Q:We bought several plants for the holidays, including a Christmas cactus and an amaryllis. They are so pretty that I want to keep them going for as long as possible. Can you give me any tips for keeping them healthy?

Q:My boss gave everyone in the office a poinsettia before Christmas. It’s beautiful, but my mother-in-law said it was poisonous and I should get it out of the house. We have two small children and a cat. Is it really dangerous? I’d love to keep it. Answer: I was surprised that I hadn’t received this question earlier in the season. Every year that concern seems to surface. The Society of American Florists Web page says the poinsettia is the most widely tested consumer plant on the market today. The group says research from Ohio State University has shown the poinsettia to be nontoxic to humans and pets. It says a child would have to ingest 500 to 600 leaves to exceed the experimental doses that found no toxicity, according to POISINDEX, the national information center for poison control centers.

Q:I have 12 Japanese maple trees along the road lining my yard. They are about 30 to 40 feet high. In the past two years, I have lost two as a result of high winds. They are all leaning toward the road to get more light. I was wondering if I could have them trimmed back this winter to about 20 feet to help them cope with the wind. Answer: Most good arborists would not recommend cutting them back that far because you reduce the leaf-producing surfaces. In doing that you reduce the amount of food the tree can produce for its roots.

Q:This will be our first Christmas in our own home. We want to buy a living Christmas tree and plant it in our yard after the holidays. Can you give us any tips to help make sure it will survive? Answer: What a great way to remember that first Christmas. Start by choosing a tree species that is naturally acclimated to the environment of central Virginia. Frasier fir makes a classic Christmas tree, but it has a hard time acclimating to our hot, humid summers. Get your tree from a reputable garden center and rely on their trained staff to advise you on a species that will do well in your area.

Q:I have two 80-year-old maples. The leaves were small and sparse this summer on one with dying branches. On the other, the leaves started turning brown in late August.

Q:Wild violets are overtaking our yard. In an earlier column, you said that a product with carfentrazone in it is proving effective. However, you didn’t list any products that contain carfentrazone. What can we use to get rid of the violets?

Q:I didn’t get around to reseeding this fall, nor have I put down any fertilizer. If it’s not too late, what type of fertilizer would you suggest? Answer: While it is too late to reseed, late November is a great time to apply fertilizer. One of the main reasons to feed lawns in the fall is because the grass plants are storing food for next season and developing healthy roots.

Q:We had six red tips along our fence for privacy. Last year they were about 30 feet tall and growing outward toward the neigh bor’s driveway. We decided to trim them to about 10 feet. They looked really ugly after that but we figured they would come back this year—WRONG! They’ve only sprouted about 20 leaves each. I say it’s time to cut them down completely and start over with something else. What is your opinion?

Q:Could you tell me how to save seeds from the tomatoes I am growing this year? Answer: If your tomatoes are open-pollinated varieties, not hybrids, you can save seeds by allowing the tomato to fully ripen on the vine. Then scrape out the seeds and spread them out on a paper towel. Put them in a cool, dry place and allow them to dry. This will take several days to a week.