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Questions on this page Question.I am trying to identify a tree or bush. It has leaves similar to holly but the leaves are more flat than holly and right now it has clusters of blue berry-like things on stems near the top of the bush/tree. We are not sure if it is a wild bush or a shrubbery that had been planted in the woods by birds, etc. Do you have any suggestions where we can see pictures to compare it with? We are curious as to what the name of it is. ANSWER.Yes I think I can identify this shrub for you. It is called "Mahonia aquifolium" or Oregon Grape. In late spring it produces clusters of bright yellow flowers which are highly perfumed. Following the blooms, small blue berries are produced which can be used to make into jelly. The leaves, (see photo below), are leathery in texture and shaped like a holly leaf but with a finer cut. In colder climates, these leaves will be tinged with red or become red after several frosts and are quite decorative at Christmas. As well, in colder climates, following the red stage, the leaves become bronze but will leaf out into green again in spring. To prevent the bronze colour, the shrub should be wrapped for winter. It is a shrub which prefers a semi-shaded location, an east or north eastern exposure would be fine. I don't know which variety you have, but the dwarf variety grows only to about one foot in height. The others will grow to 8 or 10 feet in about six years with a four to five foot spread so it needs lots of space.  Question:I had an asphalt driveway replaced with a slightly different design. The contractor left about a 5'x8' section of old driveway and indicated that I could just seed over it. I have never been able to get grass (or sod) to grow in that spot. Can you suggest something that would grow? Thank you!! - Massachusetts, May 4, 2004 Answer:Driveway contractors are not horticulturists and should not be giving advice in an area where they have no expertise. Unfortunately the asphalt will need to be removed then replaced with good topsoil. The chemicals in the asphalt are toxic to plants, as well as not allowing for any drainage. The make up of the asphalt will allow the summer heat to be absorbed by the asphalt (even under a layer of soil) and burn the roots of plants, grass, whatever you place over the asphalt. Once you have removed the asphalt and replaced it with topsoil, your problem should be solved. Question:Why is my soft Maple losing sap this winter? Has never done this before. You can see it running down some of the branches. Answer:Your tree is injured. By the beginning of February the sap is slowly moving up into the tree. By the end of February the sap is flowing into the branches. Any injuries that have occured to the branches during the winter will now be visible by the appearance of sap oozing from the injury. A branch does not necessarily need to be broken to have this occur. It might be cracked, or it might now be indicating that an insect invaded the tree at some point last summer. I would suggest that you have a qualified arborist look at your tree and determine where the problem exists. Sap is the lifeblood of a tree running through its veins just as blood courses through the veins of humans. Losing too much sap and the tree weakens. For that reason Maples should not be pruned in spring. Mid-summer (late July or early August ) is the best time to prune Maple trees. There will be no bleeding at that time. The only pruning that should be done now would be whatever is necessary to repair the damage or injury that has occurred to your tree. Question:I have six white pines 4-6" diameter that have been topped at approx.16ft where they encounter a railing.They were cut to accomodate a view and have since been pruned regularly to maintain this view.What will happen if I were to stop pruning them?(how would they grow?)Thank You Answer:An unfortunate situation for you. If you were to stop pruning the pines, they would send up multiple leaders which would appear very odd. There is a chance that one of those leaders might - just might - have one which is somewhat central in which case you could prune out the rest and allow the central one to grow as a new leader. However, chances are it won't be straight. So the top of the tree would appear crooked. I would be very vigilant to ensure the tree does not become infected with White Pine Beetle in the newly cut areas. If you do attempt to create a new leader, I would suggest you have a qualified arborist do the pruning, who would then also be able to support the new leader and train it into the correct position, if that is possible.White Pines, as a rule do not take kindly to excessive hard pruning such as has been done to these. Question:When should I plant my day lily and gladiola bulbs? - Brockville, April 5, 2006 Answer:Daylilies are fairly hardy and can be planted around the end of April in your area.Gladioli, are not very hardy. You should wait until May 24th before planting these corms. If they emerge above ground and the temperatures plunge, the growth will be damaged. There is no real hurry in planting Gladioli. They can be planted as late as June 27th for a September show. Question:I have a fuschia bush and would like to know when to prune it? - WashingtonState, April 5, 2006 Answer:Depending on the climate zone you are located in, will make a difference. If you are in Zone 5, then likely the shrub dies back over winter. Prune it in early spring, before the new growth begins and the shrub will quickly send out new growth. If you are in Zone 6, then prune as soon as you see new growth beginning on the existing branches. This will encourage abundant new growth which will produce the flowers. *Privacy statement - All e-mail addresses and messages received will be held in strict confidence and will not be submitted to any third party.
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