Q: I have yet to prune the shrubbery in my yard. Is it better to wait until we get warmer winter weather? — Jennifer Kreps, email
A: It won't matter to the plants either way. They are about to go into deep dormancy and pruning won't harm them. Avoid pruning spring-blooming shrubs or mophead hydrangeas, though. Otherwise, grab a jacket and get to it!
Q: The crape myrtles at church were pruned way back from a bush to a tree. Now they have suckers all over the base. Is there anything I can put on the stump around the remaining trunks to prevent sprouts? — Jeromy Davis, Jefferson
A: The crape myrtle sprouts are a natural reaction from the plant after being pruned severely. If this type of pruning each year is required, you'll have lots of base sprouts. Better to let them be the shape they want to assume or consider removal.
Q: Last spring I had my yard completely resodded with Emerald zoysia. This fall I had to remove shrubs around a fire hydrant. I had the same landscaper finish the area with Emerald zoysia so it would match the rest of the yard. However, I think the last sod might not be Emerald zoysia. It is a much darker green, it hasn't grown much at all, and just has a slightly different look. — Doug Beezley, Snellville
A: You're right to be suspicious: Not all sod sold as Emerald zoysia is really the variety 'Emerald'. UGA turf expert Clint Waltz collected 16 samples of sod sold as Emerald and did a DNA analysis. He found great variability, both in their DNA profile and in their spring green-up. It's hard to assign blame: Sod merchants may believe their sod is 'Emerald' because it looks like a previous shipment, but only by observing it during spring and fall transition can differences readily be seen.
Q: I have two 15-foot tall trees that were previously crowded by bamboo. They grew at an angle in search of sunlight. Is it possible to straighten the trees with a guy wire attached to a nearby huge poplar? — Jeff Kidwell, Atlanta
A: I don't think you'll be successful. The heartwood that gives a tree trunk stiffness has areas of compression and tension that allow the tree to stand, even though it is bent. If you pull the trees upright with guy wires, they will have to grow new heartwood with new areas of compression and tension opposite to what is there now. The process could take a decade. The attachment points of your guy wires would have to be soft enough to avoid damaging any of the trunks. Try if you like, but I have my doubts.
Q: I have a large sycamore tree behind my office that is dropping its seed balls. Can I gather them and scatter the seeds in the woods behind my house to have more trees? — Mark Benson, email
A: Sycamore is sometimes called buttonwood tree, referring to the seed balls that hang from twigs. They mostly stay on the tree all winter, then fall apart in early spring, dispersing the light-weight, white, fluffy seeds inside. Collect seed balls now and spread them in a cool, dry spot. When fully dry you'll be able to crush them to pieces, revealing the true seeds. Plant them outdoors in spring.
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