Monday, October 31, 2011

Pine Tree Wilt


Pine Tree Loss Changed Landscape






Our 40+ ft Pine (Norway, or White, I'm uncertain which) took a rapid decline this summer.  I first noticed that the needles had a droplet on each tip.  The sticky substance dripped off the tree as though it had just rained. Plants beneath the tree were covered with a white residue, and my hair and the dog's fur were gummy.

Within two weeks it was apparent that we had lost this pine tree.  Research I did indicated the Pine Tree Wilt was the cause.  Seems a  pinewood nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus is responsible.   The pinewood nematode is native to North America, is taking our trees in the central part of the United States.



Little, if anything, can be done to save the tree once it shows these drastic signs.  The best way, I am told, is to remove the tree, and burn or shred the wood.  


Upon determining to have the tree removed, my hubby and I scrambled to relocate lots of plant material.  I knew the tree trimmers would not be gentle to the surrounding beds.  


We moved Hosta, Japanese painted ferns, Daylilies, and three clumps of Hydrangea, Annabelle, anywhere we could find a spot.  I had to water everything almost daily the rest of the summer, but I'm pretty sure everything settled in well.



Two azaleas (sp. unknown) in their new home.


Hardy begonia are going to over-winter in this bed till spring.

So, even though we lost a great tree to Pine Tree Wilt, I now have a section of the yard to redesign during the winter!  

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Mother Nature Has a Tantrum

       

 From Shade Garden to Sunny Garden in One Afternoon.





This Maple tree toppled during the hail storm.  As is landed directly between our neighbors house and ours, little property damage incurred.  However, this tree was sitting due south of our front garden.  What that means is the shade that I designed our landscape around was totally bathed in nice warm, direct sunshine!



Buried under this mess I have hydrangeas, wigelias, daylilys, and liatris.


This hosta never did not die, but it never really looked good the rest of the summer



The tree stayed on the fence for about a month, and I wasn't sure what I'd find beneath this mess.

Amazingly enough, only one hydrangea had a broken branch.  Everything else survived and thrived! 
 Salvia - still blooming the last week in October.  Stella'd'Oro daylily has buds still coming on...



Hosta, 'Fragrant Bouquet' was not in deep shade any longer, and produced more leaves with great texture and a bright lime green color

 Turtle Head, 'Hot Lips' and Toad Lily are enjoying the extra sun and are still putting on a show the last week in October. 



The Autumn climatis really outgrew her usual boundaries, and helped herself to some extra room on the neighbor's fence.

So even though Mother Nature showed me who is boss, I have to concede she knew what her little guys needed!  My 'sunny garden' is looking great and I have, once again, been reminded that I'm not the source or the center of my gardening world - just a caretaker.  A job title I'm proud to claim.