NEWS for North Dakotans
Agriculture Communication, North Dakota
State University
7 Morrill Hall, Fargo, ND 58105-5665
November 5, 1998
Hortiscope
Ron Smith, Extension Horticulturist
North Dakota State University
Q: Can you tell me what this is that I dug up when I was planting my fall bulbs near the trunk of a cedar tree? It seems to have a really strange smell. I'd appreciate your help with this mystery! (Orient, S.D.)
A: Strange smell indeed! What you sent me were the fruiting bodies of basidomycetes, known as basidiocorps. They are rotting fungi, which in this case are feeding on the remains of the tree trunk. This is simply a way of mother nature doing her thing—recycling!
Q: Can you tell me what is wrong with my evergreen trees? I was told to spray malathion for red spider mites, which I did, but they don't seem to be getting any better. Please advise me on how I can save my trees. (Carrington, N.D.)
A: Some type of environmental stressor is affecting these trees. With the information available, my guess would be either a high salt or sodium problem, a rising water table, or a fertilizer burn. Someone or something has changed—either cultural practices, construction, waste dumping, grade change or whatever—I can only guess. There is no pathogen present on what you sent.
Q: Enclosed I've sent what I call black grapes. Is this what they are and can we grow them in central South Dakota? Also, can bing cherries be grown here? (Midland, S.D.)
A: Assuming you don't have severe exposure problems, I would say yes to both questions. Check with a local nursery to be sure. Thanks for writing.
Q: Enclosed are leaves from a hackberry tree. Please advise us of what type of pest we are dealing with, and what treatment to use. (New Salem, N.D.)
A: The pest isn't worth the effort to control because you'd likely be unsuccessful. It is known as nipple-gall, caused by a small insect in the early spring. The damage is only cosmetic, not destructive.
Q: I have a shrub growing wild and I am wondering if it is OK to eat the berries? It looks like a chokecherry bush, the one difference is that it stays green long into the fall, and it has dark blue-black berries that stay on the branch late also. (McVille, N.D.)
A: It seems to me that you have common buckthorn growing—known botanically as Rhamnus cathartica. As the species name implies, it is quite laxative to humans, so don't make pies out of it! Thanks for writing.
Q: Is it possible to cut raspberry bushes back in the spring before they get too tall and start blossoming? I don't want to disturb the bearing, but they keep getting too tall. (Jamestown, N.D.)
A: No problem! In fact, with my patch in upstate New York that was the standard operating procedure. Generally, I'd suggest a cutback at about 4 feet, or breast height, definately before leaf out or blooming. This will make them easier to harvest.
Q: I have this weed spreading in my lawn very fast, and I would like to know what it is and how to get rid of it? (Freeman, S.D.)
A: Your sample, which was in a zip-loc bag with water, was half-rotted, but it appeared to be a type of yarrow that is quite aggressive. I'd suggest applications of a 3-way herbicide compound like Trimec. It may need repeat applications to get effective control.
Q: Can you tell me what kind of flower this is, and whether it is an annual or perennial? (Jud, N.D.)
A: Sorry, but with the condition the sample arrived in, I was unable to ID. Send anything next year when it is in flower (or a photo).
Q: Could you please identify the enclosed weed and tell me what to spray to get rid of it? I also would like to know what to spray to get rid of the grass in my strawberry patch. (Erie, N.D.)
A: The sample you sent in was purslane, a prolific seed-producing annual that is best controlled with a preemergence herbicide like DEPA. Or, you can give up and cultivate it as a salad green.
If the quack grass is especially bad, you may want to dig it up and begin again. Refer to the extension publication "Weed Control in North Dakota Lawns" (H-1009).
Q: Can you identify this weed that is growing in a shelter belt? Is there a spray that I could use to get rid of it? (Clark, S.D.)
A: Your sample appeared to be Western Brackenfern (Pteridium aquilinum.) This is not an overly aggressive plant, but it is poisonous to livestock. Eliminate it with applications of Roundup.
Q: How do you get rid of pocket gophers making these mounds of dirt in your yard? They are all over my yard and are really making a big mess. (Fingal, N.D.)
A: Gophers can be controlled by exclusion, trapping, flooding, or with poison. If it truly is gophers that are causing the damage, then the mound should be fan shaped, with an offset plug and an indentation in its circumference.
I suppose the best way to get rid of pocket gophers is by trapping. This involves locating the main tunnel about 8 to10 inches from the plugged end of the mound. This could be anywhere from 4 to 18 inches deep, and can be detected when a probe suddenly drops 2 to 3 inches. Open the tunnel with a shovel, and place a couple of traps attached to a stake via a string. Plug the shovel-dug hole. Then go over to the gopher plug and remove it, and place a trap there. Be sure all three traps are securely tied to the stake with a strong twine.
If you don't have a gopher in three days pull the traps and reset in another location. Be sure to wear gloves when handling the traps to prevent contamination from human scents. Good luck!
Q: Can you please identify the two weeds that I have enclosed? (Aberdeen, S.D.)
A: Thank you for the excellent samples of two well-known weeds: rough cinquefoil (Potentilla norvegica) and Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japomica)—the vine.
The plants are usually established by birds feeding on the fruit and passing seeds through their digestive systems. The cinquefoil is easily controlled; the honeysuckle may not be if it gets out of control with its rampant growth.
Q: I'm having a problem with some cats using my garden as a litterbox. Can you tell me how to make them stop? (e-mail)
A: I suggest a "cat garden" of catnip. They will be drawn to that like a magnet and should leave your other garden alone. I know of no nontoxic material that can be used to keep cats out of a well-tended garden. Perhaps one of my readers will be able to come up with something. If they do, I'll let you know.
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Source: Ron Smith (701) 231-8161 ronsmith@ndsuext.nodak.edu
Editor: Dean Hulse (701) 231-6136