Ask Neal - Recent Questions

My mother just bought a house with a large magnolia tree that hangs over the driveway. When and how do you trim it?
You can prune them about anytime. Ideally I would prune in the late winter, however if it is crowding the driveway I would prune those limbs back now.
Submitted by: Jane , South Knox Co.
Last week, we had sod put in and wanted to know the best time of day to water, how many times a day and for how long. Luckily, we had lots of rain showers at first but now need to water on our own.
I would water early in the day around 7 and again midday for about an hour. I would continue this watering schedule until I saw a spirt of growth. Then I would start watering only in the morning and continue everyday for 2 weeks accept during rainy days.
Submitted by: Tracey, Knoxville
Someone told me that Crape Myrtles should not be cut down/pruned and grow taller and fuller if not pruned. Do you agree? Also, if they should be trimmed down/pruned/chopped at the top when should it be done?
For them to perform at their best do not remove any wood bigger than your little finger. If you have to remove stuff bigger than that take the whole stem out. Keep all suckers cut back at soil level.
Submitted by: Lilly, Louisville, TN
I have noticed my bradford pear and others in my neighborhood have dead leaves on them. Do these trees have a disease? What can I do?
We are not sure what is killing the leaves. We think it could be a bacterial disease called fire blight. We also see rust disease on the fruit and leaves, but it does not usually turn the leaves black.
Submitted by: Lisa , Knoxville
My chrysthamums are trying to come up but there are boxelder bugs (adults and nymphs)on them. I haven't see any growth in a few weeks. I want rid of these bugs so I can have beautiful mums in the fall. What can I use to kill them??
You can use any basic insecticide to control them. Even soapy water or insecticidal soaps will kill them very effectively.
Submitted by: Suzanne, Jefferson City
Clematis Vine/Plant. But like last year at the same time, the leaves are developing large dark spots. The leaves then turn black and die. Can this be fixed ? How?
It could have wilt or one of the other many leaf spotting organisms that attack this plant. The most serious is a disease simply called wilt. The leaves and stem blacken and rot. This disease can be help by removing leaf diseased leave tissue and disgarding it. Spraying with a sulfur based fungicide.
Submitted by: Bill Koch, Loudon TN
The drought really hurt our crape myrtles 2 years ago and we never got around to pruning them. Is it too late? I know can be cut out but what about all the little ones around the bottom? Do you recommend cutting all the branches off to one height say 6 feet and if so, when do you do that?
Prune any dead material out. Do not prune them to a certain height. Remove any of the sprouts from the base that you do not want.
Submitted by: Amy, Knoxville
We have 7-8 big azaleas. They are beautiful when in bloom but need to be trimmed. When is the best time of year to trim without hurting the plants?
Trim them directly after they bloom within (six weeks). Do not remove more than one third of their height in one season.
Submitted by: Sherry, Loudon
I have a dogwood tree and the strong winds broke the top. What should I do?
You will need to prune the the broken top. Make a clean cut at a slight angle.
Submitted by: Bob williams, Spedwell,Tn
Our beautiful school garden has been taken over by wild onions! If we pull them it puts big holes in the landscaping fabric. We're afraid a weed killer will hurt all of the plants. What's the best way to get rid of them?
Roundup will be your best bet. Rather than spraying it, mix it in a bucket and use a sponge mop that you will throw away after application. dip the mop in the Roundup and gently wipe the leaves of the onions being careful not to touch the other plants.
Submitted by: Angie Daniels, Knoxville, TN
Currently I have Lava Rock in my flower beds but it doesn't hold in the moisture. I would like to remove the Lava Rock and put Pine Straw in it's place. Is that a good idea and where can I find some locally?
Yes, that would work quite well. I would recommend that for any situation.
Submitted by: Dan Prince, Knoxville
Have I waited too late to prune my nellie stephens holly? they are perfectly shaped but growing too big..???
No, you have not waited to late. Start pruning.
Submitted by: Katie McKnight, Tupelo
We've recently purchased a house with 4 or 5 mature dogwoods... each trunk measuring about 6\? in diameter. They've not been taken care of very well - when is the best time to prune?
The best time to prune is after they have bloomed and they are in full foliage.
Submitted by: Julie Tackett, Knoxville
When is the best time to prune crape myrtle and redbud trees?
Crape myrtles need to be pruned this time of year. Prune redbuds after they are at full foliage in the spring.
Submitted by: Gary, Loudon
Neal, we have several hickory trees in our yard, as well as, many other trees we love the shade they provide, but we do not like the mess of the nuts and there husks. Is there anything we can feed the Hickories so they will not fruit or at least reduce the amount of nuts they produce?
There has been some rumors floating that this can be done and it is not true. Nothing can be added to the soil or sprayed on a tree to keep it from fruiting.
Submitted by: Johann (Yo-Hann), Sevierville