Watering Tip #2 REMOVING PLANTS

There are many reasons why plants need to be removed, they have died or about too, they may be too big for the area, or they may be a fire issue. Whatever the reason now is a great to evaluate your landscape and get those unwanted plants removed and at the same time save water.

Here are three plants I have removed for various reasons:

1. Syringa vulgaris var. alba

My lilac lived here, had it have created
shade I would have left her in. 

    This shrub was planted 8 years ago; I bought it because it was white blooming lilac. What I did not know at the time is that root weevils and there larvae love this plant, and they are the perfect host. In the early spring I would get lots of buds and then they looked as though they were burnt with a freeze, only it did not freeze. I finally figured out the problem with help from our local cooperative extension, it was root weevils. Root weevil larvae will feed on the new roots which control the new blooms. I was not willing to put a systemic chemical on the plant once a year for a bloom, so it is gone. I looked at the fact that it did not create any useful shade and it needed 14 to 17 gallons of water a week, it had to go.

2. Malus Louisa crabapple

The tree is the center is gone, it now has a nice flow. 

    This poor tree was planted in a spot when I still have a small building in the area, it looked great; once the building came down it looked as though it was in the wrong place. It also suffered a bit from the very strong winds, sometime up to 80 mph. That is why she is leaning. Once again measuring the amount of water needed to keep her healthy was my determining factor. This was not an easy decision, but I am glad she is gone. The area looks neat and has a better flow.

The tree looked great her first 2 years,
but never had fruit. I think the cold
dry winters did her in. 

3. Prunus persica Dwarf Bonanza Peach
This tree's decline was most likely due to the cold dry winters we have been experiencing. I thought I had hand watered her enough, but guess not. I had given my neighbor the same tree when her Mom passed and it too died. Sad we were looking forward to the fruit.
While checking the limbs in late April I found more that were brittle and snapped rather than the flexible limbs of a healthy tree. The water I am saving will benefit my asparagus, strawberries and lettuce.