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Trees,
Hedges, Shrubs (page 2)
Question:
We have a 10 inch diameter Magnolia grandifolia
that is planted within a foot of the house. We also
have some other plants up against the foundation. The
magnolia has brown edges on the leaves. What can I do?
Jim, Amarillo, TX
Mort's
Answer: You have two choices. In the late fall around
the beginning of December in your area, you can hire
a tree service company with heavy equipment to come
to your house for a transplant of the required trees
that are too close to the foundation. It should be at
least thirty feet from the building. You can also invite
a dozen brother-in -laws on a weekend to a barbie and
put them to work moving the trees or the house. You
can not leave the trees in that location for much longer.
The stress will invite insects and disease.
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Question:
My Magnolia, which is about 15 ft. high; my azaleas
and gardenias, which are about 5-6 ft. high, are not
doing well. I don¹t see any sign of insects. They
are in the shade. Any suggestions? Joe, Brunswich, GA
Mort's
Answer: You need to feed them some 5-10-10 fertilizer.
Dig 8 holes at the leave drop of the azaleas and gardenias
that are 8-10 inches deep. Dig a dozen holes about 4²
from the trunk of the magnolia that go done a foot.
Fill these holes with the fertilizer. I remember the
soil being very sandy in your area. You should add organic
matter, like aged manure, peat and shredded leaves to
the entire area. This will help hold moisture that is
especially needed for the azaleas and gardenias.
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Question:
My Magnolia did not bloom this spring. It looks
very healthy. It usually starts out as a red bud and
produces a large white flower. What could be the problem?
There are no signs of insects. Ida, Pawcatuck, CT
Mort's
Answer: It was a unusual spring with the 80 degree
day at the beginning of April. This sudden surge in
zone 6 made a lot of plants burst prematurely. Although
this isn¹t early for Magnolias, you could have
had some wind chill the following weeks from the ocean.
If there isn¹t any other signs of disease on your
Magnolia soulangeana, I would just add the fertilizer
as described for Joe in Brunswich. Joe probably has
M. grandiflora but the remedy will work just as well.
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Question:
My full grown Magnolia has termites in the trunk.
A lot of the leaves did not come out this past year.
Do you have any suggestions? Erleen, Kewanee, IL
Mort's
Answer: Your tree is in critical condition. I would
hire an arborist to come out to your property to decide
whether or not the tree can benefit from surgery. Your
initial problem was earwigs. Termites and ants are present
after earwigs have entered the cambium. Your trees life
line to the top is through the fibrovascular tubes,
which are in the outer ring inside the bark. Earwigs
set up shop and lay their eggs in this softer tissue.
Later, the ants and termites appear. If the earwigs
have not completely girdled the tree, it could be salvaged.
An arborist or tree surgeon will cut out the affected
area. Eventually the tree can recover, if at least half
the fibrovascular tubes are still free. Your tree will
need heavy pruning, as well, to survive. You should
also fertilize the tree, if you opt for surgery. Dig
a dozen holes with a crowbar that go done three feet
in a circle about 6 feet from the stem. Fill the holes
with 10-6-4. Hopefully, these earwigs will find out
that they have been barking up the wrong tree.
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Question:
We have a 10 inch diameter Magnolia grandifolia
that is planted within a foot of the house. We also
have some other plants up against the foundation. The
magnolia has brown edges on the leaves. What can I do?
Jim, Amarillo, TX
Mort's
Answer: You have two choices. In the late fall around
the beginning of December in your area, you can hire
a tree service company with heavy equipment to come
to your house for a transplant of the required trees
that are too close to the foundation. It should be at
least thirty feet from the building. You can also invite
a dozen brother-in -laws on a weekend to a barbie and
put them to work moving the trees or the house. You
can not leave the trees in that location for much longer.
The stress will invite insects and disease.
