Answers: Part 4

Starting Shoots:
Depending on the type of tree this is very possible, and quite simple. Willows are very easy to start, other trees aren't quite so easy but it doesn't hurt to try. The most important thing is to keep the branch wet until it roots out. My dad takes a 5 gallon bucket, fills it with sand, adds water, and sticks the shoot in the sand. He keeps it wet and eventually it roots out. They sell rooting hormone that can help also.

Compact Tree:
Shade: Linden, birch, green ash, sweetgum are all relatively clean and compact, but will get tall with enough time. Green ash are susceptible to bores, and I used to think lindens were very clean, but after parking under 1 for a few years I realize they aren't without fault, but if you aren't parking a car under it you should get along fine.

Flowering: Flowering pears, flowering plums, and flowering crabapples used to get a bad wrap for dropping their fruit, but there are new varieties that are fruitless, or have very small fruit.

Peach Tree:
Pruning in the first few years will help shape the tree, so even though it may not appear to need pruning you will want to pick 2 or 4 strong branches and prune the others so you will end up with a strong tree. This article explains more (page 5). Spraying prevents bugs and worms from invading your peaches. Now would be a good time to spray with dormant oil--apply the delayed dormant oil fromfirst bud swell to first pink.

Hot Cap: 
A hot cap is a wax paper cone you can buy for about 50 cents that you place over a seedling, or a planted seed to create a greenhouse environment--warming up the soil and trapping moisture. Gallon milk jugs cut off would work the same.

Love Bug Mama:
What shrubs do you have? Most plants look better if they are kept groomed and benefit from being pruned back. 
The grass roots that fall out when you shake the clumps of grass will dry out and die if left on top of the soil.

Emily:
Your tomatoes are a tricky problem. You can try adding calcium, since they are most likely planted in potting soil and not native Utah soils. 


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