Q: I recently purchased a Yellow Delicious apple tree. Do I need a pollinator for it? — Don Horton, email
A: You'll get reasonably good fruit set with a single tree but better pollination will occur if you have a 'Stayman' or 'Rome Beauty' nearby. They bloom around the same time as your 'Yellow Delicious' tree. You also could choose to plant a crabapple nearby to contribute pollen. It blooms over a long period and will pollinate most apple varieties.
Q: We recently hired a landscape architect to plan our landscape. He recommended topping our big Leyland cypresses to make a tall hedge. Is that OK? — Jim O'Brien, email
A: The only reason I'm not a fan of topping Leyland cypress is that you'll have to climb a ladder every couple of years to clip out the new growth that occurs after cutting out the top. Beyond that quibble, though, topping a Leyland cypress is acceptable. It is a widespread practice in Europe.
Q: I had to remove a beautiful Davidii butterfly bush. One of the branches broke off near the root and I found borers. Is there a way to prevent borers in the replacement bush? — Carol Syracuse, Locust Grove
A: My bet is that the creatures you saw in the rotten base were termite grubs. I often see butterfly bushes that have lots of dead wood (termite food) in the center, close to the ground. The good news is that termites only eat dead wood. That means they won't harm a new shrub and there is no need to use an insecticide before planting.
Q: I have lots of leaves falling on my lawn when I plant fescue seed in the fall. They either smother the new grass or the seeds don't take root fast enough to prevent them from coming up during gentle raking. When is the best time to plant fescue if you miss the preferred fall planting time? — Bo Shurling, east Cobb
A: I think you can successfully plant fescue in mid- to late March. I'd aerate first so there are lots of holes in the soil. Scatter the seed uniformly then use the back of a leaf rake to compact the soil lightly to insure good seed to soil contact.
Q: Can you recommend an arborist that covers Rockdale County? — Walter Boyles, Conyers
A: There are so many good arborists in the metro area that I can't recommend just one. Your best bet is to go to the website of the Georgia Arborist Association (georgiaarborist.org) and search their list of professionals. When you've identified potential companies, ask to see their proof of liability insurance and their membership card from the International Society of Arborists.
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