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Q: When should I trim the growth that is coming from the bottom of our two young apple trees? One does have apples forming, but the other does not. Is there anything else I should be doing? — Sharon L.

A: Apple trees commonly produce shoots where the trunk emerges from ground level, often termed crown suckers. If allowed to remain, these sucker shoots rob nutrients and energy from the tree, and can eventually create a shrub-like mess at the tree’s base.

Such shoots should be removed whenever they appear, so now would be the appropriate time to prune away the suckers growing at the base of your apple trees. To remove the shoots, cut them off at their point of origin, where they sprout from the trunk.

If crown suckers are caught small enough, they’re easy to remove from the trunk just by rubbing them away by hand. Young shoots will sometimes snap away from the trunk by bending them downward, rather than cutting.

Once crown suckers have grown larger, pruning is usually needed. Attempt to cut them off at their point of origin. If stubs are left, more shoots arise from the stub, multiplying the sucker problem.

Several products on the market can temporarily halt sucker production, such as Sucker Stopper and Sucker Punch. Timing is critical for success, and directions must be followed closely.

Dealing with crown suckers is one of the ongoing tasks of having an apple tree. Removing the shoots when small greatly simplifies the task.

You also asked about other tasks. Adding shredded wood mulch in a 3-to-5-foot-diameter circle around each tree would help reduce competition from grass, help the trees to grow more rapidly, and make mowing and trimming easier, with less chance of trunk damage.

A method I’ve found helpful is to lay flat cardboard in overlapping sections directly on the grass, and then cover it with 3 to 5 inches of shredded wood mulch. The cardboard will smother the grass and break down eventually.

Q: We have a lake place with sandy soil common in the Minnesota lakes area, and I have a perfect spot for an Ivory Silk Japanese tree lilac. Do you believe this tree will grow in the sandy soils of that area? Do you have any thoughts on mixing in this type of tree in this environment? — Tom M.

A: Japanese tree lilac will grow beautifully in the sandy soils of the lakes area. The entire lilac family prefers well-drained soil rather than heavy clay, if the clay soil is poorly drained.

Lilacs, including Japanese tree lilac, perform well in our heavy clay soil in the Red River Valley if water drains away quickly enough. If the soil stays a little too moist, lilacs can die.

All lilacs would much rather be in well-drained sites than in areas that remain a little too soggy, such as the rear of city lots where water puddles after heavy rains.

There are several named cultivars of Japanese tree lilac, and ivory silk is one commonly found at garden centers. You will enjoy its beautiful flowers in June and early July.

Q: What’s causing the brown crisp tips and edges on the lower leaves of our plant? — Mike R.

A: From the photo you sent me, the plant looks like prayer plant, which makes an interesting houseplant. It gets its name from its leaves tending to fold up at night, as though in prayer.

Prayer plants are quite sensitive to materials that build up in the soil as plants are watered, such as water-softener salts, fluorine, chlorine, or other water elements. These plants respond with crisp brown tips or leaf edges.

The affected leaves won't revert to normal, of course, so if the leaves can be spared, it's just as well to remove them. To prevent the younger and newer leaves from being damaged, repot the plant into fresh potting mix.

Remove some of the old soil from the root system when repotting, if possible, from the root system. The old potting soil tends to trap water chemicals and salts after months or years of watering. Repotting helps eliminate the old chemical-laden soil.

Two of the more common elements that cause the problem are chlorine and fluorine in water. Some houseplant growers use distilled water, rain water, or reverse osmosis water on plants that are sensitive, including peace lily, spider plant and prayer plant.

If you have a gardening or lawn care question, email Don Kinzler, NDSU Extension-Cass County, at donald.kinzler@ndsu.edu . Questions with broad appeal may be published, so please include your name, city and state for appropriate advice.