new and not a ...
  A: The following materials are licensed for control of Spanish moss and/or ball moss: Chemical control ...
Cherry Trees freeze prevention4/7/2009
  Q: The cheery tree is blooming and we are expecting temperatures tonight between 26 and 30 degrees. How ...
  A: Frost will be the limiting factor hopefully there will be enough wind to keep the ice off the new ...
Seqouias near my pool4/7/2009
  Q: I planted three Sequoias about five feet from my pool. Am I asking for trouble? Thanks.
  A: It depends. Sequoia have a fibrous root system the can spread about 2-3 times the width of the ...
Live Oak (I think)4/7/2009
  Q: I have a fairly young tree that I think is a Live aok. Guessing around 8 years old. It is ...
  A: Sounds like sapsuckers wood peckers Most woodpeckers rely on insects and tree sap as their primary ...
Norfolk Pines4/7/2009
  Q: I have several Norfolk pines (growing under very tall oak trees), which were doing beautifully until ...
  A: I would leave them be, They are more than likely not dead but the needles are just damaged. The buds ...
tree removal4/6/2009
  Q: i live in miss. iwould like to know how to remove a large cypress tree and the knees. some are under ...
  A: Cut them down and treat the stumps of both the tree and the knees with a herbicide called Roundup. ...
Young cherry trees4/6/2009
  Q: I just planted two cherry trees in my yard a couple of weeks ago. They are starting to get leeves ...
  A: Frost will be the limiting factor hopefully there will be enough wind to keep the ice off the new ...
Trimming4/6/2009
  Q: What time of year can you trim leland spruce ? I want to just trim some branch tips . also, what ...
  A: Sun-loving conifers, those whose needles all need sun, can be pruned annually, but only gently ...
japenese coralbark blight4/6/2009
  Q: Would planting a new coral bark in same place as old one that died of blight be a bad idea?
  A: Yes you can plant back in the same spot. When you plant dig the hole twice the size of the rootball ...
DYING OAK TREE4/5/2009
  Q: WE HAVE AN OAK TREE IN THE FRONT YARD ABOUT 3 YEARS OLD. ITS LEAVES ARE YELLOW AND ITS BRANCHES ...
  A: Sounds like a gall insect. Galls are irregular plant growths which are stimulated by the reaction ...
Beetle-like bug boring into Maple trees4/4/2009
  Q: I am seeing insects at base & crawling up bark of tree. Beetle-like black elongated body with red ...
  A: I think you have a couple of insects. the ones with red edging sound like a boxelder bug or maple ...
Flowering Bradford Pear4/4/2009
  Q: I have a Bradford Pear tree(about 10 years old) This is my first pear tree---it blooms very early ...
  A: Bradfords will bloom once a year just before the new leaves bud out. To increase the blooming for ...
"Willow Globe Tree"4/4/2009
  Q: how often should I water my willow globe tree? and when is the best time to water it in the mornng ...
  A: Usually trees need 1 inch of water each week but willows need more I would water twice a week with 1 ...
Cherry Blossom4/4/2009
  Q: I was wondering if you could tell me how deep a Yoshino Cherry trees root system develops. I need a ...
  A: You should not have a problem with cherry. The vast majority of their roots are within the first 2-3 ...
Benlate / Capstan4/3/2009
  Q: Your answer to black rot in an ornamental plum says to use Benlate and Captan. It seems Benlate is ...
  A: I assume you mean black knot. Black knot of plums and cherries is a widespread and serious disease ...
Red Maple Roots4/3/2009
  Q: We are about to have construction done on our house the entrance/ exit is to run very close to a ...
  A: Adding more than 3-4 inches of soil of fill over a trees root will greatly damage the tree and more ...
Oak tree4/3/2009
  Q: I have a young oak tree and this year I noticed on almost all the branchs red blister like clusters. ...
  A: Sounds like a scale insect. These insects live under a "shell" lie a turtle and suck the plant ...
Live Oak Tree care4/3/2009
  Q: I planted a Live Oak tree I planted 1 year ago it is about 9 ft. tall. It has only one main stem ...
  A: No do not prune it. Let it grow and the branches will start. Oaks have the habit of when first ...
curly willow tree4/2/2009
  Q: I am interested in planting a curly willow tree on my property. I am wondering if you can tell me ...
  A: Willows like water and the roots are fibrous and will seek water. Do not plant it near a septic tank ...
DYING TOP BRANCHES ON WEEPING WILLOW TREE4/2/2009
  Q: Approximately two years ago an ice storm broke some of the top branches off my weeping willow ...
  A: Cut the dead branches and over time the lower branches will become the new top of the tree. I would ...
wheeping snow fountain cherry tree4/2/2009
  Q: my name is Keith and I planted a weeping cherry tree in early spring of 2008. I regularly watered ...
  A: To tell if the tree is dead start near the end of an upper branch and scrape a small bit of bark off ...
willow4/2/2009
  Q: please can you tell me how to kill willow trees on our fishing club lakes as we have been told to ...
  A: I think someone is feeding you a line of BS. Willows do not harm the water quality in fact They are ...
Hole in Poor Compartmentalizer Tree4/2/2009
  Q: I read your response to a question on 3/2 and 3/3 regarding compartmentalization of tree holes. ...
  A: There is not much that can be done except to keep the tree growing healthy by adding fertilizer once ...
Texas Red Oak4/2/2009
  Q: We have a 14 year old Tx red oak that has white oval, maybe scale insects, and some are clusters on ...
  A: It looks like bark lice Archipsocus nomas, the webbing bark louse. Bark lice are small, brown ...
Droppings from trees in Springtime4/2/2009
  Q: What is is name of the tassel looking things that drop from trees this time of year (we have mostly ...
  A: Those are the flowers from an oak tree called catkins. This is where the acorns come from. The ...
Liquid Amber4/2/2009
  Q: I sure hope you can help me. I have a large liquid amber in my front yard that is breaking into my ...
  A: You will need to use a herbicide to kill the tree. There are a couple of methods--one is to cut into ...
curly willow tree4/1/2009
  Q: I am interested in planting a curly willow tree on my property. I am wondering if you can tell me ...
  A: Salix matsudana ‘Tortuosa’ Salicaceae Corkscrew Willow, Contorted Willow, Dragon's Claw ...
PRUNING JAPANESE MAPLE4/1/2009
  Q: Please tell me I haven't ruined my gorgeous Japanese Maple Tree. It had never been pruned to any ...
  A: Never a good idea to top prune a tree especially a Japanese maple. It should grow back but it is ...
POST OAK FUNGUS4/1/2009
  Q: I have several post oaks on my property. The bark on many of them is turning white looking like ash. ...
  A: Sounds like Hypoxylon canker. The most obvious early symptom of Hypoxylon is the sloughing off of ...
Fruiting Bodies3/31/2009
  Q: Red Maple has some rotting and fruting bodies at base of tree...bark damage.....How can you ...
  A: There are several decay type fungi that will enter wounds on maple trees. The fruiting bodies are ...
fertilizing trees in the spring3/31/2009
  Q: again. I'm the fellow on a steep slope on the western fringe of the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia ...
  A: The 10-10-10 fertilizer would be the best for the money. It is an all around general fertilizer. Use ...
redbud tree3/31/2009
  Q: hi jim i live in central arkansas have two huge redbbuds lost one last fall started losing foilage ...
  A: For borer type insects there are a couple of ways to deal with them--one is to spray the trunk with ...
Big maple tree3/31/2009
  Q: Our big maple tree had big branches cut last Fall. Now, it is leaking alot of sap. Any suggestions? ...
  A: This is normal for maples. The increase pressure in the spring that draws the sap from the roots to ...
southern pine3/30/2009
  Q: I recently damaged the bark on a couple pine trees while mowing, Is there anything I can do to help ...
  A: As long as you did not cut through the bark into the wood all the way around the trunk the tree will ...
Hemlock Trees as Firewood3/30/2009
  Q: Are Hemlock Trees good for Firewood? I cannot find them listed on any of the charts. What is thier ...
  A: You can burn the wood from most trees for firewood. Hemlock gives off relative low heat, throws off ...
Insects on Fruitless Plum Tree3/30/2009
  Q: Lillle yellow egg clusters, what appears to be brown aphids, ladybugs eating the yellow eggs? Good, ...
  A: Ladybugs will kill the aphids. It will take a little while but they should clean up the problem. I ...
globe willow3/30/2009
  Q: I planted the globe willow last year in march. the leaves were nice and green this year the top of ...
  A: I would wait and see if it leafs out and if it does not go ahead and cut the top out. The lower ...
keeping a tree trimmed3/30/2009
  Q: I think I made an error that I may have to rectify.I planted a Autumn Blaze Maple 2 years ago in a ...
  A: Tree are tree and will grow to fairly large . This will grow at maturity to a height of about 30-50 ...
Will roots continue to grow after tree removed?3/30/2009
  Q: I had a 7 foot philodendron (I think, but see photo). I removed the tree, cutting its roots, ...
  A: These are not aerial roots but roots called adventitious roots . Adventitious roots are the ones ...
Ice Storm Damaged Birch3/29/2009
  Q: I have a 30 ft tall river birch that sustained all sorts of damage during an ice storm in February. ...
  A: If the limbs were not broken they will recover. The leaking is sap that is oozing from the wounds. ...
norway maple3/29/2009
  Q: we have a Norway maple in full sun in our back yard. the yard slopes off to the south about 30 ...
  A: Normally, twenty percent of the tree's roots can be cut before any signs of stress will appear, ...
japanese maple3/29/2009
  Q: I have these green things that look like a cocoon hanging from my tree limbs and then they turn ...
  A: Sounds like an insect called a bagworm. The common bagworm, Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis ...
Split bark on maple trees3/29/2009
  Q: We discovered verticle splits on the bark of two maple trees. Location is central ohio. Diameter of ...
  A: Cracks and splits in tree trunks are fairly common and may occur for various reasons, but are ...
Morus albus3/29/2009
  Q: I purchased two Morus alba trees for our school parkway in Redondo Beach, CA. The trees are suppose ...
  A: The roots of fruitless mulberry are not a problem with adjacent walkways or drives. The roots will ...
Laurel Oak3/29/2009
  Q: We have a laurel oak it bloomed out an got leaves on it but they seam to be drooping off again an ...
  A: If you are talking about the mature leaves that are brown and dropping off in the early spring, this ...
Norfolk Pine3/29/2009
  Q: I have a Norfolk Pine that was given to me when it was in a tiny pot and about 4" high. It has done ...
  A: Do not remove the branches for awhile. They may leaf back out. If they do you should see the buds ...
moss in pecan trees3/29/2009
  Q: We have 4 huge pecan trees covered in moss. I believe the moss is killing the trees but my husband ...
  A: Sounds like Spanish moss. see picture. ...
Will roots continue to grow after tree removed?3/29/2009
  Q: I had a 7 foot philodendron (I think, but see photo). I removed the tree, cutting its roots, ...
  A: The leaves do look like a palm. Since the tree is cut and the stump removed there is no need to ...
Disease or insects on pine tree3/28/2009
  Q: I live in Eastern Tn. The evergreens, I think MAY BE A TYPE OF CYPRESS have a cocoon like thing on ...
  A: This is cedar apple rust. During warm rainy days in late April and early May, cedar trees infected ...
septic3/28/2009
  Q: I must lay a septic pipe between two spruce trees which are approximately 60 feet high, 6 feet in ...
  A: The roots of spruce usually spread about 1 1/2 times the width of the foliage. The roots beyond the ...
Will roots continue to grow after tree removed?3/28/2009
  Q: I had a 7 foot philodendron (I think, but see photo). I removed the tree, cutting its roots, ...
  A: Looks like a palm not a philodendron. Palm type trees do not have an extensive root system. Palms ...
River Birch and Septic Tank3/28/2009
  Q: A river birch has been suggested for my back yard to provide shade for my deck. The location is on ...
  A: They will not necessarily "tear up" the septic tank but the river birch as the name says likes water ...
Norfolk Pine3/28/2009
  Q: I have a Norfolk Pine that was given to me when it was in a tiny pot and about 4" high. It has done ...
  A: The ideal indoor climate for this species is cool and bright, responding well to daytime ...
norfolk pine3/28/2009
  Q: I live 30 miles northwest of Baton Rouge, La. Do you think a Norfolk Pine can be grown outdoors in ...
  A: USDA Zones 10 - 11. Norfolk Island pine is very tender and will begin to sustain damage at ...
small oak trees3/28/2009
  Q: What are some good choices for short oak trees for the southeast that have the largest acorn? I have ...
  A: Dwarf Chestnut Oak (Quercus prinoides) The Dwarf Chestnut Oak is a small deciduous tree native to ...
oak tree fungus3/28/2009
  Q: I live in NC and see orange fungus growing on the bark of my large oak trees. It seems to be on dead ...
  A: I am going to guess that it is close to Tremella mesenterica, the Yellow Brain Fungus. These are ...
Maple tree leaf color3/28/2009
  Q: We have four different types of maples; October glory, red maple, Japanese red, Japanese green(can't ...
  A: It could be the difference in the amount of sunlight they are getting. Maples in semi shade will ...
dogwood trees3/27/2009
  Q: I have 3 mature dogwood trees in my back yard. About 5 years ago they were producing many ...
  A: There are many possible reasons for a lack of flowering in plants, including age, light, excess ...
brown horned sacks on evergreen tree3/27/2009
  Q: what are the brown horned sacks on my evergreen tree. How do I get rid of them?
  A: Sounds like an insect called a bagworm. The bags are last years insects. They will contain eggs that ...
Japanese dogwoods3/27/2009
  Q: We have 2- 30yr old Japanese dogwoods, planted in the same area. They are shedding their lower bark ...
  A: Dogwoods do shed their bark as they get older. The green is more than likely lichens and will not ...
pin oak trees3/26/2009
  Q: i planted two pin oak and two red maple trees in my about 5 years ago they were all about the same ...
  A: Sounds like a soil problem causing iron chlorosis. This will also have a great effect on the growth ...
trees3/26/2009
  Q: I have shallow roots in a 10ft.diameter around my 10 yr. old live oak tree, making it difficult to ...
  A: Fill dirt frequently is added around existing mature trees so that a level or more visually ...
Wildfires before firetrucks?3/26/2009
  Q: In Oregon we have alot of wildfires and there's alot of arguments about it. So my question is are ...
  A: Most of the wildfires out West are caused by lightning storms. And in that sense they are natural. ...
Birch tree and sewer line3/26/2009
  Q: I Live in western washington st. I am considering planting some Birch trees in my yard. However, ...
  A: As long as there is not leak in the sewer line the roots will not be a problem. Roots will seek out ...
