Q: I have a ton of maple helicopters in my yard. I figured my lawn mower would pick them up, but it didn't and there'* a lot left. I tried to rake them, but that didn't work. If I leave them in my yard, will the maple helicopters kill the grass? (e-mail reference)

A: I would be more concerned about the trees that are producing such a heavy seed set than about the lawn grass. You might want to get the trees inspected. As for your lawn, the seeds eventually will whither and blow away. If you still are concerned, you can rent a lawn vacuum from a local tool rental agency that will do an excellent job.

Q: My autumn blaze maple tree was planted in clay soil three years ago. It has done well and the trunk diameter has doubled in size. The weather is starting to warm up and the snow is melting rather fast, which is leaving a lot of water at the root system. I have noticed for a few weeks that the trunk of the tree is shedding a lot of water from the area where the branches shoot out and is running down the outside of the trunk. It'* almost like a faucet. Is this something to be concerned about? (Colorado Springs, Colo.)

A: I think what you are describing is normal sap flow coming from the tree. In spite of all the snow you folks had, the soil was not frozen to any great depth. Typically, trees such as maples and birches will "bleed sap" in the spring from openings or wounds in the aerial parts of the tree. Unlike humans, the tree will not bleed to death. Once the foliage elongates, the sap stops flowing.

Doesn't sound like you have a problem.

My parents have a ginormous Maple tree, about 4 feet in diameter, that drops an amazing amount of the seeds. The grass under it grows like mad. But I've never seen it leak any sap.

I follow Dad'* advice. His lawn is the best.

However..first.. I have to wait until the moat subsides to get to the fertizer and mower.


John..your issue will be shade, not sap. Get a seed that is specific to shade.

Considering what I do to my lawn..it usually looks great and is the envy of my neighbors. They haven't figured out putting 20+ cars on it once a year isn't good for it.

Sorry to get off the lawn topic, but seing as how trees have entered the discussion, I have a fairly old black walnut tree in my backyard that doesn't quite look like it'* gonna pull through, although I suppose it will be a week or two before I know for sure. I've heard this type of lumber is highly sought after, I'm wondering if there'* a chance somebody would exchange the cost of taking it down in order to keep the lumber. Any lumber/tree removal experts in here?

PS for Bill - the only thing missing from that pic is a shotgun, and perhaps a blindfold.

Darrel - The tree is too small to harvest. The trunk is maybe 10 inches across

brianj - Leave it to a Canadidian to know so much about maple tress!! I had to rake up the seeds because they were beginning to sprout. But, I might have to get someone to figure out why there are so many of them....

J Wikoff - It might be dripping because the dadgum squirrels like to knaw through the bark and lick the sap/syrup. Too bad the other houses in the neighborhood are so close, or I'd have a good use for the BB Gun I bought last year...

Thanks for the info, folks. Hopefully I can get some grass to at least start growing before it gets too shadey there again....

Try a gentically engineered seed type for shade.

I think that'* what I have. I'll double check, though.

Should I go back and edit my last post to make sure I included you, too????

No.. just wanted to make sure you didn't skip reading my post as usual.

"I tell you what. The key to a good lawn is proper lawn care"



ok who has the song stuck in there head now?

I've got that soundtrack on CD somewhere.... Music from, and inspired by, King of the Hill