Protocol here on the KT
11 years ago
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Protocol on shading neighbors
Comments (8)I agree with Treeguy, asking would be a good idea if you anticipate the tree's mature canopy reaching into your neighbor's yard, but especially if you are wanting to plant it reasonably close to the property line. I would never plant a tree very near a property line without asking, but, the further back I planted, the less obligated I would feel about asking. In 50 years, what's the chances of your neighbor even being there? The shape of your tree will also be a positive. A tree that was going to weep down into his yard would potentially be more annoying. I wish all neighbors were as thoughtful as you when planting trees! These days, it's extremely common for neighbors to have issues because of trees infringing on their yards and various pruning issues related to trees and shrubs straddling boundaries. I've read way too many complaints on this very forum to think that everyone values shade over light for their garden or nice green lawn....See Morepruning protocol
Comments (13)If 'careful with watering' means watering in measured sips to avoid over-saturating the soil, you trade one issue for another. Watering in sips ensures that all the dissolved solids from fertilizers and tapwater remains in the soil. This causes a build-up of salts in the soil, and drastic skewing of the ratio of nutrients in the soil, especially if you're using a fertilizer that doesn't provide nutrients in a ratio very close to that at which the plant uses them. Let's say you're using the common 5-15-5 houseplant fertilizer. That formulation supplies roughly 13X more P than the plant wants or can use. The excess P raised the EC/TDS (salt level) of the soil unnecessarily, raises pH unnecessarily, and makes it more difficult for the plant to absorb several elements (primarily Fe [iron], but also K, Ca, Cu, Mg and Z). If you can't don't flush the soil, the problem can very quickly devastate the entire planting. Plus, when the plant grows chlorotic (yellow) from lack of several of the nutrients mentioned, but primarily iron, your tendency is to add more fertilizer to 'cure' the chlorosis, which of course only exacerbates the problem. Here is a thread that will help you deal with water-retentive soils. It takes advantage of a little science to help you minimize the amount of water heavy soils can hold. About repotting now - if you have the feeling your plants are likely to decline severely over the winter, repot now, or pot up slightly after you tease some of the roots loose if the root ball is very tight. If you don't think they will suffer any more than what's related to low light, I'd wait. Fast growth isn't necessarily to thing to pray for where your plants are concerned. Focus on good health, and particularly on good root health. If you do that, growth rates and eye appeal will pretty much take care of themselves. Al...See Morehornet nest protocol...when is it going to be safe to hang?
Comments (9)To me, watching a hornet lay down a fresh stripe of chewed wood pulp rates right up there with spiders doing their web chores every evening and cicadas emerging: it's something that takes an incredibly long time to observe but so totally engrossing that time almost seems suspended. I have always found the nests fascinating, despite the fact that they are seldom at an elevation for easy viewing. I have found four very large and complete ones in my life; the others were simply the tattered remains of those that had weathered a hard winter or caught the eye of someone less appreciative of their engineering. Two years ago I noticed a large number of hornets visiting our old wooden pumphouse, a relic of the days before we had city water and a bonanza of good building material. I tried and tried to follow each successive hornet deeper into the woods to find out where they were all headed ( I hear this is an old settler's trick for locating a bee tree)but I eventually lost them. It was not until late that winter when all the leaves were long gone that I found it, high in the top of a spindly tree---elm, I think it was. The wind had whipped the tree tops all around and the nest was slowly being peeled of its layers. Every so often a hike in that direction would turn up another section of nest. I wonder if the insects do a good job of repair when it happens ear;y in the year? I will have to check out your link, jillhudock. I suspect there might be some good reading there. I do know, however, that I did rob some creatures of a possible resource by bringing it inside: I have noticed wrens roosting in the holes of winter nests so they do provide shelter (wouldn't be surprised to find lady bugs and other overwintering creatures tucked in the crevices as well) and I will bet you my best hiking boots that those wrens, as well as woodpeckers and nuthatches and so on would do their best to get at these tasty sleepers when the snows blow and calories are scarce....See MoreI love KT group hugs - here's mine to you!!!
Comments (9)Hey OJ, put your car keys in your pocket! It's easier to hold your hand that way ;)Taking the Joyful One's hand and reaching to.........See More
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moonie_57 (8 NC)