Dwarf Tree recommendations?3/26/2009
  Q: You're my last resort.I have spent thousands of dollars on my yard. Now VA Dominion is going to ...
  A: Here is a list of ornamental trees of different sizes some are small. ...
squirrel damage to silk floss trees3/25/2009
  Q: I have 2 large silk floss (mimosa) trees here in Southern California. The bark is being striped from ...
  A: The living cells of a tree are just under the bark and if these cells are girdles all the way around ...
mulching around trees3/25/2009
  Q: I live on a ridge on the western side of the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia. I've got a patch of ...
  A: No mature trees do not need a mulch around them. The mulch serves a couple of purposes--as a newly ...
oak trees loosing bark3/25/2009
  Q: I live in central texas and the land is covered with oak trees. I have recently noticed several ...
  A: It is drought related and the tree are under stress and more than likely has be infected by a ...
Birch tree and sewer line3/25/2009
  Q: I Live in western washington st. I am considering planting some Birch trees in my yard. However, ...
  A: Birches and sewer lines do not mix well. Trees and shrubs are much riskier choices for the drainage ...
transplat of leyland trees3/25/2009
  Q: I live in North Georgia. I need to transplant 5 Leyland trees that are about 6 to 7 ft tall. How do ...
  A: Evergreens should be moved earlier in the fall than deciduous plants so they have time to form new ...
Root removal after tree and stump removed3/25/2009
  Q: We bought a house with a diseased pine tree that we had removed by a tree removal company three ...
  A: Yoo can treat it like it was a stunp. The organisms that rot or decay wood are called fungi. Fungi ...
japanese maple dying?3/25/2009
  Q: I recently used a Safer brand insect soap on the maple, it was covered in tiny bugs. It didn't say ...
  A: They should recover. I think what happened is it was sprayed on the tender newly opening leaf buds ...
My Cherry Tree...3/24/2009
  Q: Last year I had a shed / art studio built in my garden. Behind my fence is a beautifull pink cherry ...
  A: Not much that can be done except wait and see if it leafs out. Fertilizer will help the blooming for ...
Dwarf Tree recommendations?3/24/2009
  Q: You're my last resort.I have spent thousands of dollars on my yard. Now VA Dominion is going to ...
  A: I would check with the Virginia Cooperative Extension Service and ask one of their specialist to ...
Transplanting a Redbud Tree3/24/2009
  Q: I want to transplant a small redbud tree from an area that is about to be under construction. The ...
  A: If you can it would be much better to wait and not move the tree twice. Each time you transplant a ...
silver maple bark and bores3/24/2009
  Q: We have a silver maple that is peeling bark and one huge limb appears to have been killed by bores. ...
  A: It sounds like a decay fungi. More than likely came in as a result of the borer wounds. There is not ...
Red Maple Tree Damage3/24/2009
  Q: My neighbor came by the other day concerned about a subject tree with damage and belief of it's ...
  A: Carpenter ant nests are very common inside trees, especially older trees that are hollow or have a ...
Is my tree dead3/24/2009
  Q: Jim: My wife and I have just purchased a repo home here in Northern Cal. The property has sat for ...
  A: That means the root system is still alive and the tree may sprout back from the roots. About all ...
Weeping trees for a Florida yard.3/24/2009
  Q: Can you recommend a weeping tree for a yard in Florida? (no lake or pond on land)
  A: Weeping Willow is a beautiful, graceful tree when placed out in the open with adequate water and ...
Pruning Junipers3/23/2009
  Q: Our house near Atlanta was landscaped with 2 juniper trees at the edges of the garage. They are both ...
  A: Topping tree is not usually a good thing for them. Height reduction works best on small trees by ...
Moss or Lichen on Red Oak trees3/23/2009
  Q: I was told I had lichen on my red oak trees and that I could control it organically by spraying it ...
  A: Lichens are an example of a symbiotic relationship between algae and certain fungi. They are capable ...
spraying herbicide on pine seedlings3/23/2009
  Q: What type herbicide can I spray on newly planted loblolly pine seedlings, planted in a field to kill ...
  A: This is not a easy question with out knowing the type of weeds, grasses and brush that needs ...
repair of a split branch3/23/2009
  Q: I have a young tree that has a split branch as a result of heavy winds. I do not want to prune it, ...
  A: You can try it but it is a slight chance that it will work. Some species do well while other fail. ...
Cyprus Knees3/23/2009
  Q: I have a 30 foot Cyprus tree in my back yard that has so many knees that it's almost impossible to ...
  A: The "cypress knees" usually only develop when grown in or near water for most of the year. In wet ...
silver maple bark and bores3/23/2009
  Q: We have a silver maple that is peeling bark and one huge limb appears to have been killed by bores. ...
  A: Spray the wound area and the trunk near it with an insecticide called Merit. This will kill the ...
So. Cal. pruning of while birches3/23/2009
  Q: I understand that certain borers can infest white birches during/around pruning. Is this true, and ...
  A: Prune only when the tree is dormant if possible. This puts less stress on the tree. It can also ...
Prunne a B&B Live Oak3/22/2009
  Q: I got 26 B&B Live Oak from Dallas TX area to El Paso TX back in October 2008, The drop 100% of the ...
  A: I assume B&B is Bagged and Burlap a method of shipping trees so the roots will not dry out. If your ...
Spanish moss removal3/22/2009
  Q: How do we remove this moss other than picking it out? Is there a solution mixture we could use? If ...
  A: The following materials are licensed for control of Spanish moss and/or ball moss: Chemical control ...
snow fountain weeping cherry3/22/2009
  Q: I panted my snow fountain weeping cherry tree last year. It is in a wind protected area, mulched ...
  A: Are other cherry trees in your area blooming now? If so then you need to check to see if your tree ...
cedar tree fertilization3/22/2009
  Q: I have a two hundered foot cedar hedge, three trees deep, spaced about three feet apart. The ...
  A: These are trees and as such as they grow taller the lower branches will be shed. To keep them as a ...
red lace leaf Japanese maple drawf3/22/2009
  Q: A Beaver got to our beautiful 4' tall 6' wide Japanese maple all the way around and up some, can I ...
  A: If it cut all the way around the trunk the part above the cut more than likely will die. The living ...
caring for bradford pear trees3/22/2009
  Q: We love the Flowering Bradford Pear Trees and purchased 10 to put along our driveway last year. We ...
  A: The sprouts coming on the lower part of the tree should be pruned off--they will make the tree look ...
nails in cedar tree3/22/2009
  Q: We have a huge cedar tree in our back yard that I would like to build a tree house in using small 1 ...
  A: The nails will not kill the tree. In most species of trees the nail hole could allow decay fungi to ...
Maple tree bark3/22/2009
  Q: I have some pictures attached. I am concerned about the bark peeling from my Maple tree. Should I be ...
  A: Looks like decay fungi more than likely from a wound maybe from an insect called a borer. There is ...
Is my tree dead3/22/2009
  Q: Jim: My wife and I have just purchased a repo home here in Northern Cal. The property has sat for ...
  A: Check the upper out limbs--start near the end of the branch and scrape a small bit of bark off and ...
live oak tree3/22/2009
  Q: I just moved to my new house the builder planted to big live oak trees its been 2 months and the ...
  A: Sometimes when a tree is planted the shock of the planting will cause the tree to lose leaves. Oaks ...
tree with seed pods3/21/2009
  Q: My friend and I were walking through and old cemetery and I noticed these pods that had fallen from ...
  A: There are several trees that have pods. Honey Locust, Black Locust and Kentucky Coffee tree are the ...
starting trees & shrubs from clippings3/21/2009
  Q: Can you start trees and shrubs from clippings? How? what time of year is best to do this? What site ...
  A: Yes some species of trees can be started (propagated) by cuttings. Here is a web link that will give ...
black rot/ or some kind of fungus3/20/2009
  Q: I have an ornamental plum tree which for the past 6 years has been producing plums. Now it has a ...
  A: Black knot can be managed by pruning out and destroying all galls infecting the tree. Prune trees ...
Live oak tree planting distances3/20/2009
  Q: What is minimum distance live oak trees may be planted from each other?
  A: It depends on what you want the planting to look like when mature. If you want open grown trees that ...
Oak Tree Roots3/20/2009
  Q: Our large Oak in front of our Florida home has a lot of it's root exposed. Should we cover with dirt ...
  A: You can add as much as 3 inches deep of top soil over the roots without causing any damage from ...
birch tree seep holes3/20/2009
  Q: I found two small holes in one limb on my birch. I had to move back some bark, when I did the holes ...
  A: Sounds like the birch borer. One of the ways to control the borer is to use something to dig it out ...
Pruning leland cypress3/20/2009
  Q: I live in North Carolina ( gaston county) and I would like to know the best time of year to prune ...
  A: Pruning: Little and often is the key, that way it doesn't get carried away and give you a massive ...
tree roots3/20/2009
  Q: in a drought situation would an old tree, extend and enlarge its roots to an abundant water source, ...
  A: Tree roots seek out water. This will vary by species--species like willow, river birch are more ...
Hemlock trimming3/19/2009
  Q: I have a "fence" of hedge grade hemlock (they are more like trees than shrubs) and are much too ...
  A: Hemlocks are trees and not hedges. Topping tree can kill them or on the very least cause them to ...
topping off hemlocks3/18/2009
  Q: I live in upstate New York and have some hemlocks which were planted several years ago. Is it OK to ...
  A: By all means let it grow. Topping tree can kill them or on the very least cause them to become ...
to kill a Meliluka tree3/18/2009
  Q: How and when is the best time to kill a Meliluka tree? We live in Florida and the trees are on the ...
  A: There are a couple of ways to kill melaleuca, both involve the use of a herbicide. One is using what ...
replant a river brich3/18/2009
  Q: I have a river brich tree in my yard that is not growing ,its in a bad location i've had it{tree}for ...
  A: Deciduous plants may be moved in the spring as soon as the frost is out of the ground, up until the ...
Effects of pruning on other branches3/18/2009
  Q: I have a fruitless mulberry and I was wondering if the removal of some of its branches would at all ...
  A: Trees such as maple, elm, birch, and fruitless mulberry often experience sap flow or “bleeding” from ...
How to prune my Weeping Willow Tree3/17/2009
  Q: My husband and I just moved into a new home and there is a 6 foot Weeping Willow tree in the front ...
  A: A weeping willow tree is one of those trees that you can prune if you wish and don't have to if ...
Globe Willow pruning3/17/2009
  Q: I live in near Tulsa, OK. This globe willow was planted early last spring. The fork in it is at ...
  A: A young tree is the time to remove fork making a single trunk tree. I would go ahead and prune off ...
granny smith apple tree3/17/2009
  Q: Jim, my 50 year old granny smith apple tree is in poor shape. I inherited it 3 years ago. There is a ...
  A: This question is to complex to answer without seeing the tree. Sounds like the tree needs a good bit ...
White Rot?3/17/2009
  Q: We purchased about 16 acres in northern Tennessee about 6 years ago. Neither my husband or myself ...
  A: Yes it is a free service no matter how many questions. There are other experts on plants I deal with ...
White Rot?3/17/2009
  Q: We purchased about 16 acres in northern Tennessee about 6 years ago. Neither my husband or myself ...
  A: The mushroom is from a decay fungi that is in the wood of the tree. The mushroom is the fruiting ...
locust trees3/16/2009
  Q: For the past two years, my mom's locusts trees have been infested with green worms, about one inch ...
  A: There are a least two caterpillars that will feed on locust trees. The most common is Clouded ...
White Rot?3/16/2009
  Q: We purchased about 16 acres in northern Tennessee about 6 years ago. Neither my husband or myself ...
  A: Sounds like lichens. When lichen is wet from rain or dew, it grows actively. It also likes sunshine, ...
Leaking tree root3/16/2009
  Q: Last year we had our silver birch trimmed in our garden, this year we have recently just replanted ...
  A: This is normal. Do not worry about it the tree will heal over the wound by itself. In the spring the ...
Tree anchors3/16/2009
  Q: I want to install a zip line in my backyard for my granddaughters. Can I install eye bolt anchors to ...
  A: Use steel bolts and run them through the tree trunk and fastened with a large washer. Tighten the ...
sugar maple tree3/16/2009
  Q: Our tree had some branches cut off last week, due to Detroit Edison. We live in Michigan and spring ...
  A: This is normal for maples that are pruned in the spring. But do not worry about it the leaking will ...
dwarf blue spruce trimming3/15/2009
  Q: I have about a 5.5ft blue spruce in the front of my house and has grown to almost completely cover ...
  A: It will create a bush, not a tree. The leader is something that provides the vertical growth to the ...
Effects of pruning on other branches3/15/2009
  Q: I have a fruitless mulberry and I was wondering if the removal of some of its branches would at all ...
  A: Yes in general the growth of a tree is spread out over the folaige and the limbs and if there is ...
Pruning/trimming3/15/2009
  Q: 5 yr and you can sey that they are mature trees(25ft)Do you tink we need to prune them on the top so ...
  A: Yes you can use the 10-10-10 for any of the tree species but I would use only the spring application ...
dead crown in aspen tree3/15/2009
  Q: I have a 30-40ft aspen tree that has been neglected for some time. It has a ten foot section in the ...
  A: Sounds like either the top was damaged by a storm or maybe a borer insect infested the top and ...
Historis Japanese Cut Leaf Maple3/15/2009
  Q: Recent snow damaged a main branch of this historic 150yr tree. Altough the majority of the tree is ...
  A: No the branch can not be reattached. The best thing to do is where the branch broke off at the ...
Cherry trees3/14/2009
  Q: Mirella
  A: Cherry trees grow at about a normal rate BUT this all depends on the soil they are planted in, the ...
Pruning/trimming3/14/2009
  Q: 5 yr and you can sey that they are mature trees(25ft)Do you tink we need to prune them on the top so ...
  A: Pruning will not help in adding foliage to the crown. I would fertilize the trees with 10-10-10 ...
crimson maple tree3/14/2009
  Q: My crimson maple tree has two limbs that have a split and sap is leaking down the trunk. Do i have ...
  A: It sounds like an insect called a borer. These will bore into the trunk and the tree will exude sap. ...
Momosa with Fusarium Wilt3/14/2009
  Q: Can I use a dead Momosa with fusarium wilt for firewood indoors?
  A: Mimosa wood burns clean and will have no problems with sparking and residue buildup. It is a fairly ...
tree pruning3/13/2009
  Q: What will happen and can anything be done if a young maple was topped off. I guess you'd say the ...
  A: It is never a good idea to top a tree. The most common reason given for topping is to reduce the ...
tree damage3/13/2009
  Q: You mention a host of products for borer protection..and thank you for that. But where do I buy ...
