Q&A – Ask Neil: January 8, 2026
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QUESTION 1
IS THIS NORMAL SPOTTING FOR RED OAK LEAVES?
Question: We have raked our leaves, and this is what most look like. I saw an answer you had given in the 12/25 Q&A about spotted leaves on red oaks. Is this the same? Peggy N., Denton County.
Answer: Yes. These spots are minor and only the result of a long season spent out in the elements here in Texas. No cause for worry and no call to action.
QUESTION 2
CAN THESE HOLLIES BE PRUNED BENEATH THE LOWER WINDOWS?
Question: Would it be possible to prune these dwarf Burford hollies so they don’t block the view from the lower windows, or should I replace them with a lower growing type of plant? The distance from the ground to the base of the windows is about 30 in. Terry C., Dennis in Parker County.
Images clickable for larger views.
Answer: They could definitely be pruned. Do so before the end of January. Use lopping shears for most of the big pruning so you can tailor them in a natural form. Make the cuts 4 or 5 in. below the bottoms of the windows to allow a little room for them to regrow. Try not to flat-top them to exactly the same height every time you cut them. That would eventually leave them bare a few inches below the level of the cuts.
QUESTION 3
SHOULD I FERTILIZE MY BOUGAINVILLEAS AND HIBISCUS DURING THE WINTER?
Question: I have several bougainvilleas and hibiscus in bloom in my greenhouse. Should I fertilize them during the winter? Faylene H., Ben Wheeler.
Images clickable for larger views.
Answer: You’re asking me? Keep doing what you’re doing. Usually, I would advise keeping them a little bit “hungry” by applying a half-rate feeding of a complete-and-balanced, water-soluble fertilizer monthly during the winter, but what you’ve been doing is obviously working. I’d keep it up.
QUESTION 4
CAN I GROW SAGO PALMS IN LARGE CONTAINERS IN OUR BACKYARD OVER THE WINTER?
Question: Can I grow sago palms in our backyard if I wrap their large pots with burlap during the winter? Dale H., Lewisville.
Answer: They won’t survive winters as far north as you are if that’s all the protection they get. They aren’t reliable even in the ground, and you lose 20 degrees of winter hardiness when you have plants above grade like that. It’s imperative that you make provision to get them into a heated garage or greenhouse anytime temperatures are going to drop very far below freezing, and certainly if they’re going below 24-25F.