More recent landscape questions and answers

Horticulture

Tomato tree

Have you had any experience with the so-called tomato tree?

I worked with a greenhouse operation that produced tomato tree transplants for a mail order catalog company. The greenhouse operator planted some to see how they did, just out of general interest. He was disappointed in the flavor and yield of fruit. However, the plant did grow vigorously. So if you like abundant vegetation, it is OK.

James Quinn
Regional Horticulture Specialist

Topping oaks

I have several huge oak trees that are at least 80 years old. Can they be trimmed or topped without damaging or killing the tree? I've heard if you top oak trees, they will not come back.

You heard correctly. Oaks do not respond well to topping. Pruning that leaves large stubs destroys the natural form of an oak and creates wounds that the tree can not cover quickly and easily. The tree also loses much of its potential to produce foliage during the growing season, so roots would be starved of the carbohydrates that they would have received from the leaves. The shoots that do arise from topping cuts are weakly attached and more subject to storm damage than the original branches were before topping. Pruning stubs are also attractive to a beetle that can spread oak wilt disease to some species of oaks.

Topping is harmful to trees of all species. If a tree must be reduced in size for some reason, a better approach it to cut branches back to where they attach to other branches or to the trunk. In general, the only reason why a mature tree would need to be pruned extensively would be that it interferes with power lines or that it has an unstable structure that may lead to hazard from falling branches. Otherwise, occasional removal of dead or dying branches should be all that is required. For more information on tree pruning vs topping, see G6866, Pruning and Care of Shade Trees.

Chris Starbuck
State Extension Specialist
Woody Ornamentals

Puffballs

My lawn is being invaded by puffball fungus. These fungi are dark colored all season, and appear to be growing in, rather than above, the soil. They are very tough and leathery feeling -- almost woody. They open into flat, unsightly shells, some of which are nearly the size of a dinner plate. When open, the shells appear to be above the soil, and are slightly curved. More appear each year, and of course the spores are carried everywhere. Can you recommend a strategy for eliminating them or at least minimizing them?

Based on your description of the fungus, I'm not convinced this is a true puffball in your lawn. It might be a Scleroderma species (earth ball) but we would need to see a good photo or a sample submitted to the plant diagnostic clinic to say for sure. You can see our Web site for more information on sample submission and fees.

Unfortunately, whether it is a puffball or another species there isn't a good way to control them in your lawn, other than to remove them as they appear. If it is a Scleroderma species, these fungi usually live in association with the roots of trees and shrubs (ectomycorrhizal), helping them obtain nutrients from the soil. Some puffballs live on decaying organic matter in the soil.

Simeon Wright
Plant Diagnostic Clinic Coordinator

Peanuts in the garden

I planted a row of peanuts in my garden this year. They grew but were small. I remember my grandfather growing them when I was a boy. They grew well. When should I plant peanuts? Some of the ones I grew were still trying to form. What can I do to improve the harvest?

We can grow peanuts in our area but they are not grown commercially. We do not have the soil types and climatic conditions favorable for top yields. Our clay soils are not the best for peanuts.

From what you described with the very small peanut you may have planted the Spanish peanut which is notorious for the smaller size. If you grow peanuts again, amend the soil with compost or organic matter to create better soil. Peanuts grow best in loose, well-drained soils. Do not over water. Peanuts do not like "wet feet".

We do not have peanut publications at MU, but you can search the Web. I prefer information from Midwest land grant universities.

Gaylord Moore
Horticulture Specialist

Stick of a plant

There is a plant growing near the entrance of Red Rock Conservation Area in Perry County I've never seen before. It is three- to four-feet tall and has no leaves. It's just a stick of a plant with rings of a lighter green every four to six inches like bamboo. Can you identify this plant or grass for me?

One possibility based on your description is field horsetail. See the following Web page for more information.

It can be very difficult to identify plants from a description. The MU Plant Diagnostic Clinic can identify plants and also help you with insect identification or plant disease problems.

I suggest taking some photos or collecting a sample branch and submitting them to the clinic for positive identification.

Please see the online image submission instructions to submit photos and required background information to the lab. You can also find more information about the diagnostic clinic, fees and how to submit physical samples on the clinic's Web site.

Simeon Wright
Plant Diagnostic Clinic Coordinator