  A: It will depend on what borer and/or tree species you are protecting. Most trees do not come under ...
eastern red cedar replanting3/12/2009
  Q: When is the best time to replant eastern red cedar? How big can they be when digging them up from ...
  A: Evergreens should be moved earlier in the fall than deciduous plants so they have time to form new ...
leaking tree!3/12/2009
  Q: I live in upstate SC and have a river birch in my front yard that is about 10 years old. We had ...
  A: This is normal. River birch transpire a great amount of water-this is especially true in the spring ...
Texas Red Oak Tree3/12/2009
  Q: I have three Texas Red Oaks...one has the trunk peeling with whitish mushroom looking spores or ...
  A: Sounds like a decay fungus. The mushrooms are the fruiting part of the fungi. When a tree is wounded ...
what does Tree Gall contains?3/11/2009
  Q: i am doing a little school project research on tree gall...what does the gall grow on the tree bark ...
  A: An oak gall is a curious ball-like tumor, about the size of a small marble, that grows mainly on the ...
Jacarunda3/10/2009
  Q: did anyone find out where one can be purchased in FL? Heard about this tree but where can we find ...
  A: I am not from that area so I have no experience with nurseries in Jacksonville. Here is a web link ...
leaking water from cut river birch3/10/2009
  Q: Due to recent storms in our area we had to have our river birch tree trimmed back. It stands higher ...
  A: This is normal for river birch. They produce a large amount of sap during the spring and if there is ...
weeping willow damaged3/10/2009
  Q: I noticed a woodpecker on our weeping willow and went to look at the tree. It looks bad. There are a ...
  A: Sounds like sap sucker damage. These are wood pecker type birds that make the holes and when insects ...
Trees for inside porch3/10/2009
  Q: Good morning. I live in Medford, MA (I think zone 7a), and I would like to put 2-3 trees on my ...
  A: I think you will find that a tree is not the plant for inside. They get too large. By definition a ...
Magnolia Tree removal3/9/2009
  Q: We are trying to remove a Magnolia tree that was planted approximately 15 to 20 years ago because we ...
  A: Magnolias have a very unusual root system. It has tap-roots, but their feeder roots are soft and ...
pine tree's needles all brown3/9/2009
  Q: We just noticed our large pine tree's needles all are brown. Has the tree died over the winter or is ...
  A: If all the needles are dead and no needles are green then I am sorry the tree is dead and will not ...
Raywood Ash Tree problem3/7/2009
  Q: I planted a Raywood Ash tree last June and it has been growing well until recently. I noticed that ...
  A: This is the damage of an insect called a borer. This looks like the ash clearwinged borer. The first ...
Exposed tree roots........3/7/2009
  Q: I have an approximately 35-year-old Chinese Elm in my front yard. It is probably 50-60 feet tall, ...
  A: "Shaving" the roots will cause fungi to enter and may cause die back of the tree's foliage and/or ...
Will our cherry blossom tree re-grow3/7/2009
  Q: our cherry blossom tree has been accidentally cut right down to stumps (ie. main stump and about 5 ...
  A: It should go sprouts from the stump like most hardwood trees. By mid may you should have sprouts. If ...
locust tree3/7/2009
  Q: I live in southwest Nebraska and have a mature locust tree (50ft. at least). Two years ago there ...
  A: There are a least two caterpillars that will feed on locust trees. The most common is Clouded ...
What type of seed to grow rootstock for maples for grafting?3/6/2009
  Q: I would like to know which type of maple seed can be used to grow rootstock to graft maples. I have ...
  A: Rootstock is the rooted part of the graft to which the scion is grafted. The scion and the rootstock ...
direction3/5/2009
  Q: on which side of a tree does moss grow
  A: Most people would say the North side of the tree. It’s not exactly true that moss only grows on the ...
Bore Worms3/5/2009
  Q: I've lost 2 plum trees and 1 young peach tree due to bore worms. I want to replant. How do I treat ...
  A: The soil is not where these insects spend a good deal of their lifecycle. The entire life cycle of ...
live oak trees3/5/2009
  Q: something is makeing small holes around the trunk and limbs.They are about one quarter of an inch ...
  A: If these holes are in a line around the trunk they are caused by a wood pecker called a sap sucker. ...
"sucker" removal without damaging the tree3/5/2009
  Q: I have a beautiful non-fruit bearing tree (cherry?) that has many suckers sprouting from around the ...
  A: Sucker or sprout from the lower part of the tree can be remove without harming the tree . In fact ...
Catalpa Tree3/4/2009
  Q: I have a "very large" Catalpa tree in the yard of our rental property which is protruding into the ...
  A: Spring flowering trees are usually pruned after they bloom, but in reality you may prune catalpa ...
wild cherry trees3/4/2009
  Q: What can I do to keep my wild cherry tree from having cherries on it?I read some where to spray it ...
  A: Thiram is a fungicide. Registered for control of scab, rust, and summer diseases of apples. A ...
Globe Willow Tree3/4/2009
  Q: Will the Globe Willow Tree grown in southern Texas. We are real close to the Mexican border and it ...
  A: They aren't really Texas friendly trees. Willows like plenty of water and that would be the limiting ...
New Growth on Blue Spruce Dying3/4/2009
  Q: I have read quite a few of the questions you have answered online. You certainly know far more than ...
  A: I would try Bayer Advanced Tree and Shrub Insect Control insecticide. This is used for sucking type ...
New Growth on Blue Spruce Dying3/4/2009
  Q: I have read quite a few of the questions you have answered online. You certainly know far more than ...
  A: I think the problem is the manure. A concentration of fresh manure can also burn the tree causing ...
newly planted ponderosa pine trees3/4/2009
  Q: I have had planted a number of Ponderosa pines here in CO and don't know how much to water them. ...
  A: Newly planted trees need about 1 inch of water per week. Place a pan under the tree and turn the ...
Triple Birch vs.Driveway3/4/2009
  Q: We have a triple birch,15 yrs. old,next to the driveway.It has caused cracking and shifting.We plan ...
  A: You did not say how close the tree is too the driveway. Root barriers can be installed along the ...
plugging a hole in a tree knot3/3/2009
  Q: I have a mid sized oak tree that had a large limb at the bottom removed some time in the past ...
  A: Do nothing and let nature take its course. Some folks have sprayed instillation foam in the hole to ...
lilac tree3/3/2009
  Q: I need to move a lilac tree now or else it will be moved and ruined this summer. is it still a good ...
  A: Early spring until late spring, from when the lilacs develop buds until they actually have small ...
plugging a hole in a tree knot3/2/2009
  Q: I have a mid sized oak tree that had a large limb at the bottom removed some time in the past ...
  A: A tree cavity is similar to a cavity in your tooth. Without proper treatment, the situation will ...
Identification of trees3/2/2009
  Q: I recently returned from australia and while their saw many evergreen trees that looked like a pine ...
  A: Sounds like Norfolk island pine. Araucaria heterophylla or Norfolk Island Pine or Australian Pine is ...
Aspen tree trimming3/2/2009
  Q: We recently had our Aspen trees trimmed. They trimmed some branches right up to the trunk (cut into ...
  A: Aspens tend to bleed if done in the winter or early spring. Pruning cuts should be made just outside ...
GLOBE WILLOW'S STARTING FROM A BRANCH3/1/2009
  Q: I LOVE THE LOOK OF GLOBES. I KNOW PEOPLE HAVE TOLD ME THEY CAN BE STARTED FROM A BRANCH. CAN YOU ...
  A: Yes willows root easily. Take a cutting from second year twigs about 12 inches long. Dip the ends ...
copper sufate3/1/2009
  Q: Where can I buy copper sulfate?
  A: Any nursery should have it check with your local nursery. Copper sulfate is also called Agritox, ...
Leylan Cypress Trees3/1/2009
  Q: I planted 22 leylan cypres trees in the fall of 2007. All trees have survived but my anticipated ...
  A: Leyland cypress has what is classified as a fast growth rate. “Rate of growth refers to the ...
Tree hit by car3/1/2009
  Q: We have a 20 year old red maple with a diameter of 1.5 feet. A car hit it last night and took all ...
  A: I would remove any loose bark from around the wound and if the "split chuck" is sticking up try to ...
Liquid Amber Tree3/1/2009
  Q: The top roots of my Liquid Amber are growing up to (thru, under?) the foundation of my house. Do I ...
  A: This tree is too large a species to be 1- feet from the house. At maturity it can reach 60-75 feet ...
Pine Stumps2/28/2009
  Q: will putting pine stumps for cover into a small fish pond be harmful to the fish?
  A: No nothing in the wood of pines will cause fish any problems. Christmas trees )a conifer like pine) ...
Mulberry tree in AZ2/28/2009
  Q: How do I get rid of a mulberry tree? It's about 8" in diameter at the base and I've removed 3/4th ...
  A: You can either cut it down and paint the fresh stump with a herbicide called Roundup OR make cuts in ...
Holly trees2/28/2009
  Q: I would like to transplant a 2 foot high Holly tree. What type of soil is best and is it better in ...
  A: A holly bush needs a lot of sunlight to grow. It can be planted in the direct, full sunlight and ...
southern live oak trees2/27/2009
  Q: this is now the end of Feb. i live in south al. i would like to know if i can transplant souther ...
  A: Yes. Deciduous plants may be moved in the spring as soon as the frost is out of the ground, up until ...
Princeton elm2/27/2009
  Q: Last year we had two Princeton elms planted in our back yard (Central Pa). Insects were a problem ...
  A: It will depend on what type insects are infesting your elm. Those that eat leaves or suck the plant ...
Tulip Poplar Flowering - prevent it ?2/27/2009
  Q: Afternoon, Is there anything I can spread/spray on my mature tulip poplar to prevent it from ...
  A: There are chemicals but timing is the thing--usually the flowers will be formed as the new leaves ...
Oak tree/Ft. Worth TX2/27/2009
  Q: I have an oak tree in my front yard that I assume is about 10-12 years old. In August 2008, I was ...
  A: Most hardwood trees will drop their old leaves before they put on new ones. some oaks wait until the ...
Maple Tree Leaking Water2/26/2009
  Q: I have two rather old maple trees 60+ years. Lately I have noticed that the trees are wet on the ...
  A: Sounds like slime flux or wetwood. The foul smelling liquid that oozes from wounds in the bark or ...
Apple Tree2/26/2009
  Q: My neighbour has a small Apple tree in her garden which is diseased, she has tried for many years to ...
  A: The root system will sprout back so you will need to paint the freshly cut stump with a herbicide ...
magnolia bush/tree2/26/2009
  Q: I have a magnolia bush made to look like a tree. Last fall I moved and transplanted it. All winter ...
  A: Since I do not have a crystal ball and also do not know the details of the transplanting--type of ...
Trees2/26/2009
  Q: I like cottonwood trees for their beautiful shape and fast growth. I am concerned that the roots ...
  A: Cottonwood trees are not a problem IF they are male trees or cottonless trees. This species has a ...
Persimmon tree reaching into pool2/26/2009
  Q: My neighbor has a persimmon tree planted about 5-6 feet from my pool. Would the tree roots reach ...
  A: A tree planted that close to a pool is asking for problems. The roots will spread about 1 1/2 times ...
paper bark maples2/26/2009
  Q: does the bark of the paper bark maple defoliate in late winter? the bark on the main truck is ...
  A: This is normal. Under the peeling bark will be smooth. Actually the only the outer layer is peeling ...
Planting a Tree2/26/2009
  Q: I recently helped out in planting (4) Chanticleer Callery Pear trees in a nearby cemetery and am not ...
  A: It does matter. The wire and the burlap can cause the trees roots to not grow out into the adjacent ...
TREE ROT2/25/2009
  Q: I have a large oak tree in my back yard. There are two places where limbs have been removed and it ...
  A: A tree cavity is similar to a cavity in your tooth. Without proper treatment, the situation will ...
Popular trees2/25/2009
  Q: I have popular trees about two years old growing at my house (12 FEET from house) and a neighbour ...
  A: The roots will turn when they reach a foundation, and if the foundation is not broken and leaking ...
maple tree leaking clear liquid2/25/2009
  Q: We have a 20+year old "healthy" maple tree (actually multi-branched sucker from original tree that ...
  A: The bark of maple tree is very thin and the woodpecker (sap sucker) makes the holes into the cambium ...
English Oak2/24/2009
  Q: I live in the SF Bay area, about 1/2 mile from the bay. I have a 22 year old English oak in the ...
  A: Sounds like a disease called Hypoxylon Canker. This disease attacks trees under stress and the ...
orange tree weeds2/24/2009
  Q: I was told a orange tree should be weed free from the trunk to the drip line. One nursery said I ...
  A: According to the U of Florida extension Service Roundup is and can be used to control weeds and ...
Mulberry pruning2/23/2009
  Q: when is the best time to prune mulberry trees is march to late my tree is starting to bud and i do ...
  A: Deciduous trees like mulberry trees are best pruned when the leaves are dormant. Late fall or early ...
Crooked Willow2/23/2009
  Q: A florist gave us some rooted crooked willow branches that are about two feet tall. When and where ...
  A: Yes they are sometimes used in floral arrangements and can be rooted and planted in the yard. ...
Willow tree damage2/22/2009
  Q: My wife and I planted a young weeping willow tree recently. After returning home from work one day ...
  A: Willow trees will sprout very easily. Just remove the broken branches and the tree should sprout ...
Gamble Oak Trees2/22/2009
  Q: I have many gamble oak trees that surround my property that produces loads of dropped leaves. I ...
  A: Oak leaves, whole, have tannic acid a preservative in them so they do take time to start getting ...
Sand Cherry2/22/2009
  Q: I'm new at this tree/bush planting and have a question regarding our Sandy Cherry bushes. we live on ...
  A: Yes. There are generally two types--those growing from seed and those sprouting from the root system ...
Japanese maple2/22/2009
  Q: I have a problem w/ japanese beetles getting on my japanese maple. I sprayed tree, which kept ...
  A: there is anew product that is applied to the soil around the tree and this protects the tree from ...
White Spruce pruning2/21/2009
  Q: Ok, I read your entry saying that I shouldn't trim off those lower branches of my spruce, but it is ...
  A: If the limbs are low and near a walkway they should be pruned. The best time is before spring so ...
Cherry Laurel doesn't bloom2/21/2009
  Q: I purchased a Cherry Laurel 2 years ago that had suffered wind damage at its nursery. It also had ...
  A: Sounds like it needs fertilizer but not a nitrogen type fertilizer. Whenever you see a fertilizer ...
