Ask the Experts

LEANING TREE COULD BE PROBLEMATIC

Question: I have a White pine probably 45 feet tall. It has been leaning for years and the tilting has progressed more rapidly over the past couple of years. I’ve had tree companies look at it. I have a cable in it that has become tight. What should I do?

Answer: Trees that start to lean should cause concerns and more than likely need to be removed. Some trees lean naturally due to our winds. But trees that continue to lean, or if the leaning increases, usually mean there are root system issues. The tree is not properly anchored. A weather event could cause the tree to fall over. As for cables, rarely do they provide a guarantee to keep the tree erect. It is always best to err on the side of caution.

PROTECT EXPOSED ROOTS OF NEWLY PLANTED

Question: I planted several large container-grown ‘Green Gem’ boxwoods this spring. I planted the root balls about an inch high because of our clay soils. Over the course of the summer watering, the upper roots are now exposed. Will they be okay this winter?

Answer: You made the right move by planting slightly higher as planting too deeply can stress the plant. Here is a simple solution and one that probably should have been done already. Simply apply 2 to 3 inches of mulch up and around the plant to cover the exposed root ball. The mulch will help protect the roots from the elements, conserve moisture and still allow the roots to get the necessary oxygen from the soil to thrive. Mulch also helps to give a finished look to the garden and provides so many wonderful benefits.

PREVENT WINTER DESICCATION BY WATERING

Question: With the drought

should I spray my outdoor evergreens with a wilt-proof product?

Answer: A quick search on Google will pop up several companies that sell the product. They all

Mulch protects boxwood roots from winter weather. Avoid pruning tropical hibiscus while indoors. Elephant Ear varieties are not winter hardy.

say that it is wonderful and should be applied. But if you dig deeper and do an advanced search for “edu” sites you find another story. Most of the research points to the fact that these products reportedly stop or slow desiccation, but in fact they do not work. Research in some cases even points to the fact that they can be detrimental as they cover the stomata of the leaves and cause damage.

The best way to help prevent winter desiccation is to make sure the plants have good soil moisture during winter. Make sure to thoroughly water all evergreens, especially younger, establishing plants before the onset of winter and periodically if it is a dry winter. It is the lack of soil moisture that is most likely to cause the damage.

OVERWINTERING TROPICAL HIBISCUS

Question: I brought my beautiful tropical hibiscus indoors before the first frost and put it in front of a bright south facing sliding glass door. It has dropped a few leaves but still looks great. It is tall. Can I cut it back now or would it be better to wait till spring?

Answer: Hibiscus can spend the winter indoors given enough light. Expect some leaf drop as the winter drags on. As for pruning, if possible, I would wait until

it is moved back outdoors. Under higher light levels the plant will respond and develop more vigorous buds. Pruning now might encourage more straggly growth during the low light of winter. The plant is tolerant of just about any pruning style. It is best to think of the plant as a shrub and follow these concepts. Unfortunately, no matter when you prune it will delay blooms.

WHAT ARE ELEPHANT EARS

Question: A group of us were discussing Elephant Ears, the plant grown for its large showy leaves. One person said they were a caladium, and another said they were not. So, what are Elephant Ears?

Answer: The common name elephant ears can refer to several different plants. We often call any plant with large leaves elephant ears. This is the problem with common names. Botanically they are in the same family. They are in varied genuses, Alocasia and Colocasia. There are a few differences between these plants. Alocasia tends to have a shiny leaf which points upward. Colocasia usually have a dull look to the leaves and point downward. There are multiple varieties of each with various leaf colors. Neither is winter hardy in the Kansas City area and should be dug and stored.

Caladiums are in the same family as Alocasia and Colocasia but usually have more brightly colored leaves and are much smaller.

REPEATED LAWN SPOT FAIL

Question: I have a few spots in my yard where grass just won’t grow. It is in the same area every year. I have seeded several times and the grass keeps dying. Any suggestions?

Answer: Since it dies in the same spot the issue is probably more related to the soil than weather patterns or cultural practices. Disease and insects rarely hit the same area over and over. Same goes for cultural practices. My hunch is there is something buried under the soil. I would recommend that you start digging and see what you uncover. Oftentimes there is a rock or construction debris buried a few inches below the surface that prevent root development. Dig down a foot or so and see what you find in these areas. If my hunch is right remove the debris, work in some good quality compost, level off and replant. I realize this is work but so is replanting grass with the same poor results.

DENNIS PATTON Horticulture Agent

Dennis Patton is the horticulture agent for Johnson County K-State Research and Extension. For free information fact sheets, visit www.johnson.ksu.edu, or call the Extension office at 913-715-7000.