Ask Categories: Trees & Shrubs

Shrub Identification

Hi, spotted this black leaf shrub on day trip to Acton, Ontario weekend of September 20th. It was about 4 feet high and I could not see any flowers, just the lovely purple black leaves. Though it could be sand…

Japanese Maple

An established cut leaf weeping Japanese Maple did not survive last winter, however 10 others on the same property did. It simply did not bud or come into leaf at all. The location was sun am shade pm. Garden has…

Planting seeds from red berried tree

I have acquired some seeds from a shrub or a tree that has red berries.  I brought them home as decoration.   I see there are seeds in the berries. I’d like to plant them in the community garden.  Is this…

Magnolia tree in distress

Pictures: https://imgur.com/a/wfkBs Location: South Etobicoke, Toronto. Exposure: Tree is in front yard and gets plenty of sun morning/afternoon. Our house would mostly shade the tree in later afternoon/evening. Summary: Lived at this house since 2011. Tree seemed fine each year,…

care of a boxwood standard

For the third year, I have removed a boxwood standard with its root ball from a decorative urn and planted it for the winter in a protected bed. To this point, I have had no problems. Each fall, I simply…

Japanese Yew infestation

I live in Niagara, Welland to be precise and have had a continuing problem through the summer with my yews. Leaves yellow somewhat and drop. They show signs of some sort of sucking insect but I have never actually seen…

Corkscrew willow aphids

We have a corkscrew willow in our yard, 20 ft tall, around 15 yrs old. Around 6 weeks ago, willow aphids (when crushed, looks like a small blueberry stain) have taken over, and because of their infestation, yellow-jacket numbers have…

Twin mature Sugar Maples

Hello. We live in Waubaushene which is 50 kms north of Barrie and Zone 4/5, trees 80 ft tall and 2 ft diameter growing side by side on the edge of our woodland with Basswood, Birch, Cedar, Ash. For the…