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- Q.Shade - I have LOTS of oak trees, which means lots of shade. I would love to have some form of grass ...
- Q.Oak Tree Damage - I'd appreciate some advice regarding an old oak tree on my property. Growth is still vigorous, but a fair amount ...
- Q.Is It Really Scale? - Our very mature, historic oaks have bumps all over the leaves, almost pea size and brown in color. The tree ...
- Q.Killing English Ivy On Trees - We have English Ivy covering the trunks of about 6 very old and healthy Oak trees in our yard. About ...
- Q.Removing Suckers From Tree Limbs - I have lots of suckers growing off major limbs of live oaks. Some say cut them, others tell me they ...
- Q.Ground Cover - What ground cover shrubs are recommended for shaded area for front of house that faces north? What can be planted ...
- Q.Tree Rot - Several years ago I trimmed some limbs from my water oak and now there is a hole in the trunk ...
Asked by
Anonymous on
August 15, 2011Q.Shade
I have LOTS of oak trees, which means lots of shade. I would love to have some form of grass under these trees but that may not be realistic. Can you suggest a grass that will grow in southeast Texas heat and lots of shade? Alternatively, maybe a low growing ground cover? I would also love to know what variety of azaleas would thrive under my oaks. If there is an azalea I can use, can you please suggest tips for growing and blooming? Desperately seeking green!
Answered by
Nikki on
August 16, 2011
Certified ExpertA.There are lots of plants that thrive in shade. Here are some articles you may find helpful in your search: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/tgen/tips-for-growing-grass-under-a-tree.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/shgen/shade-loving-shrubs.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/shade/finding-a-shade-loving-plant.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/shade/ground-covers-for-shade.htmWas this answer useful?00
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- Asked by
Anonymous on
September 1, 2011Q.Oak Tree Damage
I'd appreciate some advice regarding an old oak tree on my property. Growth is still vigorous, but a fair amount of bark is now missing. This consists mainly of a wide wound (some eight inches) from ground to a fork some ten feet up. There's no sign of any decay but more worryingly above this is a strip of bark around sixteen/eighteen inches long curling away from one of the forks, leading down to a bigger section that seems to be slightly pulled away from the trunk. I wondered if I should attempt to secure this in some way – perhaps tape, although the weight of the bark would probably pull this away, or tacks. I'm concerned that the weight of the strip or possibly movement caused by wind might cause more bark to come away.
- Answered by
Becca062 on
September 7, 2011A.This will explain how to deal with the damage, good luck!
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/tgen/repairing-tree-bark-damage.htmWas this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Anonymous on
September 16, 2011Q.Is It Really Scale?
Our very mature, historic oaks have bumps all over the leaves, almost pea size and brown in color. The tree leaves appear to be quite wilted. Is this scale? Will we lose our beloved old oaks? If possible, how can we treat it? We have lost 9 of these old historic oaks to the Oak Wilt that swept across our state in the past 5 years. Any advice is much appreciated.
- Answered by
Nikki on
September 17, 2011
Certified ExpertA.I would recommend neem oil. It is very effective and safe for beneficial bugs as well as for humans and pets. Here is some information that may help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/pesticides/neem-oil-uses.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/scale-bug-how-to-control-plant-scale.htmWas this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Anonymous on
September 23, 2011Q.Killing English Ivy On Trees
We have English Ivy covering the trunks of about 6 very old and healthy Oak trees in our yard. About every 2 years I remove it by cutting the stem at the base and pulling the long strands off the bark. Once this is done, is there something I can get, like a spray or liquid, that can be put at the base of the tree to keep the Ivy from starting its climb again? Something that won't hurt the trees.
- Answered by
Nikki on
September 24, 2011
Certified ExpertA.Here is an article that you may find helpful: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/groundcover/english-ivy/kill-english-ivy.htm
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Anonymous on
October 6, 2011Q.Removing Suckers From Tree Limbs
I have lots of suckers growing off major limbs of live oaks. Some say cut them, others tell me they help a tree which has been troubled during hot dry summer. Who is correct?
- Answered by
Nikki on
October 7, 2011
Certified ExpertA.Suckers normally indicate that the tree is suffering from stress. It is perfectly safe to remove these suckers, though pinpointing the cause of the tree's stress and correcting it would help as well.
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
littlered on
October 23, 2011Q.Ground Cover
What ground cover shrubs are recommended for shaded area for front of house that faces north? What can be planted under large Oak trees also in same shaded area?
- Answered by
Nikki on
November 7, 2011
Certified ExpertA.This article may help with suggestions: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/shade/ground-covers-for-shade.htm
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
GATOR0316 on
November 23, 2011Q.Tree Rot
Several years ago I trimmed some limbs from my water oak and now there is a hole in the trunk and some rotten wood inside the hole. What can I do ?
- Answered by
Heather on
November 28, 2011
Certified ExpertA.Remove as much of the rot as you can, then treat the inside of the hole with a fungicide (most rot is caused by fungus). After this, cover the hole with a metal flap to keep water and animals out. Do not fill the hole in as this can cause the fungus that is causing the rot to be trapped in the hole and the hole will continue to rot.
Every 6 months or so, check under the flap for more rot. Treat the hole with fungicide at each check.
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