Silver Hybrid Maple2/21/2009
  Q: Just this Winter we had a bad Ice storm that split one of our maples. The tree seems to be healthy ...
  A: In the past, part of the standard recommendation has been to apply a generous coating of an approved ...
Diseased Tree2/19/2009
  Q: I have a tree in my garden which I think is a cherry blossom tree. It flowers with beautiful pink ...
  A: Sounds like Cherry -- Leaf Spot. Cause: Blumeriella jaapii (formerly Coccomyces hiemalis), a ...
pine tree health2/19/2009
  Q: We just bought a foreclosed home in phx az and it was probably vacant for a couple months and not ...
  A: A tree needs about 1 inch of water per week. The best way to measure this would be put a pan under ...
Tree2/17/2009
  Q: I have a tree in my front yard the person who lived here before me planted it from the woods. No one ...
  A: The "green stuff" growing on the bark is a lichen and will not cause any health problems to the ...
Norfolk Pine2/6/2009
  Q: Our office has a community Norfolk Pine, the branches have begun to curl under. What is causing the ...
  A: I suspect a watering problem. Perhaps the heat vent dried out the soil to a point that even when you ...
Damaged Magnolia w large2/5/2009
  Q: I bought a house recently in Kentucky with a large healthy magnolia in the front yard (NW exposure). ...
  A: No tar never should be used but the pruning paint could. But I think it best to trim the loose bark ...
Crimson King Maple Tree2/5/2009
  Q: I have a 16 year old crimson king maple tree and the bark is coming off near the bottom of the tree ...
  A: Sounds like sun scald. Sunscald and bark cracks occur mostly on the south and southwest sides of ...
Damaged Magnolia w large "peel" area2/5/2009
  Q: I bought a house recently in Kentucky with a large healthy magnolia in the front yard (NW exposure). ...
  A: I would just remove any loose bark from around the wound and prune any broken branches and not use ...
root system of oak trees2/4/2009
  Q: Does an oak tree have a fibrous or tap root system? How deep do the roots usually grow?
  A: It is generally a rather shallow root system that is composed of many smaller fibrous roots. The ...
Valley Oak Decay Column Treatment2/4/2009
  Q: I have a large old Valley Oak that just had the end of a lower branch removed because it appeared ...
  A: IF I am reading this right you cut the end off a dead branch and now see dead decaying material on ...
Magnolia or Bay tree2/3/2009
  Q: What is the difference between a Magnolia Tree and a Bay Tree?
  A: There is always problems when we use common names. Some folks call Magnolias Bay. Example: Magnolia ...
oak tree2/2/2009
  Q: What type of root system does a Oak Tree have? What is the depth of the roots?
  A: It is generally a rather shallow root system that is composed of many smaller fibrous roots. The ...
Ponderosa Pine yellow tops2/2/2009
  Q: We have several large ponderosa pine trees that are showing decline at the top of the tree. The ...
  A: There are a couple of root diseases that will damage and kill the root system and the damage will ...
black bark on crepe myrtles after infestation with aphids and resulting black sooty mold2/2/2009
  Q: Late last season my 3 crepe mrytles - Tonto reds - became infested with aphids and the foliage ...
  A: First the aphids. The aphids suck the plant juices from the leave and twigs and secrete a substance ...
Jacaranda Tree1/27/2009
  Q: I am desparately trying to find WHERE in the Jacksonville, Florida area can I buy a Jacaranda Tree.
  A: I am not from that area so I have no experience with nurseries in Jacksonville. Here is a web link ...
Cottonwood trees1/27/2009
  Q: I have a large cottonwood tree in my back yard in Dallas Texas. It puts out large quantities of ...
  A: 1 Will it work--yes and no-Wipeout is a herbicide that contains Glyphosate the same chemical in ...
Fig tree pesticides?1/26/2009
  Q: i just stumbled on your site with a question in mind and forgive me, you probably already have the ...
  A: Neem is a source of environment-friendly biopesticides. The unique feature of neem products is that ...
spraying time1/26/2009
  Q: when is the proper time and how often should I spray chemical( as a preventive against bugs,etc.)on ...
  A: This is not an easy question to answer since applying pesticides will depend on the size of the ...
bark beetles in African sumac?1/25/2009
  Q: We live in the desert of Tucson, Arizona, and have a large, mature, African sumac tree. We recently ...
  A: The bark beetles in the conifers do not attack any other tree species. There maybe a bark beetle on ...
Fig tree pesticides?1/25/2009
  Q: i just stumbled on your site with a question in mind and forgive me, you probably already have the ...
  A: Fig trees are generally insect and disease free. From time to time caterpillar type insects could ...
woodpecker damage, tree losing sap1/25/2009
  Q: I just noticed alot of sap on the bark of my 30 year old maple leaking out. Checked it over and ...
  A: Merit is safe around dogs. The active ingredient is Imidacloprid is relatively non-toxic to ...
Live Oak1/24/2009
  Q: I went out this morning and there was a little sapsucker on the tree and in the light of day I could ...
  A: This woodpecker makes holes in the bark and when insects come to feed on the sap the bird returns ...
Live oak borer1/24/2009
  Q: I planted 150 2" Live Oaks in 98 which are now 15" to 22" trees in Lee Co., Ga. One of my trees has ...
  A: Since there are several holes I would think it is sap sucker damage. This is a woodpecker that makes ...
Live oak and foundation problems1/23/2009
  Q: I have bought a new house. On one side of the house, there is a live oak tree (newly installed) ...
  A: No the live oak will not cause any problems with the foundation. Dying limbs and their falling on ...
woodpecker damage, tree losing sap1/23/2009
  Q: I just noticed alot of sap on the bark of my 30 year old maple leaking out. Checked it over and ...
  A: The bark of maple is thinner than most trees and the woodpeckers could damage the tree if numerous. ...
pruning peach and pecan trees1/22/2009
  Q: Can you tell me the correct time of year and correct way to prune a peach tree and a pecan tree? ...
  A: Here is a web site on pruning peach trees http://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/treefruit/422-020/422-020.html ...
thuja1/22/2009
  Q: I have 4 large ( 10 ft. tall & 8 ft diameter) which are probably about 20 years old. They no longer ...
  A: They can be moved but this maybe a large job. Evergreens should be moved earlier in the fall than ...
holes1/21/2009
  Q: i have found rows of holes around the trunk and some branches on my 2 bradford pears havent seen ...
  A: It sounds like a woodpecker called a sap sucker. These birds make the holes in the bark and sap will ...
Willow tree branches and roots1/21/2009
  Q: My neighbor sugested i take a couple of his weeping willow tree branches that fell to the ground ...
  A: Branches and twigs that fall off trees are usually dead and they break off. These can not be rooted. ...
Birch trees1/20/2009
  Q: Is it OK to prune trees as long as it isn't between May 1 thru August 1
  A: The pruning of birch trees should be avoided unless absolutely necessary. Pruning of birch trees ...
Italian Cypress Tree1/19/2009
  Q: I have 4 Italian Cypress trees in front of my house in Missouri City, Texas. I have no problem and ...
  A: It may survive but will only be a bush since the terminal was cut. Almost any conifer can be used ...
conifers1/19/2009
  Q: thanks with your help on this matter
  A: I would add fertilizer around the trees. Conifers are not heavy feeders and need only an annual ...
Oak balls1/19/2009
  Q: We know that the acorn is the seed of oak trees, so what is the function of "oak balls"?
  A: These are the same type gall insects. Some are on the leaf which are soft but some are on the twig ...
Topping Redwood Trees1/17/2009
  Q: I have three redwood trees that I planted for privacy between my house and the neighbors house. I ...
  A: It will depend on how tall the trees are now whether you can cut them to eye level. It is never good ...
Pruning1/17/2009
  Q: I lost two large limbs from my tree during heavy snow and freezing rain here in the northwest. My ...
  A: It will depend on the species of tree and the extent of the breakage. If you are saying the top of ...
Citrus tree damage1/16/2009
  Q: Wind took a large limb off my citrus tree. Can I put Copper Sulfate on the wound area to protect it ...
  A: Do not use anything on the wound. next spring watch for any signs of boring dust and IF you see the ...
weeping cherry tree1/14/2009
  Q: I purchased a weeping cherry tree last weekend and have not had the time to plant it. It was 28 ...
  A: Deciduous may be planted either in the spring or the fall. Deciduous plants may be moved in the ...
japanese acer tree1/14/2009
  Q: i have a Japanese maple acer in my lawn and it has been there for 10 years. I need to move it ...
  A: It all depends on the size--a ten tear old tree is more than likely too large to move without ...
Oak tree roots1/11/2009
  Q: Our house was built on a slab in 1957 -- we purchased it in 2003. In the back yard are 2 90-foot ...
  A: My gut feeling is the tree being that old has done all it will do to the slab. In fact it sounds ...
Japanese Lace Leaf Maple1/11/2009
  Q: we bought a house that had a nicely established lace leaf maple...but the dogs have nearly destroyed ...
  A: I would prune any broken branches back to good wood. Prune just the part of the branch to smooth the ...
pesty silver oak suckers1/10/2009
  Q: We have property in Florida that has silver oak suckers that come up every year and looks like a ...
  A: There are several herbicide that can be used to kill this tree but all need to be applied to the ...
Tree1/10/2009
  Q: We were on vacation in San Diego, and the kids picked something off of a tree that looked like a ...
  A: Without seeing the leaves it is very difficult to ID this tree. I would make a guess that it was ...
Scrub Oak Soil and Reclaimation1/10/2009
  Q: I am removing a group of scrub oak from the east side of my house in Boise, Idaho. I would like to ...
  A: I think you are concerned about something that does not exist/ It is true that the oak wood contains ...
Planting1/9/2009
  Q: a pinus radiata stand had been removed approx 7 years ago, the stumps are now completely decomposed ...
  A: There is no reason to wait to plant after a stand of trees is cut. There is no acidic from the pines ...
propagating Norfolk pine1/8/2009
  Q: We have a 6' Norfolk pine. Is there anyway to start a new tree from a branch or the top part of the ...
  A: Take 6-8 in (15.2-20.3 cm) cuttings of the terminal leader in summer and treat with rooting hormone. ...
blue spruce tree roots1/7/2009
  Q: 1.The home we purchased has a blue spruce tree planted next to the fence. One side of the fence is ...
  A: No there will be NO problem with the roots from the blue spruce. At maturity the tree will have a ...
planting cypress in water1/6/2009
  Q: we live lakeside,Burnet County near Austin TX. Normal wateredge depth of 3-4 feet. The lake level ...
  A: You will have very good sucess with Bald Cypress. Bald-cypress likes an acidic soil and will ...
JAPANESE MAPLE TREE1/6/2009
  Q: I PLANTED A JAPANESE MAPLE TREE IN THE WRONG SEASON, MATTER OF FACT I MOVED IT FROM ANOTHER LOCATION ...
  A: Lay off the water and the plant food. They need about 1 inch of water per week and no plant food for ...
redwood tree root systems1/5/2009
  Q: Did you ever get an answer to your question about the large redwood tree in the yard next door to ...
  A: Redwoods have a fibrous root system and spread about 1 1/2 times the width of the branches. 30-40 ...
flowering almond12/16/2008
  Q: How do I prune a flowering almond?
  A: Prune the flowering almond immediately after it finishes blooming. Pruning will encourage more ...
Survivability of Transplanted trees12/16/2008
  Q: In western Wake Cnty (NC), for trees (oak and maples, 2.5" to 3" caliper) that have been ...
  A: Assuming the transplanting was done properly the survial rate shoul be as high a any planting. ...
Tree root barrier12/15/2008
  Q: When building a new subdivision road and planting new trees in the tree belt, Planning Boards ask ...
  A: Here is web link to one of these type. http://www.biobarrier.com/biobinfo.html This material is a ...
Tree replacement12/14/2008
  Q: I am a board member of a town house association in Dublin, Ca. We are replacing 58 Plum trees ...
  A: I would go with crept myrtle the red variety. Selections of crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia spp.) with ...
Can a Maple handle a major cutting?12/14/2008
  Q: We have a Silver Maple that is about 40' tall and 6'+ in circumference. Due to tornado damage that ...
  A: I would just prune the damaged part of the tree and not cut it back from the top. If you cut the ...
Ideas to Reduce/Stop Magnolia Droppings12/14/2008
  Q: 12-14: Dear Jim, Here's a differentI live in a condo community in southern CA. Just outside my ...
  A: A magnolia is an evergreen or non-deciduous tree. All plants and I mean all plants drop leaves ...
Aspens/birches12/13/2008
  Q: I want to know if it would be possible to grow Aspen and Birch trees in Southern California. (High ...
  A: The climate in locations will dictate which tree species will do well in areas. That does not mean ...
Root bound12/12/2008
  Q: I planted the above crabapple in April of 2006. It has grown approx 3 feet since, flowers ...
  A: It will not necessarily die soon but what happens a normal growth will add roots and then add ...
sides of trees-sugar maple? black12/11/2008
  Q: as a volunteer tree person I have been asked to check out a number of "street" trees with blackened ...
  A: My guess would be sooty bark disease. Sooty bark disease, caused by Cryptostroma species, can kill ...
bark problem on western sycamore12/10/2008
  Q: Will vertical 4" cracks all around the bark at the base of the trunk kill the tree? This is tree ...
  A: Sycamore tree tend to shed their bark as they get older so it sounds like the "cracks" are just the ...
Willow Tree12/9/2008
  Q: My grandfather has a willow tree at his cabin in Minnesota which was started from a piece cut from a ...
  A: Select a healthy branch that measures about 1/2 to 1 inch in diameter, and approximately 10 to 15 ...
acorn production12/9/2008
  Q: Is the Oak tree the only one that produces acorns. From what I've read Oak trees produce acorns at ...
  A: The acorn, or oak nut, is the nut of the oak tree (genera Quercus, Lithocarpus and Cyclobalanopsis, ...
"Sugar Tyme" flowering crabapple12/9/2008
  Q: I planted the above crabapple in April of 2006. It has grown approx 3 feet since, flowers ...
  A: Sounds like it is maybe root bound. Since I do not know how it was planted I can only give the ...
tree transplant12/8/2008
  Q: Sir; my parents have jm tree in a large pot, want to put in ground, can this be done now in dec. ...
  A: Since I do not know where the tree is located and the climate there I can not give a month that is ...
honey locust thorn poison12/7/2008
  Q: I just read your assertion that there is no poison in honey locust thorns. I am a 59 year old ...
  A: There is not really a poison in the thorn but being stuck by any number of thorns (rose. locust ...
planting trees12/7/2008
  Q: When is the best time to plant a Bradford Pear in my area? I live in West Memphis, AR
  A: In the spring as soon after the leave buds on the native hardwood trees start to swell or as they ...
