Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, August 22, 1993 TAG: 9308230312
SECTION: HOMES PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: John Arbogast
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The urban forest includes trees in residential yards or those growing along our streets, parking lots and parks, plus those left in natural forests adjacent to homes, offices and shopping centers.
The Roanoke Extension Office frequently gets "urban forestry" questions that may range from "Why is my maple dying"? to "How do I get someone to work on my tree?" Planting, cultivation and health management of trees is naturally a key component in any urban forestry program. In addition, these other components are involved:
Creation, enhancement and protection of habitat for humans as well as other creatures (such as shade).
The monetary aspects of urban trees as well as physical items damaged by trees (such as increasing the value of homes).
Planning for the urban forest.
The psychological value of urban trees.
Inquiries and suggestions can be mailed to: Roanoke Valley Urban Forestry Council, P.O. Box 11672, Roanoke 24022. The council is sponsored by Valley Beautiful.
Q: I have two questions about my dogwoods. When is the proper time to cut lower limbs from my dogwood tree? It's a beautiful, healthy tree, but the limbs are growing in a walkway. Also, the dogwood in my front yard bloomed pretty last year, but after the blooms were gone the leaves started to curl up. The leaves came out this year but were very small. The blooms were scattered, and again the leaves are curled up. Also, I saw something like rust spots on parts of the tree but no insects. Please help me with this problem. V.L.L., Roanoke
A: Flowering is one critical factor in pruning. Dogwood pruning is usually done right after the spring flowers fade so that flower buds are not cut off at other times of the year. You may be aware that right now, small flower buds are present on the ends of some branches where, if they make it through the winter, they will open early next spring. The other factor is manufacturing and storing of foods produced by the leaves for the plant's benefit. Right now, green leaves on those lower limbs that you want to remove are still working, so cutting those branches before the food factory finishes and the sap goes down will rob the tree of part of its output for next year. Wait until this fall when the tree goes dormant to remove the lower limbs.
As for your second question, it sounds as if the tree has been stressed by something physical, not by a disease or pest. If the tree has not died yet, examine the trunk for signs of injury or deterioration. Look around to see if any nearby trees are looking abnormal. Gather all clues you can and then contact your the Roanoke Extension Office at 857-7915, or come by at 2728 Colonial Ave.
Q: Can crown vetch be pruned low after flowering? I'm trying to eliminate mowing grass on a steep bank. This landscape idea sure is working. The growth is now waist high (letter received in June). Also, should pampas grass be cut back in the fall? We have two by the lake, and they have looked great until this year when there seems to be more brown than green. The plants have never been pruned and are 4 or 5 years old. Mrs. A.J., Smith Mountain Lake
A: Crown vetch is not usually cut after it finishes flowering in late summer or at frost. Look at the many highway banks to observe how the Department of Transportation cares for this low-maintenance ground cover. The plants are usually left alone to die back to the ground after hard fall frost, at which time the grass on those slopes is the primary vegetation for the winter.
I can't recall ever seeing crown vetch that is waist high on an adult. I'm guessing that you have something else growing on your steep bank, even though crown vetch may be under there, too. Have someone locally identify the plant(s) before you take action and then be sure not to do anything that will damage the crown vetch that is supposed to be growing there.
Pampas grass needs to have the old growth cut to about a foot above the ground or lower any time after it turns brown in the fall through midwinter (prior to new blades coming up) in order to make room for the new blades. I personally like to wait to cut my pampas grass until midwinter so that I can enjoy the brown blades and the plumes waving in the breezes like a big dried arrangement.
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 stamped envelopes, samples, or pictures.
John Arbogast is the agriculture extension agent for Roanoke
by CNB