Ginkgo or Maidenhair Tree
This is a rather unique and unusual tree that should be planted more in our urban soils.
The scientific name is Ginkgo biloba. It is a deciduous tree with fan-shaped foliage. At maturity it will reach 50 to 60 feet in height with a spread of about 30 feet.
The uniqueness of this tree is its fan-shaped leaves and you only want to plant grafted male trees as the females have a very foul smelling fruit.
Brief recognition factors:
- Fan-shaped leaves
- Fall yellow color
- Long lived tree
- Stout spur shoots
- Street and park tree
- Generally free of insects and diseases
Negative aspects – Only use male grafted trees. Slow growing. Awkward and sparsely branched when young.
There are several in the parish and a good tree to add to the urban landscape.
Whiteflies on Hibiscus
If you appreciate the beautiful display of flowers now that the hibiscus plants are showing you need to keep a close eye on the underside of the foliage. We are beginning to see a high population of adult and nymph white flies. You can tell you have them by the sooty mold on the leaves and if you flip the leaves over you see the white fly adults and nymphs with what looks like strings of angel hair or white cottony material underneath the leaves.
They are hard to control. Treat with insecticides that include hibiscus on the label. Most insecticidal soaps and dormant/summer horticulture oil sprays will work. It may take up to 4 sprayings to effectively control them on large plants.
Lawn Concerns
In previous years at this time, we were in drought conditions with our lawns. This year we have been getting the rains to where we almost can cut the grass every 4 to 5 days.
Remember, chinch bugs are a hot dry summer insect problem in the lawns. We are not seeing much activity yet with them because of the rains we are getting.
Brown patch has been around since the beginning of spring as we had ideal conditions for it to spread. Treat your yard for brown patch with a lawn fungicide. There are several on the market. Keep in mind that some can be very expensive, but they do a very good job of suppression of the disease if the label is followed correctly.
Outdoor Activities for Summer
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Now is a good time to take soil samples for wildlife food plots to be planted this fall.
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Scout your citrus trees for insect activity. Whiteflies and aphids are showing up.
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Roses should be pruned by the first week of September. Fertilize them at this time also.
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Evaluate trees around home and businesses before the possibility of a hurricane.
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Prune Azaleas, hydrangeas and gardenias by mid July.
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De-thatch lawn if needed until end of July.
Question – Can you put too much mulch around a tree?
Answer – Yes. Mulch is a good thing. It reduces weed pressure, helps maintain soil moisture, and can protect the trunk from lawnmower and weed-eater damage.
However, too much mulch can suffocate tree roots and mulch piled up against the tree trunks will keep the trunks moist and allow for insects and diseases to enter into the bark.
Properly mulched trees have no more than 3 to 4 inches of mulch and pulled away from the trunk for air circulation. Do not pyramid or volcano mulch trees.