Locus thorns12/7/2008
  Q: My nephew was clearing some property and incountered a locus tree. The thorns are in both of his ...
  A: There is not really a poison in the thorn but being stuck by any number of thorns (rose. locust ...
Root Structure Size - Italian Cypress trees12/6/2008
  Q: I have an easement next to my home managed by the SF - PUC(Public Utilities Commission) - or I ...
  A: The roots will not be a problem unless there is a broken water or sewer pipe and then the root of ...
Hershey kiss gall12/5/2008
  Q: I too have an infestation of hershey kiss galls on my Quercus lobata that I planted in my back yard ...
  A: Gall insects are difficult to control because usually controls are aimed at the adult insects. ...
Blue Spruce12/5/2008
  Q: I just bought a live blue spruce for a Christmas tree. When I go to plant it I was thinking of ...
  A: It will do fine there. Make the hole twice the size of the root ball and as deep and fill with good ...
monkey puzzle12/5/2008
  Q: i was hoping you would be able to give me some advice on my monkey puzzle tree. at the base of the ...
  A: These are bacteria burls. Burl - an unusual growth on a tree that may be caused by a virus or ...
CUTTING BANANA TREES IN WINTER12/5/2008
  Q: SHOULD I CUT THE TREES IN THE WINTER. IF SO HOW FAR ABOVE THE GROUND SHOULD I CUT THEM? THANKS
  A: Cut the plants down to the ground and cover the area with a thick layer of mulch. Top off the mulch ...
young trees outside12/5/2008
  Q: I have some young trees that have been outside since last fall. I am in Alabama so if you're in the ...
  A: The maple will be ok without any thing done --I would mulch around the tree with not more than 3 ...
live oak - yellowing leaves12/4/2008
  Q: We have a young (7 in. dia. trunk) live oak in our yard (Florida) and have noticed it's leaves are ...
  A: Yellow leaves and green veins are often the result of a common problem called iron chlorosis. This ...
spanish moss in my pecan tree12/2/2008
  Q: How can I kill off the Spanish Moss in my Pecan tree? It is full of moss, I have tried pulling some ...
  A: The following materials are licensed for control of Spanish moss and/or ball moss: TC Tribasic ...
tri color beech12/2/2008
  Q: I read another past post about a similar problem I'm having with my tri-color beech (purpurea ...
  A: Best grown in deep, rich, moist but well-drained soils in part shade. Plants do not perform well in ...
Scrub Oak Trees12/2/2008
  Q: I moved into a new home that had been professionally landscaped,with mature scrub oak trees that ...
  A: The sprouts coming up in the yard can be cut as they come up anytime during the year. The tree ...
Scrub Oak Trees12/2/2008
  Q: I moved into a new home that had been professionally landscaped,with mature scrub oak trees that ...
  A: The sprout are coming from the parent tree's root system and feeding off this system. The foliage ...
River Birch root system12/1/2008
  Q: I have a mature river birch appox. 30 -40 ft tall in a small yard. I need to run an 18 inch deep ...
  A: You should be ok with staying 15 feet from the tree with the trench. You will damage some roots but ...
Falling needles on blue spruce tree11/30/2008
  Q: In July it was necessary for me to have a Blue Spruce moved due to it being planted on the property ...
  A: I think it was over watered--trees need about 1 inch of water per week. This can be done by putting ...
Bark Damage from Rabbits11/29/2008
  Q: I have a young pear tree, about 2" in diameter, that rabbits chewed off the bark from the ground up ...
  A: The most effective way to prevent rabbit damage to trees and shrubs in the home landscape is to ...
holly tree move11/29/2008
  Q: my mother has two holly berry trees about 8ft tall she has asked me to move them to another part of ...
  A: Deciduous trees may be planted either in the spring or the fall. Deciduous plants may be moved in ...
Fertilizing Italian Cypress trees11/12/2008
  Q: I have a question of when and what to use for fertilizing Italian Cypress trees. The site is in ...
  A: I would not use tree spikes since they tend to concentrate the fertilizer in spots and could harm ...
black walnut and camelias11/12/2008
  Q: I have an enormous black walnut in my yard. I've planted camelias under it, they have all died. ...
  A: There are very few plants that will grow under a black walnut tree. A chemical, juglans, secreted by ...
trees11/11/2008
  Q: what are trees called when there leaves fall off in autumn
  A: Deciduous trees are trees that shed their leaves for a part of every year. Unlike evergreens, ...
pecan tree limbs11/11/2008
  Q: I noticed some limbs falling out of my pecan tree. First I thought maybe the wind blowing, was ...
  A: Sounds like an insect called a twig girdler or twig pruner. Small branches accumulating on the ...
watering transplanted trees11/10/2008
  Q: I have recently had several crimson king maples and blue spruces transplanted. Should I continue to ...
  A: No do not water during the winter when the ground is frozen. This can freeze the root system. Next ...
Green growth on my tree trunks11/10/2008
  Q: I have patches of green stuff growing on my tree trunks. At times, it looks like it growing on the ...
  A: Sounds like lichens. These are common and are not a problem to the health of the tree. Lichens are ...
Transplant a Bartlett pear tree11/10/2008
  Q: I read your advice about transplanting a pear tree, and want to know if it would also work for an ...
  A: Deciduous plants may be moved in the spring as soon as the frost is out of the ground, up until the ...
Weeping Mulberry11/9/2008
  Q: I am doing a painting and am looking for some information on the root system of a Weeping Mulberry.
  A: The root system is generally in the first 2 feet of the soil and is about 1 1/2 times as wide as the ...
Fertilizing Italian Cypress trees11/9/2008
  Q: I have a question of when and what to use for fertilizing Italian Cypress trees. The site is in ...
  A: Soil Preference: Average to slightly acidic - well drained. Mulching recommended. Sun Exposure: Full ...
Pine needles11/9/2008
  Q: What type of pine trees have the needles that are in bunches of 5.
  A: Soft pines have these features: needles usually in bundles of 5, sometimes 4. Example (great ...
dig up & replant pine tree11/9/2008
  Q: Please help. We have a pine tree approx. 20 ft tall & 6ish feet wide. We would like to give to my ...
  A: Evergreens should be moved earlier in the fall than deciduous plants so they have time to form new ...
live oak roots11/8/2008
  Q: I am building a patio under a live oak. It is going to have a sand base and pea gravel and pea ...
  A: Removing roots will cause damage to the tree. The major damage maybe from the weight of the fill. IF ...
Spanish Moss / Dogwood trees11/8/2008
  Q: We live in a wooded area in North Central Florida. Most of the tree's are so high, they can only ...
  A: The following materials are licensed for control of Spanish moss and/or ball moss: TC Tribasic ...
Best time to plant Oak Trees in Austin, TX11/7/2008
  Q: When should I plant an Oak Tree in Austin, TX? Size range from med. to large.
  A: Any time from when the leaves fall off the hardwood trees until the leaves bud back out in the ...
hemlock for fire wood11/7/2008
  Q: You have already stated it is middle of the road BTU for indoor woodstoves. Do we have a high ...
  A: Hemlock gives off relative low heat, throws off many sparks when burned, is generally rated for ...
Live Oak and foundation problems11/6/2008
  Q: I have two very large (40 feet tall) oak tree in front of the house. The tree trunks are about 15 ...
  A: No the live oak will not cause any problems with the foundation. Since this tree has been there 40 ...
tree fertilization11/6/2008
  Q: how do i fertilize trees in the forest for better acorn production
  A: Acorn crops can vary greatly from year to year. During “heavy” years, acorns can rain down from the ...
trees11/6/2008
  Q: how do i fertilize the trees in the forest for a better acorn crop
  A: Acorn crops can vary greatly from year to year. During “heavy” years, acorns can rain down from the ...
Austrian Pines, 2 questions11/6/2008
  Q: I planted two Austrian pines in my front yard in 1971, they were about 4' tall after planting them, ...
  A: There has ben a problem with a pine wilt in that area of the country. Here is a web link to ...
Colorado Blue Spruce11/5/2008
  Q: We are planning to plant some trees on our property in the Rocky Mountains (Florissant, Colorado) ...
  A: Dig the hole for the new tree 2-3 times the width and as deep as the rootball and fill with good ...
Blue Spruce Tree11/5/2008
  Q: Recently, my tree is showing yellow needles and becoming bare. I have used ChemLawn for years, and ...
  A: Needles may turn brown and drop on spruce trees for several reasons. Before you become alarmed or ...
USE OF SPIKES IN TREE TRIMMING11/4/2008
  Q: I HAVE FOUR QUESTIONS: I RECENTLY (10/27/08) HAD MY OAK TREES TRIMMED AND THE CREW USED CLIMBING ...
  A: It is never good to use spikes on a tree no matter what time of the year. The climber digs the ...
willow tree roots11/4/2008
  Q: How far will the roots of a willow tree go in dry wheather to get water. I have a willow tree ...
  A: Willows (roots and all) can grow extremely fast if given the proper nutrients and conditions for ...
tree roots11/4/2008
  Q: I have a big tree in my backyard. It was planted to close to the house and the roots are growing ...
  A: The best thing would be installing root barriers along the foundation near the tree side. This will ...
Dog Urinating on my new trees11/4/2008
  Q: I have a small pug that keeps going to my new trees that I just had planted this past weekend to go ...
  A: The urine is high in salt content and will damage or kill the trees. More than likely the wilting ...
COLORADO BLUE SPRUCE11/3/2008
  Q: I LIVE IN NORTHERN NEVADA, IN A VALLEY, ABOUT 30 MILES SOUTH OF RENO. ABOUT 4 YEARS AGO I PLANTED A ...
  A: Needles may turn brown and drop on spruce trees for several reasons. Before you become alarmed or ...
the globe willow11/3/2008
  Q: how and when to prune this is a mature tree that is quite tall and full. any advice?
  A: The best times to prune willows trees are in the late summer or early fall. This variety bleeds sap, ...
pruning Bradford Pear trees11/3/2008
  Q: Please advise correct way to prune Bradford Pear Trees. I have been told to "Thin out some of the ...
  A: Generally trees that bloom in early spring are pruned after they finish blooming--bradford pear fits ...
Fire Ant Infestation Inside Pecan Tree11/3/2008
  Q: The trunk of an old large pecan tree is infested with fire ants. How do I get rid of the ants ...
  A: Apply ant bait aroudn the tree. Baits take advantage of the foraging habits of the fire ants and ...
LELAND EVERGREENS11/2/2008
  Q: DO THESE TREES GROW ALL YEAR. HOW MUCH SHOULD I WATER YOUNG 18 INCH TREES
  A: Evergreen trees do not drop their nedles all at once hence they can produce growht all year round. ...
asian lady beetles11/2/2008
  Q: We are INFESTED every year by Asian lady beetles. They get into our siding, windows, trim edging, ...
  A: In the fall of the year, multi-colored Asian lady beetles begin to seek out cavities where they will ...
Bradford Pear pruning11/1/2008
  Q: I just read your answer to a question about pruning Bradford Pears. They line the street in the ...
  A: Tree topping is super harmful to trees on several levels. Aside from looking ghastly and creepy, it ...
Apple Tree Care11/1/2008
  Q: I have a two years old apple tree. It was cut off the bark around the trunk ( by a grass trimmer ...
  A: If it is still green it is not dying. Normally you can girdle the tree if the bark is cut down to ...
Mimosa10/31/2008
  Q: I have a mimosa tree that has a lot of white bugs on it. I thought they were flies, but they do not ...
  A: Sounds like Cottony scale- an insect. The cottony scale is a highly modified insect pest that ...
big white fungus at the base of mulbery tree10/31/2008
  Q: I have a sickly looking ( about 2/3 dead) Mulberry tree with a large rather fast growing thing at ...
  A: This is the fruiting body of a decay fungus. The fungus enters the tree through a wound and will ...
Japaneese Maple10/31/2008
  Q: When is the best time to trim a Japaneese Maple and how far back can you trim it?
  A: Major pruning should be done during the dormant season after the leave have fallen, from late ...
Sunset maple not turning red10/31/2008
  Q: I have a sunset maple in my backyard that I planted about 7 years ago. The leaves on the tree have ...
  A: Anthocyanin pigments are responsible for the pink, red, and purple leaves of sugar and red maple, ...
Cedar eater10/30/2008
  Q: I purchased a load of cedar posts from the Texas hill country last year. I have them stockpiled on ...
  A: Looks like the galleries of a Cerambycid beetle, longhorn beetle. These will infest cut logs. I ...
Wasp all over the globe willow tree10/29/2008
  Q: I have a lot of wasp and some bees around my globe willow tree. There is something dripping lightly ...
  A: Sound like aphids or scale insects. Both will suck the plant juices from the leaves and twigs and ...
Science:Plant Growth10/28/2008
  Q: how can a plant grow under an artificial light when the light does not have the same minerals and ...
  A: The sun, a torch, and a light bulb all emit energy in the form of particles called photons. The ...
appropriate trees10/28/2008
  Q: I am the director of a small museum in the Pacific NW. I want to plant a tree that would be ...
  A: Without knowing the site the tree will be planted in or the climate there it would be difficult to ...
maple tree10/27/2008
  Q: I LIVE IN NORTHEAST OHIO AND WOULD LIKE SOME ADVICE ON HOW TO ENCOURAGE THE GROWTH A MAPLE TREE. IT ...
  A: Next spring fertilize it with 10-10-10 fertilizer at the rate of 1 lb per inch of trunk diameter ...
Hackberry Tree Sap10/27/2008
  Q: Beginning recently, I have to park my truck under a rather large hackberry tree at our home in ...
  A: Sound like aphids or scale insects. Both will suck the plant juices from the leaves and twigs and ...
bed around tree10/26/2008
  Q: is it an o.k. idea or dangerous to the health of an oak tree or pine tree to build a flower bed with ...
  A: Tree roots can not stand more than a couple of inches of added soil around the tree. More than this ...
relocating a semi-draft moonglow pear tree in my yard10/26/2008
  Q: I NEED TO RELOCATE A SEMI-DRAFT MOONGLOW PEAR TREE NOW, IS IT SAFE TO DO SO FIRST, AND SECOND ARE ...
  A: Deciduous trees may be planted either in the spring or the fall. Deciduous plants may be moved in ...
Drainage pipe10/26/2008
  Q: The water drainage pipe from my home needs to be replaced since it is clogged. The pipe runs about ...
  A: This tree does not seem to have much growing space as is so you want to damage as little of the ...
Weeping cherry tree10/26/2008
  Q: When is the best time of year to prune and do I have to thin out the inside, or just remove the wild ...
