Don Davis: Pruning trees, manure on the minds of readers

Two spring activities were on the minds of readers who sent me questions recently — pruning and spreading manure.

Q. One of my New Years resolutions is to keep up with yard issues as they arise this year. Is it too late to trim my crape myrtle? Can I get some of the lower limbs off this month? It is fairly small, about six feet, but I am thinking if I cut off some of the lower limbs, it will grow a little taller instead of horizontally. D.P., Lynchburg

A. This month and next are ideal times for pruning crape myrtles. Definitely cut off the lower limbs if your goal is having a tree. If neglected, the plant could develop a thicket of crowded branches and look more like an overgrown bush. Your plant will be most attractive if you cut off the limbs right at the trunk and leave no stubs sticking out.

Q. I purchased a house last fall which has a crape myrtle that doesn’t look like it has ever been trimmed. It is probably 24 feet tall in some places, in others not quite that tall. How much do I trim it now? J.G., Lynchburg

A. Your tree may need little or no pruning. Perhaps it has a few dead twigs and branches needing to be cut out. Maybe it has some sprouts coming up at its base that could be removed. A few lower limbs may need removal to show off its trunks and make the tree’s ornamental bark more visible.

If you think it is too tall you could reduce its size through a pruning technique called drop crotching. The last thing you ever want to do to a crape myrtle is top it. That ruins the tree’s elegant form and produces unsightly water sprouts.

Q. My red hot poker is large and the fronds are mostly lying on the ground. Should I prune or leave things alone? I have cleared most of the dead fronds. M.G., Lynchburg

A. The plant will not suffer at all if you cut the whole thing down to a height of three inches and discard all the fronds. This radical action will eliminate the drab and discolored old fronds and clear the way for a new set of fronds in spring.

Q. What are the lon- term effects of putting horse manure continually in garden soil? F.O., Lynchburg

A. Manure is like black gold. Using it will transform your soil, leaving it darker, softer and able to soak up every drop of rain. It will boost the number of earthworms and other beneficial creatures while adding valuable nutrients.

Manure is mainly a source of nitrogen, though it contains plant nutrients such as phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulfur, iron, zinc, boron, manganese, copper and molybdenum. Horse manure contains weed seeds, but they are insignificant when you consider the good manure does for your soil and plants.