More tips on our tree of the week, the Blue Palo Verde!  Learn how Saguaro Cactus uses the Blue Palo Verde to grow!

Callers:

• Mike – Planted a sissoo tree and leftover roots in the yard is shooting up suckers. Is there anything he can do to get rid of them permanently?

Recommendation – Make some additional cuts on the original stump and tree it with a contact herbicide. Unfortunately, its a tough fix.

More tips on the Blue Palo Verde and its cousin, the Foothill Palo Verde!

Caller:

• Dave – Going to trim a few Day Palm Trees and is worried about its stability.

Recommendation – If it’s too tall and susceptible to breaking and falling, it might be wise to take it down so it doesn’t damage the property or hurt someone.

Letters from Listeners:

• Stacy – Does a dogwood tree work in this area?

Recommendation – It’s doesn’t do very well in this area, but it’s possible in the right situation. It’s more of a Midwest tree.

• Dave – Put in Queen Palms years ago and they wouldn’t grow very well, so he replanted a few new ones and they’re struggling too.

Recommendation – Queen Palms struggle here. They can do well for about 8 years and then usually start dying. Call an arborist and make sure you’re soil and immediate climate is okay.

• Sue – Has a Blue Palo Verde and it’s doing great, but the trunk has a lot of scaling and she has suckers all over her yard. Needs tips on treating it.

Recommendation – Scales might just be a product of sun exposure. The suckers are actually helping the tree stay healthy. After 7 years, you can remove some of them, but leave some there to help the overall tree grow.

Callers:

• Randy – Has a Tipu Tree and it’s a messy flowering time. Is this normal?

Recommendation – Yes, it’s normal and messy, but it should only last a few weeks. Hopefully Randy has some kids to help him clean up the mess!

• Sherry – Has a new fig tree. How much to water and how long?

Recommendation – Hard to know without seeing her yard and the tree itself. Just remember that the entire root ball should get soaked. Always let it completely dry out too so it doesn’t start growing diseases, etc.