  A: Remove any water sprouts or suckers. If the long weeping branches get long enough to touch the ...
Leyland Cypress10/25/2008
  Q: My 5 yr old leyland cypress (until now healthy) are browning from bottom to top and dying. Already ...
  A: To minimize water loss and water competition with other plant species such as turf, mulch an area ...
Leyland Cypress10/25/2008
  Q: I have many of these trees and also arborvitae. One of the cypress trees has started turning yellow ...
  A: Leland cypress trees are subject to a couple of canker type diseases that effect the foliage. ...
squirrels denuding tree in back yard10/25/2008
  Q: We have a chinese (japanese ??) elm in our back yard and squirrels have been biting off the ends of ...
  A: Sounds like an insect called a twig girdler or twig pruner. Small branches accumulating on the ...
Help Identify Tree10/24/2008
  Q: I found a tree behind our house in Greenville SC. It has rough bark, simple oval leaves about 3-4" ...
  A: Black Tupelo, Blackgum (Nyssa sylvatica) would be my guess. It may not be sylvatica but may be ...
Leyland Cypress10/24/2008
  Q: My 5 yr old leyland cypress (until now healthy) are browning from bottom to top and dying. Already ...
  A: Leland cypress trees are subject to a couple of canker type diseases that effect the foliage. ...
Help Identify Tree10/24/2008
  Q: I found a tree behind our house in Greenville SC. It has rough bark, simple oval leaves about 3-4" ...
  A: It sounds like a black cherry but other tree can fit this description. Without a picture it is hard ...
planting willow tree10/23/2008
  Q: We recenlty purchased a golden weeping willow tree and are trying to decide where to plant it. I ...
  A: Do not plant a willow any where near a septic line. This tree loves water and will seek out the ...
mountain ash10/23/2008
  Q: I have a 5 year old mountain ash that a neighbor accidently lopped off about 3 inches from the ...
  A: Hardwoods have the capability to sprout from a stump if they are cut. The smaller the stump diameter ...
cypress stump10/22/2008
  Q: my neighbor has a large cypress tree on the other side of our fence, the tree stump are appearing in ...
  A: These are called cypress knees and are part of the root system. Yes they can damage foundations and ...
maple tree10/22/2008
  Q: I have a small maple that I moved from my garden last year it is doin well however I was wondering ...
  A: No I would not prune the tree. Pruning is done to remove lower limbs that may be in the way. I would ...
berries on oak trees?10/22/2008
  Q: I live in Central Texas and have several trees on our property that I think are some type of scrub ...
  A: These are leaf galls caused by a small insect. The insect lays its eggs on the leaf and secretes a ...
transplant frazier fur trees10/22/2008
  Q: I just moved 12 medium size furs on oct 18 should I be concerned?
  A: No they should be fine. Evergreens are best moved earlier in the Fal than hardwoods and before the ...
privacy trees10/21/2008
  Q: I just bought a house and am lookin for a fast growing tolerant privacy tree. Our property is ...
  A: You should not have any problem with Thuja Green Giant in the sandy loam soil. Grows in almost any ...
newly found pear tree with ants/rotten bark10/21/2008
  Q: I found a pear tree in my yard in Gloucester, Virginia, in the midst of a lot of bushes and plant ...
  A: I would leave the bark alone. Over time it will grow back to normal,. The vines caused the weakening ...
ash tree aphids10/21/2008
  Q: Jim, I have 5 10-12 ft ash trees which I treated in summer of 2007 for wooly aphids. I used a ...
  A: Systemic insecticides depending on the type and application method will last about 6-9 months or ...
hawthorn tree10/21/2008
  Q: My wife and I are planning to plant a Hawthorn tree and would like to know if it is a center tapped ...
  A: The root system is more fibrous but will not cause any problems with the patio. The spread of the ...
pruning?saving Sand Cherry Purple Leaf Trees10/21/2008
  Q: I need help! I have just now planted 2 SAND CHERRY PURPLE LEAF TREES. the challenge was they had ...
  A: To determine if a tree or branch is still alive start near the end if an upper branch and scrape a ...
Topping of aspens10/21/2008
  Q: Today, our city came to top our 14 aspens which were getting too tall and heading toward a power ...
  A: Topping trees is not recommended. It results in weak, unnatural-looking growth that sprouts up and ...
newly found pear tree with ants/rotten bark10/20/2008
  Q: I found a pear tree in my yard in Gloucester, Virginia, in the midst of a lot of bushes and plant ...
  A: The vines needed to be gotten off the trunk. Over time they would have choked out the foliage and ...
Cypress Knee between foundation10/20/2008
  Q: I am looking at a house to purchase. I noticed a very small cypress knee coming up between the ...
  A: I would not be too concerned but I would watch for these. The Roundup should kill most of the root ...
Elm Trees10/20/2008
  Q: Our elm trees are dropping small branches. The end of the branch that was once attached to the tree ...
  A: Sounds like twig girdlers. Small branches accumulating on the ground and the presence of clean-cut ...
Suckers10/20/2008
  Q: I have a maple tree that has suckers (little off shoots with leaves all over the trunk) and it looks ...
  A: Hardwood tree will grow suckers from the trunk when the trunk has sunlight on it. These do really no ...
cutting pine trees & replanting another tree10/20/2008
  Q: We recently cut down two pine trees in our front yard. First, we would like to know the best way to ...
  A: You can get the stump ground below the ground level and this will remove it from site. The roots ...
oak tree with partially hollowed trunk10/20/2008
  Q: I have just been told by my association that an oak tree at the top of my property at the edge of ...
  A: The hollow is caused by a decay fungi that has entered the woody part of the tree by way of a wound. ...
Norfolk pine tree care10/20/2008
  Q: I have a potted Norfolk pine tree that I move outdoors, to the deck, for the summer season. The ...
  A: The problem may come in the pot freezing and killing the roots. The tree will grow and survive in ...
Bartlett Pear Tree10/20/2008
  Q: We live in Birmingham, AL. We had a very large Bartlett pear tree in our front yard which was ...
  A: Yes it will survive. The fruit production may be greatly reduce for a few years with this drastic ...
pruning?saving Sand Cherry Purple Leaf Trees10/20/2008
  Q: I need help! I have just now planted 2 SAND CHERRY PURPLE LEAF TREES. the challenge was they had ...
  A: I would not prune them until they get a good established crown of foliage. The foliage is needed to ...
cork screw willow10/20/2008
  Q: When is best time to start branch is water, spring or fall. And how to care for it at 1st planting? ...
  A: The spring is best. After the cutting has a good bit of roots on it you can genteelly move it to ...
Oak Fungus on Post Oak Trees in the Austin, Tx Area10/19/2008
  Q: Near Austin, Texas a large post oak had a white growth that looked look a brain coral growing on a ...
  A: These are fruiting bodies of a decay fungi. The fungi itself lives in the woody and some tine during ...
leyland cypress10/19/2008
  Q: I have about 6 leylands about 15 to 20 ft high and when planted they were about 15 to 20 ft apart. ...
  A: Just cut them off and paint the fresh cuts with a herbicide called Roundup. This will kill the root ...
trees10/19/2008
  Q: How do I plant an apple tree from a seed in sw Florida?
  A: The 'yes' is because you can plant an apple tree seed and there is probably a 30% chance of it ...
Cypress Knee between foundation10/18/2008
  Q: I am looking at a house to purchase. I noticed a very small cypress knee coming up between the ...
  A: You can cut the knee off and paint a herbicide called Roundup on the cut surface. This will kill the ...
fruitless plum tree10/18/2008
  Q: Is there any kind of spray to keep fruitless trees from bearing fruit. The Plums on mine were about ...
  A: The GOOD NEWS is that there are a couple of products designed specifically for preventig fruit ...
juglone toxicity in dogs10/18/2008
  Q: We live in the Easteren Panhandle of WV, have alot of walnut trees in back yard. My dog, age 11 ...
  A: It does sound like juglone poisoning. Poisoning in dogs is reported occasionally when the seed hulls ...
Japanese Maple bark damage10/18/2008
  Q: I recently purchased a healthy 3 year old Acer Japonicum "Green Cascade", about 4 foot tall, and ...
  A: Sounds like you have done everything I would recommend -removing the loose bark. The wound will heal ...
Sugar Maple Tree sugar production10/18/2008
  Q: For my Biology class, I need to know how much sugar a maple tree produces. I've looked a lot on the ...
  A: Approximately forty years are required to grow a maple tree large enough to tap. A tree ten inches ...
dying trees10/17/2008
  Q: I have a large flower bed with 3 oak trees,(I am not sure what type, but they have long thin leaves) ...
  A: Yes adding 6 inches of soil and mulch compacted the air spaces of the soil and damaged the root ...
Magnolia Tree Deer Damage10/17/2008
  Q: Jim, We planted a young Saucer Magnolia in the spring. Two days ago the local deer had a field day ...
  A: If the bark was not removed all the way around the trunk it should survive. I would remove any loose ...
I have a 8-10 Red Sunset Maple10/17/2008
  Q: The Red Sunset is in the ground, and i would like to move it to a new location. I am in southeastern ...
  A: Deciduous trees may be transplanted either in the spring or the fall. Deciduous plants may be ...
sugar10/17/2008
  Q: What is rock cane sugar, how is it processed and is molassas made from it, or is it made from ...
  A: Rock sugar is a form of sugar composed of very large sugar crystals. You may also hear rock sugar ...
pine tree10/16/2008
  Q: I have a pine tree that is dying from the top down. I can email you pictures. It is about a 40-50 ...
  A: The first thing this is not a pine but is a conifer--looks to be maybe a cedar or fir, hard to tell ...
pine tree10/16/2008
  Q: I have a pine tree that is dying from the top down. I can email you pictures. It is about a 40-50 ...
  A: The first thing this is not a pine but is a conifer--looks to be maybe a cedar or fir, hard to tell ...
red maple tree10/16/2008
  Q: of the leaves on one side of the tree have tiny black spots on the leaves.....the leaves seem to be ...
  A: Sounds like leaf spot form a fungi. These do not cause any morality problems but may make the leaves ...
river birch tree roots10/16/2008
  Q: Will the roots of a river birch tree affect the foundation of my house if planted to closely. If so ...
  A: No. As far as the root system the root may not give you problems with the house foundation. River ...
Arbovitae Trees with brown, dying patches10/15/2008
  Q: We have an eighteen year old privacy stand of Arbovitae trees that are turning brown or dying in ...
  A: Here are a few of the foliage diseases of arbovitae. Phomopsis Blight of Juniper Many gymnosperms ...
borers in chinese elm10/15/2008
  Q: Is there any way to get rid of borers in trees other than using chemicals. We have kept our garden ...
  A: Non-chemical control for infested plants Once trees and shrubs are infested, non chemical options ...
weeping cherries10/15/2008
  Q: 2 questions: 1) when do I prune weeping cherries and how? 2)I've allowed a sucker limb growing ...
  A: I hope this is what you are asking. When you prune the weeping cherry you need to have a strong, ...
buyingshrubs10/15/2008
  Q: i was wondering if this time of year is good for planting cedars shrubs? if so i do i maintain them ...
  A: The problem is the winter temperature and the frozen soil. It is best to wait until the spring to do ...
leeland cypress10/15/2008
  Q: I have 5 leeland cypress trees (6ft) they were lush and beautiful, planted 4-08. I live 30 miles ...
  A: It sounds like wind burn that could have some salt burn. Since it sounds like it is still alive I ...
transplanting maple and elm10/14/2008
  Q: we would like to transplant some small maple and elm from are woods,there only maybe 1 to 3 feet ...
  A: I would plant where you want them not in a pot. Deciduous plants may be moved in the spring as soon ...
dwarf cherry tree planting depth10/14/2008
  Q: Can a "white gold dwarf cherry" survive in a location where bedrock is 18 inches below the soil ...
  A: It should -the root system is generally in the first 18-24 inches of soil. The problem would be ...
Sassafrass tree10/14/2008
  Q: How do we stop a sassafrass tree stump from sending out shoots all over our lawn. The tree was cut ...
  A: You will need to treat the foliage of the sprouts with a herbicide that will kill the roots system. ...
pine tree10/14/2008
  Q: I have a pine tree that is dying from the top down. I can email you pictures. It is about a 40-50 ...
  A: You can attach a picture to the question and this would help to see the problem. In general there is ...
plant parasites10/14/2008
  Q: please tell me the plant parasites that grow on a live oak besides mistletoe.
  A: Mistletoes is about the only true plant parasite on live oak. Spanish moss, Ball moss and lichens ...
willows and sun9/30/2008
  Q: I have reasons for wanting to plant a small willow tree (either a weeping willow or a weeping pussy ...
  A: Yes it should work. The problem maybe water IF the willows are under larger trees. Willows need more ...
Large green "fruit" tree9/30/2008
  Q: We have a tree in our back yard in Covington, GA which has baseball size green "fruit" which looks ...
  A: These are osage orange a member of the mulberry family. Osage-orange (Maclura pomifera) produces ...
Oak Tree9/30/2008
  Q: My son and his wife are about to become fist time homeowners. The house sits on a very small city ...
  A: I would try replacing the sidewalk. Try not cut any of the roots just add to the surface over the ...
flowering dogwood9/30/2008
  Q: Jim, I have some dogwoods that are large and about 30 years old. They were damaged by the drought ...
  A: Dogwoods require little pruning. Dead and diseased branches should be removed as soon as they are ...
Thuja Green Giant)9/30/2008
  Q: Is it possible to for a green giant to grow in a decorative pot (if so, how large of a pot). I ...
  A: Not really possible for the long run. These will grow at maturity about 30 feet tall and 15-20 feet ...
Catepillar infestation9/30/2008
  Q: I have a mature 25 yr old liquid amber. I live in Bakersfield, Ca. This tree has a severe ...
  A: The caterpillars will not kill the tree --they may reduce the growth for this year. Pruning will ...
Tree identification9/29/2008
  Q: The attached photo is of a branch from small tree/shrub on our property. It has purplish/red pods ...
  A: Yep you are right. How about Euonymus americanus, hearts-a-bursting I asked one of my Nursery ...
Planting a dwarf flowering plum tree9/29/2008
  Q: I would like to plant a purple dwarf flowering plum in a particular location in my garden. As I ...
  A: The roots will not damage the pipes since they are sealed. Tree roots can not enter an sealed pipe ...
deck by oak tree9/28/2008
  Q: We have an enormous live coast oak tree covering our entire backyard and have been warned not to ...
  A: If you are talking about a deck made of wood and on beams off the ground it should be ok. The weight ...