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Question:
Can I transplant my large leaved five foot Magnolia
this time of the year? Ed, Jackson, MS
Mort's
Answer: You can move your Magnolia grandiflora any
time before the flower buds open this year. This beauty
can grow as large as 100 feet. Be sure the new area
will accommodate the evergreen Bull magnolia. Dig a
trench about 4 feet from the trunk. Continually shave
the soil away with the reverse spade or shovel until
you start cutting roots that are an inch thick. Dig
under the ball around two feet. Build a sleigh to drag
the ball. Canvas or heavy burlap works well. Your new
hole should be 150% as large as the ball. Do not put
any fertilizer in the hole. Wait until the fall to feed
the tree.
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Question:
I have a Magnolia that has a couple of dead branches.
It is about 5 inches at the trunk. What can I do? Rosie,
West Greenwich, RI
Mort's
Answer: I would first check to see, if the bark
has been cut by a mower near the ground. If there is
a tear or a cut, there is a possibility of a invasion
of earwigs. I would clean out the wound by making a
leaf shaped incision with a razor knife. There should
be a point at the top and at the bottom. It should be
as wide and long as necessary to encompass the entire
affected area. Cut out all brown wood and scrape until
you have reached white wood. Dab the area with malathion
and seal with tree sealer. If there are no tears, then
your tree is probably suffering from the drought. I
would dig 6 holes that go down 18 inches with a crowbar
or tire iron. These holes should be about 4 feet from
the trunk. Fill the holes with water until the water
bubbles to the top. Repeat this every 10 days until
the rain resumes in earnest. Lastly, remove the dead
branches by sawing them off at the next green juncture.
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Question:
I have a Maple that has water collecting in a crotch
about 8 feet of the ground. The tree stands about 30
feet. What can I do to remedy this? Frank, Jamestown,
RI
Mort's
Answer: In all probability there is a nest of earwigs
in that junction. Build a staging for some intensive
surgery. Remove all the rotted wood. You will need a
wood chisel, a wood hammer and a sharp linoleum knife.
The incision will start of one side and extend through
the joint and to the opposite limb. The incision has
to be leave shaped and continuous with a point at each
end. It should encircle the entire infected area. Scrape
down as deep and wide as necessary to remove all brown
and tan wood. When you have dug out all the material,
dab the area with malathion, if you found insects. Fill
the crotch with a cement mortar compound. Mound the
cement to drain away from the tree limbs. If this seems
too cumbersome, hire a tree surgeon or arborist to do
the work for you.
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Question:
We have a Mock Orange that only bloomed on the side
closest to the house. What could be the problem? Bob,
South Jersey, NJ
Mort's
Answer: Philadelphus coronarius should produce a
sweet scented creamy white flower, if cut back each
year after it has finished blooming. I also suspect
that it should be moved to a more sunny spot since it
probably got more light from the reflection of the building.
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Question:
I have vines growing all over my Mountain Laurel
and the trees at the edge of my garden. Is there something
that can do to get rid of them? Al, Waterford, CT
Mort's
Answer: You can tag them now so that they will be
easy to locate in the winter. At that time you should
be able to more easily remove them. Digging up the roots
is the only effective way to stop the spread. Vines
that are dormant in the winter do not offer the resistance
that they will at other times. They will not harm the
trees and the vines will cover the laurel but they will
not kill them.
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Question:
When can I prune Crepe Mrytle, Japanese Maples and
roses? Mary, Providence, RI
Mort's
Answer: Roses can be pruned in the fall. Larger
hybrid teas can be cut back to 5 main2 ft. high main
branches Clean off the sides. Less than three year olds
can be cut back to 3 main stems. Climbing roses can
be cut back six foot canes. RedMaples can be pruned
at this time or earlier in the summer. I like irregular
shapedtrees, so I only remove dead branches. Cut the
branches back to the next joint. Do not cut maples in
the early spring. Crepe Mrytle can be cut down to the
groundthe first three years. Late summer or after the
bloom is dead is the best time toprune Mrytle unless
you are cutting them back to the ground. You can ground
them in the late fall. Crepe Mrytle can be trained to
be a one trunk tree or an upright shrub. They make excellent
tall hedges. Usually Lagerstroemia indicais not hardy
in zone 6, where you live. You should cover mrytle with
a burlap tent the first 5 years.
