If not European White Birch, than what?

Question from Tanya: I originally come from Russia, so when we planned our front yard garden in Pasadena, thought it would be great to incorporate the groves of white European birches on both sides of the yard. Having read your related articles, it looks...

Swedish Columnar Aspen (Populus tremula ‘Erecta’.)

Question from Lyne: I have a 8 foot Swedish Aspen that I planted last year, June. I am up in Alberta Canada. I have noticed the last couple of days it did not look as well as it did. I have noticed that there are leaves that have black spots on them....

Fruit Drop From Peach Trees

Question from Jane: We live in Southern California in Sunset Zone 23 and are doing some re-landscaping in our back yard. We have already decided to put in some paperbark melaleucas for a grove-like effect. On the other side of the yard I would like to...

Eucalyptus Trees

Question from Sharron: I am looking for a tree that was planted along the Ca. railroads to supply them with railroads ties. It did not work but now Ca. has many of these trees. I believe they may have come from Australia where there wood was very hard;...

Gold Medallion Tree (Cassia leptophylla) Questions

Question from Dee: I am considering planting a couple of Gold Medallion (Cassia Leptophylla) trees. My location is Carlsbad, CA. 92011 1) What zone is it? 2) Also is this a good time to plant this tree? August Thank you. Answer from Pat: Gold medallion...

River Birch (Betula Nigra) close to foundation

Question from Priya: We live in Northern VA. We have a River birch that is 2 feet away from our foundation, but is now 15 feet tall. We planted it as a small tree couple of years ago and did not expect it to grow this fast. We chose a River Birch, because...

How Far to Plant Peppermint willow (Agonis) and Australian willow (Geijera parvifolia) from walls and paving

Question from Desiree: Recently I bought three weeping willows–the After Dark Jervis Peppermint Willow tree, peppermint willow (Agonis Flexuosa), and Australian Willow (Geijera Parvifolia). These trees were purchased through a city plant a tree...

Planting Macadamias

Question from Dave: Hi Pat, your absolutely correct. Planting the beaumont macadamias with chicken manure was a mistake. The trees grow and burn and repeat again. I’m thinking of digging them up and replacing the soil around them. Alternately, is...

Florida Avocado trees

Question from Dee: I have a small avocado plant I have grown from an avocado seed I used to have in my backyard in South Florida. They were large size but delicious! My question is do I need two trees in order for them to pollinate? My daughter also has...

Pines, Cypress, and Cedars

Question from Gina: I’ve loved your books since I first started gardening! I would like to plant a large hillside in Topanga, Malibu CA with ‘christmas trees’. What pines/cypresss/cedars will work in this area and not get too giant....

Trees and Artificial Grass

Question from Courtney: Hello! We installed artificial grass in a part of our yard about 8 years ago and it has been wonderful space for kids and dogs to play (and then I can garden CA natives/drought tolerant plants/vegetables in the remaining areas!)....

Dormant spray for almond trees

Question from Dan: I’m sorry, please consider this an addendum to the previous contact I just now sent you. In my excitement to read your responses I forgot question number six. The property I now own has two almond trees that quite possibly are...

Ficus Tree pruning and fire danger

Question from Ann: I have a few large ficus trees (25-30 ft tall) that are providing shade and a very dense privacy screen from my neighbor. I want to top the tree in the fall to 15 ft which will hopefully fill in for shade the following summer. I’m...

Avocado Trees, Mites, and Gophers

Question: I’m on a fast mission, quite desperate. I’m pulling my hair out. I have an avocado tree that has mites and is definitely languishing. Too much rain, and even though I composted loads before planting, not enough to balance out the...