QUESTION: “I have a 5 foot slope that is about 45 to 60 percent in the shade. I have the hardest time getting anything to “take” there and erosion is a problem. I have tried pachysandra and vinca. The occasional dandelion does very well! What I need is something to hold the hill together.” – Mary Ruttenberg
ANSWER: From your description, it sounds to me that the slope may be quite steep. Additionally, perhaps the soil may be hard in places. With erosion, the thing that is needed is to divert or slow down the water running down the slope. This is particularly relevant when the slope is quite long, which I suspect is the case with your landscape.
At the top of the hill you may want to purchase and put in a landscape timber, usually a 2x4, about 8 to 10 foot in length, to divert the beginning of the water. Depending on the size of the area, another timber, half way down, would need to be installed. As an alternative, you can use a dry stack of rock. Till up the area or break down the soil so that you have a 3 to 4 inch base of loose soil. After that you can plant the area with any suitable ground cover that works in partial shade.
QUESTION: “I have a black walnut in my front yard, partially alive, partially dead. Someone once told me it wasn't worth anything because it has several branches, but I just talked to someone about cutting it down for me for firewood and they said it's probably worth some money... but, is it? Who do I call? I called a local cabinet maker and he wasn't interested at all. He said most likely no one with a commercial mill will be interested because it's a 'yard tree'. He said there's a high risk they might have something embedded in the wood so they're a hazard to cut. What do you think? Have any advice?” – Alexis Dugon
ANSWER: I can empathize with your dilemma! I suggest that you contact your local conservation district. Here is a link to a site you can click on to find your local representative http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/ When you speak to someone there, ask for a local forester in the area. They will come closer to giving you an accurate answer.
QUESTION: “Our arborvitae bushes are overrun with bagworms. We have treated them with insect spray. Will our arborvitae come back? Is there something we need to help this process?” – Colleen Morris
ANSWER: Bagworms are a big problem with arborvitaes. The only thing you can do is to remove the bagworms before the worm falls out. Put them in a paper bag and either burn or take as far away from your property as you can. The plants need to be sprayed along with the soil around the plants two times a year in spring and summer. Next season do the same thing. I don’t think you will ever get rid of them but you will minimize the damage.
QUESTION: “I am going to have a large arbor built across the entire width of my house. It has an eastern exposure with lots of wind and full sun until late afternoon. My big problem is spiders. I want to spend a lot of time out there but I have a big fear of spiders. I could use Virginia Creeper, Mandevilla, Wisteria or Trumpet vines of other descriptions etc. My choice would be greatly influenced by knowing of a vine that spiders do not like.” – Sally Taylor
ANSWER: Spiders are not attracted to specific plants but rather to places they can spin their webs, catch insects, eat and lay eggs. You are not necessarily providing a habitat for them. They will determine their own! Your best strategy is to plant the vines that you like and then regularly use a general purpose garden spray to keep out insects.
The Plant Man is here to help. Send your questions about trees, shrubs and landscaping to steve@landsteward.org and for resources and additional information, or to subscribe to Steve’s free e-mailed newsletter, visit www.landsteward.org
