Your Questions
Click here to submit a question.
Ask an Arborist
From Tony in Sparks on Mar. 9
Q: Is it possible to plant and have a fig tree in this area?
A: Unfortunately, we are in a zone 5-6 with low temperatures at zero to -15 degrees. Fig trees are zone 10 trees that prefer lows of about 35 degrees. It would just get too cold here for it. However, you could try a dwarf variety; keep it in a pot so you can move it inside when it gets too cold.
This Ask An Arborist question is sponsored by Dale Carlon Consulting, LLC.
From Caitlin in Sparks on Mar. 8
Q: My council have employed a single external arborist to assess a row of figs which in the wild would be less than halfway through their lifespan. He used QTRA. It seems all risk assessment methods are open to argument. Do you have a favourite one?
A: The best resource for hazard tree evaluation is at the ISA Web site. You can download the hazard tree evaluation form from there as well as order the book “recognizing tree hazards” by Clark and Matheney. In any case be sure to use an ISA Certified Arborist, that has some experience at evaluations.
This Ask An Arborist question is sponsored by Dale Carlon Consulting, LLC.
From Laurel in Hidden Vally on Mar. 7
Q: We have a 25-year-old blue spruce next to our front lawn. This winter I’ve noticed a lot of branch tips on the ground around it, something I’ve never noticed much of before. At first I thought it was from a wind storm, but there are lot of them and there seem to be more every time I look. Should I worry? What will the branches that have lost their tips do?
A: A certain amount of shedding is to be expected this time of year, particularly with the amount of water we have received this year. However, a tree of that age may be in need of additional fertilization. I would recommend using the Ross Root Feeder with the fertilizer for evergreen trees in spring, summer and fall. Watch the branches that the tips have fallen off of for dead needles, this may be a sign of other problems. Also, check the trunk for holes and running sap, a sign of borers.
This Ask An Arborist question is sponsored by Dale Carlon Consulting, LLC.
From Pearl in Stead on Mar. 4
Q: I love the silk tree, A. julibrissin. Will it grow here well? We had a Wallus that died. We have a deck in our backyard (west) and it has a hole in it for the tree. The deck is about 1 1/2 feet off the ground, so there is air circulation. About two feet away, across a gravel walkway are rose bushes on a sprinkler system. Will any of this be bad for that type of tree? I like the dappled shade. Any other kind if the silk tree is not good here? We have a lot of wind during the summer. We live on a hill in Stead.
A: The Silk tree works in zones 6b through 9b (click here for more information on hardy zones). It can only tolerate temperatures down to 0 degrees Fahrenheit. As you know, we get colder than that very often during the winter. A tree that is very similar that does work here is called “tree of heaven,” or Ailanthus altissima. It originates in China as well and has similar leaves, but it is tolerant of any soil, and will work in part shade to full sun. In your high wind conditions you may have to stake it for a season. It does not like to be too wet, but if the rose bushes are doing well on the existing system it should do well. I would call ahead to the local nurseries for availablity, you may have to have it ordered, but most nurseries will be happy to do that.
This Ask An Arborist question is sponsored by Dale Carlon Consulting, LLC.
From Yvette in southwest Reno on Feb. 9
Q: The roots of my large oak tree are exposed, like the ground is shrinking around it. Is this harmful? What should I do?
A: You can raise the soil, but be sure not to put soil too high up the trunk. Install six two-gallon per hour emitters along the dripline and this will help keep the soil from receding. Soil should be no higher than where the roots and trunk meet. You should also be sure to deep root feed large trees like this, to ensure water is getting to the roots.
This Ask An Arborist question is sponsored by Dale Carlon Consulting, LLC.
From Anonymous in southwest Reno on Feb. 3
Q: My cherry tree seems sick. It has dead branches with sap leaking from them. Is it infested? Can it be saved?
A: That sounds like it may be infested with aphids, which is common in cherry trees. Deep root feeding would be very helpful in the spring, summer and fall. Dead branches should be removed in the spring. Click here for more information on pruning. Spray the remaining branches with a dormant oil to prevent aphid infestation in the future.
This Ask An Arborist question is sponsored by Dale Carlon Consulting, LLC.
From Sally in Lemon Valley on Jan. 20:
Q: My tree’s roots are protruding through the ground. Is this bad for the tree and can I stop it?
A: It can be bad for your trees because the roots are now exposed to the sun and scald where they normally wouldn’t be. To help redirect your roots back into the ground, use a root feeder in the spring, summer and fall. In addition to getting nutrients directly to the roots, this can help to aerate and break up the soil, creating an easier path downward for the tree’s roots.
This Ask An Arborist question is sponsored by Dale Carlon Consulting, LLC.
From Milan and Monica in Reno on Jan. 2:
Q: We’d like to plant our Christmas tree in our yard, to replace a sickly pine with dying roots. How do we do that?
A: Similar to transplanting a tree, when planting a container tree like Christmas trees, be sure to plant it so that soil level on root ball is level with the turf. Break up the surrounding soil to promote root growth and fill the hole with water to eliminate air pockets. For more information on planting, check out our Tree Topic paper.
This Ask an Arborist question is sponsored by Dale Carlon Consulting, LLC.
From Billy in Reno on Nov. 22:
Q: My favorite tree in the world is a Chinese elm. I see a few mature ones around town like over on Plumb, but not many. Are they good to grow here?
A: The Chinese elm isn’t the best tree for the area, as this tree does better in warmer climates where it tends to keep it leaves all season. We have just a few Chinese elms around, which is often confused with the Siberian elm. This species however, is slated for tree list removal and shouldn’t be planted here due to elm leaf beetle problems and super invasive root systems. American elm is prohibited from planting in the public right-of-way for the same reasons as Siberian Elm. The closest alternative on our tree list is Common hackberry. It has a similar vase shape, but does not get as tall as elms in our area. Hackberry is also very drought tolerant.
This Ask an Arborist question is sponsored by:
Steve Churchillo, a certified arborist with City of Reno.
Do you think you need to hire a certified arborist? Click here for a list of our partner arborists.