Updated: 11/5/2009 5:35:39 PM
Stacy from Russellville asked: My father lives in what once was a pine thicket 30 years ago. When he built his house, he thinned 1/2 the pines out leaving the hardwood trees. The pine beetle infestation destroyed most of the remaining pines a few years ago. Now his oak trees are dying. Any ideas as to why?
Neal's Answer: Yes, I have an idea that might explain this sudden loss of oaks. Drought years have a real significant effect on red oaks particularly, but other hardwoods as well. Oaks reach basic maturity at the age of 50 or so. They do not respond well to severe swings in moisture. The 3 previous drought years stressed those trees terribly. The water movement through a tree is caused by pressure produced when water is transpired through leaves causing a pulling action which will pull water from the roots through vessels. In dry condition extreme vacuum can occur in these vessels as water resources become limited which can lead to break in the water column in the vessel. When that happens the vessel is no longer active and will not return to function in the future. Enough of these die and the tree begins to die, because when the moisture returns it cannot use it.
Lenoir City resident asked: When is it considered too late in the year to over seed a fescue lawn in east Tennessee?
Neal's Answer: October is the last month; UT recommends seeding a lawn. However, this is weather dependent. We have seen great results as late as December. It just becomes more difficult as we get later in the fall. What does this means? If I had a lawn that is over 50% weeds, I would over seed in November.
Dale from Greenback asked: I have several Wiegela bushes that didn't bloom very well this year & looked dead in lots of places. Are they supposed to be pruned each year, if so how much?
Neal's Answer: If the wiegelas are older, they may need to be pruned back to 3 - 4 inches above the soil surface. This will allow them to re-grow new vibrant shoots. They also require full sun. This can be a problem as the landscape matures. They can become to shaded by trees and shrubs. They do not need to be pruned severely every year.
Neal Denton is Director and Extension Agent at UT for the University of Tennessee.
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Director and Extension Agent
UT TSU Extension Knox County
