Peach Tree Open Center Pruning: Wine Glass Shape

Open center pruning creates short trunk with 3-4 main limbs radiating outward (wine glass). Allows light into center for fruit production. Start at planting: cut to belt height. For mature tree, top at 6 ft, ensure 4 hrs

Pine Plantation Weed Control: Call Forestry Commission

For 48-acre loblolly pine farm, herbicide selection needs a forester. Call GA Forestry Commission 1-800-GATREES. Read Landowners Handbook for Managing Southern Pines.

Hybrid Bluebells: Spring Bulbs That Spread

Your bluebells are hybrids (Hyacinthoides x massartiana). They produce seed and bulblets, spreading via animals and tilling. Distinguish from English/Spanish types at Identifying Your Bluebells.

Leyland Cypress Decline in Shade: Cercospora Fungus

Leyland cypress needs full sun. Shade causes thinning, then Cercospora fungal decline. Replace with Bright n Tight cherrylaurel for screening in shade. See Leyland Cypress – Cercospora Leaf Spot.

Poisonous Trees: Seeds, Leaves, and Acorns

Apple/peach seeds contain cyanide. Unprepared acorns cause GI distress. Cherry leaves and yew are toxic. See Poisonous Plants of North Carolina.

Pecan Weevil Control: Sanitation, Trunk Bands, Sprays

Pecan weevils emerge Aug, lay eggs in nuts. Homeowner strategy: 1) Destroy all damaged nuts yearly. 2) July: Tanglefoot band 6 ft up trunk (on tape). 3) Spray carbaryl weekly from early Aug until shuck split. See Pecan

Chickweed: Edible but Smothers Bulbs

Chickweed (Stellaria media) is a fast spring annual that smothers small plants, then dies in heat leaving a mat. Edible but usually pulled. Prevent with Preen in September. See Chickweed.

Mock Orange (English Dogwood): Fragrant Shrub

Philadelphus coronarius grows 8-10 ft, fragrant spring flowers, nondescript rest of year. Minimal pruning (dead wood only), light fertilizer every few years. See Sweet Mock Orange, Mockorange Sawfly.

Star of Bethlehem: Pretty but Invasive Bulb

Ornithogalum umbellatum spreads via bulblets, not seeds. Herbicides ineffective. Dig out or try Halosulfuron (Sedgehammer) / Imazaquin (Image) experimentally (2 apps/year max). Or glyphosate for 3 years. See Star of Bet

Chinese Photinia: Volunteer with Green New Growth

Volunteer shrub with green new leaves and white fragrant blooms is Chinese photinia (Photinia serrulata). Red-tip photinia has red new leaves and is sterile. Expect red berries spread by birds.

Ornamental Bananas: Fragrant, Dwarf Varieties

Ornamental banana research in Savannah includes 6-ft fragrant flowering types. See Ornamental Banana link for sources. ornamental banana ornamental banana

Obscure Scale on Oak: Oil Sprays and Monitoring

Obscure scale weakens oaks. Spray horticultural oil thoroughly in March, repeat in 4 weeks, repeat next spring. Likely came on nursery stock. See Obscure Scale.

The Pocket Wildflower Trail: Directions to Shirley Miller Trail

From LaFayette, GA: Hwy 193 west 8 mi to Davis Crossroads. Left on Hog Jowl Rd 2.7 mi to Pocket Rd (past Mt. Hermon Baptist). Left on Pocket Rd (turns gravel) to end. Park. Enter via handicap parking.

Multiplier Onions (Potato Onions): Perennial Alliums

Multiplier onions (potato onions) form offsets each season—buy once, propagate forever. Find via Georgia Market Bulletin or Ronninger Potato Farm. See Multiplier Onions, UF Potato Onion page.

Gwinnett Environmental & Heritage Center Location

Located near Mall of Georgia, between I-85 and I-985. Mission: recreational catalyst for environmental and heritage education.

Georgia Gems Plant Program: UGA Selections

Georgia Gems showcases UGA-developed plant varieties licensed worldwide. Royalties fund further breeding at UGA College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences. See Georgia Gems.

Frozen Banana Tree: Top Rot Means Death

Bananas grow only from the tip. If top is rotted, plant is dead. Pups may emerge from base after planting.

Scalping Zoysia and Bermuda: Wait Until Late March

Can cut to 1 inch but not in early February—cold damages crowns. Wait for first growth in late March.

Surinam Grass (Brachiaria): Tropical Forage, Not Lawn

Sirdan grass is likely Surinam grass (Brachiaria decumbens), a tropical forage killed by cold. Not a lawn grass for Georgia. See Brachiaria decumbens, Signal grass.

'Bloodgood' Japanese Maple Leaf Scorch: Needs Shade

SW exposure causes leaf scorch on Bloodgood maple. Upper leaves shade lower ones. Move tree to filtered shade or accept annual scorch.