Tag Archives: trees

Native Fringe Tree with Showy Spring Flowers

If you live in the Washington DC metro area, you may be seeing fringe trees blooming now — its wispy cream flowers, like an old man’s beard, swaying in the breeze. Fringe trees (Chionanthus virginicus) are native, deciduous trees that prefer full sun to part shade and moist fertile soil. Their natural habitats are damp woodlands. Fringe trees are named after their sweetly scented flowers, comprised of 4 to 6 one-inch long straps. Although fringe trees are dioecious (male and female plants), they both flower. Some produce what are called “perfect” flowers (having both male and female parts). Therefore, female flowers and perfect flowers produce fruit that resemble dark blue olives. Fringe trees belong to the olive family and the birds love the fruit. These slow growing trees mature around 15 to 20 feet and are perfect for the home as specimen trees.

 

Beware the Bradford Pear Tree!

Spring is in the air and so is the white flowering Bradford pear (Pyrus calleryana). You have probably seen tons of them in the Washington DC metro area. Right now in March, they are really pretty with so many small white flowers – like puffs of white clouds. But then you begin to see them everywhere: along the highway, in vacated lots, and in every industrial park – like weeds.

The Bradford pear was originally thought to be a sterile tree. As new cultivars were created, the cultivars were able to cross pollinate, resulting in small fruit favored by birds (thus spreading the seed). As time has gone by and the trees have matured, we have learned that they are structurally weak. They develop such a steep V-shaped branching structure, they can easily split in half.

In addition to their invasive nature and their ability to break, the white blossoms have a foul, fish-like odor. If you stand near them in full bloom, the odor is very strong! Fortunately this goes away when the blooming season is over in the spring.

Contrary to the name, there are no “pear” fruit on the tree. This is an ornamental tree, not a fruit tree. But of all the ornamental trees you can plant on your property, this is probably the worst choice. There are so many other better choices, including native trees, that you should not even consider this one. And if you just purchased a home that has been landscaped with a small Bradford pear, pull it out immediately!

Remove the Bagworms in Your Shrubs and Trees

Bagworms are common pests in the Washington DC metro area. Usually we do not see the actual worms (Thyridoptery x ephemeraeformis), we see their “homes,” which are 2-inch long “bags” they have spun from silk and plant debris. These bags are hung like small, brown ornaments on shrubs and trees. At this time of year, they are prominent and should be removed.

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Fall is a Great Time for Planting!

 

chrysanthemumsFall is a great time to plant shrubs, trees, bulbs, and hardy perennials in the DC metro area. The cooler temperatures, increased moisture, and decreased sun/heat allow the plants to settle in the ground, send out roots, and get established before winter. Continue reading

Fringe Tree: Native Tree with Showy Spring Flowers

If you live in the Washington DC metro area, you may be seeing fringe trees blooming now — its wispy cream flowers, like an old man’s beard, swaying in the breeze. Fringe trees (Chionanthus virginicus) are native, deciduous trees that prefer full sun to part shade and moist fertile soil. Their natural habitats are damp woodlands. Fringe trees are named after their sweetly scented flowers, comprised of 4 to 6 one-inch long straps. Although fringe trees are dioecious (male and female plants), they both flower. Some produce what are called “perfect” flowers (having both male and female parts). Therefore, female flowers and perfect flowers produce fruit that resemble dark blue olives. Fringe trees belong to the olive family and the birds love the fruit. These slow growing trees mature around 15 to 20 feet and are perfect for the home as specimen trees.

 

Beware the Bradford Pear Tree!

Spring is in the air and so is the white flowering Bradford pear (Pyrus calleryana). You have probably seen tons of them in the Washington DC metro area. Right now in March, they are really pretty with so many small white flowers – like giant puffs of white clouds. But then you begin to see them everywhere: along the highway, in vacated lots, and in every industrial park – like weeds. The Bradford pear was originally thought to be a sterile tree. As new cultivars were created, the cultivars were able to cross pollinate, resulting in small “pears” favored by birds (thus spreading the seed). As time has gone by and the trees have matured, we have learned that they are structurally weak. They develop such a steep V-shaped branching structure, they can easily split in half. Recently, I learned another reason to not plant these weeds.

Last week, when I picked up the kids from school, they complaining of a foul, fish-like odor. I said it was probably the fresh mulch the landscapers applied on the school grounds but they said no, it was the white-flowering trees at their school. I pulled down a branch and sniffed. Sure enough, it smelled like fish! I never knew that about Bradford pears – just another reason not to plant them.

