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Landscape FAQ “The selection of plant material for the front and rear of my propety flows perfectly with the architecture that it surrounds.” – Milton O. Thompson, Barnes & Thornburg, LLP    |
Resources : Landscape FAQ
Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat are the dead looking patches in my lawn? A circular patch in St. Augustine or Tall Fescue could be a disease called Brown Patch. It can occur with wet weather with temperatures <80 F. It can be triggered by rainfall or excessive irrigation. Another patch type problem is chinch bug. It is associated with Saint Augustine grass and other grasses in the Carolina's. It is most noticed in sunny open areas. The links below will provide additional information on Brown Patch and Chinch Bug. TurfFiles on Brown Patch Does planting depth matter? Yes, absolutely. If the plants are installed below grade (or surface level) most plant will suffocate or drown resulting in failing health. This may take several years for the symptoms to show but could lead to plant death. In general, plants should be installed with approximately 20% of the root ball to show above grade. Plants can sink after the installation. This can be prevented by planting on a soil berm in the bottom of the planting hole. For more information on planting shrubs and trees refer to links below from North Carolina and other leading universities. Planting Techniques for Trees and Shrubs What is meant by “root girdling” and how can it be prevented or remedied? In simplest terms, root girdling is encircled roots at or below the surface of the ground often due to the constraints of the container in which it has been living that tend to strangle the plant. At the time a plant is install into a landscape, it is very important to prune the roots in order to remedy and prevent girdled roots. If steps are not taken at the time of installation, the tree will likely suffer as slow decline and premature death. It will also be susceptible to falling due when wind or storms introduce stress to its weak root system. Root girdling results in a weak support system for the tree. Trees with root girdling often lack trunk flare at the base of the tree where it enters the ground. Additional resources: Girdling Roots -- A Problem of Shade Trees Are there guidelines regarding the watering of newly installed landscape plants? Yes. Watering is vital for establishing newly planted trees and shrubs. However, over-watering is a common mistake that forces oxygen out of the soil and can lead to death of shrubs and trees. A good indication of too much water is yellowing or a reddish coloration on the foliage. It usually develops first on the inside leaves and then progresses to the outer leaves. Over watered leaves also develop a flaccid look. The leaves are not straight and turgid looking. Of course every plant is different, so it is important to find out the correct guidelines for your specific plant. Below are three websites that can give you specific knowledge about watering shrubs and trees. Watering Shrubs What can I do to prepare my landscape so that hurricane impact is minimized? Believe it or not, there are several strategies that can be employed to minimize storm damage by properly planning new landscapes and through strategy maintenance of existing landscapes. Through proper plant selection, site selection, preventative pruning and other proactive landscape maintenance, costly storm damage may be minimized. Additional resources: Damage Prevention Strategies |
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