IN THE GARDEN: Yellow leaves on evergreen simply old, soon to shed

Older leaves will yellow and drop off evergreen trees like magnolias. (Special to the Democrat-Gazette)
Older leaves will yellow and drop off evergreen trees like magnolias. (Special to the Democrat-Gazette)

Q My neighbor's huge magnolia is turning yellow. Do you have any idea what might be wrong? We did have a pre-emerge treatment two weeks ago on a very windy day.

A I don't think it is chemical-related but simply old leaves shedding. Evergreen trees and shrubs do lose leaves from time to time as they put on new growth. Many magnolias tend to shed leaves year-round, but smaller varieties can shed all their old leaves at once. If you look closely, you will see the yellow leaves are all at the back of the branches, while the most current growth is still nice and green. Gardenias are doing their annual leaf shed too, with a lot of yellow leaves. Nothing to be concerned about, simply a rite of passage.

Q There are two oak trees in the yard that were becoming covered with an English-type ivy. I cut and stripped off all the ivy from the ground up to about 8 feet, as high as I could reach without a ladder. I had been told by an "arborist" that the remaining ivy would die on the tree since it wasn't connected to the soil any longer. It didn't die and it is still thriving after a month. Am I going to need to hire someone with a ladder to strip the remainder of the ivy from the trees?

A Give it some time. Also, check to see if there are any vines you may have missed with a connection to the soil. Ivy is not parasitic and should be getting its nutrition from the roots, which are in the soil. Ivy does have thick, waxy leaves and it can take time to totally die. By next spring, see what is alive and what is dead. Ivy is tenacious and will try to grow back, so be vigilant.

Q My 20-year old fig tree (grown from a cutting off my grandmother's) has leaves with brown spots, and they are shriveling up and falling off. It started suddenly with a small patch a few weeks ago and is working its way around the tree. It was healthy all summer and produced lots of figs, although they disappeared before ripe. I think the raccoons got them. What can I do for my beloved fig tree?

When subjected to heavy rains, by October, the leaves of most fig trees in Arkansas will have some spots.  (Special to the Democrat-Gazette)
When subjected to heavy rains, by October, the leaves of most fig trees in Arkansas will have some spots. (Special to the Democrat-Gazette)

A I haven't seen too many fig trees this late in the season that don't have problems on the leaves. All the heavy rain and wind storms we had took their toll. As the leaves drop, rake them up and get them out of the yard. Watch the foliage in the spring to see if there are problems, but I don't expect to see any. My trees look the same, and I am still getting some late-season figs, after an early large crop.

Q For a couple of years I have been seeing a golden-colored fuzz on oak leaves falling in my yard. They seem to fall off the leaves and into the soil. What are these fuzzies and are they harmful?

A The fuzzy growths are called galls. Galls can be caused by insects or disease but most commonly are started by insects, usually a small wasp or midge. As they feed, they cause abnormal tissue to form around them to protect the insects from predators and the environment. Tiny insects grow inside until they are mature, and then they exit, leaving their home behind. Galls on leaves are just a nuisance, a quirk of Mother Nature. They don't hurt the tree. There are some larger galls that form on small twigs or branches and can do more harm, but those on the leaves may be fuzzy, polka-dotted or solid colors and are not harmful.

Q We have a bricked-in mailbox with a bricked-in planter attached. I would very much like to plant Carolina jasmine and cypress vine there because they are favorites of mine. My question is this ... will they play well together or will one overtake the other and crowd it out? If it makes a difference, I live in Northwest Arkansas. Thanks very much!

A Carolina jasmine is an evergreen vine, while cypress vine is an annual that you will have to replant if it doesn't reseed itself. Both should grow together, and both can become a bit invasive if left to grow unchecked. Sometimes cold weather will nip Carolina jasmine in Northwest Arkansas, which can affect flowering.

Retired after 38 years with the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service, Janet Carson ranks among Arkansas' best known horticulture experts. Her blog is at arkansasonline.com/planitjanet. Write to her at P.O. Box 2221, Little Rock, AR 72203 or email [email protected]

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