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by Rett Davis | |
Gardening Q&A by Rett Davis appears in
Alamance County's daily newspaper, The Burlington Times-News,
every Sunday in the Accent section. Each week's installment is
posted to this
website, beginning with January 1998. Scroll to the bottom of
this page to navigate to other Gardening Q&As. Please contact
Rett via e-mail with questions
or
comments in regard to this column.
Answer:
Earlier this month the EPA (Environmental
Protection Agency) announced a voluntary decision by the woods
product industry to move consumer use of treated lumber away from
aresenic pressure treated wood. Almost all the pressure treated
lumber sold today is treated with arsenic also known as CCA. By
January 2004 it cannot be sold to consumers. Although this
federal agency has not concluded that there is unreasonable risk
to the public from these products, they do believe that any
reduction in exposure to aresenic is desireable. After December
31, 2003, the treated wood we now use that is treated with
aresenic compounds, cannot be used for decks, picnic tables,
landscaping timbers, gazebos, fencing, patios, boardwalks, or
playground equipment. Wood treated prior to this date can still
be used in residential settings. In the not to distant future
the wood treating industry will be using substitutes to arsenic
that include Ammoniacal Quat Type B and Copper Azole Type A.
They are more environmentally friendly but are more difficult to
obtain . This will result in a higher priced product until
these alternative chemicals become more available. Alternatives
to pressure treated lumber will be promoted more too, which will
include plastics, metal, composite materials and other non-wood
products. I have more information if you like, just give me a
call.
Question:
I have seen roses in a lot of garden stores.
Isn't it too early to plant them?
Answer:
This is an ideal time to plant roses. If they
are bare root, soak them in water for one day before planting.
By the way, refrain from pruning roses until late March. In
March of 1996 we had a record freeze on the 8th with a low of 10
degrees. Roses, butterfly bushes, and all fruit trees that were
in bloom were damaged. Even the vidalia onion crop in Georgia
was injured. So leave the tender plants alone such as the ones I
mentioned plus figs and gardenias too.
Question:
In your grape pruning demonstration you used
some pruners that I would like to own. Where can you find high
quality hand pruners?
Answer:
There are several places to buy these type of
pruners. The most popular brands are Felco and Corona. They are
available at Gemplers (1-800-382-8473), Forestry Suppliers (1-
800-647-5368), Pygar Inc. (1-800-825-9646), and A.M. Leonard (1-
800-543-8955) You might also try Sherril Arborist Supply in
Greensboro at 378-0444. Request a catalog sent to your home to
see what is available.
Question:
Why are woodpeckers punching holes in my
siding and how can I stop this from happening?
Question:
Woodpeckers are very busy at this time of the
year. It is breeding season. They will use their beak to make a
rhythmic pecking sequence to make their presence known. This
pecking is referred to as 'drummming'. It is used to attract
mates and tell other males to stay away. They like to drum early
in the morning when you want to sleep. Frightening them away
with plastic twirlers or windmills fastened to the gutters or
eaves has worked. You can also hang pie pans or plastic strips.
Stretching reflective mylar strips across damaged areas has also
proven effective. Large rubber ballons with owl eyes or mylar
ballons seem to scare them too. Shooting should not be an option
since they are federally protected migratory birds.
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If you have any horticultural questions, please direct them to Rett Davis