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Question:
Can I cut back my Crape Myrtle this fall. Some of
the branches are dead. Selma, Farmington, AR
Mort's
Answer: It's important to remove all dead branches
on any tree or shrub, whenever they appear. Young Lagerstroemia
indica plants need to be cut back each fall to produce
good flowers. Older crape myrtle can sustain good flowers
without severe cut back each fall. Many folks like to
train L. Indica like climbing roses since the branches
can get 20' long. Trained crape has to be cut back each
fall, as well.
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Question:
I have two Crepe Myrtles that are on each side of
the driveway. The one on the shady side is doing much
better than the one on the sunny side. They both came
as off shoots from another plant. What could be the
problem? Jerry, Clinton, MO
Mort's
Answer: I would guess that your shaded crepe is
doing very well. The one in the sun is doing quite well.
In the late fall, you can cut back the sunny one to
the ground to help strengthen the roots. Eventually,they
should both do equally as well. This plant (Lagerstroemia
indica) will support the leaves and stems after two
or three years of cutting it to the ground each fall.
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Question:
We have seen some Oak branches that are dropping
throughout our area. There seems to be a conical edge
to the end of the branch. Do you know what it might
be? Henry, Cumberland, RI
Mort's
Answer: We sent out some more feelers to arborists.
One arborist has suggested that it is Summer limb drop.
Apparently, the excess moisture and high humidity has
built up pressure in the fibrovascular tubes, which
has literally sent an explosion of the terminal shoots.
This is more widespread than we had imagined. We got
reports of this in Warwick as well. We do not think
that it is a problem. Many cherry trees have shut down
and have gone into dormancy for the summer. Many plants
have protective mechanisms that will help them survive
unusual environmental changes. We have also concluded
that it is not the local utilities that we previously
speculated might have cut them down.
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Question:
I planted mums under my oak tree. Every year they
bloomed except this year. Should I move them? Leona,
Warwick, RI
Mort's
Answer: They should produce some flowers this year.
Look at the ends of the branches for buds. You have
a situation that is producing more and more shade each
year as the tree gets larger. Eventually, you should
move your mums to a sunny location for earlier fall
blooming.
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Question:
My neighbors have an Oleander that they bought from
the same nursery at the same time.Their plant has bloomed
and ours has yet to bloom. They did leave it in the
pot. Could that be the difference? Pat, Pine Bluff,
AR
Mort's
Answer: No doubt. When a plant is restricted, it
will throw out more flowers. It is not a good idea to
leave a plant in a pot in the ground unless you intend
to bring it indoors in the fall. Continual retardation
will eventually kill the tree. Yourneighbors are probably
bringing the Oleander inside for the winter. You can
supplant the nutrients in the ground with a handful
of bonemeal. Do not use any liquid fertilizer on your
Nerium oleander. If you do not want to take it indoors
in the fall, you will have to cover the plant for the
winter. Oleander is not hardy in zone 7 north.
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Question:
We just put in several pecan trees. They are about
6 to 8 feet tall. What can we do to help them along?
Sam, Pine Bluff, AR
Mort's
Answer: Dig a half dozen holes with a tire iron
in a circle that is a foot and a half around each stem.
Each hole should be about 6 inches deep. Fill the holes
with 5-10-10 fertilizer. This will hold them for five
years.
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Question:
My white pine had a borer in the leader, which we
just removed. The interior of the plant is shedding
and the plant generally looks weak. Did the borer cause
this? What can I do? Frank, Providence, RI
Mort's
Answer: White pine weevil do feed on the terminal
shoots. This may be boring, but it isn't terminal as
far as the pine is concerned. Pine suffers from dry
winds and dry soil. Drill 6 or 8 holes at the leaf drop
about 2 ft. deep. Fill the holes with water two or three
nights in a row. Then fill the holes with 10-6-4 fertilizer.
