Poplar Roots and Neighbor's Foundation/Septic: Barrier Option

Neighbor wants your poplars cut—roots threaten foundation and septic. Root Reality Roots spread 1.5× canopy width. Unlikely to reach neighbor’s foundation unless very close. Septic lines: roots enter only if pipes leak

Double-Trunk Blue Spruce: Don't Tie, Don't Brace

20-ft blue spruce has two parallel trunks forming a V. Branches pull them apart. Should you tie them? Advice Tying/cabling creates wounds → decay entry. Forked trees live fine naturally. If one fork was removed young,

Building Near Oak: Root Cutting Limits and Protection

Excavating for house foundation in East Texas; 20–24″ red/water oak 3 ft from retaining wall. How close can wall be? Root Zone Roots extend 1.5× canopy width. Tree survives if ≤25–30% root system cut/filled. Calculate:

Golden Chain Tree Caterpillars: Spray Sevin

3-yr golden chain tree has 1″ brownish-yellow worms on dying branches. Sensitive to toxins—what’s safe? Pest: Caterpillars Fully grown (1″) → Bt ineffective. Carbaryl (Sevin) liquid: contact kill, safe on foliage. Ap

Aspen Suckers in Lawn: Same Answer—Mow or NAA

Aspen suckers popping up in lawn—mowing feels like mowing trees. Answer Mow regularly—only practical lawn solution. Sucker Stopper (NAA) in beds. Never herbicide—kills parent aspen. Bottom Line Mow them. It’s an aspe

45-Year Maple with Cottony Scale: Soil Drench Imidacloprid

Large old maple has white cottony spots on lower branches, sticky deck. Cottony scale or aphids. Diagnosis Aphids move when touched; scale don’t. Both suck sap → honeydew → sticky/sooty mold. Treatment Soil-applied

Aspen Root Suckers: Mow, Don't Spray; Try NAA

Four aspens send up lawn suckers; roots surface in grass. How to stop? Reality Aspens sucker prolifically from roots. Herbicides on suckers → kill parent tree (shared roots). Options Mow regularly in lawn—simplest.

Cottonwood Slime Flux: Insects on Sap, Fertilize Tree

Lightning-struck cottonwood has 3-ft wet streak with bugs in it. Slime flux. Slime Flux (Wetwood) Internal bacterial infection → gas pressure forces sap out wounds. Sap fermented, foul, alkaline; kills grass below. Ins

Cottony Maple Scale: Systemic Imidacloprid Best for Large Trees

30+ yr maple has white cotton balls on branches, sticky deck, leaf drop in July. Cottony maple scale. Pest Females produce white egg sacs (cottony). Honeydew → sooty mold (black), sticky surfaces. Heavy infestations ki

Adding Soil Around Sycamore: 2 Inches Max, Off Trunk

Can you pile dirt around sycamore base? Rules Max 2 inches depth. No soil within 6 inches of trunk (root collar must stay exposed). Covering root collar kills tree. Why Roots need oxygen. Deep fill suffocates. Colla

Oak Dropping Small Acorns and Leaf Tips: Drought and Twig Girdler

Old oak in Maryland drought drops tiny acorns (June) and larger ones (July), plus leaf tips. Diseased? Acorn Abortion Acorns take 2 years. First-year (tiny) abort due to drought stress. Does not harm tree health. Lea

Cherry Tree Root Cut During Construction: Likely Dead

Mature cherry had roots cut on one side 3.5 weeks ago. Leaves went limp, stayed green 3 weeks, now yellow/brown falling. Alive? Test Scrape bark on upper branches: green = alive; brown = dead. Work down. If all brown, t

Hollow Storm-Damaged Trees: Insects Are Secondary, Boost Vigor

Many storm-damaged trees in South Texas have hollow trunks, insects/ants inside. How to ensure longevity? Hollows Are Normal Heartwood decay = dead wood; living cambium intact. Tubular structure = strong. Tree not “dyi

Webworms on Weeping Cherry: Spray Orthene Into Webs

Weeping cherry has webs with worms eating leaves. What to do? Pest: Fall Webworm (or similar) Caterpillars in silken tents; feed late afternoon/evening. Webs protect from birds. Control Spray acephate (Orthene) thor

Linden Borers and Decay: Treat Borers, Accept Hollows

Mature lindens have borers deep in trunk, bark peeling in crotches, 5″ branches may break. Malathion won’t work. Borers Use permethrin (Onyx) or imidacloprid (Merit) trunk spray—penetrates bark. Or soil-applied imidacl

Staking 7-Ft White Pines: Keep Stakes Until Spring

Two 7-ft white pines were staked at planting in central NJ (not very windy). Remove stakes now or wait? Recommendation Keep stakes until late May next spring. Allows root establishment through winter. Remove before new

Ornamental Purple Plum Fruit: Some Are Edible

Are plums from an ornamental purple-leaf plum edible? It Depends on Cultivar Many purpleleaf plums (Prunus cerasifera) are purely ornamental—fruit tiny, sour, astringent. Some cultivars produce palatable fruit: ‘Allred

Tower Poplar Origin: Hybrid Poplar History

Where do Tower Poplars come from? Hybrid Poplar Basics Crosses between North American cottonwoods/aspens and European poplars. First hybridized in Britain (1912). US research led by Forest Service (Wisconsin) from 1970

Transplanting a Very Old Pear Tree: Possible But Heavy

Can you transplant a huge, old pear tree? Yes, with a tree spade. Requirements Root ball: 9–12″ wide per inch trunk diameter; 6″ deep per inch. Example: 20″ trunk → 180–240″ wide, 120″ deep ball. Massive. Best time: fa

Magnolia Bark Damage from Trailer: Clean and Monitor

Boat trailer knocked off 1-ft vertical bark strip on 10-year magnolia. How to help recovery? Steps Trim loose bark cleanly (sharp knife). No paint/sealant—slows healing. Watch for borers: holes, frass, sap at wound. If