Hi, we purchased and planted a Snowspring crabapple last fall, and within a week this summer it went from looking amazing to looking like something out of the Walking Dead. The leaves are all brown and crunchy, and it has been watered appropriately. The other two trees we planted at the same time ( a maple and another Snowspring) look great. Is the tree done for?

It sounds like a fungal infection. Can you send some photos to the website? Also are you able to dig your fingernail into the main trunks bark and see green behind the bark? If so then the tree’s still alive.

Hi, I am re-paving my driveway (1050 square feet) and want to prevent weeds and grass from growing under it. My neighbours did theirs 2 years ago and either the grass or weeds pushed their driveway up and and it cracked causing the grass and weeds to grow throughout. Having your driveway paved isn’t inexpensive and should last between 7 and 10 years if well maintained. Any suggestions

I would think that a reputable contractor should be able to install a driveway without it heaving and cracking and weeds growing through. I my eyes your neighbour has a warranty claim. That however isn’t your question so on to your question. You could use an underlay called geotech. This is a think fabric and should aid in reducing any movement and will block weeds from pushing through. Good luck with the project.

Our hydrangeas after 20 yrs are no longer blooming and r lacking iron so for the past 6 seasons I have tried iron/chelate and fertilizer with no success. Is ther another shrub that loves the south that is around 5 feet, easy to maintain that would nice with shubert choke cherry trees? Thaxt

Other Full Sun shrubs, that would get about 5 feet, would include: Cistena Cherry Ninebarks (Satin Chocolate, Tiny Wine, Coppertina) Dogwood (Ivory Halo, Red Osier) Lilacs (Wonderblue, Royalty Preston) Blue Muffin Viburnum To name a few… There are lots of options that would fit those characteristics.

I planted 3 blue spruce and they grew rapidly — too big for where I put them ,so I want to transplant and am scared to. When ,and how much root ball needs to come out ? Thanks you .

Now (the winter) is a great time. The tree will be dormant and will have the best chance of survival. How big the root ball is depends on how big the tree is however the bigger the better. The less root system you disturb the better. The more roots you rip out and leave behind the more that have to re-grow and remember the root system in place has grown to support the size of the tree as it is now. So if you remove half of the root system you will have half as much root system available to sustain the canopy of the tree. So you will have to cut the tree back and then water, water & water so the roots that are left can absorb as much water as possible to support the canopy. Also using a transplanting fertilizer would help your cause 10-52-10 would be good or something akin to that with a big middle number (phosphorus).