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How does one tell the difference between a white ash and a green ash? Is there a consistent difference in the leaf scar?
Yes, the bud scar is a good ID characteristic. Green ash scars, above left, are straight and white ash scars, above right, are "U" shaped. Also, green ash never gets purple fall color like white ash.There are a few cultivars, like 'Urbanite' that appear to be hybrids and, therefore, may not cooperate on bud scars and fall color, but the two species are consistent.
Chris Starbuck
State Extension Specialist
Woody Ornamentals
The root system of a tree that is two houses down from mine puts up new little trees in my yard. If not mowed down they grow into large trees. After I cut the extra growth back and spray, a new growth will start just inches away from the original. Is there any thing to stop this excessive growth?
There is a product called "Tree Hold" that comes in a spray can. You might try that. Or, you might try treating your lawn for broadleaf weeds this fall. This may discourage the sprouts as well. You might cut the sprouts and let them grow back a couple of inches before applying the lawn weed control.
Chris Starbuck
State Extension Specialist
Woody Ornamentals
I have a 35-year-old black oak in my backyard. Its trunk is about 24 inches in diameter. It's more than 100 feet tall with a 40-foot drip line diameter. I want to raise the grade of my yard approximately three to four feet at its base. Will adding that much soil over the root system kill the tree?
I would not chance it if it were me. Changing the grade by three feet over a large percentage of the root zone of a tree is very risky, especially for an old oak.
Chris Starbuck
State Extension Specialist
Woody Ornamentals
I recently pruned the ornamental yew plants around my house and now the exposed branches on the outside of the plant are turning brown. Did I prune too severely? What can I do to reverse this?
When one prunes yews severely during midsummer, it is common for the newly exposed foliage to suffer from sunburn with the sudden change in light conditions. While your plants may look terrible for a while, when conditions moderate, you will see new shoots developing from the stems. Eventually the plants will regain a more aesthetically appealing appearance. In the meantime, you should consider helping them along by irrigating during periods of extended drought.
Chris Starbuck
State Extension Specialist
Woody Ornamentals
A soft maple tree in my yard was probably planted when my house was built more than 100 years ago. It is huge. The base is 17 feet in diameter. Is there a way to tell how old it is without cutting it down?
I think your hunch that the tree was planted when the house was built is likely true. The only way to get an exact age other than cutting the tree down would be to use an "increment borer" that pulls a core out the the trunk. This is usually not harmful to the tree, but does create some risk of introducing wood decay organisms into the trunk. You might check with your regional Missouri Department of Conservation office. They may be able to send a forester out to look at the tree and estimate the age.
Chris Starbuck
State Extension Specialist
Woody Ornamentals
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Updated 5/19/08