2025 Lawns & Gardens Thread. Making Lawns Great Again

[backedgeapproaching]

In case anyone was thinking about planting a willow tree anywhere but an open field

https://www.mynbc5.com/article/holy-moley-rutland-dpw-going-viral-after-pulling-100-feet-of-roots-from-pipe/67951864

 

 

 

[jbenedet]

On 9/27/2025 at 1:57 PM, jbenedet said:

Any effective recommendations for a repeat chipmunk digging holes in my front lawn other than my 22 magnum? 
 

After this third offense, beginning to feel like maniscalco’s father.

 

 

Turns out that I don’t think chipmunks/raccoons are the problem I thought they were. They were actually helping my new grass. They were digging small holes in my lawn, yes, but to go after a more serious new-lawn pest: slugs. Didn’t make this connection until yesterday when I noticed a few slugs in my grass….

[Chrisrotary12]

Why does my tree look like it was burned?

[SJonesWX]

I’m no expert, but looking at the second pic looks like a lightning strike

[Damage In Tolland]

I don’t think so . Strikes usually peel the bark . Plus he hasn’t had a tstorm in several years 

[dendrite]

My guess would be some kind of cambium damage running up the tree and some black mold growing in the crevice. Is the base of that tree actually two trees that merged?

[CoastalWx]

I've seen that before on my oaks. Doesn't seem like a big deal?

[dendrite]

My oaks took a major color turn overnight. This wind is ripping most of the leaves off the other trees now. My armstrong red maple is a deep red/burgundy right now. 

[tamarack]

1 hour ago, dendrite said:

My oaks took a major color turn overnight. This wind is ripping most of the leaves off the other trees now. My armstrong red maple is a deep red/burgundy right now. 

Our 20-foot-tall sapling is mostly changed.  The 90-foot by 24" specimen is just beginning to turn.

[jbenedet]

So turns out I have a black walnut tree on the southern edge of my property. Perfectly placed to filter out the worst of the afternoon summer sun. It’s a beautiful tree, generally. Problem is, in the fall for approx 1 month it produces the food for just about every chipmunk and squirrel within a one mile radius. 
 

I have decided to put up with it and let nature take its course, outside of me discarding the old walnuts which land on my property, and spray foaming the areas these critters make for homes, I’m letting them be. Saw a large red tail hawk hanging out three houses down on the powerline during this morning’s dog walk, gazing at my tree…. So the medium to long term game is winning…

I’m all for this route even with the short term sacrifices, and very pleased that the ecosystem is healthy enough around me to make it a possible homeowner strategy.

[dendrite]

23 minutes ago, jbenedet said:

So turns out I have a black walnut tree on the southern edge of my property. Perfectly placed to filter out the worst of the afternoon summer sun. It’s a beautiful tree, generally. Problem is, in the fall for approx 1 month it produces the food for just about every chipmunk and squirrel within a one mile radius. 
 

I have decided to put up with it and let nature take its course, outside of me discarding the old walnuts which land on my property, and spray foaming the areas these critters make for homes, I’m letting them be. Saw a large red tail hawk hanging out three houses down on the powerline during this morning’s dog walk, gazing at my tree…. So the medium to long term game is winning…

I’m all for this route even with the short term sacrifices, and very pleased that the ecosystem is healthy enough around me to make it a possible homeowner strategy.

Those are nice trees. I love large black walnuts or hickories. Most hickories are really slow growers at first so when you plant one you’re basically planting it for future generations. I have some butternuts I started from seed years ago, but like most native trees today, they develop diseases after maturity and begin to decline rapidly.

[jbenedet]

7 minutes ago, dendrite said:

Those are nice trees. I love large black walnuts or hickories. Most hickories are really slow growers at first so when you plant one you’re basically planting it fpr future generations. I have some butternuts I started from seed years ago, but like most native trees today, they develop diseases after maturity and begin to decline rapidly.

Agreed as I’m learning.
 

Mines about 20 years old as I can tell from its about 30 ft size. Beautiful canopy that can expand out broadly as it can reach up to 100 ft high.

I think the key is having it properly placed. Mine happens to be in a good spot where the falling walnuts are not a hazard. The walnuts produce juglone which nourishes the tree but is toxic to many competing plants. It’s also in a good spot on that front, as it’s in an area where neither me nor my neighbors want growth or meticulous landscaping. It’s all good at minimizing weed growth.