How to kill a willow tree and evergreen tree9/28/2008
  Q: I would like to know the fastest way to kill large willow and evergreen trees without having to cut ...
  A: Two methods that are less noticeable are basal spray and hack and squirt. Basal sprays are applied ...
"Southern Magnolia, "Edith Bogue/Brown Velvet" Follow -- Up..9/28/2008
  Q: To whom can answer my questions, it is greatly appreciated as I searched far and wide with no ...
  A: The buds you see are the leaf buds and yes they will stay all minter opening when the temperature is ...
Tree identification9/28/2008
  Q: The attached photo is of a branch from small tree/shrub on our property. It has purplish/red pods ...
  A: Dogwood. Dogwood trees are members of the genus Cornus which includes numerous species of flowering ...
fugus on oak9/27/2008
  Q: I have an oak tree that is about 3 feet in diameter and this summer it has developed a fungus around ...
  A: These are decay fungi and fungicide treatment will not help. About the only thing that can be done ...
leaf compost mulch9/27/2008
  Q: I live on a property in Bucks County, Pennsylavania that has limited, exposed top soil. The ground ...
  A: The addition of nitrogen is to help break down the leaves not to improve the nutrition although it ...
large fungus at the base of my pecan tree9/27/2008
  Q: We have a mature pecan tree with a large (18" in diameter) mushroom like fungus at the base of the ...
  A: No not unless there are large limbs that are breaking off that are hollow. This is the fruiting body ...
Pruning Columnar swedish aspens9/26/2008
  Q: We planted three columnar aspens last year. This year each tree has one or two leaders that have ...
  A: A leader to me is the top branches and these should not be pruned since this is where the height ...
maple tree9/26/2008
  Q: the remaining leaves look healthy and green. I had an arborist look at it and he said it was ...
  A: I would wait until next spring to fertilize the tree. Then use 10-10-10 fertilizer at the rate of 1 ...
kill a tree and it's roots9/26/2008
  Q: tree roots blocked the sewage drain and caused sewage to back up into my basement - how can i kill ...
  A: Unfortunately, if the flow through the sewer has been completely stopped by roots growing in your ...
maple tree9/26/2008
  Q: the remaining leaves look healthy and green. I had an arborist look at it and he said it was ...
  A: The weight of the rock pushed the air spaces from the soil and is killing th root system. The mulch ...
weeping cherry9/26/2008
  Q: We planted 3 weeping cherry trees about 4-5 years ago, they are growing but have not flowered at ...
  A: I would suggest you fertilize the tree with a fertilizer low in nitrogen for flowering similar to ...
Locust Trees9/25/2008
  Q: I have two (used to be) beautiful full locust trees. They have a coating of green mold/fungus on ...
  A: It is hard to tell from the picture it is either a lichen or a canker called Hypoxylon. Lichens are ...
Oak Tree Leaf Clusters9/25/2008
  Q: Hundreds of green oak leaf clusters with acorns attached are falling everywhere. They appear to ...
  A: Sounds like an insect called a twig girdler or pruner. There are two insects that cut off twigs of ...
sap from oak tree9/24/2008
  Q: I have a huge old oak tree, we had it fertilized last Fall, there are some dead branches & did not ...
  A: Sound like aphids or scale insects. Both will suck the plant juices from the leaves and twigs and ...
Pruning a Kusa Dogwood9/24/2008
  Q: I have a Kusa Dogwood that is about 8 feet in diameter. I need to move it. When is the best time to ...
  A: Deciduous may be planted either in the spring or the fall. Deciduous plants may be moved in the ...
transplanting9/24/2008
  Q: I have a weeping mulberry tree (genetically altered) that I would like to transplant. It is at ...
  A: Deciduous trees may be planted either in the spring or the fall. Deciduous plants may be moved in ...
oak tree infestation9/24/2008
  Q: The leaves of our California Valley Oak trees are covered with a white powder and the leaves are ...
  A: Sounds like cottony aphids, an insect. These are insects that suck the plant juices from the plant ...
Red Oak Roots destroying sidewalk9/23/2008
  Q: How much, if any, of a root system can we remove from a Red Oak that is tearing up our sidewalks. ...
  A: It depends on how close the tree is to the sidewalk. Generally the tree will be ok if not more than ...
Pine Tree ID9/23/2008
  Q: I just sent the same question to Tom Alonzo and realized you were the one I had communicated with ...
  A: Yes it does look from a distance like Virginia pine. This tree will not sprout form a cutting but ...
Abovr ground roots & fungus9/23/2008
  Q: When I moved into my home 8 years ago, there is this big cottonwood. The roots are growing as much ...
  A: Shaving the roots will kill them. I would cover the roots so they do not stick up above the ground ...
Bees in Oak tree9/23/2008
  Q: I have a very large oak tree that has an incredible amount of bees that appear to be feeding. I live ...
  A: Sounds like the problem is a scale insect. Scale insects are so prolific that they quite often cover ...
holes in oak tree9/23/2008
  Q: I have two holes in a large oak tree on a hill behind my cabin. the holes are about 4 inches in ...
  A: As long as the foliage is full and healthy looking the tree is healthy. IT sounds like it does have ...
killing china berry tree and all the babies9/23/2008
  Q: We had to cut down a China Berry tree due to insect infestation. Now it won't stop growing out of ...
  A: Some tree due to their waxy leaf surface are not killed with Roundup. Try a herbicide called Garlon ...
Dawn Redwood help9/22/2008
  Q: We have two 7 yr old Dawn Redwoods. One is robust, green and healthy while the other has minimal ...
  A: The grass is taking the moisture that the tree will need . I would mulch around the tree with not ...
Willow Tree9/22/2008
  Q: I have a white fungus that is growing on the trunk of a 5 year old Willow. This tree also seemed to ...
  A: Sounds like it could be powdery mildew, Spray the fungus with a copper fungicide. The damage due to ...
Washington Hawthorne9/22/2008
  Q: In regards to your response on the cedar rust fungus on Washington Hawthornes - if your tree is ...
  A: The rust fungus on the hawthorne is on the leaves. If cedar apple rust is a continuing problem, ...
Need advice to cut dogwood tree9/22/2008
  Q: I am our church property chair person. Last fall someone trimmed our dogwood. This year about 1/3 ...
  A: You can prune the dead branches of dogwood trees anytime of the year without causing any problem. ...
I don't see my answer9/22/2008
  Q: Yesterday I asked a question about a cottonwood problem. You sent an email saying you answered my ...
  A: Two questions were sent so I answered the last one. Here is the answer. The gall is a very common ...
Reply: (BrownVelvet/Edith Bogue)9/21/2008
  Q: To whom can answer my questions, it is greatly appreciated as I searched far and wide with no ...
  A: Since the major variety is Edith Bogue the tree will be about 30 feet tall at maturity and 15-20 ...
"Brown Velvet, Edith Bogue Strand" Southern Magnolia (Evergreen)9/21/2008
  Q: To whom can answer my questions, it is greatly appreciated as I searched far and wide with no ...
  A: This is a cross between Magnolia grandifloria brown Velvet and Magnolia grandifloria Edith Bogue. I ...
Tree9/20/2008
  Q: A very old very large tree next to our home that had a very old separation of roots as the tree grew ...
  A: This is the fruiting body of a decay fungi. Decay fungi live on the wood inside a tree trunk and ...
live oak too big??9/20/2008
  Q: We live in Orlando, FL and have a live oak in our front yard. I LOVE the shade, but the front patio ...
  A: Without seeing the distance from the tree to the house and the type of foundation it is hard to give ...
very sick cherry tree9/20/2008
  Q: I rent. About five years ago, my landlord planted a sour cherry tree. I do not know what variety ...
  A: A plant needs nutrients to survive. Most of these are provided by the soil, but soil varies ...
Mold on tree bark9/20/2008
  Q: We have an older Japanese Maple tree that gets full sun yet for this year and last, has a green mold ...
  A: These sounds like lichens and are not a health problem for the tree. Lichens are unusual creatures. ...
2nd time about cottonwoods, I have photos!9/20/2008
  Q: I told my husband about writing you and he wanted me to attach photos. So he found another leaf ...
  A: The gall is a very common one on cottonwood trees. It's the Poplar Petiole Gall, caused by the ...
repairing damage on japanese maple tree trunk9/20/2008
  Q: we recently purchased a piece of property and had to transplant a 4' japanese maple...in the process ...
  A: I would cut any loose bark from around the wound and put grafting wax on the wound to help seal the ...
Crypt Myrtle Tree in Michigan9/20/2008
  Q: My mom bought a crypt myrtle tree in Arkansas and brought it to Michigan. She put it in a pot and ...
  A: The problem is the number of hours of sunlight over the year. And it does need the change of ...
Cedar trees dropping excesive sap9/20/2008
  Q: I live outside Placerville, CA. We have many cedar trees, (10 or so), and some of the needles are ...
  A: The problem with winter and breakage is ice forming on the foliage. Snow usually will nor break the ...
very sick cherry tree9/20/2008
  Q: I rent. About five years ago, my landlord planted a sour cherry tree. I do not know what variety ...
  A: Since the problem started on one side toward where the herbicide was applied it does sound like this ...
Cedar trees dropping excesive sap9/19/2008
  Q: I live outside Placerville, CA. We have many cedar trees, (10 or so), and some of the needles are ...
  A: Sounds like an insect called aphids. Aphids are small (1/16-1/8 inch long), soft bodied insects ...
under a magnolia tree9/19/2008
  Q: Aloha, Jim! My mother lives in Columbia, SC and has two large magnolia trees in the small front ...
  A: If you add more than 3 inches of soil over the roots the trees will die. The roots do not need to be ...
Black Walnuts9/19/2008
  Q: When I hull the walnuts, and some are really black, there are these maggot looking worms inside - ...
  A: WALNUT HUSK MAGGOT,RHAGOLETIS SUAVIS (LOEW) AND WALNUT HUSK FLY,RHAGOLETIS COMPLETA CRESSON The ...
using wood chips as mulch9/19/2008
  Q: I'm having a dead 60 ft. cottonless cottonwood tree taken down and wonder if it's okay to use the ...
  A: There's been some research from Virginia Tech and University of Maryland that fresh wood chips can ...
Pin Oak Anemia9/19/2008
  Q: I read your Subject: Oak Tree yellow leaves, and wondered "Is it possible to put too much ...
  A: I think I would check with the local Agriculture Extension Service and ask about getting a soil ...
bugs on my blue spruce9/19/2008
  Q: I have a row of pine trees at the front of my property I noticed what looked like a dead branch ...
  A: This is a an insect called the bagworm. The common bagworm, Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis (Haworth), ...
Miniature dogwood tree9/18/2008
  Q: I would like to know if there is such a thing as a miniature dogwood tree. I live in New Jersey and ...
  A: There is a couple of dwarf dogwoods. (Cornus florida Little Princess and (Cornus cadensis) a.k.a. ...
oak tree question9/17/2008
  Q: A friend with a neighbor's white oak overhanging her roof has noticed lots of small twigs with ...
  A: Small branches accumulating on the ground and the presence of clean-cut twigs, and in some cases ...
root damage9/17/2008
  Q: i am building a two houses about 5 meters away from a row of lime trees about 50 ft high.the ...
  A: The footing should not cause any damage to the root system. Most of the roots are within the ...
our 12 beautiful ficus trees9/17/2008
  Q: The previous owner's of our home planted 12 ficus trees along the perimeter of our backyard (which ...
  A: I would not worry about the roots of the trees. The roots will grow about 1 1/2 times the width of ...
mushroom growth on pecan tree trunk9/16/2008
  Q: I have a problem with a very large pecan tree. apparently a limb had been cut by a previous owner ...
  A: The mushroom is the fruiting body of a decay fungi that has entered the wound where the branch was ...
saving a fallen white pine tree9/16/2008
  Q: Two days ago our 20 year old, 20 foot white pine tree was blown down by 75 mile an hour wind storm ...
  A: Young trees planted within the past few years are sometimes blown over by high winds. If they are ...
Liquid Amber Tree (Sweet Gum?)9/16/2008
  Q: I am looking for a tree of this variety that does not have the pods. I have been led to believe ...
  A: The tree you are seeking is called Liquidambar styraciflua 'Rotundiloba' Easily grown in average, ...
Cork screw willow9/16/2008
  Q: My tree bark has peeled back at the base on 2 sides of 2 large (2" dia) roots starting to grow above ...
  A: This sounds like borer damage. Borers are insects that will enter the tree trunk and cause the bark ...
Black bugs on my weeping willow9/15/2008
  Q: I have a willow on my yard that is 50 years old,about 100 ft tall and 6ft wide. The past 10yrs I ...
  A: Sounds like willow flea beetles. Spray the foliage with an insecticide. Garden insecticides ...
acer bark9/15/2008
  Q: i live in spain and i have an acer in the garden,a few months ago i noticed the leafs starting to ...
  A: It looks like scale insects. These insects suck the plant juices from the plant and live under a ...
cottonwood tree9/15/2008
  Q: My brother has a tree that has almost a maple leaf shape. It has always been called a cottonwood ...
  A: This is white poplar,Populus alba. The leaves resemble maple leaves, but the topside of leaves are ...
locus tree9/14/2008
  Q: How do the locus trees root underground? Do they root toward the foundation of the home?
  A: Tree roots will grow toward a water source. locust roots are in generally small and fibrous. ...
elm tree branch tips dropping9/13/2008
  Q: The very tips of the branches of our elm trees are suddenly dropping off- - it's never happened ...
  A: Small branches accumulating on the ground and the presence of clean-cut twigs, and in some cases ...
tree roots9/13/2008
  Q: My husband and I live in Albuquerque, NM and are in the process of planting a few trees. I would ...
  A: Aspen has an aggressive root system and the 5 feet and 8-10 feet from the wall and walkway are too ...
tree watering in drought9/13/2008
  Q: We have been experiencing drought conditions in part of Marylands Eastern Shore. I have a fairly ...
  A: The majority of the root system is located in the outer area of the width of a tree. Watering this ...
Black residue9/12/2008
  Q: We have lived in our home 20 years and the last two years have had a problem with a black residue ...
  A: Sounds like sooty mold. Sooty mold will grow on a substance called honeydew. Honeydew is a substance ...
Tree cavity9/12/2008
  Q: I bought a home with an outdoor deck built around a lovely mature shade tree. I am not sure of the ...
  A: If a trees bark is wounded fungi can enter and start to 'eat away" the woody part of the tree. These ...
Leland Cypress9/12/2008
  Q: We have several Cypress' in our front and back yard. They are dying off one after another. We were ...
  A: I doubt it is beetles. Leyland cypress (x Cupressocyparis leylandii) has become increasingly ...
