Tree roots are not as deep as most people imagine. Most tree roots are located in the top 12 to 18 inches of soil. While tree roots are quite shallow, they often extend out into an area that is 2 to 3 times larger than the crown area…
The holes were likely created by sapsuckers. Sapsuckers, members of the woodpecker family, damage trees by drilling holes in the trunk or large branches. Sapsucker damage is very distinctive. They drill uniform, 1/4 inch holes…
There are more than 900 species and innumerable cultivars of azaleas and rhododendrons. However, only a small number perform well in Iowa. To be successful, the Iowa gardener must select cold hardy cultivars, choose suitable planting…
American holly (Ilex opaca) and English holly (Ilex aquifolium) are prized for their glossy, green leaves and brightly colored fruit. Sprigs of both hollies are often used in wreaths, centerpieces, and other Christmas…
Trees have shallow roots. The vast majority of a tree’s roots are located in the top 12 to 18 inches of soil. As the tree roots grow, some of the larger roots near the soil surface may emerge from the ground. While many individuals regard…
Cultivars of the common or French hybrid lilac (Syringa vulgaris) often do not bloom for several (five or more) years after planting. The shrubs must grow and mature before they are capable of flowering. Selecting a favorable planting…
Newly emerged tree and shrub foliage is susceptible to damage from below freezing temperatures. The new growth on many trees and shrubs can tolerate temperatures in the low 30s and upper 20s. Freeze damage is most likely when temperatures drop…
Ash trees infected with emerald ash borer (EAB) do not need to be treated or chipped when removed. If you do plan to keep the wood for campfires or fireplaces use it on your property and do not transport the wood to new locations. Any…
After digging an appropriately sized hole for the tree, carefully lower the tree into the hole. Then begin to backfill with the original soil. When the planting hole is one-half full, cut and remove all twine. Also, cut away and…
Remove suckers with a hand pruners as soon as they appear from their point of origin. Often this requires pulling a little bit of soil back to find the base and clip it off while still less than 6 to 12 inches in length. If suckers…
Carefully examine the tree for the type and extent of damage. Trees that have split trunks or suffered extensive trunk damage are no longer structurally sound and should be removed. Large trees that have lost 50 percent or more of…
Collect the pods on a redbud when the pods turn brown in fall. Remove the seeds. Redbud seeds have hard, impermeable seedcoats and dormant embryos. The seedcoats must be broken and dormancy overcome before the redbud seeds can…
Mulches, such as wood chips and shredded bark, help to conserve soil moisture and control weeds. Mulches also simplify maintenance activities around trees and shrubs and reduce the risk of mechanical damage to plant materials from errant…
Woody weeds are trees and shrubs that have woody plant tissue. They are perennial and typically classified as eudicots, although some may belong to other plant groups like gymnosperms (conifers). Examples of woody weeds include…
Home gardeners can lower their soil pH by adding sphagnum peat moss to the soil. (The pH of sphagnum peat moss generally ranges from 3.0 to 4.5.) When planting azaleas and rhododendrons, dig a wide, shallow hole. Backfill with a…
Female cicadas lay eggs on small twigs and the damage can cause some twig die-back (also called flagging). For a large tree this is not a concern, but if possible you can protect small or high value trees and shrubs.
This is a difficult question to answer because the growth rate of any plant depends on site conditions and maintenance. In most cases, the growth rate given for a particular plant is based on optimal conditions. Quite frequently, however, our…
When planting balled and burlapped and container-grown trees in well-drained soils, dig a hole that is 2 to 3 times wider than the diameter of the tree’s rootball. The depth of the hole should be 2 or 3 inches less than the height of the…
The roots of trees continue to grow until the ground freezes. If the weather is dry, continue to water newly planted trees until the soil freezes in winter. Small trees usually require watering for 1 or 2 growing seasons. It may…
The majority of roots, especially those roots that are responsible for water and nutrient uptake, are in the upper 6 to 18 inches of soil. Structural roots that radiate out from the tree and provide support and anchorage can reach a…
The key to watering newly planted balled and burlapped and container-grown trees is to keep the plant’s root ball moist for several weeks after planting. Water newly planted trees every day for 4 or 5 days and then gradually reduce the…
Fruit trees purchased from nurseries and garden centers are usually 1- to 2-year-old plants. The length of time from planting to fruit bearing varies with the species of fruit, the cultivar, and whether the tree is dwarf or standard.…
Trees are valuable assets to the home landscape. Occasionally the services of a professional arborist are needed to prune a large tree or assess the condition of a tree after a storm. For many individuals, selecting an arborist is a…
The roots of trees continue to grow until the ground freezes. If the weather is dry, continue to water the newly planted trees until the soil freezes in winter.
