Dallas Morning News – March 23, 2017
Q. Can comfrey be planted in full sun here in the Metroplex? Thanks for your time. M. S. Garland, TX
A. Yes – comfrey will grow better in sun than in shade. It’s an excellent perennial herb that has many uses.
Q. A few neighbors and myself are having trouble with our cypress trees. I’ve attached a picture to see if you have any advice. S. E. Dallas, TX
A. Italian cypress trees have some built-in issues. This is a fungal disease that hits plants that are in stress. There are sprays that can be used to knock the disease back but you have to change the cause of the stress or the disease will return. The most common cause is the tree being too deep in the ground. The solution is what we call the Sick Tree Treatment. The first and most important step is getting the soil and mulch off the base of the tree. The root flares of the trees should be dramatically exposed. The rest of the STT is explained in detail under GUIDES on the home page of dirtdoctor.com. If you need professional help, the company I recommend is Trees by Woods.
Q. Do you have a favorite chipper/shredder for home use, that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg? I’ve been to Home Depot to rent one, but what they had wouldn’t fit in my car. Since I only need it once a year to shred fruit tree trimmings, etc., it doesn’t make sense to purchase something over $800, but most of the inexpensive ones aren’t very reliable. Otherwise, the only news I have is that the Dallas Zoo Docents approved my grant request, so I’ll be taking your online course certification soon, thanks to them. S.V. Dallas, TX
A. Good news on the test. The chipper issue is a tough question. I had a big W.W. Grinder years ago that cost over $1500 and would barely chop up 2″ limbs. It was also pretty high maintenance. The Troy Built products that are currently on the market are probably the smallest available that will do a decent job and they cost almost $1000. Hiring a tree company to come by from time to time might be a better way to go.
Q. I researched insects on snowball leaves that make them curl up tight. Didn’t find in library. Thank you. R. R. Vernal, UT
A. Leaf rollers on any plant are caterpillars. The prevention is the release of trichogramma wasps as the foliage starts to emerge in the spring. Curative measures include Bt products and spinosad products.
Q. I am new to organic yard maintenance. Last week I applied Landscape Essentials. Previously I used Scott’s Weed n Feed. I am looking for an organic replacement. I am aware of white vinegar with soap as a direct application to weeds; but I understand it will kill the lawn as well. I am looking for an application that I can spread or water on the lawn to promote growth and kill weeds. I intend to put a monthly application of Garrett Juice on the lawn and add the Landscape Essentials monthly to restore my soil. What product(s) would you recommend? J. B. San Antonio, TX
A. Sounds like a good plan. Just be sure to leave the clippings on the turf instead of catching them. You can spot spray any rouge weeds with one of the 20% vinegar sprays. The selective organic herbicide is called Agralawn Crabgrass Killer. These organic applications will neutralize the damage caused by the toxic products used in the past.
Q. I am having an issue with several of my gray cotoneasters. Some have a portion of the branches dying and others are totally brown and I presume are dead. Is this fireblight or another issue? I do not believe I have over or under watered. For those that are totally brown should I replace them or is there a chance they could come back? J. H. Richardson, TX
A. This could be fireblight or on of the fungal diseases. I would try a couple things. Apply whole ground cornmeal to the root zone at about 2 lbs. per 100 sq. ft. and then spray the plants with hydrogen peroxide. The commercial product is called BioSafe.
Q. We have a young tree that we have been caring for 2 years and are saddened to see a fungus around the base. This is the 2nd one we have planted in a 5 year period and the other one died the first year. I was reading that hydrogen peroxide can be used to treat fungus in gardens, but I also read that by the time you see the fruit, it is probably too late. Do you have any advise for me? M. H. North Richland Hills, TX
A. Fruiting bodies such as mushrooms or tree ears do indicate rot below. It may or may not be too late. You should immediately remove soil from the base of the tree to see what’s going on. Do it very carefully to avoid damaging the buried flare. Professionals do this work with a tool called the Air Spade but home owners can do the work with hand tools, leaf blowers and shop vacs. Spray the damaged area with the 3% hydrogen peroxide from the grocery store as you suggested and then apply the rest of the Sick Tree Treatment.
Q. Just found these holes drilled in rows into the bark of my apricot tree. It is in about 6 different places. Can you tell me what it is and how to treat? C. L. Dallas, TX
A. This is sapsucker (woodpecker) damage being caused by the fact that the tree is in stress. Stressed trees concentrate sugars in an attempt to help whatever the imbalance. The bird can detect the sugar concentrations and go after the sweet sap. Apply the Sick Tree Treatment starting with removing the soil from the base of the tree being the first step. Here’s more detailed information on this bird problem.
Q. Can the flowers of oaks that are falling all over the place now be used as mulch in beds or is there anything toxic about the material? G.B. Dallas
A. Not at all. The flowers make an excellent mulch that protect the soil and breathe really well. It can also be used in the compost pile, but applying directly to bare soil in beds is the best route.