This will add vigor to the tree next year. Check near
the roots for grubs by digging down a foot. If you see
grubs, add grubicide to the soil. Otherwise, it's just
a dry story but not boring.
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Question:
There has been a black dust on my Flowering Plum.
Should I remove the affected branches? Pat, Westerly,
RI
Mort's
Answer: Rusts will move their host for the winter.
This fungus will appear on pine or cedar in the spring.
It can be a red spike of spores on the junipers. It
will suddenly appear usually after a warm rain in late
spring. Cut it off as soon as it appears. The plum and
the junipers and pines will have to be sprayed. Junipers
or cedars and pines should be sprayed with Bordeaux
mix or a lime sulphur fungicide in early spring. The
flowering plums, crabs, currants and gooseberries should
be sprayed in late spring. Follow directions on the
label. If the plum does not have woody knobs or cankers,
it is not necessary to cut off the branches. The fallen
leaves should be collected and carted off to the dump.
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Question:
My poplar lost it¹s leaves this spring. Will
it come back? Anita, Shelbyville, TN
Mort's
Answer: As noted above zone 6 experienced great
temperature fluctuations this spring. Poplar, aka aspen
or cottonwood, depending on what part of the country
that you are in grows like a weed. Hang in there. It
will return as sure as God made little green apples.
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Question:
There are little white bugs all over my California
Privet. Can I cut the hedge down? Fred, Atlantic City,
NJ
Mort's
Answer: Privet can be cut to within a foot of the
ground. After the drought in the northeast this summer,
stressed plants became vulnerable to insect infestation
and the diseases that they carry. It is highly likely
that there will be aphid galls that will appear on spruce
and perhaps on arborvitae this late fall. Cut this out
as they become apparent. These buggers have a lot of
gall that appears as a swollen seed pod. If you have
large maples and oak, they will have to be power-sprayed
by a professional next spring. Although they probably
won't kill the large trees, they can provide a breeding
ground.
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Question:
My Pyracantha did not have any berries this year.
Do I need a male and a female? Helen, Voluntown, CT
Mort's
Answer: Pyracantha produces a white flower in the
spring. If you prune or cut the buds or flowers, you
will not have any berries. You do not need a two plants
to produce a flower and subsequent berry. Birds will
often wait until the berries are ripe in the fall or
winter before devouring them in a day.
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Question:
I transplanted three 15 foot Redwoods within my
forest in April. They are now droopy, brittle and drying
out. Can I save them or should I throw them out? ND,
Northern CA
Mort's
Answer: Unless you had six foot balls dug with a
machine, I doubt that you had adequate soil to transplant
15 foot Sequoias. I would suggest that you start small.
Root prune some other S.gigantea or S. sempervirens
in the fall. A six foot tree should have a two foot
ball. Be sure to carve under the ball as well. Leave
the tree in the same hole and throw back the soil. You
could add some sand to the soil to help rooting. You
can complete the transplant in the spring. Do not put
any fertilizer on the plant in the spring. Water thoroughly
once or twice and let it be. You do not want to rot
the roots.
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Question:
Can I cut back Rhododendron in the fall? Ralph,
Lebanon, CT
Mort's
Answer: If the buds have already formed, it is best
to wait until mid summer. Some of the buds will turn
out to be leaves but many are next springs flowers.
If no buds have formed, than you can prune.
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Question:
How far back can we cut rhododendron? Joseph, Southold,
NY
Mort's
Answer: All but the Maximum specie should be selectively
pruned. You can cut the leggy shoots off at the next
junction in July or August after they are finished blooming.
R. maximum, which is growing in the woods throughout
New England, can be cut by a third. My 6 foot tall Rose
bush has had hundreds of blooms in past years.
