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Ask Neal - Recent Questions

Can you safely cover tomato plants with 5-gallon buckets to protect from frost. I was told that cold air will get trapped inside and they will freeze.

Yes, you can place buckets over the plants and protect them as long as the temperature stays above 25 degrees Fahrenheit. You need to place the buckets over the plants around 3pm in the afternoon.

My backyard slopes and two large maple trees roots are exposed. Can I put dirt over the roots and about three feet out around the tree place more dirt and make flower beds around the trees?

It is not a good idea to cover roots with soil at anytime. The best solution is to cover the roots will mulch and put flower beds 15 to 20 feet away from the trunk.

I have a weeping willow tree that is about 8 years old. There are several dead branches. Should I cut these off?

Yes, you want to prune any parts that are dead. This is the case with any tree or shrub. Remove dead material anytime during the growing.

What are all the cocoons in the trees that have not budded for spring. I have seen this in the Vonore area? Thanks, Stacie Greene

Webworms are commonly seen in Wild Black Cherry Trees this time of year. They are very common around the time that the dogwoods are blooming.

Chickweed has almost taken over my yard. Can you please tell me how to get rid of this stuff. It is invading my flower beds also.

The best solution that I know is a chemical called Speedzone. This is a liquid that you mix with water and spray on the lawn. It does a good job and controls the chickweed very well.

Can wild blackberry's be transplanted? If so when, and how do you get rid of groundhog's.

They can be transplanted. They are usually planted in the early spring. Groundhogs have to be trapped.

I just had to take down a weeping willow that had busted my sewer lines. I need to replace it with another tree but want to make sure it will not affect my sewer lines again. Suggestions?

There is nothing that will not have the potential of getting roots into the sewer lines. The better species would be oak, hickory, tulip poplar, crepe myrtle, but never anymore willows or maples.

With the weather about to turn cold again Should I cover my plants that are blooming ?

Tender perennials and annuals could be covered. Azaleas and small blooming shrubs can be covered and some other small flowering shrubs. Dogwoods and other trees cannot be effectively covered. If the temperatures stay above 29 most of the blooming trees and shrubs will not be hurt much.

I have a dogwood tree at least 20 to 25 years old. It has some discolor on the bark , but it still blooms. Is there anything I can do to get it to look healthy again ?

Not really, the best thing you can do is keep it well watered and spray the trunk and major limbs with an insecticide every month during the growing season to keep down insects.

Can I plant seeds out side now?

If you are talking about summer flowers, you will need to wait until the fourth week in April.

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME OF THE YEAR TO DIVIDE MY TULIP BULBS?

You should divide them in the fall after they have completely went into dormancy.

Neal, last Spring's freeze got my Yoshino Cherry tree. It's dead at the top but I noticed new leaves at the base of the tree. Is it worth saving? If so should I cut it back?

No, you shoul plant another tree. If the sprouts are coming out at the base, it is sprouting from the rootstock which is not the native rootstock of the Yoshino cherry and will not be the same tree.

I'm confused about when to prune dogwood trees. I've often heard they are more sensitive to pruning than most types of trees. Is this true and when is the most effective period for pruning? Thanks!

They are best pruned after they bloom and the leaves are fully out on the tree. Do not prune in the late winter because you cut off the the blooms for the spring and pruning in the late summer and fall could destroy blooms for the next season.

What trees are safe to plant in a pasture for horses?

Oaks would probably be my choice. Acorns can have a mild efffect on horses, but but it has to be a very extreme case of no alternative forage. Tulip poplar and or a grove of pine trees. Do not plant walnut or maples. You must keep the youn tree protected with fencing and it is not a bad idea to keep a ten foot perimeter fence around the trunk for the live of the tree.

I have been looking for some orange and white flowers to plant. We just recently built a new home and we're getting ready to do a little landscaping. Any suggestions?

In late April you could plant marigolds, daylilies, lantana, and certain zinnia for orange. You could also plant white petunia, impatients, new guinea impatients, begonia, white gomphrenia.