Current Tree Grower’s Diary Letters
Post your letters about trees here and I’ll do my best to help you find an answer! Keep in mind that I do not reply via email. I post my responses HERE in the hopes of SHARING with people who might have similar questions.
Disclaimer: I am not a tree expert, just a novice who has been studying trees for quite some time now. If you require an expert opinion, I suggest the forums over at TreeHelp.com or the tree forum at GardenWeb.
If you leave a letter, please state in the letter where you’re writing from so that we have a general idea of your climate zone. THANKS for all your encouragement and support!
Don’t forget to let us know where you’re writing from! City, town, or even a climate zone number will help! Thanks!
Their innocence and simplicity really get... on 
My family calls me "the mamarazzi."
julie
i had a number of seedlings appear about 5 years ago that look like bradford pears. they are now established trees about 6ft tall but have yet to bloom. they also appear to have thorns. the leaves and bark look like the bradford pears in our neighbors yard. any idea of what else they might be and if they will bloom?
Ran across your website while researching some local tree’s in a nursury. I just sepnt 5 mins on your thoughtful website honoring and dignifying the lovely purple beech that was taken down.
I think its just wonderful that you documented all of this.
Wanted to let you know we are planting 3 of Purrple bbeches ( and sycamores& Pin Oakss andw willow’s) these on our mature 2 acre lot. We intend to enjoy watching them grow with our family.
All the best,
Rob
Wish I could follow those trees right along with you. Good luck!
Thanks for all the facts about the Thundercloud flowering plum tree.
Have you ever tried making jam out of the plums? It is fabulous, beautiful in color & delicious. It is best made with a cup of sugar to a cup of pitted fruit for the perfect tartness. Try making french toast with sour dough bread, and top with sour cream and Thundercloud plum jam.
At least this is one thing in their favor!
Carole
Wow, thanks for all the tips, Carole!
Hi Julie,
I was looking for info on October Glory Maples & Red Sunset Maples. You show that the October Glory has surface roots, i was wondering if the Red sunset has the same problem. I just lost my 2 Bradford Pear trees to Hurricane Irene and was looking to replace them with something different but a fast grower, we lost alot of privacy. I Thank you for any help.
Thank you.
Joelle Gigante
Long Island, NY
Hi Joelle,
My Red Sunset has surface roots just as bad as the October Glory. But I’ve had people write to me that they have red maples with no root troubles at all. So maybe do some more research to see if others are having the same issues. The Armstrong red maples in my front yard aren’t having that problem at all — eleven years in the ground here — so I would think by now we’d be seeing a problem if there was going to be one. Not very good fall color, but they have grown very fast. Started out tall and narrow (not good for privacy) but have really filled out over the last 3 or 4 years. I’d recommend them.
Thank you for your recomendation. I dont want surface roots again, my bradfords had them & it ruins the lawn. I appreciate your time.
-Joelle
I live in Wake Forest, NC. I have a red bud tree that is from as seed from one of my other trees. It is about five feet tall and I plan to transplant it in the Spring. It only has one shoot. Should I cut it to make it develop branches?
Hi Julie,
What led here is your blog about the Zelkova trees.
Last year I moved into a 1959 house near the Valley Forge National Park. There are several huge trees, a couple of them quite close to the house. I had several tree experts / landscapers eveluate them, and they could not agree on the ID of two biggies.
I yanked some leaves/flowers, and was able to easily confirm one is a Linden (Littleleaf). Your blog was the only site allowed me to confirm the other as Japanese Zelkova – so one tree expert was right (other answers I got was Elm – close, Beech – off, Cherry – way off).
I was told by the expert who correctly ID-ed the Zelkova that it is unusual to see one of that size. I surely will take my wife and Son to see these “little” Zelkovas in Metuchen, which I used to pass through everyday when I worked in Rahway and lived in South Plainfield several years back.
Thanks for an informative site that solved my little mystery.
Best,
Thomas Gan, Wayne, PA
Dear Julie:
I just happened across your web site this evening. It’s very well done.
In September of 1975 a next door neighbor asked me if I wanted to take a dogwood seedling that had emerged admidst ground ivy near her front yard bank. I was living in Terre Haute, Indiana then.
I dug up the seedling, worried that I’d kill it. I immediately planted it in my back yard. To make a long story short, it has thrived.
I’ve not kept up a diary with dimensions and growth rate as you did. I started a kind of diary but quit adding to it after several years. It is at least twenty feet tall now, however.
Now I live in Bloomington, Indiana and will be selling the house in Terre Haute, possibly this year.
I recently found a web site explaing that one could propagate dogwood trees. I spoke with a nurseryman about this, and he assured me that was true and gave me valuable tips.
Next spring I plan to take about ten cuts from the growing tips of the branches and hope that at least one will thrive so that it can continue my spiritual connection with this tree here in Bloomington.
I really never imagined that anyone else could have a spiritual connection with a tree, but it elevated my spirits to think that you do.
Best wishes,
Chuck Justice
Great story, Chuck! I have found that there are quite a very many of us who have spiritual connections with our trees. You are not alone, my friend. Good luck with the propagation plan!
Hi Julie,
I love your website! I chose 2 October Glory Maples based on your photos. I need your help, I bought large trees (15 feet tall, 2 inch diameter) and the nursery delivered and planted them. Each tree had one side with some dead limbs..I am guessing from being close together at the nursery. The leaves have brown spots on them and they are not disappearing (planted about 6 weeks???). Also How much water do you suggest? Thanks in advance!
Steve Long
PS I loved the Brady’s Tree article and photos