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topicquestion
Pruning Texas madrone trees from Utopia TX
August 19, 2012
I have a number of large Texas Madrone trees on my ranch in Utopia Texas. A few of them have dead limbs and I was wondering whether I should cut off the dead limbs or just leave the tree alone. I wa...
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Time for trimming oaks from Boerne TX
July 03, 2012
I want to trim a native red oak but am scared to touch it because I dont want to lose it. It is the primary source of shade in our back yard. Also I want to trim the live oaks and am surrounded with O...
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Young oak damaged by falling tree from San Diego TX
June 27, 2012
My neighbor's Palo Blanco tree was struck by lightning and fell over our fence and on to a young oak tree in our yard. We waited a few days to see if the neighbor would offer help, but he never did,...
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Making Ruellia nudiflora thicker in pot from Tucson AZ
June 25, 2012
Can Ruellia Nudiflora be propagated in the same pot as the parent plant? Can it be cut back to stimulate a denser plant? I have plants in several pots and would like to 'thicken' the plant. Tha...
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Controlling oak suckers in Austin
June 24, 2012
We have 2 live oak trees that are sprouting shoots all around the surrounding area. We would like to plant some grass and would like to remedy this first. We have mowed the shoots and still they jus...
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Trimming oaks and elms from New Braunfels TX
June 20, 2012
I would like to trim my live oaks and elm trees at the same time, if possible. I think they are American Elms. When is the best time to do this and avoid oak wilt and Dutch elm disease? Should all c...
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Decorative Trees for Scenic Bench in Fairhope IL
June 10, 2012
I am looking for a recommendation for a pair of small trees (does not grow taller than 18-20 feet) that can provide shade on either side of a stone bench. The site is in full sun, western exposure an...
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Poverty plant overgrown in Austin
June 06, 2012
We have a poverty plant that is too big for its space in our yard. We like it and want to keep it. Can it be transplanted easily? What about pruning it.
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Failure to bloom of Esperanza from Austin
June 06, 2012
I have an Esperanza plant. I've had this plant for over 5 years. Its in a large pot. The plant has NEVER bloomed. I fertilize maybe once a month and dont seem to be over watering, only when I notice ...
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Pruning a rough-leaf dogwood in spring
May 04, 2012
Is it OK to trim a rough leaf dogwood now? Should I spray after trimming? Thanks
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Trimming of penstemon after bloooming from Austin
April 30, 2012
I planted a penstemon in my backyard last fall and it's doing great. Once the flowers have bloomed, do I cut the stalk back? It is about 2 ft tall and doesn't appear to be doing anything. I belie...
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Seeds of agave attenuata from San Diego CA
April 16, 2012
After the agave attenuata bloom dried up there are seeds like thing hanging on the foxtail; do I leave it until it dies or do I chop that down. Are those seeds for propagation. The leaves of the plan...
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Red oaks that didn't drop leaves in Austin
April 04, 2012
I have a number of Red Oaks on land that did not drop leaves this past fall. Now these same trees seem to be dead? It seems there's some type of mold/fungus on the trees. Some trees have small patche...
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Flowers for days on end in California
March 30, 2012
What are some plants or flowers that I can grow "all-year" in California?
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Is a yucca going to have a stalk from Sylvania OH
March 15, 2012
Hi, I was wondering if the stalk on a yucca plant grows back every year after it is cut off? How to tell if it is going to have a stalk because some of my yucca's do not have one? Thank you for your ...
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pruning crape myrtle (ugh, non-native)
March 05, 2012
We would like to plant a Dynamite Crape myrtle in front of our front window. They grow 20' to 30'. Can I trim it each year to about 15' to 20'? Should we plant it approximately 5 feet from the ...
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Pruning Agarita in the Winter
February 18, 2012
I recently came upon a small grouping of agarita plants that had been somewhat choked by cedar. Having removed the cedar I noticed there were quite a lot of dead branches within the shrubs. Would Fe...
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Trimming of Flame acanthus from Bastrop TX
February 17, 2012
My flame acanthus never lost leaves off the bottom tier of branches this winter. With the brief warm weather and rain we've had, the top and middle tier of branches have all re-leafed. It is very l...
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Roots in foundation of home in Audubon NJ
February 17, 2012
I live in an old house (almost 90 years old), and within the past year I have noticed in one area the concrete basement floor breaking. Today I finally made time to investigate. In these old houses ...
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Removal of non-native invasive Ligustrum japonica from Austin
February 14, 2012
I bought a house that I am slowly turning into a native garden, but as a teacher, I have a really small budget. One entire border of my backyard (30 feet) was planted with evil Ligustrum japonica. I l...
