About The Lee County ledger. (Leesburg, Ga.) 1978-current | View Entire Issue (May 8, 2019)
The Lee County Ledger, Wednesday, May 8, 2019, Page 11A The University of Georgia • Cooperative Extension Service *1 j Dogwoods Doug Collins, Lee County Extension Coordinator Puttins K nowledge toVYorkfl ^ Dogwood trees grow well when planted under a pine tree canopy. Dogwoods Dogwoods are small that it is not likely to flowering trees na- incur damage from a tive to the eastern United States. They are highly valued for their spring display of creamy white flowers. Dogwoods, along with azaleas, are associated with Easter in South Georgia. While there are different species of dogwoods, the species that is com monly grown in South Georgia is the Flower ing Dogwood, Cornus florida. The native habitat of the Flower ing Dogwood extends from Massachusetts to Florida. The Flow ering Dogwood has been cultivated for almost 300 years. Although they can grow well in a vari ety of environments, dogwoods do best in a moist but well drained soil in partial shade. Mulching to keep the soil cool and to conserve moisture is helpful. Dogwoods can be grown in full sun, but they should be watered during pe riods of dry weather. Dogwoods are shal low rooted plants. In the wild, they grow as understory plants (hence their small size). This allows them and the soil in which they are grow ing to be shaded, thus helping to prevent the soil from drying out. In the landscape, dogwoods benefit from being shaded. Dogwoods do very well under the partial shade of pine trees, as do azaleas and camellias. Planting dogwoods with aza leas (another shallow- rooted plant) has the added advantage of dogwoods and azaleas blooming at the same time. Dogwoods bloom before the trees leaf out, making the flow ering even more spec tacular. The actual flower is green and yellow and not much to look at. It is the bracts that surround the flower that are so attractive. Dogwoods do have their share of insect and disease pests, but if soil moisture is maintained and the tree is mulched so mower, its chances of healthy survival are pretty good. You can expect the tree to grow fairly slowly after plant ing but to later grow at medium rate of growth. The fruit produced by dog woods is a favorite of birds. Bare-root seedlings can be purchased in bulk from the Georgia Forestry Commission in the winter. New plants can be grown from seed fairly eas ily. Seed should be kept in the refrigerator for about four months before planting. New plants can also be started from cut tings. There are many named varieties of dogwoods available. Bare-root seedlings should be planted in the winter while they are dormant. Con tainer-grown plants are ideally planted while dormant, but can be planted any time of year as long as they are watered adequately. I cannot remember seeing any red or pink-flowered plants being grown in South Georgia. I do not know why they aren’t more common in South Georgia other than knowing that the white-flowered variet ies are so pretty. The height of dog woods is highly vari able. Twenty feet tall specimens are not that uncommon, although dogwoods can grow to a height of twice that. Dogwoods can have a spread equal to or greater than their height. Some dog woods can be shrub sized, although this is uncommon. I have seen dogwoods grow ing wild in forests in the mountains that were spindly as they grew toward the sun light coming through the canopy. Dogwoods have pleasing foliage and bark and are attractive year-round. For more information, call the Fee County Extension Office at 759-6025 or email me at collinsd@ uga.edu Submitted Photo Lee County Elementary School students shining bright for Luke. Seven Permits Issued For New Thank You Southwest Georgia The Albany ‘TIMS aMte IMP HERALD Air Conditioning & Heating Co. Homes In April During the month of April 2019, the Lee County Building Permit Office issued seven permits for single family dwell ings. Six permits were issued in the unincorporated area of Lee County and three in Leesburg. The estimated construction cost of the six homes in the unincorporated area of Lee County was $890,960.00. During April, three permits were issued for multi-family dwellings in the un incorporated area of Lee County. The estimated cost of the multi-family dwell ings was $1,919,422. During April, four permits were issued for amusement/social & recreational in the unincorporated area of Lee County. The estimated cost of the amusement/social & recreational was $181,200. During April, two permits were issued for bank, office/ professional in the unincorporated area of Lee County. The estimated construc tion cost was $52,180. During April, three permits were issued for commercial acces sory in the unincor porated area of Lee County. The estimat ed cost was $224,720. 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