Hemlock Trees9/12/2008
  Q: Some of the Eastern Hemlock trees around our cottage are dying. I have noticed a series of uniform ...
  A: The holes are form a wood pecker called a sap sucker. These birds make these holes and the tree will ...
Sunburst Honey Locust Tree9/12/2008
  Q: I have a beautiful and full Sunburst Honey Locust Tree that is about 25 years old. Just today, the ...
  A: If the branch stubs are not over 4 inches in diameter there is not need to put anything on them. If ...
Oak Tree Fungus???9/11/2008
  Q: We have a very large and very old oak tree. It has one formation of an orange mushroom like growth ...
  A: Fungi growths on the tree trunk are a sign of the fungi growing on the inside of the tree. The ...
Paper Birch9/11/2008
  Q: We have had this tree for about 5yrs it now seems to be dying we have not changed anything. The ...
  A: The peeling of the trunk is normal as the birch grows older. The browning leaves sounds like a ...
Planting around redwood trees9/11/2008
  Q: I would like to make a small flower bed around a group of redwoods in my yard. I would like to build ...
  A: Generally I would say do not add soil around trees in a bed. This will cause the soil around the ...
linden tree9/10/2008
  Q: We have three linden trees that are currently infested with wasps, yellow jackets, and flies. There ...
  A: The wasps are coming after something. Two things usually draw wasps and bees to trees--honeydew from ...
cottony mass on Live oaks in Florida9/10/2008
  Q: I have a white cottony mass on the underneath portion of the leaves of my Live Oak. It also gets all ...
  A: Sounds like cottony aphids, an insect. Check and see if there is movement when you touch the cottony ...
Oak Tree yellow leaves9/10/2008
  Q: I planted a weeping oak about 3 years ago. It grew about 6 feet taller (its probably about 30 feet ...
  A: Part of the problem will be the root ball still closely held by the wire and burlap. There is very ...
effect of new sewer line on tree life9/10/2008
  Q: My neighbor is considering replacing the sewer line from her house to the street (main) pipe as she ...
  A: Trenching 15 feet from a tree should not damage the tree. I would however make sure the equipment is ...
oak tree leaves9/9/2008
  Q: I have a very large Oak tree in my yard. I have no Idea what kind it is. I live in Northern ...
  A: These are insect galls A tiny gall wasp lays its eggs on the leaf surface and the chemical reaction ...
Aspen Trees9/9/2008
  Q: We have several Aspen trees in our neighborhood that have leaves dripping with what seems to be sap. ...
  A: Sounds like an insect called aphids. These soft bodied insects suck the plant juices from the plant ...
Pine tree in Michigan9/8/2008
  Q: The underside of numerous needles are black. They have the look of being "burned" or scorched. In ...
  A: Sounds like aphids. These are small soft bodied insects that suck the plant juices from the plant ...
Uprooted purple plum tree9/8/2008
  Q: what chances does my large purple plum tree have of surviving after tropical storm toppled it over ...
  A: The smaller the tree the better chance that the tree will be ok. The problem may not be that the ...
trees and worms9/8/2008
  Q: WE have had all of our redbud trees covered with bright green fuzzy worm like things this season and ...
  A: All caterpillars can be controlled with an insecticide treatment. I would use a contact ...
european ash tree9/8/2008
  Q: My neighbor's mom has a European Ash tree in her yard and we noticed the bark on the tree is peeling ...
  A: It is not normal usually ash has a tight bark. I would think there is some type of wound associated ...
giant oak near house9/7/2008
  Q: A large, beautiful willow oak grows about five feet from our sunporch. The tree is about sixty ...
  A: The tree has withstood "60" years of weather and it is healthy there is no reason to believe that ...
Cottonwood Tree Roots9/7/2008
  Q: Jim, I live on a river in Durango, Co where the river bank has lots of cottonwood trees. I have ...
  A: IF you only cut the roots outside the overhang of the branches (drip line) you should not have any ...
carpenter ant9/7/2008
  Q: I have an old weeping willow. I saw ant carpenter inside of the trunk. right now there is lots of ...
  A: The inside part of a tree is dead and if there is an opening fungi get into the tree and over time ...
increased number of acorns9/7/2008
  Q: I live in Austin, Texas. Have this very large tree in my back yard. This year, starting around the ...
  A: Oaks produce acorns at varying populations. large crops usually occur every 3-5 years. This is ...
copper beach tree9/7/2008
  Q: i have been told i need to find out about this tree for homework. I have got a little bit about it ...
  A: Fagus sylvatica purpurea n 1: variety of European beech with shining purple or copper- ...
TRANSPLANTING RED JAP MAPLE9/7/2008
  Q: We are moving in about a month. I have a six year old red Japanese maple that is about 6' tall with ...
  A: The ideal time to move maples is in the spring as soon as the frost is out of the ground, up until ...
gr ft tree and ants9/7/2008
  Q: Ants climbing up and down my grape fruit tree and crawling inside it and back out. Its an old tree, ...
  A: I would spray the trunk with an insecticide called Malathion. It is a contact insecticide and can be ...
trees9/7/2008
  Q: The entire trunk of my maple tree is covered with green mold, leaves didm not get as big as in the ...
  A: Sounds like lichens on the trunk. Lichens are formed by two organisms - a fungus and an alga. The ...
Oak Tree9/7/2008
  Q: I have an oak tree in my backyard that is producing large balls on the branches. Sometimes the balls ...
  A: Sounds like an insect called a gall wasp. Twig and Stem Galls Twig and stem galls, such as the gouty ...
Aspen Trees9/6/2008
  Q: I live in a suburb northeast of Denver, CO. This summer several of my Aspen trees have started ...
  A: Sounds like leaf scorch. Leaf scorch is a problem caused by insufficient soil moisture. In aspens ...
columnar aspen root system9/6/2008
  Q: We are thinking of planing a columnar aspen in a rock wall bed. It is a good size bed. Just ...
  A: These trees have about a branch width of 10 feet. The roots will grow about 1 1/2 times the width of ...
gr ft tree and ants9/6/2008
  Q: Ants climbing up and down my grape fruit tree and crawling inside it and back out. Its an old tree, ...
  A: There are several types of ant that will crawl on trees. Some are just gathering honeydew from ...
Blue Spruce8/12/2008
  Q: My mother has a bluespruce in her yard on the west side. It is about 6 ft tall and was planted ...
  A: This is an insect called a bagworm. They are really not killing the plants but eating the foliage, ...
Crimson King Maple Tree8/12/2008
  Q: I have a Crimson King Maple tree aprox. 7 years old. This year I noticed some of the leaves are ...
  A: If it is slim flux it is not active. Slime flux will have a smell of vinegar or a strong smell and ...
web-worms or caterpillars in ornamental cherry tree8/12/2008
  Q: My mother-in-law has 4-5 webs in her fairly young weeping cherry tree and would like to know 1) best ...
  A: These are called Fall webworms. The fall webworm, Hyphantria cunea (Drury), is most often ...
weeping cherry willow tree with curled leaves8/12/2008
  Q: I have a dwarf weeping cherry willow tree in my front yard that I planted in March or April. ...
  A: As long as you are seeing new growth the tree is ok. Water is the main concern in newly planted tree ...
Silver Maple trunk and main branch splitting8/12/2008
  Q: Live in Raleigh, NC. To inaugurate our new house, 17 years ago, we (the family all together) hand ...
  A: Without seeing the tree and its condition it would be almost impossible to give a definite answer as ...
Crimson King Maple Tree8/12/2008
  Q: I have a Crimson King Maple tree aprox. 7 years old. This year I noticed some of the leaves are ...
  A: The holes in the leaves I would not be concerned about. Form time to time insects will feed on the ...
Hanging a hammock from LInden Trees8/12/2008
  Q: I have two nice Lindens - probably 20 years old or more - and would like to string a hammock ...
  A: Sounds like it could be an insect called a borer. These beetles will bore into the trunk and the ...
Just planted a tree8/12/2008
  Q: Hyland, I have a question. We just planted a baby Fruitless Mulberry tree yesterday in our yard. I ...
  A: Sounds like you planted it correctly BUT forgot about the time of the season. Hot dry summer weather ...
Killing Mesquite Trees with Remedy.8/12/2008
  Q: I want to drill a hole into my Mesquite trees and kill them. I do not want to spray them. How big of ...
  A: The living cells of a tree are just under the bark so drill holes into the wood will do nothing to ...
Hanging a hammock from LInden Trees8/11/2008
  Q: I have two nice Lindens - probably 20 years old or more - and would like to string a hammock ...
  A: The weight will not be the problem but drilling into a thin barked tree like the Linden will cause ...
Gamble oak - red wart like thing on spines of leaves8/11/2008
  Q: I have several Gamble oak on my property and there are these wart like things on the spines of the ...
  A: Thes are called leaf galls. These are oak leaf galls made by an insect a small wasp usually. The ...
Globe Willow dropping leaves8/11/2008
  Q: I leave in West Texas and I have a globe Willow in my front yard approximately 8 years old, it had ...
  A: Willow trees need a great deal of water. I would think the dry, hot weather is the problem. I would ...
red oak tree8/11/2008
  Q: I live in S. MS. I had my yard landscaped in May by a certified landscaper. He put large flower beds ...
  A: The roots of a tree are with in the first 12- 24 inches of the soil and any digging in these area ...
2 Oak Trees8/11/2008
  Q: Trees are on each side of a gravel driveway. Fresh gravel was put on the driveway and filled also ...
  A: Fill dirt is frequently added around existing mature trees so that a level or more visually ...
Transplanting a Blue Spruce8/10/2008
  Q: Jim, I read your prior response regarding transplanting small blue spruce trees. I have a blue ...
  A: Although all trees and shrubs can be moved in either spring or fall, there are some which establish ...
catawba tree and their worms8/10/2008
  Q: Mr. Hyland, A friend of mine purchased a beautiful late 1800s industrial mansion in the piedmont of ...
  A: THE CATALPA SPHINX is a common hawk or sphinx moth, but it is the caterpillar stage, that is most ...
Leland Spruce8/10/2008
  Q: Is the Leland Spruce and the Leland Cypress the same tree? How far apart do you recomend planting ...
  A: Yes sort of- the real name is Leyland cypress. It is sometimes called spruce. Due to its being ...
OLD weeping mulberry tree8/10/2008
  Q: I bought a house about three years ago. It had this HUGE weird tree in the backyard - we didn't know ...
  A: Really the only part that may need pruning will be the limbs that reach the ground. How short to ...
Oak tree dying8/10/2008
  Q: I reside in central Texas. The oak tree in my front yard is dying. The bark, especially at the ...
  A: Sounds like it maybe hypoxylon canker. IF so it more than likley will kill the tree. If the leaves ...
globe willow peeling bark8/10/2008
  Q: I have several globe willows 3-5 years old. one started to lose its bark 2-3 years ago and now the ...
  A: The borers are causing the bark peeling and this should stop when they are controlled. As a willow ...
dogwood tree roots8/10/2008
  Q: We have several dogwood trees on west side of house next to a sidewalk. It appears that the ...
  A: I would not think so but if either tree is close (3-5 feet) to the sidewalk they maybe the cause of ...
Red bud tree8/10/2008
  Q: Jim, due to a recent storm I returned home from vacation only to find that a significant limb on my ...
  A: I would try wrapping the area with tree wrap to hold the wound together. Before you wrap try ...
bores in red oaks8/9/2008
  Q: Organic way to treat red oaks for bores
  A: Here are some that have been reported BUT I do not know how well they work. 1. Take some stiff wire ...
Ponderosa Pines - dead branches and moss8/9/2008
  Q: My husband and I are building a house south of Spokane, WA, which is zone 5. We have lots of ...
  A: Lower limbs of pines will die and shed due to shading from sunlight. This is normal and these dead ...
Tree Fungus?8/9/2008
  Q: I had a a very large maple tree taken down and the stump grinded about 5 years ago and the last ...
  A: These are decay fungi that are breaking down the woody stump still left in the ground. The time it ...
baby live oak8/9/2008
  Q: My mom has a huge live oak in her yard that drops a ton of acorns, the ones that don't get mowed ...
  A: The biggest mistake is moving the tree in the summer. This the worst time to try and transplant a ...
Bugs Eating My Pine Needles on My Tree8/8/2008
  Q: There are these bugss that are in bag like sacks eating the pine needles on my pine tree in the ...
  A: Sounds like Bagworms. If you use Bt insecticide this is used early in the life of the caterpillar ...
maple tree8/8/2008
  Q: Our maple tree looked healthy in June. Then most of the leaves turned to a copper color. They did ...
  A: Scotts turf builder plus does contain a herbicide that could damage trees. I would suspect that is ...
dogwood tree roots8/8/2008
  Q: We have several dogwood trees on west side of house next to a sidewalk. It appears that the ...
  A: Dogwood trees are not known to damage sidewalks. Any tree if planted too close to the sidewalk could ...
My trees are dying8/8/2008
  Q: My trees in my front yard are dying. I don't know what is wrong and I am a complete idiot when it ...
  A: With out knowing the species of the trees it is almost impossible to ID a problem. Insects and ...
lions head maple8/8/2008
  Q: We purchased a beautiful lion's head maple tree last spring. Lately, it has developed a greenish ...
  A: Sounds like a lichen. These are combination of algae and fungi and live on the bark of trees. They ...
Tree root system8/7/2008
  Q: We own a house which we purchased in 2002, and was built in 1996. There are 3 large (over 20') trees ...
  A: You should be able to attach pictures to the bottom of the question. If you have problems send ...
LEYLAND CYPRESS8/7/2008
  Q: MY TREES ARE TEN YEARS OLD . PROBABLY PLANTED TOO CLOSE AND MY PROBLEM IS THEY ARE SHEDDING THEIR ...
  A: Although relatively free of serious disease problems, several diseases are becoming more common. ...
Crypt Myrtle tree: how to kill root system ?8/7/2008
  Q: I cut down a Crypt Myrtle tree with appx 4-6" trunk last year. The stump was ground down at the ...
  A: You need to treat the sprouts with a herbicide called Roundup. The Roundup will be taken up by the ...
Cottonwood leaves falling8/7/2008
  Q: Is there a good reason why one of my cottonwoods has leaves that are turning yellow and falling this ...
  A: More than likely the weather. Cottonwoods are one of the first trees that will drop their leaves in ...
Willow tree roots8/7/2008
  Q: I had a willow in my back yard that destroyed my septic system.We replaced the system in April and ...
  A: The Roundup should have killed the root system. If you are not getting any sprouts coming up from ...
Planting of River Birches8/7/2008
  Q: How far away from a building should river birches be planted and why?