Fall is a Great Time for Planting Shrubs, Trees, Bulbs, and Perennials!

Fall is Fantastic! from Prides Corner Farms

Fall is Fantastic!
from Prides Corner Farms

It’s October — time to plant shrubs, trees, bulbs, and hardy perennials. Fall is a great time to plant in our area. The cooler temperatures, increased moisture, and decreased sun/heat allow the plants to settle in the ground, send out roots, and get established. While the soil is still warm, roots continue to develop until the ground actually freezes so the plant’s energy goes into getting firmly settled in the soil, not on top growth. The plants you buy now can be planted with minimal stress to them as well as to your wallet. Many garden centers are concerned with moving their inventory, especially the container grown plants that are outside. As winter approaches, discounts increase thus increasing the possibility of finding bargains.

Visit your garden center this month to enhance your landscape, support a healthy environment, and boost your well-being! For a list of garden centers in the Northern Virginia, Maryland, and Washington DC area, view the “nurseries” tab at the top of my website, http://www.pegplant.com.

Proud Owner of Baby, Bare-Root Tree Seedlings: Cornelian Cherry and Redbud

trees

Cornelian Cherry (left) and Redbud (right) in mid-May

Those of you who visited the Leesburg Flower and Garden Festival this past April might have received free, bare-root, tree seedlings. I received a cornelian cherry (Cornus mas) from Bartlett Tree Experts and an eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis) from the Tree Commission of the Town of Leesburg. When I got home that day, I placed them in containers, watered, and placed them in the shade.  They were already stressed, a little dried out, and being rootless, they had no mechanism to take up water. I watered about every other day and then of course it rained so much there was no need but gradually the trees develop roots and leaves emerged. At first, I placed the pots in the shade to minimize transpiration and when I saw leaves, I put them in morning shade and afternoon sun. Now that they are leafed out and obviously functioning and surviving, I will put them in full sun. I started with containers instead of straight into the ground because to have control over water/moisture and because I did not know where to plant them at the time.

In the fall, when the temperatures have cooled but the soil is still warm, I will transplant the cornelian cherry in the front yard that is mostly sun. It will grow to about 15 to 20 feet high and wide and has the potential to spread a little by suckers so I will plant it off to the side of the property near the fence. Cornelian cherry blooms yellow flowers in March before the leaves emerge and is known for its bright red fruit, similar to cherries. These are edible but probably best in a jam which I am looking forward to making if the birds don’t beat me to it. Grown as a small tree or hedge, this member of the dogwood family does not seem to be as disease prone as flowering dogwood (Cornus florida), tolerates clay soil, and can be grown in full sun to partial shade.

redbud

Redbud blooming in April at the American Horticultural Society’s River Farm

The redbud also blooms in the spring before the leaves emerge but the flowers are very small and purple/pink. Redbud grows much bigger, up to 30 feet high and wide. The “fruit” is a long brown pod, similar to a pea pod but larger and flat. Unfortunately, I don’t have the space for this tree so I may give it to a friend.

Kudos to Bartlett Tree Experts and the Town of Leesburg Tree Commission, not only did they give away free trees but they also provided information on planting trees. Bartlett’s tag said to “choose a spot with good soil where your tree will be in the sun and have plenty of room to grow on all sides. Dig a hole as deep as the root system and wide enough to accommodate future root growth (about two feet wide). Place the seedling in the hole so that the top of the root system is even with soil level and back fill with soil from the hole. Water after planting and every other week during the warmer months.”

The Town of Leesburg Tree Commission provided a handout with instructions for the bare root and for planting a large tree. A bare-root tree seedling has to soak in water for “3 to 6 hours” then “dig a hole, wider than seems necessary, so the roots can grow outward without crowding. Remove any grass within a 3-foot circular area. To aid root growth, turn soil in an area up to 3 feet in diameter. Plant the tree at the same depth it stood in the nursery, with plenty of room for the roots. Partially fill the hole, firming the soil around the lower roots. Do not add soil amendments such as peat or bark. Do not use fertilizer, potting soil, or chemicals on your new trees.” Then shovel in remaining soil, water, and mulch, and keep the soil and mulch moist but not soggy.

So the next time someone gives you a free, bare-root seedling, pot it up and water and coddle it until it can stand on its own feet. Then research the plant to learn its cultural requirements, determine the best place in your garden, and use the sage planting advice above. Good luck!