Q: I have five mature Italian cypress trees. They are planted in a 2-foot-wide strip of earth between our driveway and a stone wall. The trees are 20 feet tall but only 2 feet wide. These trees are beautiful at the top 10 feet but are ragged and sparse from the base up to 10 feet high. What can I do to improve the bottom? Gene Wright, Athens
A: In my experience, Italian cypress trees can look magnificent for several years, but four things can cause them to visually fall off a cliff. The first is shade: These trees love sunshine, and if any needles are shaded for long, they fall off. The second is foliage humidity: The dry conditions of Italy are perfect; the humidity in Georgia is not so favorable. A wall or nearby house that breaks the flow of air will lead to excess moisture on the foliage. The third is water: Like arborvitae, Italian cypress has a shallow root system. If the roots get soggy or if they dry out, the needles on the tree at the time will be damaged. The fourth is mites: Given a head start, these creatures are uncontrollable. Be sure to check your trees for spider mite damage as high as you can reach.
Q: Is there a zoysia grass that is deep shade tolerant? Or not so much? I’m guessing “not.” Jill Connolly, Watkinsville
A: “Not” is indeed the right answer. Every grass needs at least four hours of bright sunshine or six hours of dappled sunshine. Most grow best in bright sunshine for six hours or more. Although some grass seed is promoted as a “deep shade mixture,” the mixture usually contains some portion of Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass and fine fescue along with turf-type tall fescue. In the hot days of summer, when night temperatures are above 70 degrees, fescue struggles to recover overnight. The other three decline so much that weeds easily replace them. Mulch is by far the best way to deal with a shady area.
Q: My landscaper was spraying Roundup in flower beds and then walked in my zoysia grass. I now have a dozen brown footprints in my yard. What do you feel is the best way to remedy my grass? Brad Trego, Roswell
A: I think the best thing to do is to leave the grass alone, although you could lightly spray the spots with green aerosol paint if you have a mind to. It’s not likely that the grass is dead. It will probably green up to match the rest of the lawn next spring.
Email Walter at georgiagardener@yahoo.com. Listen to his occasional garden comments on “Green and Growing with Ashley Frasca” Saturday mornings on 95.5 WSB. Visit his website, www.walterreeves.com, or join his Facebook page at bit.ly/georgiagardener for his latest tips.
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