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Ask Neal - Recent Questions

Should I remove some of the peaches on a Bonanza Patio Dwarf peach tree there are about 3 - 5 clusters of peaches in a group they are about the size of a marble. Also can you eat these peaches and is there any type of insecticide I need to spray on the tree. Thanks for your help!

Yes, you should remove some of the fruit. I would remove 1/3 of the young peaches. The fruit is edible. You will need to spray the the tree with home orchard fruit spray and immunox.

What is the \?Titan Arum\?? Is it a bulb, a seed, or what exactly? Where can I find this plant, how much would it cost, and can it survive in East Tennessee?

Arums are generally sold as a root to be planted. Finding it may be rather difficult. I would try Stanley's or Mayo's possibly or order on line. I do not know exactly what a titan arum looks like.

Can you safely cover tomato plants with 5-gallon buckets to protect from frost. I was told that cold air will get trapped inside and they will freeze.

Yes, you can place buckets over the plants and protect them as long as the temperature stays above 25 degrees Fahrenheit. You need to place the buckets over the plants around 3pm in the afternoon.

My question is do pinkeye field peas grow on a vine or a bush?

They grow on a vine.

I have a weeping willow tree that is about 2 years old. This year it has branches growing around the main trunk. The main trunk looks dead with no leaves. Do I cut off the dead part? Check this link out.

Yes, you should cut out the dead parts. If it has not produced leaves by now it will not later.

My backyard slopes and two large maple trees roots are exposed. Can I put dirt over the roots and about three feet out around the tree place more dirt and make flower beds around the trees?

It is not a good idea to cover roots with soil at anytime. The best solution is to cover the roots will mulch and put flower beds 15 to 20 feet away from the trunk.

I have two big bradford pear trees in my front yard close together, they are about 10-12 years old. I need to know when is the best time to prune them and how to prune them from the top or the bottom?

I would prune them by removing about 1/3 of the interior limbs to get rid of the wind resistance. Realize a Bradford Pear is very brittle tree and has a life of about 10-20 years tops.

I have a weeping willow tree that is about 8 years old. There are several dead branches. Should I cut these off?

Yes, you want to prune any parts that are dead. This is the case with any tree or shrub. Remove dead material anytime during the growing.

Should I build an arbor for guords to grow on or let them lay on the ground? I have heard both ways,I have bought ornamental gourds and the longneck variety of seed.

They would do best on some sort of support system. A trellis or arbor should do the trick quite nicely.

I am trying to landscape around my pool area. We have pea gravel around the concrete. What kind of bush or plants would be your recommend that would not keep my pool full of flowers and leaves?

Something low growing close to the pool, like juniper or low growing yaupon hollies. For a screen use Green Giant arborvitaes.

What are all the cocoons in the trees that have not budded for spring. I have seen this in the Vonore area? Thanks, Stacie Greene

Webworms are commonly seen in Wild Black Cherry Trees this time of year. They are very common around the time that the dogwoods are blooming.

Chickweed has almost taken over my yard. Can you please tell me how to get rid of this stuff. It is invading my flower beds also.

The best solution that I know is a chemical called Speedzone. This is a liquid that you mix with water and spray on the lawn. It does a good job and controls the chickweed very well.

Can wild blackberry's be transplanted? If so when, and how do you get rid of groundhog's.

They can be transplanted. They are usually planted in the early spring. Groundhogs have to be trapped.

I just had to take down a weeping willow that had busted my sewer lines. I need to replace it with another tree but want to make sure it will not affect my sewer lines again. Suggestions?

There is nothing that will not have the potential of getting roots into the sewer lines. The better species would be oak, hickory, tulip poplar, crepe myrtle, but never anymore willows or maples.

With the weather about to turn cold again Should I cover my plants that are blooming ?

Tender perennials and annuals could be covered. Azaleas and small blooming shrubs can be covered and some other small flowering shrubs. Dogwoods and other trees cannot be effectively covered. If the temperatures stay above 29 most of the blooming trees and shrubs will not be hurt much.