Trees Planting, Selection and Care

About 10 years ago we planted Amur maple shrubs along the back fence in our yard for privacy. Not quite sure what to do with them now, all the foliage, is at the top and they no longer provide any privacy. Also, they have a lot of dead wood. How do we prune them to give us privacy or should we replace them with some kind of evergreen shrub?

Our autumn purple ash developed hickory nut size growths all over the tree. What are they and will it hurt the tree?

Are there any small trees or shrubs that produce berries that will attract birds to the landscape in the winter months? Also when is planting time for trees?

Most of the trees and plants on my lot were cleared away when the home was built, so there’s nothing left to attract birds or other wildlife. Can you suggest some fast-growing plants?

I want to plant a Tricolor beech in my landscape. Do you have any suggestions for making this a success?

Will butterfly bush, lilac, dogwood, or other flowering trees and shrubs grow under a black walnut tree. The tree branches are within 12 feet of the proposed planting bed.

I have a 20' river birch that was transplanted to our yard from a nursery 4 years ago. It has gotten less and less "leafy" every year - all at the top.  This year the top 25% of the tree is leafless. We've had a lot of rain this spring. The bottom 75% looks great.  What's going on? Feeding? We've done none. The soil is about 12" of topsoil then kind of sandy.

I have many large trees in my yard. I would like to add some ornamental trees or shrubs to brighten this shady portion of my northern Midwest landscape. Any suggestions?

What causes the leaves to turn colors in fall? Is it the temperature, the shorter days or lack of or too much rain?

My White Birch tree's leaves are more yellowish in color than green. Also some of the branches at the ends do not have leaves.

We have a birch tree that could be 15 years old. Last season one portion did not get leaves on it. We are wondering if we should cut the tree down and start over. Can we save the tree?

It was an especially good year for flowers here Texas. I was really taken with the blooms of the Chaste Tree. Can you tell me more about this beauty?

I have several small trees and evergreens growing in large plastic pots on my patio.  What should I do with them for the winter?

Do I bring in my crape myrtles, in one gallon pots, in for the winter or do I plant them? They are about 24-30" high and I live in zone 5.

I have a small yard but want to grow a small ornamental plant with edible fruits. Can you recommend any?

The buds on many of my trees and shrubs have started to swell earlier than normal this spring. I am worried that a cold snap will kill these plants. Will these plants grow and bloom this year?

Are evergreens supposed to be tricky to grow? Last fall I planted two small false cypress bushes in my yard (zone 5), watered them as needed, mulched and added a little soil acidifier for good measure. Despite these efforts, the evergreens are both clearly dying. I have noticed similar problems in my newly developed neighborhood. Should I give up on evergreens?

We planted quite a few shrubs and a couple of trees last fall. When should we start fertilizing and pruning? We want to keep them healthy and help them grow.

I would like to plant a windbreak this spring but have 4 special
requirements that the plants have to fit into. I would like an evergreen, something deer resistant. I know nothing is deer proof if the little guys are
hungry enough. I’d like something that doesn't need to be pruned or shaped and has a small base when full grown. The lot line is very narrow on one
side of our property.
 My Dad had an evergreen with small thorns on the branches. It had a nice
pyrimidal form. I don't have a sample of the tree to identify it
because he removed it because it was growing into the gutters and
rubbing them when the wind blew. If you can suggest something that has berries for the
wildlife that would be the bomb.
The wind blows like the dickens over our property and we would like some
privacy from the neighbors.

On a recent visit to Florida, I collected Live Oak acorns to bring home to my squirrels.  Several of them have root sprouts and I'm curious to try my hand at growing them indoors (I'm zone 5b).  Any suggestions?  I've read acorns require a chilling period before germination occurs; is this spontaneous sprouting specific to the Live Oak?

My mom's got a Magnolia tree that blooms in July. We would like to know why it does that.

How can I tell a male plant from a female plant?

Are there seedless Maple cultivars?

I'm growing a Monkey Tree in zone 5.  I summer it outdoors and move it to the basement for the winter.  Can it eventually stay outside year round? 

I purchased a Norfolk Island pine in December to use as a Christmas tree.  Can it be transplanted outdoors next spring?  What kind of care should I provide?

I have a Norfolk pine that has gotten too large for the indoors.  Can it be pruned back (height & width) or moved outside?

When is a good time to prune oak trees?

We have many large oak trees in our yard. I've heard that it isn't good to mulch the oak leaves because the acid from them kills the grass. Is this true? What can I do with the oak leaves?

I found this large fruit while hiking along the Root River Parkway in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It was the size of a grapefruit and there were lots of them lying underneath a tree. Do you know what it is?

We have a huge pine shedding lots of needles.  Is there a use for these?

I've heard mixed opinions as to whether it's okay to use pine needles as mulch. Someone told me the needles are too acidic for plant roots. This concerns me since my whole property is surrounded by pine trees.

I want to create raised beds for planting flowers around the base of several trees. How much soil should I add?

We moved into a new home last year that sits among a forest and has many trees throughout the yard. I often see pictures of flowers, like hosta, planted around the trees and I would like to do this.  I have read in your articles not to put any soil over roots or near trees as it will kill the tree.  How do other people plant around trees?

I am a new gardener and need to invest in some pruning tools. What are the best types to buy?

I have Siberian elm hedges and have been unsuccessful in getting the cuttings to grow. Do you have any suggestions?

We have several smoke trees in our yard. Only one of the trees has flowered and produced those fluffy flowers. How can we get the others to produce the “smoke”?

When is the best time to prune and transplant viburnum and a crabapple tree? They are both about six to eight years old.

I have several newly planted trees.  Should I wrap them for the winter?

I am hoping you might be able to identify a tree for me. It located in Waushara County, Wisconsin. The form and bark look like a maple, and the leaves are maple-like - and HUGE. The leaf pictured is only medium-sized... some of the larger ones are nearly a foot long. Any ideas?

While visiting St. Petersburg, Florida, I saw an umbrella tree in bloom. Does it have to be a certain age to do this? I've had one in a pot for years, but it's never flowered. 

We have a Norway maple tree located in the center of our backyard. We love the shade it gives us. However, the roots are very exposed and grass does not want to grow under it. Do you have any suggestions for us to make the area a little more aesthetically appealing?

I recently purchased a home that has wood chips around the trees and shrubs. The previous owner did not lay a weed barrier under the chips and we have grass and weeds coming through?  What product can I use to control them? Should I put weed barrier down before adding more chips?