Laura

I know this is many years later but I'm going through the same thing. I had 5 blue spruce with needle cast disease cut down early last winter and I'm now planning a diverse hedge row to take the place of the row of spruce. It's been fun researching what trees and shrubs I would like for 4 season interest and bird watching. Cutting down the spruce was a painful decision but the only way to move forward to improve my landscape and help the environment.

My shrub is 6ft x 4 ft . This year half of the shrub has severe winter damage. The damage is from top to bottom on half the plant. Most of the leaves have dropped. It has a few blooms. I read the article on pruning hard but because the plant is so large I'm worried about hard pruning. This plant has been in this spot over 20 yrs. This shrub was thriving and beautiful last year. I would appreciate advice on how to proceed. Thanks, Laura

Thanks so much, that is exactly my tree. I let it go about 3-4 yrs & cut it back severely this March. It is bursting with buds all over. My trunk is at least twice the size of those little trees. I can see myself getting tired of triming it some day. But aga, thanks so much to you and your forum. I'm going to water it more this year to prevent the crispy leaves Laura

Hi Janet, Thanks so much. Will do ............ Laura

PS. I should have mentioned that the willow is a Salix integra 'Hakura Nishki'

Thank you sooo much. I was just reading about pollarding in a pruning book; hadn't heard of it before. I've been searching the net for some advice but not able to find anything I thought was right. Thanks again, I will be out there in late winter Laura

I have read that the variegated willow grown as a shrub can be pruned to the ground every couple years & it comes back strong but what can I do with mine that is grafted to a standard? I've had it 3 years and have tried to keep it shaped by trimming the tips back but it is looking pretty sad. It has lots of dried up apparently dead leaves especially in the center. Should I cut it back hard when it goes dorment this fall/winter? Can anyone help? I need advice. Thanks, Laura

Need advice for how to prune. Have had the tree 3 years and have been triming the ends of the branches all summer to keep the 'ball' shape to the top but the tree looks terrible. Now the leaves are dry & crumbling off especially in the center. Anybody know how I can save this tree & restore is beauty?

Thanks, Janet, for the new 3-D photo, it is great

Thank you, that gives me hope. I will keep watching for more suggestions but what you said makes sense.

A&D ointment (generic just as good) and a band-aid at bedtime works for me; catch it right away. I rub in A&D during to day also if a spot starts to split.

I have the same situation under a maple with west sun and dry soil in summer. I like the idea of sedum and will keep that in mind but I want to try common coral bells this year. I hope they will do well once established. I have them in another dry, low light area and they are doing well.

Hi to all, The attached photo shows my worst mistake! In an over zealous effort to rid my 10 ft Black Gum Tupelo tree of tent catepillers last Spring, we cut the leader off the tree . I know what is done is done but I was wondering if anyone has any ideas about what I can do now. I've read that the tree will put out shoots where the leader was cut. Do I try to isolate the straighest & most central one in an effort to replace the leader or just let nature take it's course? Thanks for any and all thoughts, Laura PS Wonderful web site!!