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When to prune Texas Coral Honeysuckle in Iredell, TX?
January 31, 2012
When can I prune Texas coral honeysuckle? It needs to be pruned so that it will fill out. Also, how much do I prune it? Thank you,
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Care for indoor ivy from Carollton TX
January 26, 2012
I have an indoor ivy that is on a pole. The pole is breaking, and I need to separate the ivy from the pole with the least amount of trauma to the plant. How should I do this? Thanks!
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Controlling oak suckers in Austin
January 26, 2012
I live in Austin TX and have one particular native Oak tree in my back yard with a large bed around it. I don't plan on planting anything else in the bed since it is already nicely landscaped along ...
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Questions about care and pruning of Mexican Plum and Mountain Laurel in Austin, TX.
January 24, 2012
I have a couple of questions regarding tree care and pruning. I have a Mexican Plum (Prunus mexicana), about 10 years old or so. I would like to prune it. Is it ok to prune now in late wi...
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Cutting back of non-native Salvia Elegans in Portland OR
December 31, 2011
I did not trim back my pineapple sage in the fall. It is now winter and the plants are bare sticks. Should I cut them back or leave them alone?
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Burning back Gulf Muhly instead of trimming from San Antonio
December 19, 2011
A few years ago I noticed that the Center burned back its Gulf Muhly rather than cutting it back. Did that study result in any conclusions or recommendations?
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Due to drought is pruning live oaks beneficial from Houston
December 07, 2011
Would it be beneficial (presuming a continued spring drought) to prune live oak trees more severely than usual this winter? I'm thinking that it might help them to have less mass to support.
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Non-native Podocarpus macrophyllus in Ft Worth TX
November 12, 2011
I know this question does not pertain to a native plant but I've spent too much time not finding an answer to my question. I have many mature Podocarpus macrophyllus bushes at my house I purchased in...
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Safe branch length of oaks in Clayton NC
November 06, 2011
I have 2 very large oak trees in my yard and I am concerned about the length of the branches over the house and driveway. Most seem larger than 4" in diameter. What is a safe length for these branc...
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Time to trim oak trees in Austin
October 29, 2011
We have several large oak trees in desperate need of a good trimming. Given that the trees have had a very stressful drought year, when would be the best time to trim them?
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Pruning tips for Texas Mountain Laurel.
October 09, 2011
Towards the end of May, I planted some Mountain Laurel seeds in pots. They are about six inches high now and starting to branch out. Do I need to trim off the leaves on the main stem below the branche...
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Sun loving plants for flower bed by the pool in Weatherford Texas
October 03, 2011
We have a 40' long x 2 1/2' wide flowerbed along our pool. It is in full sun with the pool deck across the front and a 6' privacy fence across back. Also, the level of the bed is 18" below the l...
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Replacing non-native boxwood in Austin
October 03, 2011
I have a large maze garden, possibly boxwood, originally planted in the 1950's, in Austin, Texas. About 1/3 of it has died out, probably due to drought, heat and age. Should I attempt to replant ju...
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Pruning non-native oleanders
September 28, 2011
I have an oleander that has become to "leggy". I read the pruning instructions, but where I want to prune, there are not any leaf nodes. Can I trim below at the base, or will I hurt the plant? I ...
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Sad Germanders in Johnson City Texas
September 16, 2011
I have some grey bush germanders that never seem to do well although they did at first when I planted them four years ago. They have sun and dappled shade on the south side of the house. A friend in ...
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Pruning live oak shoots from San Antonio
September 10, 2011
I am new to TX and am curious about removing suckers/water sprouts from my Live Oaks. Everything I've read about pruning Live Oaks states that you must paint ALL cuts, so I assume that all means al...
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Damage from Hurricane Irene in Burgaw, NC
August 27, 2011
We live in Burgaw, NC and have begun the clean up efforts of Hurricane Irene which has made a full grown crape myrtle lean to one side. Its a very large tree and it is not uprooted. Is there anyway ...
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Non-native Pride of Barbados from San Antonio
August 26, 2011
I have some very successful wildly blooming "Dwarf Pride of Barbados" plants growing in my xeriscape garden. Each year I cut them back to the ground. I have just purchased a new variety called "...
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Dead portions on oak tree in Hutchinson KS
August 22, 2011
I have an oak tree on the property I just moved into. One tree is healthy, the other has a dead side or almost dead. It did have some new green leaves on the dead branches but not many. What should...
