1.  Is it possible to propagate clematis vines by planting their seed heads after blooming? 

Yes, here are some tips: Growing Clematis, The Ohio State University

2.  We have a burning bush that has been healthy for many years. This year, leaves on the lower branches are dying, and it appears that there may be a scale or some other pest causing the damage.  A burning bush about 20 feet away seems fine.

This looks like a scale. This fall make sure you clean-up the leaves the best you can and dispose of them.  Take a sample of the affected branches to your local Extension office so they can help you identify the exact type of scale present, and give you a plan to controlling the insects.

 3.  I am contemplating the purchase of a large pine for my property in Louisville to be decorated each year for Christmas.  What are my chances of success if I plant in October and what is the largest tree I can reasonably plant with success?

When purchasing trees it is best not to plant large trees, the smaller the better. Studies have shown that a smaller tree re-establishes more quickly than a larger trees and can actually grows faster then a larger tree. Trees can be planted almost anytime until the ground freezes.  Check out the Nebraska Forest Service website for great information on trees.

4. On last night’s show 9-10-2009, someone talked about a new grass. I did not get the name of it or where I can purchase it. Is it good for both sunny and shaded areas.  I would really like to try it in several areas where I've put in some fill dirt.

The grass is called 'Bella' bluegrass and is available from Todd Valley Farm, Mead, NE.  Click here for the complete answer from the show, question # 9.

5. I'm not sure if you can recommend lawn care services or a step-by-step process I can follow to manage my lawn myself, but here I am asking for one.  There's a local company that wants to do my yard, which is slightly hilly and about 8000 sq.ft. They will aerate, overseed, and provide weed control through December for around $500.  I wonder what the cost would be and difficult for me to do it on my own?  I've never done anything like this before.  Do you have a publication with recommendations? I have a lot of brown patches (some large ones) that I killed with the wrong weed killer, and there's quite a few weeds in the lawn.  If you could help me out, it would be much appreciated.

Below are NebGuides to help with your lawn questions
i. Selecting a lawn care company
ii. Bluegrass Calendar
iii. Fescue Calendar

6. I think Dennis explained an effective way to catch a ground hog in a live trap. Could you explain that procedure again. I am aware of the rules for protecting wildlife.

Here is the complete answer from Dennis, question # 9.

7. I am ready to landscape a new home in west Omaha and I need to choose some trees. I am considering white pines and birches. Can you recommend some trees that are disease resistant and good for this area? Others we’ve considered are burr oak and linden.

Also think about American Chestnut, Chinkapin oak and Catalpa.  For an extensive list of trees for Nebraska, visit the 'Guide to Woody Plants of Nebraska.'

8. I have some kind of rodent that is tunneling in my yard and am not sure what kind of rodent it is. The tunnel is fairly close to the surface and when you walk on the yard, you can feel your foot sink a bit with each step. I have notice that close to the driveway there have been mounds of dirt that were not there the night before. What can I do to get rid of them without using anything harmful to the grass and my neighbor’s pets'?

This may be voles.  Review the Nebguide "Controlling Vole Damage." 

9. We have a 21 year old Colorado Blue Spruce in our front yard that has developed some strange dried-up pods that hang from the branches.  Actually they look like dead needles have been glued together into a teardrop shape pod. This has always been a very healthy tree and is almost as wide as it is tall. The strange hanging pods showed up about a month ago and I didn't pay too much attention to them at first, but I think they are spreading. Currently they are all located in one area of the tree, on the west side approximately 1-4 feet from the bottom of the tree up. Can you please let me know what the problem is and how we need to treat it? I certainly don't want to lose the tree!

These are bagworms, review the NebGuide "Bagworms" or view the video below for more images to confirm the problem.

10. I am a board member for the city of Denton, NE. I have been asked to contact UNL for advice about replanting trees after this summer's storm damage. Do you have a list of trees that we should avoid planting here in Denton? Or if not, at least a list of trees that you recommend planting.

Here are some good tree  web sites and publications that list trees recommended foruse in Nebraska.
i. Trees of Nebraska
ii. ReTree Nebraska
iii. Guide to Woody Plants of Nebraska

11. I am looking for the name of the chemical used by commercial applicators for control of nimblewill grass. Please tell the name or whom I may contact.

The product is called Tenacity.  Click here to go to archived show questions, question # 9, for a more complete answer.

12. How do you treat and kill off bagworms on a beautiful 40' Blue Spruce? They seem to be on the lower portions of the tree, which is perfectly shaped and never had a problem with these insects until this season. I must save this tree. Thanks for your time and consideration.

At this time of year, pick off the bags by hand to remove the overwintering eggs for next seasons insects.  Place the bags in a pail of soapy water.  Review the NebGuide "Bagworms"  for more information.

13. We live in rural Malcolm in the middle of, what was previously, a cornfield. We have three 2-year-old 8' dwarf apple trees (Jonathan, Red Delicious, and Sweet Sixteen) that are within 500 yards of cedar trees scattered around in neighboring properties. The Jonathan and Sweet Sixteen appear to have gotten cedar-apple rust. In May 2009, after the trees had flowered and began to show apples, I sprayed them with Ortho Max Garden Disease Control to try to prevent the rust. 

After re-reading the label, I realized it does not specify application for apple trees, although it does list crabapple, peach, nectarine, cherry and plum trees. I called Ortho and, after several transfers, finally managed to speak to a manager who did not know if the product was safe for apple trees and suggested not using it on apple trees since they are not listed. Now all three trees are heavy with apples and we're tempted to try the fruit. We're wondering if the chemical company is just giving a blanket "no, you probably shouldn't try it" to avoid any remote possibility of liability, or are apples generally safe to eat 4 months after spraying for disease?

The label is the law, so we cannot recommend using any product in a way that contradicts the label.  Next year, chose a product that is labeled for fruiting apple trees. "Cedar-apple and Related Rusts of Apple"

14. I planted a bag of mystery seeds and got a plant that is over 6 feet tall with beautiful red blooms. I have no idea what they are. Can you help?

This is Amaranth, a fun annual flower.

15. I have a bed of lilies. I need to move them before sidewalk work can be done. Can I dig them up, move them to the garden spot, mulch them very well, and then dig them up again next spring and plant them back in their beds?

Yes, make sure you mulch them well and water well if it stays dry this winter.

16. When is the latest you would consider planting a new lawn in central Nebraska?

Check out these calenders for dates throughout the year
i. Bluegrass Calendar
ii. Fescue Calendar

17. I am having a problem with a woodpecker that wants to bore into the side of my house. Can you recommend some measures to rid us of this pest?

They are looking for bugs that are finding a winter home under you siding.
Here is more information on the woodpeckers.