Question:
After clearing a thick layer of Periwinkle from around my naval orange tree, I noticed that the trunk and lower branches had been gnawed. I suspect that snails or slugs caused the damage, as the ground cover was full of them. What steps should I take to protect the damaged areas, or will they heal on their own?Answer:
- It's common to find a large number of snails and slugs in ground covers like Periwinkle (Vinca major or minor).
- The moist, dark environment is ideal for their breeding. However, the type of damage you describe is not typical of snails and slugs, as they lack teeth and cannot chew on bark or other hard surfaces. They are unlikely to be the cause of this issue.
- The primary suspect for this type of damage is a rodent, such as a roof rat or vole. Rodents have teeth well-suited for gnawing. While rabbits and ground squirrels can cause similar damage, they are less likely to be responsible here due to the thick ground cover.
- Voles, which resemble field mice and can grow to five to eight inches long (including the tail), feed on a wide range of plants, from grasses to woody ornamentals.
- Since voles are poor climbers, they generally stay at ground level. Thick ground covers provide an excellent habitat for both rats and voles, offering food and shelter from predators and environmental stress.
- Although it might be a bit late for preventive measures, I recommend checking for rodent droppings. Rat droppings are black, while fresh vole droppings are green and turn brown or gray as they age.
- The most effective way to discourage rodents is to make their habitat less attractive. You have already taken that step by removing the Vinca.
- With Vinca, Ivy, and African daisies as ground cover, you can significantly prune them in the spring to reduce their protective coverage.
- This maintenance is typically done every couple of years. Traditional traps and poison baits are not recommended because they pose risks to pets and children.
- Regarding the damaged trunk, I suggest allowing it to heal naturally. However, if the damage is recent, you can seal the open wounds with a product like Tree-Seal or a similar sealant.
Question:
Our front yard has two large flowering plum trees that are twenty-five years old. However, these trees are sending root suckers throughout the yard. Would covering the area with weed prevention fabric stop the suckers from emerging?Answer:
- You're really caught between a rock and a hard place.
- While landscape fabric might slow the problem, it's not the ultimate fix. The suckers could still grow through any openings or gather in mass underneath the covering. You'll also need to add two to three inches of mulch to block light from reaching the soil.
- Black plastic isn't recommended because it traps too much moisture in winter and prevents water from reaching the plant roots in summer. Sadly, there's no perfect solution.
- Manually removing the suckers may be the best option.