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Pruning time for Lonicera sempervirens from Pflugerville TX
August 08, 2011
Dear Mr. Smarty Plants, When does the Wildflower Center prune its Lonicera sempervirens?
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How to remove plume from Yucca elephantipes in NJ?
August 02, 2011
In Manahawkin, NJ, how do we cut plume (2" diameter) off 10' Yucca elephantipes?
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Is Liatris spicata through blooming from Norman OK
July 26, 2011
We have a Liatris spicata, I thought it was done blooming (dried tops), so I cut them off. Will it come back and bloom again? What can I do?
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Cutting back perennials in PA
July 25, 2011
Can you pinch back echinacea in the spring to produce a shorter plant? I have some that get too tall and fall over.
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Tree with no invasive roots for Los Angeles
July 24, 2011
I have a large in ground planter sharing the outside wall (on south/east corner) of my house in east LA 90032. I would like to find a tree that grows quite tall (2 story building), but grows roots ver...
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Pruning smooth azalea in NJ
July 12, 2011
I have a Smooth Azalea growing in my woods. It was verified by the Master Gardeners of Burlington County New Jersey. It's 12 feet tall and lanky. Can it be trimmed in hopes of thickening up? If s...
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How to prune wild mustang grape vines.
July 11, 2011
Now that my mustang grapes are harvested. When can I trim them out of the tree top and redirect them to an arbor where I can reach them next year? The main vine is at least 3" across. The vines from...
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Pruning a non-native Hinoki cypress from Denver NC
July 08, 2011
Hi! Our painters have asked that we trim the Golden Hinoki Cypress back from the house. The tree is about 20' tall, beautiful and healthy. Since it is July and therefore, HOT! I'm wondering how t...
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Need some help with my Mexican Bush Sage in Rockport, TX.
July 07, 2011
My Mexican bush sage looks leggy,ratty and sparse. It's planted in full sun and was cut back to the ground in early spring. My soil is sand and I've watered it sparingly as we've had no rain. I'm...
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Yucca blades damaged by weedeater in Hellertown PA
July 05, 2011
Can I cut off the blades of a Yucca plant that have been eaten on the edges with a weed wacker and are very unsightly looking? Can they be cut back to the flower shaft?
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Failure to bloom of Salvia greggii from San Antonio
June 29, 2011
We bought Salvia greggii at the Wildflower Center Plant Sale three years ago and planted them in a well drained area. We cut them back early in the year as recommended at Go Native U classes. ...
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Pruning technique for Anacacho Orchid from Austin
May 18, 2011
I have an Anacacho Orchid tree that is about 8 ft tall and still young. It is doing quite well. I have never pruned it, but lately I have been considering it as some of the top branches are starting t...
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How to Prune a Mountain Laurel to make it more tree like in Hendersen, NV
April 28, 2011
How do I prune a Texas Mountain Laurel into a tree? Just bought a 15 gal. with two trunks above the crown. Was told that multiple trunks are their natural growth, which is OK. But all research call...
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Carolina Jasmine failing to turn green in Pleasant Garden NC
April 26, 2011
We planted Carolina Jasmine last year and it did great. This Spring we only have about 2-3 small green leaves beginning on the vines. We did not cut them back in the Fall. Is it time for them to be tu...
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Trimming spineless yucca in Chicago
April 05, 2011
I have a spineless yucca (indoors) which is 11 feet tall and thirty-five years old. When the yucca recently started to scrape the ceiling, I moved it away (roughly 20 feet) from the windows to an area...
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Pruning wax myrtles from Austin
March 29, 2011
I've got some wax myrtles that have grown up in the last 10 years on my property line, completely volunteer. My neighbor has begun to grumble about too much shade on his yard. I'd like to trim them ...
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How can I prune my Texas Mountain Laurels to be more tree-like?
March 24, 2011
I planted several Texas Mountain Laurels last spring and would like to train them to be more tree-like rather than shrub-like. Each is around 36" tall with 5-10 trunks coming from the ground. Where...
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Existing live oak taking over in Monahans TX
March 22, 2011
I have just purchased a home with a huge Live Oak tree in the front yard. The previous owners have over the years allowed the sucker roots to grow unchecked. The tree is shading most of the lawn (di...
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Adventitious sprouts from Live Oak in Dallas
February 26, 2011
How do I kill Holly growing in my yard? I have a Live Oak tree growing in my Bermuda grass lawn. The holly grows under the tree from the trunk extending out about 12-15 ft. It grows right in with the ...
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Cutting back perennials from Austin
February 08, 2011
When is it time to cut back native plants; salvia;copper canyon daisy; verbena, etc?
