Hello, I planted an American Hornbeam in my yard two or three years ago. When I planted it, it was about two feet tall and did not have the best structure. Now its about 8 feet tall, the majority of the growth happening this year. It seems to have fixed the structural concerns I previously had but has now created new ones. I am wondering if I should do something to train a central leader. As you can see from the pictures, the tree sort of splits horizontally on top. I was thinking I could maybe cut one of the top horizontal branches and/or tie a horizontal branch to bamboo to encourage it to grow vertically. Also wondering if it would be best to just leave it alone and see if the tree can sort itself out. However, the tree is about 20-25 feet from my home so I would like it to have good branch structure and not be a hazard. I would really appreciate some advice. Thanks in advance!

I have a 20-30 feet tall Japanese maple about ten feet from my home. Last year, we had a tree company cut part a branch that was blocking the home entranceway. Now the it seems like the entire branch died. It did not leaf out this year and the bark is pealing off. I already cut off the ends of the branch as I had the tools and it was rubbing against other healthy branches. I am wondering if I should to cut the rest of branch down to the branch collar. I have marked in red where I was thinking about cutting it. I have a couple questions. First, is cutting it necessary? Second, is it a danger to damage my house if I leave it on the tree? Third, will leaving the branch on the tree negatively impact the tree's health? Fourth, if cutting the branch is the best idea, what are the proper tools to cut a branch that big? And lastly, is the proposed cut I have marked appropriate or would I be cutting into or too far away from the root collar? Thanks in advance!

The client wants an updated list of NH Big Trees. Her current list is outdated.

I have rye grain that we are not in need of we have had it tested and it is in good shape and had to throw it out. If you could help me in finding a place that might be willing to take it we would donate so we could at least get a tax write off this year. We are a farm Distillery and grow too much. We can hold the grain in our silo. That’s not a problem. We just need to know it has a home.

Can you help me identify this spider? I just moved into a new place.

Hello! I recently cut down the last of my tomato plants and am now left with a dozen or so containers full of dirt. I have 5 or so 25 gal grow bags along with a singular 100 gallon grow bag, on top of multiple large pots. I guess I have a few questions: - How should I go about storing/ prepping soil in my containers for reuse? Should I even attempt to reuse it? - I have a haphazardly built in-ground garden bed that is in an area that didn't get nearly enough sun this year. Is the bagged soil I used to fill it salvagable if I tear the bed down? - What budget friendly resources would you recommend to help me build a steady supply of compost/ find quality soil outside of hardware stores? Thank you so much in advance. Have a great day!

But my son gifted me with two hollies - one, a variegated Japanese holly, the other, a Japanese pencil skyrocket holly. It's just above freezing for the high temp these days, so putting them in the ground is not amenable. Right now I have them in the garage. Do you have any recommendations for keeping these strays alive until spring? I have a screened-in porch which gets some light; I thought that might be a possibility. See photos. Thanks for any advice you may have.

Good morning, I’m working on the plans for a new strawberry bed for this coming year and I have a few questions - I’m hoping you might be able to help me. Overall, I’d like to see berries this year from the bed. My plan includes creating raised rows in direct sun and I’d like to use a combination of June and ever-bearing berries. I’m thinking of making rows that are 30 inches wide and space the plants at 12 inches. So, a few questions: 1. What are your suggestions on the types of berries - I’m in southern MN - both June and overbearing. I do plan to make Jam with them. 2. What is the best way to deal with weeds with little maintanence? 3. What do I need to do to see berries in the same year I plant them? 4. What is the best soil make-up for the berries? Thank you for your help and reply. Happy holidays. Best, Mark Benscoter PS - I’m looking into the master gardener classes - if you have any info on that please forward.

I have a Cherokee Princess Flowering Dogwood in my yard which was planted two years ago. Very recently a deer rubbed its antlers against the trunk of the tree on three separate areas of the trunk, essentially denuding it in these areas. I have attached pictures. Is there anything I can do to treat or apply to this to keep the tree from dying (and anything I can do to prevent further deer rub in the future)? Thank you

We are looking to move to Montcalm County fair from Kent County and we are trying to find a club or resources on how it works for Montcalm. Any information would be greatly appreciated. My daughter is 10 and is looking to show rabbits, cavy, and dogs. She would also like to do clowning if that is something they offer. Thank you for your time, Danielle Kehoe