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Question:
I fertilized with a soluble fertilizer three weeks
ago. Since that time buds have appeared but have not
opened. Could this be the problem? Julie, Waterford,
CT
Mort's
Answer: If you do not see any sign of insect or
rust, you are correct in your concern. Rose growers
do not like to use inorganic fertilizers. If they must
enrich the soil, they will use a granular fertilizer.
Your soil is probably rich enough in nitrogen. There
is plenty of phosphorus in New England soils although
it may not be readily available in some soils. There
is no need to fertilize, if you were getting hundreds
of blooms. Excess fertilizer has created an unbalanced
nutrient content in the roses. I would add some hydrated
lime to the soil under the roses to release the nitrogen,
which is overloaded.
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Question:
My Rosemary has white fly. Since I use this plant
for cooking, can I spray it with insecticide? Lilliana,
Newport, RI
Mort's
Answer: Anything that you put on the leaves will
affect the flavor. Spraying with alcohol wouldnąt affect
the flavor as much because it will evaporate. Depending
on the severity of the infestation, alcohol may not
be effective. My best recommendation would be to put
the plant outdoors, while the temperature is between
35 and 40 for prolong periods of time. The white fly
will seek shelter in other places outdoors and eventually
die, when the temperature goes below freezing. There
may be some residue from the eggs, so you will have
to repeat this migration to the outdoors several times.
The Rosemary will probably survive until spring, when
you can leave the plant outdoors for the summer. Next
fall, I would wait until the 11th hour before bringing
the plant back indoors for the winter. Neem oil is not
toxic and could be effective but it would affect the
flavor.
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Question:
When can I remove the dead flowers on the rhododendrons?
Jean, Middletown, RI
Mort's
Answer: Whenever they are completely dried. This
fall they will start to produce new buds for next spring
flowers. You can selectively prune at this time, as
well.
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Question:
When can I move Rosa rugosa? Susan, Newport, RI
Mort's
Answer: All deciduous shrubs should be transplanted
in the spring and fall, while they are defoliated. However,
Rosa rugosa is the hardiest plant around your area.
I would take a chance on a cool night with a section
of the root and stems but not the entire plant in the
summer evening.
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Question:
Should I cut back my Rosa rugosa? They are about
8ą tall. Marie, Charlestown, RI
Mort's
Answer: Although R. rugosa is the toughest rose,
it could break in a severe winter. If you can cut back
a couple of feet from the ends, you will be able to
lessen the possibility of excess snow and ice overloading
the branches. If there is any dieback in the spring,
remove the blackened areas. R. rugosa has become naturalized
along the beaches on the east coast. It is by far the
hardiest and most disease resistant rose specie for
your area. You could thin out some of the older canes
and this will produce more flowers but it isnąt necessary
due to itąs spreading growth pattern. You might consider
turning them over every week or two and using them as
green manure for roses. Roses and onions are the perfect
companion plants. The onions will keep away insects
and the diseases that they carry. As a green manure
they will provide nitrogen. Roses do so well in California.
Roses need cultivation and organic material. You will
have a natural symbiosis. The scents from the onions
and the roses will also provide additional pleasure
for your senses. The three of you should do quite well.
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Question:
I have had a Rosemary for 3 years. I bring it indoors
for the winter. It developed a white powder on the top
this winter. How can I get rid of it? Maria, Chicago,
IL
Mort's
Answer: Rosemarinus officinalis is subject to powdery
mildew in damp areas. Bring the plant outdoors on a
day, when the temps go over 55. Spray with Bordeaux
Mix according to directions on the label. It may be
difficult to acquire Bordeaux. You can add equal amounts
of hydrated lime to ionized sulphur or copper sulphate
and get the same results. A teaspoon of liquid soap
to the gallon can be used, if a second application is
needed in 2 weeks. Bring the plant back inside after
spraying.
