Walter Reeves

Q: You mentioned in a recent column that the Burford holly was discovered in Westview Cemetery. Does anyone know who discovered it there? — Ralph Bass, email

Q: My neighbors and I have seen several beautiful trees around Atlanta that look like they are approximately 30 feet to 40 feet tall with berries, and we are curious if they make berries like this every year. I know the bushes do, but I am not sure about trees like this. — Justin Greear, email

Q: I read your post about people reacting to canna lilies. It sure seems similar to what I experienced after pruning my canna lilies. Any time I’m working with them, I get blisters and bumps on my arms/hands. I am allergic to bananas, but I’m unsure of a connection between cannas and bananas. I want to be better educated on cannas, so I can safely interact with them. I know of the banana-latex allergy connection, as I’m violently allergic to latex and react to any latex adhesive or medical items made of latex. — Wendy C. Royall, Humble, Texas

Q: We brought iris bulbs from our family home in Michigan to plant in our Georgia flower beds. They are presently in our garage. How, and when, should we plant them here? — Justin Kollmeyer, Fayette County

Q: Several dogs with unknown owners have been pooping and peeing on my front lawn. Is there some ultrasonic gadget that would keep them away? — Josh Swaney, Conyers

Q: For years I’ve used manure from my horse to fertilize a big garden with ornamentals and vegetables. I was recently told that horse manure can contain herbicide residue not filtered out during the digestive process. I use a local hay source but where they obtain it varies by availability. It was definitely detrimental to my tomatoes. My question to you is would my composted manure be harmful to other plants in my garden? — Doug McCurry, Milton

Q: I have two pecan trees in my rear yard. I have tried everything I can think of to keep squirrels from climbing the trees and eating pecans while they are still green. Is there anything I can do to keep them out of the trees? — Eddie Dillard, Atlanta

Q: I sodded an area in my backyard last spring with fescue. I know I need to do some maintenance to it this fall. Do I just seed and fertilize, or do I need to aerate? It’s still green but starting to thin. — Conner Poe, email

Factors contributing to trees dying can be poor soil conditions, drought and pests to name a few

Q: Would a big box store be a good place to buy healthy panicle hydrangeas? — Rebecca Hunsucker, email