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Pruning dogwood in TX
February 02, 2011
I have a roughleaf dogwood (Cornus drummondii) sapling that I would like to keep at shrub height (~6 ft) rather than let it form a tree. Can I encourage this by cutting the main trunk, and if so, by ...
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Time to cut back Turk's Cap in Austin
January 27, 2011
I did not find my question answered in the database. My question is: When is the best time to cut back Red Turks Cap? I live in Central Austin.
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Pruning cherry laurel in January in Austin
January 07, 2011
Do trust I checked Q&A first. Can Cherry Laurel shrubs be pruned earlier than late winter in Austin? I foolishly planted 12 native Cherry Laurel standards on our suburban property line 5 years ago. I ...
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Is December a good time to prune oaks in Central Texas?
December 29, 2010
Given that we haven't had much cold weather here in central Texas (Wimberley) this season, is it a good time to trim live and Spanish oak trees (damaged limbs and low hanging branches and suckers)? ...
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Care for lantana in Katy TX
December 04, 2010
Hello. I live in Katy TX and have a number of Lantana shrubs. How and when should they be cut back?
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Need information about pruning Persimmon trees in Buda, TX.
November 29, 2010
Mr. Smarty, We have many wild persimmon trees in our yard. Some I want prune to bush size. What is the best way to prune these trees and to what extent can they be safely pruned. Thank you for shari...
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Bumelia sending up shoots in Austin
November 28, 2010
I have a bumelia that is sending up shooters everywhere in my yard. Everywhere!! I started to dig them up, but many come from deep roots and my digging seems to have encouraged the tree to send up m...
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Cutting Juncus effusus back from Bellevue WA
November 18, 2010
I read your posts about Juncus effusus and just have one follow-up question. When is the best time to cut them back to the ground - before winter or early spring? I live in the Pacific NW. I recent...
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Sprouts at base of holly in Surprise AZ
November 15, 2010
Friends have recently planted a holly tree in their front yard. They live in AZ and there is no grass (only rock) around their tree. It was planted as a fairly large tree (about 18 feet).My question i...
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Will suckering of coralberry be a problem in Homewood AL?
November 11, 2010
I am considering planting Symphoricarpos orbiculatus in the yard of the home I just purchased. I am interested in attracting wildlife to my yard and covering over a stump with a 3' diameter. My onl...
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Need advice for pruning a young Bur Oak tree in Austin, TX.
November 02, 2010
I grew a beautiful bur oak from seed, and three years later it is now taller than I am. I hate to cut anything off this tree and hurt it, but there are two branches that are rubbing together and growi...
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Need pruning advice in northern Michigan
October 27, 2010
Is it OK to prune my evergreen bushes and holly in October in northern Michigan?
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How do I prepare blackfoot daisies for winter in Austin, TX
October 19, 2010
I have blackfoot daisies in my garden that have bloomed all summer. They are cascading out of the bed onto my lawn/grass. They have been so beautiful that I hate to cut them back. How do I prepare t...
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Dead leaves on yucca in Georgetown TX
October 18, 2010
We have 2 6ft and 3 smaller soft leaf yuccas out back in a kidney shaped area with a wax myrtle and a mountain laurel. The yuccas have done great but now two of them have a large number of dead leaves...
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Winter pruning for yucca in Adrian, Michigan
October 11, 2010
Can I cut yucca plants down for winter months.
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Do yuccas die after blooming?
October 11, 2010
We have a blue yucca which was planted 2 years ago and is just now blooming with a tower of white flowers. Will the entire plant die after blooming as the century plants do? If so, is there a way to s...
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Goldenrod not blooming in Lecanto FL
September 19, 2010
My goldenrod(fireworks) grows only like a groundcover(3" tall) and does not flower. It is in full sun in my garden in Lecanto, Florida(zone 9A). What could be wrong? Thank you.
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When is the best time to trim oak trees in Driftwood TX?
September 09, 2010
When is the best time to trim oak trees?
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Blackfoot daisy declining in Austin
September 04, 2010
My Blackfoot Daisies have grown large, bushy, have bloomed well over the past two summers. Now parts of the plants are drying up, dying. Will pruning out the dead parts help the plants to survive, or ...
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Copper Canyon daisy leaves turning yellow in Spring Branch TX
September 01, 2010
My Copper Canyon daisies have grown well this year but the leaves are turning yellow. Any ideas?
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Branches of yucca being blown down in Torrance CA
August 19, 2010
I have a Yucca tree about 30 ft tall. Lately when the wind picks up in Torrance we have had about 3 branches fall out of the tree. Can you help me with this. I don't want to cut all of the branches...