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Question:
My 6 foot Smoke Tree does not have flowers. How
can I get it to bloom? Leo, Rumford, RI
Mort's
Answer: Cotinus Americanus, also known as chittamwood,
has a pie shaped leaf compared to C. coggygria. Flowers
appear in July in both species. Fruit from the flowers
on the American are not as showy as C.coggygria. The
fruit that gives the smoked appearance is in August
and September. I would add some 5-10-10 and bonemeal
to hasten the blooming. Dig 6 holes with a crowbar that
go down a foot about 2 feet from the trunk. Fill with
50% bonemeal and 5-10-10.
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Question:
When is a good time to fertilize Smoke Tree? Jesse,
Pawtucket, RI
Mort's
Answer: Cotinus coggygria or Eurasian smoke bush
grows to about 12 feet with an oval 3 inch leave. This
is the more common smoke in New England. C. coggygria
aka Rhus coggygria has green-purple hairs in the bloom.
American Smoke Tree grows to 20 feet and the leaves
are wedge shaped. Both are relatively easy to grow but
can use some help in the early stages of their development.
Dig a dozen holes with a crowbar at the leave drop line
that are a foot deep. Fill these holes with 5-10-10
fertilizer. This should be a one time application. Early
spring is best but it can be anytime. It isnąt necessary
to repeat this unless in later years it is not thriving.
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Question:
We have 50 Colorado Blue Spruce in a row. Some of
them are turning brown at the bottom. They are eight
feet tall and eight feet apart. What could be causing
this? Marilyn, Montville, CT
Mort's
Answer: Your trees are planted too close. Picea
pungens grows to 140 feet in the woods. I would suggest
that you remove every other one. Perhaps, a nursery
will purchase them, if you do not have the room. You
could sell them to a Christmas tree business. You could
also trim off the bottom branches and allow for walking
room underneath. There is a remote possibility of red
spider mite infestation but you would still need to
make space for them to grow. You can test for spider
mites. Shake a brown branch onto a white piece of paper.
Fold the paper and then rub the sides together. If any
red spots appear, you have a positive test. Spray with
Kelthane or another miticide according to directions.
You can also check for grubs by digging at the leave
drop. Those little shrimp like creatures are now burrowing
into the ground to about six inches deep. If you find
them, use a grubicide.
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Question:
Can we trim Alberta Spruce ? Jack, Mystic, CT
Mort's
Answer: It is not necessary. Picea glauca conica
has a naturally compact dense growth pattern. You will
not harm the plant with trimming in the summer. We have
a Christmas tree type of plant. It is about a third
brown. We found some insects on the plant by tapping
a branch onto a white piece of paper. We sprayed with
Diazonin and the bugs have seemed to disappear.
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Question:
There is some growths that look like peppercorns
near the joints of branches. What should we do? Angela,
CT
Mort's
Answer: My educated guess is that you have Alberta
Spruce . All spruce are subject to galls and red spider
mites. Mites are detectable by using a white piece of
paper under a branch. Red blotches will appear on the
paper. The peppercorns are galls, which are egg nests
for aphids or some other insect. Remove the galls and
spray with Kelthane or some other miticide. Follow directions
on the label.
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Question:
Spruce . Can I cut a third off and keep it trimmed?
Angela, WWW. CT
Mort's
Answer: You could cut the tree but it will grow
a new leader. It would require too much trimming each
year. You would have to trim 4 or 5 times a year. There
are tree companies that can transplant the tree for
you.
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Question:
We planted some Spruce and Pine last year. The roots
are completely under water Should we move them? Charlotte,
Gary IN
Mort's
Answer: If this is temporary cover,they could survive
the dampness until spring. It is advisable to move them.
Pines are best moved, when the roots are wet. I would
suggest that you move them before the ground freezes.
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Question:
How do I harvest black walnuts? Bill, Middletown,
NY
Mort's
Answer: You can sweep them up and place them on
a screen in the sun. When they are cured they can easily
be peeled back. The shell case can then be cracked with
the standard nut pilers. Some folks just put them in
the driveway and roll the car over them.
