QUESTION: "I hope you can maybe help me with a situation that we are having. I've been getting the run around from everyone else I've asked. We moved to our current location approximately three years ago. When we bought the house, the flowering crab apple tree in the front yard was beautiful. This year the leaves have been turning yellow right away and have brown spots on them. We also have gotten some of those wormy nests in the tree. We've been trying to kill them as soon as we see them. They're the nests that look like huge spider webs. Now though we have a nest at the very top of the tree which is about 35 feet in the air and we can't reach it. What can we do? Does the tree need to be sprayed throughout the year? If so, with what? Any help you can give with this would be greatly appreciated." - Jessica McHugh
ANSWER: It would sound as if your tree has experienced some kind of stress during this growing season. This is usually the main cause for an attack from insects. You can spray the tree, nest and the ground under the tree with Durispan, or Malathion. Use a surfactant in the spray so that the rains will not wash it off so easy. Do this also in the spring just before and after the leaves come out. That should take care of the problem. By spraying the trunk of the tree and the ground underneath the tree, you will provide a much better barrier.
QUESTION: "We recently cut down some (old) Holly bushes from the front of our house. Now I have about 3" of stump remaining from the ground. I KEEP getting new HOLLY growth all over. I have to keep clipping to control. We put a poison into the stumps (after drilling holes) but still there. I want to till up the whole area and replant some plants or flowers. How can I make sure I kill the root, stump and any other new growth?" - Ginnie Mercer
ANSWER: I know there are several products out there that you can purchase from your local garden store. However, in order for you to do this quickly you may have to dig them out.. since they are a three inch caliper you will have to back away from the stump about two feet with a spade and start digging. You use a spade to cut the roots all the way around the trunk then dig down and lift up. This is the fastest way to accomplish your task. It will take quite a while for poisons to kill and rot the stump enough to till the ground.
QUESTION: "We purchased some grapevine starter, a total of six plants. We planted them this spring and are they doing good. When do we use the fertilizer packets that came along with them? When do you prune these grapevines? this year or next, or wait till they mature?" - Linda W.
ANSWER: The fertilizer packs should have been put in the ground at the time of planting. However, you can still place them next to the plant this spring by digging a small hole and putting the pack in it. When they lose their leaves and any time before they put out in the spring, you can trim them down to two buds. Put up your trellis and when they put out in spring and start guiding one of the leaders up on the trellis. There are several places you can go on the net through the Google search engine to find out how to manage your plants.
QUESTION: "Is there an easy way to remove St. Augustine grass around trees to make tree rings? I applied Round-up and am trying to pull out by hand but think roots go to China. Some of the tree roots appear to be on the surface. Can I cover with soil and/or mulch, if so how deep? I have 1/2 acre totally enclosed and cross fenced with chain link (yuk)." - Dayna
ANSWER: It would seem on the surface you are doing the right thing by using Round-up. However, you could use mulch next to the fence and plant some shrubs or vines to kind of hide the chain link fence. Some of the plants that come to mind are honeysuckle, vines or blueberry plants that are not only great to eat but attractive in the landscape year-around. By mulching and planting you will eventually get rid of the grass problem and have an esthetic border.
The Plant Man is here to help. Send your questions about trees, shrubs and landscaping to steve@landsteward.org or mail to:
Steve Jones, "The Plant Man"
For resources and additional information, including archived columns, visit www.landsteward.com
P.O. Box 686, McMinnville, TN 37111.
