Submitted by: agcomm,  Wed Nov 26 10:13:38 1997


Hortiscope
 
Ron Smith, Extension Horticulturist
North Dakota State University
 
Q.   This is a leaf from a silver lustre maple. The tree is about
     8 to 10 feet tall, just a stick with leaves on the top half!
     The nursery planted it for me and I water it a lot. Will it  
     make it through the winter? What should I do, if anything?
     (Huron, S.D.)           
 
A.   Have faith! Mother Nature works hard to help the members of
     the plant kingdom survive our sometimes clumsy efforts to
     reorganize the setting we live in. I feel confident the      
     nursery did a good job at planting and you a good job of
     post-planting care. It should pull through the winter OK. Do
     nothing more.
         
 
Q.   Would appreciate it very much if you can tell me what to do
     for my Black Hills spruce, planted in 1994, 52 inches tall,
     and if there is a good chance that it can be saved. I      
     discovered today that a rodent has dug a hole by the trunk
     and directly under it. I poured in water until it did not go
     down for some time--about eight gallons. I will pack dirt
     under it and water it well. Seems like the rodent may have
     been a gopher. There were moles nearby early in the summer,
     but no fresh runs since.           
 
     The tree has looked allright, but seemed rather sparse at
     the top. However, I do think the damage has been done quite
     recently. Have several younger tees that I carry water to    
     every week, but the bigger ones get watered less often.      
         
     Could I put Mole Tox near, but not under? Would it harm the
     roots? I do not know if the rodents are around as I never
     see any.
          
     Thank you very much for any help you can give. (Garretson,
     S.D.)           
 
A.   There is every reason your Black Hills spruce can be saved,
     as it doesn't sound like any extensive damage has taken
     place.
          
     While gophers have been known to gnaw an occasional root,
     they do not go after Black Hills spruce as part of their
     diet. There are better things to eat! Moles are primarily
     grub feeders, not root eaters, so other than the shock of
     seeing a hole at the base of the tree, little damage was
     likely done.
          
     The top thinning could be insect activity or needle cast.
     What you have done to date should help. If you feel better
     placing some rodent bait, do so. It won't hurt the tree.     
         
          
Q.   I have enclosed leaves from a Calamondin orange, one of 96
     seedlings started from the seeds of a plant I purchased.
     Please advise me about the brown edges. Only a few      
     seedlings show this and otherwise appear healthy. Thank you.
     (Jamestown, N.D.)           
 
A.   Root or salt problems. The plants showing these symptoms are
     either in anaerobic soil conditions or the fertilizer salts
     are too high. Either condition could cause this problem.     
         
          
Q.   I have learned many good tips from your column.           
 
     My problem is a 3-year-old apple tree that did not fare well
     after last winter. Some branches have leaves and some are
     dead. When would be the best time to cut out the dead      
     branches, fall or spring? It did not bear any fruit this
     year. Thank you. (Battle Lake, Minn.)
          
A.   Early spring is always the best time for deciduous tree
     pruning. The cambium is active at that time and the cuts
     would compartmentalize and heal quickly. In the fall,
     cambial activity is greatly slowed and the healing is very
     slow, which could result in winter injury.
         
          
Q.   I read your column each week and find it a great source of
     info concerning my hobby, gardening.
          
     You also were a great help to me in getting my poppy seed
     scattered about the Midwest--remember those big red 5-inch
     blooms?
          
     I harvested over two quarts of poppy seed from the patch
     shown in the picture. Do you know of anyone who wants some
     poppy seed? I am still promoting and giving away seeds      
     for this beautiful deep red, carnation type, 5-inch blossom,
     the "Alma Marie" poppy.           
 
     Thank you. (Callaway, Minn.)
          
A.   I will gladly take some more poppy seed, if you are still
     inclined to give them away. We are expanding our flower
     plantings and poppies are excellent in outcompeting the
     weeds.            
 
     You must be a very patient individual--collecting all those
     seeds! Thank you.          
          
 
Q.   Enclosed is a sample of an arborvitae that is 20 years old.
     Pictures are also enclosed. There is a certain amount of
     natural needle cast that is taking place now, but there
     seems to be something else involved with this specimen. The
     lower portion of the plant is completely void of any needles
     at all. Could it be needle and twig blight?           
 
     As usual, I would appreciate any help and/or information you
     can supply on the subject. (Sidney, Mont.)
          
A.   The major problem is crowding, causing low light and,
     therefore, defoliation. The plants have become grossly
     overgrown, burying the house. They should be removed and the
     landscape rejuvenated.
                                  ###
NDSU Agriculture Communication
Source: Ron Smith (701) 231-8161
Editor: Barry Brissman (701) 231-7866