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Question:
Can we plant Weeping Willow in Florida? I'm originally
from Kentucky. We had no trouble with them back home.
Frank, Milbourne, FL
Mort's
Answer: Nursery people in Florida propagate mostly
tropical plants for sale. Some mail order house can
supply you with the willows. Salix babylonica was grown
in biblical times in the mideast. It enjoys a wet area.
S. alba will provide less resistance to the wind. I
suspect that the wind may be the biggest draw back.
Willows grow so fast that you could easily replace their
growth with a new planting., if they were to be blown
over by the strong winds. S.alba or white willow grows
to 60 ft. Thurlows willow grows to about 30 ft as does
Black willow. S.caprea or goat willow grows to 25 ft..
These smaller willows probably will stand up, if you
are in a windy area.
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Question:
I have a Wisteria that is producing runners. Can
I make separate plants from them? Barbara, East Providence,
RI
Mort's
Answer: Vines of Wisteria will often find their
way back into the soil especially, if they are not on
a trellis. In the spring or early fall, when the leaves
start to turn, you can sever the root with a spade.
Simply drive the point down into the soil close to spot
where the branch reentered the soil. Your new spot should
be in a sunny location. If you make the cut in the fall,
put mulch around the stem after you have planted it.
Do not put any fertilizer in the hole.
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Question:
I just saw a little growth on my Wisteria cuttings.
When can I expect real growth? Maggie, Middletown, RI
Mort's
Answer: Wistaria frutescens, the American wisteria,
blooms a lot later than W. sinensis, Chinese wisteria,
or the Japanese, W. floribunda. It may take 4 or 5 years
before you will see a flower. You can hasten the process
by adding a handful of 5-10-10 fertilizer each year
to the soil. You can further enrich the soil by cultivating
into the surrounding soil some aged manure each year.
The American does not bloom when the leaves come out
as the Japanese and Chinese do.
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Question:
If I were to dig up Wisteria and Roses at this time.
How can I keep them until I plant them again in the
spring? Joan, Preston, CT
Mort's
Answer: Since both can be dug out without a ball
root, it is easy to keep them covered until spring.
If you can get a ball, you can leave them upright in
a sheltered area. Just cover the entire ball with sand.
If there is no ball,lay entire plant on its side and
cover just the root with sand. Cover the top of the
plants with burlap to protect it from the wind. A sunny
location is preferable but not necessary.
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Question:
We planted yews this spring with the burlap intact.
Since planting they have become increasing yellow with
afew needles dropping. There doesn't seem to be any
insects on them. What is the problem? Celina, Pawtucket,
RI
Mort's
Answer: Quite often, the heavy burlap knot creates
a water barrier between the new and old soil. It's a
good idea to removerthe top of the burlap to eliminate
the spongy quality of the burlap. Water is actually
drawn from the old soil andcauses deprivation for the
roots. Another possibility is that the yew was improperly
dug and has fractured roots that have yet to heal. At
any rate,I would advise the vendor of your problem.
He will probably suggest waiting until spring to see,
if the burlap was the problem.
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Question:
One of my upright yews is turning yellow and dropping
the leaves. My other yews seem fine. Any suggestions?
Kevin, Attleboro, MA
Mort's
Answer: If there are rhododendron nearby and they
are doing well, then we can eliminate weevil or root
grubs. In this hot weather, there is a 99% chance that
you have scale. On the needles near the stem, you will
see tiny little helmets. Crush them with your thumb
and a gray dust will appear. If it is squishy green
inside, it is the buds for the new needles. I would
spray with Kelthane as directed on package. Another
product that has had good results and is organic is
Neem. Neem or horticultural oil can be sprayed on in
the early spring. Kelthane should be used on the mature
scale now.
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Question:
My Yucca filamentosa is very healthy but hasnąt
bloomed. How can I get it to bloom? Linda, Searcy, AR
Mort's
Answer: Stay away from high nitrogen fertilizers.
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