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."
Hi Julie-I am a resident of Illinois and I was researching the web for tree information to help me decide on the replacement of a 50 ft ash treee that became diseased. A very sad story…..my beautiful shaded yard is now much like a “rolling plain”. I appreciated the information on your website (how is the Linden doing-thinking of maybe planting one of my own). I did really want to tell you that ALL your photos are beautiful and you are one talented woman! Thanks again for the enjoyment of your website! Pam Young
Hi Liz,
Regarding the linden, I guess it could depend on the cultivar as to how fast it grows. Mine has grown a lot faster than I thought it would. Just remember, when it comes to trees, faster is necessarily better. The slower growing trees are the stronger ones. I love my linden tree. The yellow flowers throughout June are quite interesting. (Though some people think it’s a nuisance to have to rake in July.)
Hi. I’m really enjoying your blog! Trees are so cool
I’m writing about Linden trees. I’m looking for a nice shade tree for the NW side of my house, to shade the patio in the summer. The nursery guy suggested a Linden tree when I said I wanted something interesting, but he mentioned that they grow slowly. I’d been thinking about doing something else instead, but the success you’ve had with yours is making me change my mind again. I’m wondering how far from the house you’d recommend? We’re in Connecticut (zone 5 or 6).
Also, I think Staghorn Sumac is native. I don’t know if it’s “aggressive” but it’s not technically invasive. I love how it looks, too.
We have a japanese red maple tree. And its half dead and half alive. We think it is the disease Anthracnose. We want to know how to save the tree. Last year it bloomed and this year it has not.
HI JULIE I HAVE A QUESTION FOR YOU THAT I’M HOPING YOU CAN ANSWER-
CAN YOU EAT THE FRUIT FROM A PURPLE LEAF PLUM TREE?
dear Julie, I have’nt taken the time to read you’r blog page ! but i will when i’m unable to work in the our western PA Yard because of rain. We have two Bradford Pears planted four years ago, although we have good folidge we have yet to see any blossoms, could you please give us some guidence as to what we need to do so we have these lovely things next year to look forward to. Thank you for your time, Sue Smith
Dear Julie,
Hello. I live in Smithtown, NY(Long Island). We transplanted a Red Japanese Maple,the low growing bush kind, almost 3 yaers ago. It survived the transplant but the every year since the leaves are have turned green. Have you ever heard of this happening? Is it the soil? Is there something I can do to make the leaves red again?
Thank you for your help.
Sandy
Hi Julie,
As I’ve noted, I had planted an October Glory Maple, along with a European Hornbeam this Spring. The maple was placed about 20 feet from my front window, at the time hoping to shade the house with its’ Southern exposure. Now, my impression when viewing it from far down the road is that it’s a little too close to the house. I’d like to move have it moved 10 feet further away, where I think it will look more “bold” at a distance. It isn’t really a pressing issue though, as it still looks good. So, what I’m wondering is, should I suggest that my landscaper do this now, or bring it up next March. Is it too late in the season? Of course, it would mess up the lawn, but I don’t care.
BTW, I love the new Euro hornbeam. It’s a terrific screen of the road with nice dense leaves. I might get another next year for more screening. There’s always plenty of screening needs
Hi Julie – I am back in the land of the living, op went really well, now I`m trying to fill in the days without going mad !!I thought you might like to read one of my favourite poems, the tree names are all the Maori names which are beautiful and lyrical and probably very hard for you to pronounce – but I do want to share this with you ..
THE CHILDREN OF TANE
Kahikatea, pohutukawa, kauri
The trees of the country that I love are rooted in my heart.
The flowers and the birds have their own seperate beauty,
But the trees,ah the children of Tane, they have a place apart.
Matai, and totara, hoheria, karaka,
Their names are as sweet as the notes the throats of tuis spill.
Their names are as strong as the surge of the surf on lonely beaches.
Like the murmur of earth`s own spirit their boughs speak
when all else is still.
Miro and rimu, puriri and rewarewa,
Crowned with their rose or their crimson, or golden with honey they stand.
I would intone their names like a chant for their strength and their beauty,
They, the flesh and the blood that cover the bones of the land.
I would intone their names like a chant of a high priest, a lover,
The children of Tane that hold a place that is sacred, apart.
The flowers and the birds have their own separate beauty,
But the trees, ah the trees, are forever rooted within my heart.
Una Auld
Tane, ( Tar-nay) was believed by the ancient Maori to have fished the islands of NZ up from the Pacific ocean, he was a very strong man/God who amoung other amazing feats, clothed the land in the forest and birds.
I hope you enjoyed a glimpse of another land, so far from yours ..
Cheers my friend
Marcia
Hi Julie- I came across your website while searching for information about my purple plum tree. My front yard had this tree when I first moved here and I love it! I guess the plum seeds have allowed the tree to off shoot and grow in my front yard away from the original tree. To my despair, my fiance wants to move the offshoots to another location. They look fairly odd in the middle of the yard and are difficult to cut the grass around. We have since transplanted them to another location in the yard that needed some color. Is there anything I can do to prevent transplant shock? Or to ensure their survival? I have inserted fertilizer stakes and have been watering daily. The soil drains easily. It has only been 4 days since the move. Is there anything else I should be doing? Or something I should look for? Thanks so much!
I’m so guilty. I bought an Alaska Cedar from the nearby, big and popular nursery after being shown one by the smaller, friendly place (more of a fruit store) where I’m usually the only one on the lot and they always talk to me. I couldn’t pass up getting one much bigger (11 ft vs 7) for only $10 more. I feel like such a bad person though
Jeff in Linden
Thanks, Rich! Always nice to be called a nut!
Julie
Thanks so much for your pics of your Sunset Maple. It had a big impact on what tree we chose as our “specimen tree” in our front yard. We bought a fairly large (and expensive, but well worth it, we hope!) Sunset Maple 3″ diameter , about 11′ tall from a nursery here in our area. It took two days to dig the hole and have a 6′ wide mulch ring around it. I love looking at your pics ( I have checked it out several times, it’s sooooo cool! ) to see what it will look like in years to come. We live in SW Michigan and Maples do very well on our rural property. We have a 200 year old Maple on our back property and it’s absolutely awesome. We can send a pic if you’d like. Anyway, thanks so much, your web page was the most informative of any we looked at and we’re glad your such a tree nut. Our new tree is absolutely wonderful and thanks again…
Rich
I write for Fruit Gardener Magazine and am a contributing editor. I also am author of The Jamlady Cookbook. I love some of your photos on your tree site. I also have an MFA in art and love photography and trees. If you would consider submitting some photographs of fruit trees, we might be able to use them in some of my columns…if you might be interested. The Calif. Rare Fruit Growers is a 501c3. Nobody is paid who writes or supplies photographs for the magazine, because Fruit Gardener and CRFG is non-profit. I am a member. As a member, we receive the journal and other benefits for $30 a year. You would not have to be a member, however, to submit work. Please let me know if you are interested. This year is the year of the mango.
If you would like to talk further, I would be happy to phone you to discuss this. Please send your phone number, if interested.
Sincerely,
Bev Alfeld, aka “Jamlady”
Hi Julie,
I’m on the verge of replacing one of my arbovitaes with something called a Nootka Pendulum Cypress. It’s a perfectly good arb, in the common arb-like position at the corner of the house. I suspect my landscaper thinks I’m going crazy for moving one evergreen for another one, particularly after having him plant two trees last month, when he’s usually just doing the grass. He may be right!
Jeff in Linden