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Tool for removing live oak root shoots in Gonzales TX
August 09, 2010
I've read your answer to live oak root shoots. You said to get rid of them by going 2 to 4 inches below the surface and cutting them. What tool is best for this shoot removal? I'm getting very tir...
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Removal of honeysuckle bushes from Coaldale Alberta Canada
July 30, 2010
I have 2 honeysuckle bushes that I want to get rid of. I am wondering if Honeysuckle bushes have very deep roots (are they hard to dig out?) I am 70 years old and didn't know if I'd be able to dig ...
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Best time of year to trim oak trees from Beloit WI
July 23, 2010
What is the best time of year to trim oak trees?
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How can I control underground runners from from Pride of Houston Yaupons in Austin, TX?
July 16, 2010
How can I control the underground runners from the Pride of Houston Yaupons?
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Deadheading Mexican hat to produce more blooms in Austin
July 05, 2010
I have several Mexican hat (rudbeckia) plants growing wild in my yard. Would deadheading now give them a second flush of bloom in fall?
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Runaway growth on mountain laurel in Coolidge AZ
July 01, 2010
I have 2 mountain laurels. They are thriving well. In fact one is growing way too fast. I am growing it as a tree, but the branches are in excess of 6 feet, while the trunk is only 18 or so inches. I ...
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Ash tree dying back to lower sprouts in Kempner TX
June 19, 2010
My 2 year old ash tree leaves dropped, appears dead, branches dying. New growth near base of tree. Do I cut upper trunk or remove entire tree? My other ash is doing well.
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Care for large trumpet vine in Hugo MN
June 09, 2010
I was recently given a large Trumpet vine that has been growing in the same place for the last 25 years.I have replanted it and given it a large trellis to grow on.I live in central Minnesota. My ques...
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Trimming iris leaves in Pickerington OH
June 08, 2010
I recently trimmed the stems and leaves of my iris plants in late May - I realize now this was a bit early. The leaves are still about 3-4" out of the ground. I would like to half them and move som...
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When may I remove seed heads from yuccas?
June 07, 2010
Soft tip yuccas dominate my home's landscape. When is the best time to remove the heavy seed heads after flowering? In addition to being difficult to work around, the pods seem to attract infestatio...
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Trimming back freeze damage from Anacacho orchid in Liberty Hill TX
May 17, 2010
When is it safe to trim back what I think is dead wood on my Anacacho orchid trees (that were hit hard this past winter)? Is there any harm done if I cut back living wood?
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Problems with Anacacho Orchid tree in Austin
May 17, 2010
I have an Anacacho Orchid that is about 9ft tall. It is early May and has not started to put out leaves yet on the old growth. I can't even see any noticeable buds yet. It is still alive because I ha...
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Over-trimmed junipers in Shell Beach CA
May 16, 2010
Help! My husband decided to "trim" the juniper bushes that are in front of our house that create a great private front yard. I guess he cut back into the dead wood and now nothing is regrowing. It'...
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Problems with Texas Mountain Laurel in Dallas
May 04, 2010
I have a Texas Mountain Laurel that is about 3 years old. When I bought it 2 summers ago, it was about a foot high. Now it is over 6 feet. It seems to have grown so fast that the branches can't ke...
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Cold damage to Texas wild olive tree in San Antonio
May 02, 2010
I have a Texas Olive tree that was unprotected from the 2010 cold winter here in San Antonio, TX. It is the end of April and there is no sign of growth on any of the branches. If the tree is still a...
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Failure to thrive of Texas Mountain Laurel in Austin
May 02, 2010
I have an adult (over 25 years?, 20 feet tall?) Mountain Laurel next to my house in Austin. The winter of 2009/10 it lost most of its leaves. It did bloom and leaf out this Spring--not vigorous espec...
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Can I save my century plant by cutting the flowering stalk in Austin, TX? Probably not.
April 28, 2010
Our century plant is starting to sprout it's flower (four feet). If we cut it down can we save the plant? Thank you.
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Young yaupon trunks bending in Houston
April 26, 2010
I have new yaupon in this their second summer which are bending over about half-way up their trunk, at around two feet - do I trim them or stake them?
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Correcting overgrown Savannah holly in Goldsboro NC
April 24, 2010
I have an overgrown Savannah Holly. How do I go about correcting?
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Shape of common ninebark in Canton MI
April 24, 2010
I have planted one center glow ninebark in a triangular area in between my front walk and driveway. It looks a little odd just having one plant, but I originally did this b/c of the mature plant heig...
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