Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, January 16, 1994 TAG: 9401170242
SECTION: HOMES PAGE: C-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: John Arbogast
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
For years, knowledgeable tree folks have said that trees should not be topped. Topping is also called "rounding over" or "hatracking" (a name that was given to describe the results when a beautiful shade tree is turned into a hatrack for giants). This practice is an extremely serious injury for a tree, which may never fully recover. Topping stimulates growth that is weakly attached to wood that might be decayed, thus producing a tree that is not as safe as it was.
According to the International Society of Arboriculture, it is possible to reduce the upper mass or "crown" of most trees, if done properly. The tree will grow back rapidly, if it doesn't die from starvation. Thus, removal might be a better alternative in cases where the tree is growing under utility lines.
The society says that tree-crown reduction requires properly JOHN ARBOGAST made cuts, is usually a last resort to tree removal, is best done in latewinter and, if it is to be done repeatedly, should be started early in the tree's life.
Q: I have enjoyed a Christmas cactus for several years and have had good blooms. The plant has grown so much, however, that it is too large to display on our coffee table where we can enjoy it most. Is it possible to prune the cactus the way you would a a shrub, or would that cause it to stop blooming? E.G., Blacksburg
A: You would be taking a chance that you'll have a year or two with few or no blooms. A Christmas cactus must be making adequate new growth in order for flowers to form on the ends of the leafy stems. You obviously have been providing the right care of bright but indirect sun in the summer and cool temperatures and full sun in the fall and winter, so you should be able to coax your plant back into annual blooming with little difficulty should you decide to prune.
A better solution would be to start anew; propagate your big plant by layering or stem cuttings.
Q: Are ashes from a wood stove beneficial or harmful to a fescue lawn? Are they acid or basic, and will they increase or decrease the growth of moss in a yard? G.H., Bedford
A: Wood ashes contain very small amounts of essential nutrients, but they work like lime at about half strength to raise the soil pH. A quantity of ashes could be detrimental to your fescue lawn if the soil pH was already at the point for optimum turf growth (upper sixes).
Application of wood ashes could help prevent regrowth of moss in the yard once it is removed - provided acidic soil was the primary reason the moss grew on the site. However, as I discussed in the Dear John of Nov. 7, 1993, there are many factors that either by themselves or in combination can cause moss growth in turf.
Send short questions about your lawn, garden, plants, or insects to Dear John, c/o the Roanoke Times & World-News, P.O. Box 2491, Roanoke, Va. 24010-2491. We need your mail, but this column can't reply to all letters. Those of wide appeal will be answered each week. Personal replies cannot be given. PLEASE DON'T SEND STAMPS, STAMPED ENVELOPES, SAMPLES, OR PICTURES.
\ Reader's control for patina: From D.C. of Smith Mountain Lake: "I'm writing in response to the recent letter from P.T. of Blacksburg. He asked for a solution to remove green patina from wood and brick. Many years ago, I had the same problem with a wooden deck that had too little sun.
"After checking many products, I was certain they would spoil the surrounding lawn and shrubs. So, I reached for the vinegar bottle! It was strictly experimental, but by mixing only one-half cup of vinegar with one gallon of warm water, I was able to scrub the deck clean in no time, using a stiff scrub brush. Change the water frequently, as it becomes very dirty in a hurry. Then hose the deck off. I can't say what it may do to bricks, for I haven't tried it. It [the vinegar] will not hurt the plants."
Gardener's checklist
Jobs for the second half of January:
Poinsettias that lose their leaves and become masses of fading color on top of bare stems at this time can be handled in one of two ways. One is reduce the amount of water given the poinsettia so that the plant can have its resting period; then, in April the rest can be ended; repot the poinsettia, cut it back to about six inches, place it in a location of bright light and the new growth cycle begins. The other choice is to discard the plant when it looks scraggly and plan to get a new one next December.
Dust the leaves of your indoor plants. Don't worry about special cleaners or waxes for the leaves. Use a soft cloth dampened with clear water.
by CNB