Diverse Subjects Fill Question Box

Questions, questions, questions - from propagation to rattlesnakes. It’s been awhile since we’ve had a batch of potpourri, so I thought I would share a few interesting questions asked of me lately.

Questioon: Many pine trees were lost as a result of the November ice storm. Can the logs recovered from these trees be burned in the fireplace?

Answer: Absolutely, but not before their time.

Pine logs, like any other wood, must be allowed to season (dry) before burning. The goal is to reduce the amount of moisture stored in the wood. This seasoning process may take eight months to a year.

Non-seasoned or green wood tends to burn cool, releasing cool gasses and other combustible materials into the chimney. This material, called creosote, gradually collects on the chimney walls. Eventually a build-up of this material can be ignited, producing a chimney fire. Dry wood burns hot, producing less creosote, thus reducing this danger.

When drying wood, try to stack it at least six inches off the ground and cross-wise to allow for good air circulation. Splitting the wood before stacking it also shortens drying time. Keep the stack covered to prevent rain and snow from saturating the wood, which if constantly exposed to precipitation, will never dry, no matter how many months or years go by.

Pine is usually not our first choice of firewood, because it has a tendency to burn quickly. This is simply because it isn’t quite as dense as larch, apple or maple. However, if it is well-seasoned, it will still produce a warm, cozy fire.

Special note: Even dry wood produces a certain amount of creosote. If you burn on a regular basis, have the chimney inspected by a certified chimney sweep.

Question: Are there any publications that give step-by-step instructions on how to build an arbor?

Answer: You bet. There is a new book on the market entitled - “64 Yard and Garden Projects You Can Build Yourself” by Monte Burch (Storey Publishing, $17.95).

Not only are there pictures, line drawings, material lists and instructions for building arbors, but there are also instructions for building trellises, bean towers, tomato cages and cold frames.

And when you’re finished with these projects you can busy yourself by constructing a hobby greenhouse, potting bench or a chaise lounge.

It’s a great book. My circular saw is already humming.

There are some propagation terms that are used by professionals that you may not fully understand - stratification and scarification of seeds; and softwood and hardwood cuttings.

Stratification refers to a propagation technique for certain hard seeds that require cold conditions to germinate. We can coax these seeds into germinating by planting them into pots of coarse sand, peat moss, or sand and vermiculite. To imitate the cold winter conditions, either leave the pot outside for the winter or place it in the refrigerator for several months. Examples of some seeds that need to be stratified are fir, most maples, birch, beech, bleeding heart, lobelia, phlox and columbine.

Scarification simply means to scrape or cut the hard outer coating of a seed before planting it. Moisture can then easily penetrate the seed, accelerating the germination process. Seeds that benefit from this technique are smokebush, wisteria, cotoneaster, sweet pea, morning glory and lupine.

Softwood cuttings are young green shoots that, when inserted into a propagating mix, will normally take root quickly. Don’t look for the largest shoots. Instead, look for young side shoots that are healthy and vigorous.

Hardwood cuttings are taken from mature wood of the current year’s growth. The best time to harvest this wood is in the fall of the year as the plant goes into dormancy. Hardwood cuttings usually take longer to root than softwood cuttings.

Q. Do the seeds collected from ponderosa pine cones require stratification before planting?

A. No. As a matter of fact, they don’t require any special handling since the seeds from this particular pine are never dormant. Therefore, they can be planted at any time. This lack of dormancy may explain why there is never a shortage of ponderosa seedlings. Pulling these little trees is usually a spring ritual for anyone with pine trees in the yard.

As far as rattlesnakes - you’re on your own.

Coming attraction: An orchid seminar will be held Feb. 8 from 1 to 3 p.m. at Northwest Seed and Pet, 7302 N. Division. Gylan Lane, owner of Rainbow Orchids, will instruct us on how easy it is to grow orchids as houseplants. The seminar is free.

, DataTimes MEMO: Phyllis Stephens is a horticultural consultant and landscape designer in Spokane.

The following fields overflowed: CREDIT = Phyllis Stephens The Spokesman-Review