Native Plants
Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
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Smarty Plants Question Topics
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
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| Fast-growing evergreen tree to hide power lines April 10, 2009 Live in Orange Connecticut and need a tree that grows fast and tall to cover the power lines which are quite tall. I'm thinking evergreen type trees so that the during the winter it provides the cov... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Browning of Red Western cedars in Medina, OH April 09, 2009 I have a row of Red Western Cedars bordering my yard. One week after my lawn people but down spring fertilizer and grub control, they began turning brown. Is there any correlation? If not, what cau... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Symmetrical Holes in Live Oak leaves. April 08, 2009 We have 2 young live oaks - quercus virginianum trees and their brand new leaves show two symmetrical rows of pin-sized holes punctured along the length of them. What could have caused this? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native evergreen tree for horse pasture in New Jersey April 05, 2009 I just pulled out a laurel that was hiding a stand pipe in our horse paddock. We had trouble this winter with the horses eating it when there was little grass to graze on. Can you suggest an evergre... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Grafting stone fruit April 02, 2009 Do you know of anyone grafting the new low chill stone fruit trees to the Mexican plum to minimize cotton rot? Or would it even work? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Apple trees for Dothan, AL April 01, 2009 I would like to plant early, mid and late season apple trees in my area Dothan Al.What types can I plant that will help pollinate each other? I have plenty of room and planting some crabapples trees w... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Trees with non-invasive roots for California March 30, 2009 My family is currently in the process of redoing our entire yard. A huge task I might add! We had fruitless mulberries planted and one Modesto Ash. As much as we loved them we are hating their roots. ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Transplanting redbud from field in Edmond, OK March 30, 2009 I want to transplant a small redbud from a field to my yard. The trunk diam is about 1.5" and the tree is about 4' tall. What is the best way to do this? Should I plant it in a pot first? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Replacement for trees destroyed by Hurricane Ike March 28, 2009 We had a 23 year old elm tree in our front yard that was uprooted from Hurricane Ike (about 50 feet tall)..can you tell us what the replacement costs for that would be? Also we had a 20 foot live oak ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Planting a Texas Persimmon in rocky soil in Krum TX March 27, 2009 I have recently purchased a 10 gallon Texas Persimmon plant that I want to put as a highlight plant in my yard. According to the nursery, it has been in the pot for 2 years. I have been "blessed(or... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native tree for Perrysburg OH March 25, 2009 Can you recommend a small tree 15-20 feet for Perrysburg Ohio that does not produce seeds/berries/nuts etc, has large leaves and is pest resistant? Low maintenance View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Are hackberries harmful to other trees? March 25, 2009 A neighbor warned me that a hackberry tree that naturally sprouted up recently will harm the roots of other trees nearby and that it is such a bad tree we should take it down before it gets too big. I... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Trees for Parker, Colorado that will not harm horses March 21, 2009 we are searching for trees that will grow well in Parker Colorado and not be poisonous to our horses View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| My newly planted Mountain Laurel isn\'t doing well. March 13, 2009 My mountain laurel was planted from a container in Dec. It is in part sun, clay soil, and its leaves are turning yellow. should I move it or will that kill it? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Digging sassafras roots in Oklahoma March 11, 2009 When should I dig sassafras roots in eastern Oklahoma? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| I need a tall tree with kind roots for a narrow space March 11, 2009 We have a space in the yard where a building is within 3 to 6 feet of where we would like a tall tree. What tree could achieve two stories in height, while not messing with the foundation of the bu... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Replacement for black walnut near septic tank March 10, 2009 We have a black walnut tree growing on the sunny side of our house which provides wonderful shade in the summer but it is such a dirty tree. The leaves drop very early as well as small branches and t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Potential allelopathy of cultivar of Artemisia ludoviciana March 09, 2009 I recently submitted a question regarding allelopathic potential of artemisia ludoviciana on rusty blackhaw viburnum, not specifying that I meant Vibernum rufidulum. Mr. SP interpreted my viburnum as... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Tree roots breaking surface in Allen, TX March 09, 2009 I live in Northern Texas, near Dallas. My questions concerns a tree in my front yard that now has roots that break the surface of the soil and grass. I would like to cover the roots. Should I cover... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Is Esperanza a deciduous or an evergreen plant? March 08, 2009 I've read that Esperanza/Tecoma Stans is an evergreen. I planted one last year that seemed very healthy, but it dropped its leaves in late fall and looks (at least) dormant now. Will it come back o... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| When should a redbud start blooming? March 06, 2009 Does it take a couple or more years for a redbud tree to bloom? I had some in Houston when I lived there and it seems like it took a long time for them to bloom. I now live in Richards (Near Huntsvill... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Distance from existing structures to plant a tree in New York March 05, 2009 I would like to plant a large maple or birch near my suburban home. How far away from my home, garage, or any buildings should the seed be planted? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Can hackberry twigs and leaves be safely used in compost? March 05, 2009 If Hackberry trees and leaves have growth inhibiting compounds, should they not be used in compost piles? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Fertilizing oaks to produce more acorns March 04, 2009 What type of fertilizer would I use on oak trees to possibly increase growth and acorn production ? I have some flooded oak timber that is home to migrating ducks but there is little for them to eat. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Patio materials under a native oak trees in Missouri March 02, 2009 Is it safe to build a pavestone patio (with gravel sub base, Geo tech 101 fabric and sand bed..around two 50+ year old native oak trees? I know concrete would compact and cause damage to the surface ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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