Q: I often see snakes sunning near my backyard creek. I don't want to harm them but I sure would like to identify them. Are there any simple guides? David Jones, Lawrenceville
A: You're likely seeing various kinds of non-poisonous water snakes but dry-land rat snakes and brown snakes could be looking for a meal by the creek. Moccasins could be hanging out there as well. The best online guide I know of is maintained by the Davidson College Herpetology Lab. See xrl.us/SNAKEID. To identify all manner of turtles, snakes and lizards I often use "Amphibians and Reptiles of Georgia" (University of Georgia Press).
Q: During a heavy rain my Leyland cypress fell over. This has happened twice before. Each time, I anchored it with rope and thought roots would grow and stabilize the tree. What else should I do? George Downs, Johns Creek
A: It's hard to get a tree to stand up strongly after being blown over. The roots on one side are pulled from the soil and those on the other side are folded and kinked as the tree comes to rest on them. A tree can regenerate roots but it may take five years of staking before it is solidly anchored again. Leyland cypress anchors well only if the roots spread 5 -- 10 feet in all directions from the trunk. The roots on your tree are so compromised that I'd deeply install a permanent anchor post one foot from the trunk and use a wide nylon strap to join the two.
Q: Several trees in my front yard that have the bark coming off. They are lush and full of leaves. I hope the trees are not sick. Gina McClenning, Nicholson
A: I've heard reports that several tree species, hickory and oak in particular, seem to be shedding bark this summer. I think this is a natural phenomenon, caused by the drought of two years ago followed by adequate rainfall last year and this. The trees are simply growing so fast that the bark is popping off. If the foliage is lush, there is nothing to worry about.
Q: I usually use 16-4-8 on my lawn but this year I can't find this fertilizer. Do you have any substitutes? Grant Bobo, email
A: Any fertilizer that is sold for lawn use should work fine when applied at label directions. But you can mix your own 16-4-8 using 45-0-0 (urea), 0-46-0 (triple superphosphate) and 0-0-60 (muriate of potash). All should be available at a garden center. You'll also need a bag of play sand. In a wheelbarrow, thoroughly mix 17 lb. of 45-0-0, 4.5 lb. of 0-46-0, 6.5 lb. of 0-0-60 and 22 lb. of sand. The result is 50 lb. of fertilizer with a ratio of 17 -- 3.5 -- 7.5. This is pretty close to the 16-4-8 you want.
Listen to Walter Reeves Saturday mornings on NewsTalk 750 WSB-AM from 6 to 10. Go to www.yoursoutherngarden.com for details on his TV show or visit his website, www.walterreeves.com .
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