GreenPiece

Hardly Burning-Bush

October 30, 2002

Q: I have lived in the same house for the last 30 years, and for as long as I can remember we've had burning bushes growing at the edge of our deck. The only problem is they never burn. The leaves do turn, but not a brilliantly as our neighbor's bushes, only a light purple, and then fall off. What is the problem?

Medium Rare in Oxford

A: Dear Medium: There are a few things to consider: First make sure that you actually have a burningbush- Euonymus alata (alatus). Some identifiers are corky ridges on the twigs (some newer varieties do not have this) and small, crimson, berry-like seeds in the fall. All Euonymus have opposite branching, and the shrubs have similar leaves. Other species of Euonymus have very showy popcorn size fruit, burningbush should not.

Second: you say that you have lived there 30 years. The varieties of burningbush have changed over the years. Through selection plants are chosen for their bright red fall colors. As the landscape industry has changed, so have the varieties chosen. Your variety may just be not very showy, an old variety that was planted before fervent color selection started. So- it just may not burn.

Third: Evaluate your soil and environmental conditions. If your plants are in particularly droughty soils, are frequented by dogs, or growing in a harsh environment, the fall colors will not look as nice. One easy way to see if this is the problem would be to transplant one, or a sprout of one, to another spot in the yard with differing conditions, and see if it burns. If it is still the same blah purple, see consideration number two.

Once you have determined the problem, you need to decide whether you want to correct it. There are many beautifully red varieties that you can replace them with, or you may just decide to hang on to your current plants- which you at least know grow quite well at the edge of your deck.

Q: I have been thinking about getting a potted Christmas tree. Is there anything I should know?
Thinking Ahead in Oxford

A: Dear Ahead: There are a few things to keep in mind when buying a potted Christmas tree. How are you going to store it? Are you planning on having it inside until the end of December, and then putting it out? Bringing it in for only a few weeks? Or keeping it inside all winter? If it is a small tree, I would recommend keeping it inside all winter. Larger trees should be outside and only brought in for a little while in December. I do not recommend keeping inside for all for the fall and early winter and then putting it out. The tree will be unprepared for the cold, and most likely will suffer some damage.

The easiest thing to do: dig a hole now, while the ground is still unfrozen. If you have the potted tree, put the tree, still in it's pot, in the hole. Pile leaves or mulch around the base of the tree to insulate it. Before Christmas, bring the tree in and decorate. Fill the hole with more mulch and leaves so that no one steps in it. After the holiday, take the tree out of the pot and plant correctly. You may want to transition your tree in the garage or other cooler place for a week or so. The whole process may shock the Christmas tree a little, so be sure that it is watered well, in the fall, inside, and after planting.

If you have any questions you would like to be answered by GreenPiece, please contact Rebecca Hargrave at 99 N. Broad St., Norwich, NY 13815, or call 607-334-5841.