Question from Suzanne: How often should I prune it? how much can I cut it back?–probably 30 years old–probably at least 20 feet high. Neighbor has a swimming pool. I don’t want to take it out (it does grow to property line. Any suggestions? Answer from Pat: New Zealand Christmas tree (Metrosideros excelsa) is a […]
- Bees
- California Natives
- Composting
- Fertilizer
- Flowers
- Garden Q & A
- Herbs
- Irrigation
- Landscape Design
- Lawns & Grass
- Month by Month Gardening
- Organic Gardening
- Pat’s Journal
- Patio Plants
- Pests
- Planting
- Pots & Containers
- Pruning
- Seeds
- Shrubs
- Soils
- Succulents
- Trees
- Vegetables & Fruits
- Water Plants
- Weeds
Trees – Page 16
Pruning New Zealand Christmas tree close to a swimming pool
Posted by Pat Welsh
· Monday,
August
2nd,
2010
at 12:07 AM
Question from Darla: I just read you response to someone regarding their birch trees. I had planted yesterday, for the second time, three European White Birch-Clumps at the side of an apartment building in a coastal area of Southern California. Previously, I lost five trees on the East side of a two story building (two […]
Question from Holly: I live in the High Desert of Southern California. I have a mesquite tree that has been fine until four weeks ago. I went to our most knowledgable nursery and they say to water it and wait 2 weeks to see if it revives. It had lots of beautiful leaves 4 wks. […]
Categories : Trees
How to Cure Wet Soil and Trees That Can Survive in a Wet Soil
Posted by Pat Welsh
· Thursday,
June
17th,
2010
at 12:43 AM
Question from Jonnie: What plants can I plant in an area that doesn’t drain well. It appears to remain wet a few days after rain or sprinkling the lawn – On the north side of the house and we are in zone 8. Thanks in advance for your help. Answer from Pat: If it is […]
Question from Candace: I have an open patio area (no patio cover) on the Southwest side of my house, which I would like to shade with trees in large containers. I live in Corona, CA so it’s very hot in the summer/fall months. I would prefer something native, if possible. Any suggestions? Thank you so […]
Categories : Pots & Containers, Trees
Question from Barbara: My daughter called me last night, upset because she discovered that many of the cherries she and her son had been eating (from their own tree) contained little white worms. They live in Pleasant Hill, CA (Contra Costa County) and have never had this problem before. The tree is several years old, […]
European White Birch Trees: Their Characteristics and Requirements
Posted by Pat Welsh
· Thursday,
June
10th,
2010
at 12:20 AM
Questions from Theresa: I have 7 birch trees in my yard and all get roughly the same amt of water & sunlight. Four are doing very well – 3 are not. In one area – there’s a cluster of 3 where one is doing beautifully, 2 have sparse leaves. In a different area shared with […]
Question from Laurie: I just bought a cape honeysuckle patio tree about three weeks ago, when can I expect it to flower or at least show buds? Up until now I check it daily to make sure it doesn’t dry out and it is in full sun from about 1 pm to sundown. Answer from […]
Categories : Patio Plants, Trees
Question from James: We have a lovely 71 year old olive tree, in Long Beach, CA planted next to a retaining wall (trunk is 4-5 feet from the wall) that is now causing the wall to lean. The wall needs to be replaced, and cannot be placed farther way from the tree because it is […]
Categories : Trees
Question from Ralph: Happy Memorial Day….a special “thank you” for any service from your loved ones. I served from 1966-1970 and can appreciate the sacrifices of our men and women in uniform servicing our great country. Thank you again for your quick reply, I had read in two places this would not be a good […]
Pat Welsh Organic and Southern California Gardening
Copyright © 2025 All Rights Reserved
Copyright © 2025 All Rights Reserved