Submitted by: agcomm,  Thu Jun 26 10:38:47 1997


HORTISCOPE
 Ron Smith, Extension Horticulturist
 North Dakota State University
 
Q.   Our trees were sprayed by a specialist last fall. Could
     you tell us if the spray, snow or something else did the
     damage to the tree? Also, will the trees come back?
 
     Thank you. (Maddock, N.D.)
 
A.   It looks like typical winter damage on your arborvitae,
     commonly showing up this year. It should mostly recover
     for you and what doesn't you can simply prune out.
 
Q.   I am having to replace my ash tree and have been looking
     for a replacement. In the Gurney catalog I find something
     called "Hybrid Elm." It is supposed to be fast growing,
     up to 10 feet per year. I am wondering if this hybrid is
     suitable for North Dakota. I wonder if this may be the
     Chinese elm strain that grew fast and died off about
     three years later. I am enclosing the clipping from the
     catalog.
 
     As I mentioned the last time I wrote you, I am a little
     long in the tooth so I want shade reasonably soon for my
     screen house! I just turned 86! If you don't think the
     hybrid is OK, perhaps you have a suggestion. I read your
     column faithfully. (LaMoure, N.D.)
 
A.   While they don't give botanical names for their nursery
     stock (which irritates me), I would assume they are
     ethical enough to truly be selling a hybrid elm--likely a
     cross between Siberian and American elm. I would say go
     for it. This elm should grow fairly fast and provide you
     shade for the many birthdays you have to look forward to.
     Enjoy.
 
Q.   Enclosed you will find a small branch from my snowball
     tree. The last two years it has not bloomed. This type
     gets red berries after it has bloomed. It now gets green
     berries and they turn black. It almost looks like a
     chokecherry tree. This really got messy when they fall. I
     would appreciate any help you can offer.
 
     The bush was here when we moved in, which was 1955. It
     has always been full of flowers.
 
     Enjoy reading your garden tips. They are always helpful.
     Thank you. (Enderlin, N.D.)
 
A.   I do not know why your plant has changed, unless it has
     sprouted from the base, below a graft union, and that is
     what you are witnessing.
 
     The sample you sent in was pretty well inoculated with
     rust pustules, so there must be some oats growing
     nearby--the alternate host to this plant.
 
     By the way, I do not know what you mean by the snowball
     tree. The sample you sent was from a Rhamnus cathartica,
     common buckthorn. If you didn't plant it, the birds did!
 
Q.   I get the Steele Ozone just for your column.
 
     I planted Colorado Spruce trees in 1992. They are now
     getting 3 to 4 feet tall. They were planted 7 feet
     apart, and are starting to look close together. Should
     every other tree be removed even if the rows are 20 feet
     apart?
 
     If I get someone with a tree spade to move them, will
     they grow in virgin sod or does the ground need to be
     worked?
 
     Thank you. (Wing, N.D.)
 
A.   Thanks for writing.
 
     Yes, you can move the spruce and every other one with a
     tree spade. They will establish in grass, but I would
     suggest a killed-off area (via Round-Up or Finale) around
     each tree to cut down on moisture competition from the
     grasses. I would not advise working the soil, as the
     resulting weed invasion could be horriffic.
 
Q.   We are faithful readers of your column in the Edmore
     Herald. I migrated from Edmore about 40 years ago because
     of a couple years of crop failure due to black stem rust
     on durum. We find your column very interesting, as we
     have a garden as well as trees and shrubs.
 
     What we are wondering about are the seeds from a maple
     tree that we have had for 20 years now, purchased as a
     "Royal Red Maple." We have replanted seedlings from the
     tree and they start out with a red color, but later seem
     to turn green, so we dig them out again. Could they be
     from some other variety, or is the tree a hybrid? This
     year I have picked up some of the seeds, of which I will
     enclose a few. I suppose the seedlings we planted could
     have drifted in from elsewhere.
     
     Thank you for your consideration. (New Brighton, Minn.)
 
A.   I am always happy to hear from faithful readers like you
     and am glad to know that this cultivar of Norway Maple is
     doing well for you.
 
     I wish it came true from seed, but alas, not so. It is a
     clone, propagated asexually, so the sexual part--the
     seeds--would not produce identical individuals.
 
     Thanks anyway for the seed!
 
Do you have a gardening or houseplant question? Write to
Hortiscope, Box 5051, NDSU Extension Service, Fargo, ND 58105.
 
NDSU Agriculture Communication
Barry Brissman
Departmental Editor
(701) 231-7866
Smith: (701) 231-8161