at Chanticlear gardens in St. David's PA they use the catalpa ornamentally by lopping it off at 5ft then using the resulting shoots the next season as a topiary. I think if you want a shrub you could cut off that main leader and it would sprout up like a shrub. However, you would have to keep doing this every year becuase that tree is probabaly too damaged to develop into a healthy single leader tree now.

Nickl, the article to which I posted the link does not say that spinosad is intrinsically safe for pollinators. It agrees with your comment. What it does say is that the risk can be minimized with appropriate handling, that being to spray when bees are not present; to make sure that the product has at least 3 hours to dry before bees will be present; and to use the least amount of product to do the job. I'm glad you brought that up since it gave me a chance to summarize for people who will not go to read the actual link. It is always a risk given that not everyone will go to the source for the full story. Rosefolly

Hi: I live in Northridge (San Fernando Valley) and many of my gorgeous plumerias froze this winter. What a pity! I have one frozen so bad I see no growth on it, though I left it alone hopinggggggggggg...it's just a tough stick, now! But I'm hoping maybe it will grow from the root. All the others i trimmed and wished I hadn't as this summer they have all grown back--not as large as they were a year ago, but at least I still have them. I ordered several which were "supposed to be red" which have come up white. All the plumeria which froze this winter grew leaves but not the flower. I'm hoping tomorrow they will grow flowers. I have many I would like to trade with other plumeria growers in the area. Anyone out there interested in swapping cuttings? WGCohen@earthlink.net Here is a link that might be useful: see my organic skin care

You throw rocks. At trees? I'll just back away slooooooowly, see? I'm keepin' my hands where you can see them, okay?