Family Plot

How a Tree Works

Certified Arborist Wes Hopper explains the basics of how trees work. Trees use photosynthesis to convert nutrients into sugars for the tree to use. Wes also explains how the vascular system in the tree transports water and nutrients from the roots up to the leaves, and the sugars from photosynthesis from the leaves to the other parts of the tree. Wes shows the different layers of a tree trunk and talks about what each layer does. He talks about the different kinds of roots and what they do. Wes also talks about how trees react to high summer heat.

Related Videos:
Translocation
Encouraging Tree Feeder Root Growth
Planting a Tree

Related Resources:
Tree Physiology
Trees
The Cornell Guide for Planting and Maintaining Trees and Shrubs

March 6, 2021

Search for Garden Advice

Tools for Pruning Trees

This week in the garden Memphis Botanic Garden Arborist Bo Kelley talks about the different pruning tools available and shows how to use some of them to remove dead branches from a tree. >>Watch

Garden Notes
Chlorosis

Horticulture expert Dr. Lelia Kelly defines the gardening term chlorosis. Chlorosis is a yellowing or lack of chlorophyll in the leaves of a plant. Chlorosis can be caused by the incorrect amount of water, a nutrient deficiency, herbicide damage, air pollution, or not enough light. A related term is necrosis which is dead tissue. >>Watch

The Worst Weeds

What are the worst weeds in your garden? Retired UT Extension Agent Mike Dennison goes over several lists of the worst weeds and throws in some weeds of his own. >>Watch

Controlling Weeds

Cultural Lawn Weed Control

Lawn Weed Killer Application

Tree Borers

Wood boring insects can cause the decline or death of a tree. UT Extension Entomologist Frank Hale says the borers tunnel into the tree and feed beneath the bark cutting off the flow of nutrients from the roots to the canopy. Usually they attack weakened or declining trees, but they can also attack healthy trees.

The wood borer feeds in the tree for a year or longer before it emerges. This is often the first time you know the tree has a borer because it leaves an exit hole in the bark.

Any tree affected by woodboring insects will begin to show signs of weakening. There will be a thinning of the leaves and branch dieback in the upper canopy.

The publication Frank talked about (PB-1589) is available here. >>Watch

Tree Holes and Borers

Emerald Ash Borer

TWIG - Peach Tree Borer

Plants to Avoid Around Pet

There are many plants that are dangerous or toxic to dogs and cats. TSU Extension Agent Joellen Dimond goes over some of the more common plants you may have in your house or landscape. Joellen lists annuals, perennials, fruits and vegetables, trees, and vines that pets should not eat.

The list of poisonous plants Joellen referenced is available at the ASPCA website. >>Watch

Pet Friendly Gardening

10 Garden Plants That Are Toxic to Pets

Toxic Plants

Fertilizer Basics

Madison County Extension Agent Celeste Scott talks about fertilizer. Fertilizer is described by three numbers. The first number is the percent nitrogen content. The second number is the percent phosphorus content. The third number is the percent potassium content. For example, a 15-5-10 fertilizer has 15% nitrogen, 5% phosphorus, and 10% potassium. The rest of the contents of the bag are fillers. Fillers are important to help you get an even spread on the fertilizer. Balanced fertilizers have a non 0 number in each space. Fast release fertilizers release all of their nutrients over a two to three week period. Slow release fertilizers release nutrients over a two to three month period.

Most available fertilizers are synthetic but there are organic options too. Blood meal is a source for nitrogen; bone meal is a source of phosphorus; and seaweed, kelp, or wood ashes are a source of potassium. Organic fertilizers have less nutrients than the same amount of synthetic fertilizers and are more expensive. >>Watch

How Often Do I Need to Fertilize My Vegetables?

Planting and Fertilizing an Organic Garden

Garden Fertilizer Math

How To Lay Sod

Shelby County Extension Agent Booker T. Leigh shows how to lay sod. Before you lay sod you should kill all the existing grass and weeds using a non-selective herbicide like glyphosate and then till the ground to loosen the soil. This is a great time to amend the soil so get a soil test and lime or fertilize the soil as directed. It is important to choose the correct variety of grass that will thrive in the conditions. In this case, where the grass will be under trees, Royal Zoysia was chosen because it does not require as much direct sun. When sodding in the summer water the ground before laying to cool the soil and help keep the sod moist. Rake out the ground to level it and then lay the sod. Sod is cut in a way that it fits together like a puzzle. Make sure the pieces fit together correctly. In each row the gaps in the sod should be offset from the previous row. This will prevent water channels from developing and washing out the soil. When the sod it all laid, roll the sod to press the roots into the ground to promote good root growth. You can tell if your sod it taking root because it will be difficult or impossible to pick it back up. Keep the sod moist until it has taken root. >>Watch

Do I need to kill my existing grass before I lay sod?

TWIG –Inexpensive Zoysia Lawn

Keeping Your Orchid Alive

Planting Summer Flowers

Composting

Removing Honey Bees from Houses

Birdhouses

Live Animal Traps

Looking for more garden info?

Viewer Questions

I tilled a new garden. The next day there were lots of ant hills. How can I kill them?

These ants did not move in, they were already there. You just couldn’t see them because of the grass or weeds growing there before you tilled. Ants are considered beneficial in the garden, you don’t need to kill them. If they are fire ants that is a different story, they need to go. Retired UT Extension Agent Mike Dennison says he is not aware of any insecticide that targets only ants. >>Watch

Just how safe is Sevin insecticide?

Sevin (carbaryl) is very safe to humans. Retired UT Extension Agent Mike Dennison says toxicity is judged based on LD50, the amount of the chemical per kilogram of body weight required to kill half the test population. Carbaryl has an LD50 of 350-500 mg/kg of body weight. He compares carbaryl’s toxicity to other common chemicals. Carbaryl is very toxic to insects including beneficials and it toxic to fish. Make sure you read and follow the label directions on any pesticide. >>Watch

When is the best time to prune a plum tree?

The best time to prune a plum tree is in the late winter or early spring. Retired UT Extension Agent Mike Dennison says you should prune peaches, plums, and nectarines to an open center to simplify spraying. >>Watch

Why are there no blooms on my okra?

There are several possible reasons for this. On okra it takes 50-65 days from planting for blooms to develop. No blooms could be from lack of water or a nutrient imbalance. Okra does not like a lot of nitrogen, and if there is too much nitrogen fertilizer applied it could stimulate new growth of green leaves and not flowers and fruit. >>Watch

Are these brown spots on my oak leaves okay?

Certified Arborist Wes Hopper identifies these spots as anthracnose on a southern red oak. Anthracnose is a fungal disease that is common this year because of how wet the spring and summer were. It is not something to worry about, but there are some things you can do to help reduce the problem next year. Rake up and dispose of the leaves under the tree as thy fall. Leaves from the tree have anthracnose spores on them which when it rains, will splash up into the air and land on other leaves in your tree. >>Watch