As I continue to discuss trees that are a good choice for homeowners and the landscape, this week I will discuss the wax myrtle – scientific name Myrica cerifera.

This is a broadleaf evergreen shrub or tree that grows quickly to 15 to 20 feet high and wide.  It thrives in full sunlight to partial shade and prefers a fertile, moist acid soil but is tolerant of a wide range of growing conditions.

Wax myrtles are often used as screen plants, informal hedges or as single or multi-trunked trees that are excellent for planting for wildlife.

Brief Recognition Factors:

-          Fast Growth.

-          Excellent Wildlife Food – Females bear berries.

-          Screening, hedges.

-          Can be shaped and pruned as a tree.

-          Tough and durable.

Some of the negatives of the species:

-          Brittle wood.

-          Often multi-trunked

-          Water suckers at base of large plants.

-          Flammable plant because of oils in leaves.

Overall this is a very strong, hardy plant that grows very fast and utilized as wildlife food for many birds in the area.

Fertilizing Landscape Trees and Citrus Tree

We are in the ideal time to fertilize our landscape trees as most are beginning to enter a growth phase with the air and soil temperatures beginning to warm up.

The Terrebonne Tree Board and  Apache Oil Company just completed a tree giveaway in the parish.  These trees need to be established preferably for a year before they are fertilized so the tree has a chance to establish a strong root system.

For older trees in the urban setting, now is the time to fertilize.  We have a very good publication titled “Trees for Louisiana Landscapes” publication number 1622, that explains how to fertilize trees in the landscape.

Citrus Tree Fertilization

Now is the time to fertilize our citrus trees.  We get a lot of calls about citrus trees and care and often we ask if they were fertilized.  Many times the answer is no, not this year.

Citrus trees require annual fertilization for good growth and high yields of good size and high quality fruit.

We have an excellent publication number 1234 titled “Louisiana Home Citrus Production” that you can get online on our web site or pick up at our office.

Remember that newly set trees should not be fertilized until they show signs of growth, usually six weeks after they are set in the spring.

A general recommendation after the second year is to apply 1-1 1/2 pounds of 8-8-8 and 13-13-13 per year of tree age up to 12 years.  Increase the rate of fertilizer 1-1 1/2 pounds per year as the tree gets older.

Also remember to avoid fertilizing citrus trees after the end of June as this can encourage vigorous growth and delay fruit maturity and decrease cold hardiness of the tree.

Vegetables to Plant in February

Beets, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, turnips, mustard, spinach, parsley, Chinese cabbage, radishes, Irish potatoes, leaf lettuce, head lettuce, tomatoes, eggplants, snap beans, and sweet corn the latter part of the month.

Question – Why should I worry about frost on plants?

Answer – Even though our climate is nearly tropical year round, we do get cold periods with frost in early spring.  These cold periods usually are not gradual, and can harm plants that have not been hardened off.

Question – What are some good recommended varieties of snap beans?

Answer – Bush varieties – Bush Blue Lake 274 (white seed), Provider (purple seed), Strike (white seed). 

             - Pole varieties – Blue Lake, Kentucky Wonder, Rattlesnake and Louisiana Purple Pod.

          If you have any questions or need more information, please give me a call at 985-873-6495.  My email:  bjoffrion@agcenter.lsu.edu or visit our website at www.lsuagcenter.com.

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