Native Plants
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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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| Pruning Texas madrone trees from Utopia TX August 19, 2012 I have a number of large Texas Madrone trees on my ranch in Utopia Texas. A few of them have dead limbs and I was wondering whether I should cut off the dead limbs or just leave the tree alone. I wa... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Source for trees from Burnet TX August 19, 2012 I am desperately searching the central Texas area for Pistacia Mexicana male and female trees to buy. I would like about four, maybe more. I live in the Killeen-Lampasas area and have been to seve... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Sycamore leaf snowbell from Pleasanton TX August 18, 2012 How do you care for a sycamore leaf snowbell. Does it like sun or part shade? How much water? How often and what should it be fed. How fast or slowly does it grow? Anything you can tell me would be ap... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Cypress trees near pool in Winter Park FL August 17, 2012 I live in Winter Park (Orlando) Florida. I have been gifted two potted cypress trees that I need to get into the ground. The only place I can plant them is in my backyard in between a stand of non-inv... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Controlling seeding of non- native, invasive Paulownia from Fayetteville TN August 17, 2012 My husband planted a Paulownia tree against my advice about eight years ago. This summer it has huge seed pods. How do I keep the seeds from invading the wooded area of our property? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| A tap-rooted tree for Munroe Falls, OH? August 16, 2012 Hello.. We need to find a fast growing shade tree which has a tap root or a heart root system. No surface roots please. We live in Munroe Falls, Ohio which I believe is Zone 5. Let us know your though... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Evergreen shrub for hedge in pasture in California August 15, 2012 I am looking at putting in a hedge along a pasture between my neighbor and me. I was considering a podacarpus plant about every 4' for 100'. is this a fast growing, full thickness, tall evergreen bu... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Landscaping with water garden from Pendleton SC August 15, 2012 Searching for native plants in SC. Your results miss some plants listed on your site. I noticed this reading the Mr. Smarty Plants response to "Edible Plants for North GA" We aren't far apart. ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Tree for caliche soil in Cochise County, Arizona August 15, 2012 What trees will thrive in areas of moderate caliche soil in southeast Arizona? My property is at 4,200 feet of elevation. Thanks for your help View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Is Lemon Cypress toxic? August 15, 2012 Is the Lemon Cypress toxic? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Pecan trees too close together in Austin August 14, 2012 There are two pecan trees in my central Austin yard. Each is four or five inches diameter at chest height and maybe 15 feet tall. They are within six feet of each other and their canopies interfere wi... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Oaks emitting substance in Lakeway TX August 14, 2012 We have two large oak trees in our yard that are emitting a clear, very sticky, non-fragrant substance. The leaves are beginning to be covered as is our deck. Bees are now attracted and I am worried ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| How Do Persimmons Breed - Starkville, MS August 14, 2012 Thank you for your earlier response about the genders of native persimmon trees. We have two, a much larger one that has borne fruit for years and years and a smaller one that I'd just assumed was m... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Oak leaf hydrangeas from Edwardsville IL August 13, 2012 Hello, I live in West Central Illinois (across the river from St. Louis) and I am considering planting several Oak leaf Hydrangea's in my yard. The location where I would like to plant them is und... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Tree to replace Betula nigra (River birch) in Memphis August 13, 2012 HI Mr. Smarty Pants, I think I need to replace the river birch tree in my west-facing front yard in Memphis, TN. I have sun all day, but it gets really hot in the afternoon. The soil in my yar... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Insect damage on possumhaw August 12, 2012 We planted a small possumhaw in February of this year (2012). It had leaves and some berries and was doing real well until some bug starting eating the leaves and berries. I know it is not deer becau... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Drought-tolerant trees for planters in San Diego August 09, 2012 We need some ideas for a drought tolerant tree that will provide shade (4 foot raised planters in sunny location) not get too big when mature, and not too messy. San Diego View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Pecan leaves falling off the trees in Austin, TX. August 08, 2012 Why are the pecan tree leaves turning black, sappy and falling off the trees, in great quantities? This has happened since the recent rains, all through the Allandale area. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Trees for privacy screen August 08, 2012 Hello, We'd like to plant a privacy screen to hide our view of an adjacent apartment complex. Ideally the trees or other plantings might be a native species, and preferably they would eventually rea... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Need trees & shrubs for a 2.5x45 ft. planter box in Chatsworth. CA. August 07, 2012 We recently built a pool in our backyard and need to redo all the landscaping. We have a planter that is 45 feet long and about 2.5 feet wide. We'd like to put some trees in this planter that are n... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Plant identification August 04, 2012 We found a bush on our ranch in southern Gonzales County. It has oval shaped leaves about an inch long. There are no thorns on the branches. Fruit is round and smooth, the size of a small cherry to... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Problems with Cedar Elm in Austin, TX. August 04, 2012 Our Cedar Elm has yellowing very dry leaves and something is eating the topmost leaves leaving holes and obviously chewed off leaf segments. Could this be two different things? Aphids and bacteria or ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Cottage-style landscaping for Chesapeake VA August 02, 2012 Dear Mr. Smarty Plant staff, I recently moved into a cottage style home that has a poured concrete/paver patio. I am trying to come up with ideas for plantings that would 1. give me a bit of privacy,... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Non-native crape myrtles in Noblesville IN August 01, 2012 Can Crepe Myrtle trees be grown in Noblesville IN 46060? I believe we are zone five. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Crape myrtle in Austin August 01, 2012 Please don't bother to answer my question about how to treat a crepe myrtle with sticky stuff falling from it. I just found the answer on your site. Good site, by the way. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Sticky stuff dripping from non-native crape myrtle in Austin August 01, 2012 There is sticky sap-like stuff dropping from the very large crepe myrtle in my yard. The tree has quit blooming. This didn't happen last year when it was so dry; it started after we had all the rain ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Recently planted Chinquapin Oak with browning leaves in Marlin, TX. July 31, 2012 We planted a Chinquapin Oak this in March 2012. As of July 21, 2012, the tips of the leaves on the lower branches are turning brown. We cannot see any insects. There does not appear to be any fungu... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Demise of Flameleaf Sumac in Austin, TX. July 31, 2012 My Flameleaf Sumac suddenly died. Beetles came out around the trunk when I cut it down. How can I prevent this on the other sumac? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plants dying in circular garden in Killeen, TX. July 31, 2012 I have a large circular garden in my backyard out in the country in Killeen Texas. Last year two elms died. This year the Rose of Sharon has been dying one by one. One bush will completely die off bef... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Something dripping from red oak in Austin July 30, 2012 There is a large red oak outside my apartment. The leaves are shiny and covered with what appears to be oil. The ground underneath is coated with this also. When I parked under the tree my car beca... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Toxicity of Fan Tex Ash tree to horses July 22, 2012 Is the Fan Tex Ash tree toxic to horses? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Distressed Red Oak tree in Pflugerville, TX. July 22, 2012 I have a large (40 ft) Red Oak tree in my yard that is distressed. It started with yellowing leaves, with darker veins. Then small brown spots appeared, followed by browning arount the leaves edges. N... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Sticky material dripping from tree in Austin July 22, 2012 The tree in my backyard is dripping what I surmise is sap - a thick,fdrake1@ sticky substance in July. What kind of tree is it and is there anything one can do prevent this from happening? Thank you... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Skin allergies; is Juniper the culprit in Simi Valley, CA? July 21, 2012 My husband and I have had terrible skin allergy problems this spring (for me it's been 3 years) and think it may be the juniper bushes outside our bedroom and kitchen windows. Is there a fast growin... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Small Yard Tree for Washington DC July 20, 2012 What do you suggest for a tree or shrub in my front yard? The yard is small; 9 ft x 12 ft. Thank you. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Transplant shock in pecan tree in Garner NC July 19, 2012 I transplanted a pecan tree about 3 weeks ago & been watering it 3 times a day. The leaves are turning brown & crumbly before I water it. After I water it, the leaves are brown but I can scratch the t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Watering Native Trees in Georgetown, TX July 19, 2012 I installed a native/adapted plantscape in early March including several small trees. They were planted in the rocky soil west of I-35 in Georgetown with plenty of added compost and mulch. Other than ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Problems with maple tree in Redding CA July 17, 2012 I have a 2 yr. old October Glory tree that is looking bad. It leafed out this spring, but not as much as the others. In total I have 9 red maples along a fence row about 15 feet apart. The trees on ei... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Need a shade tree for front yard in Fredricksburg, TX. July 16, 2012 I live in Fredericksburg, Tx. I have a large front yard, but only one huge pecan tree in the front yard that is probably 18 years old. It shades half the yard. I want to plant another shade tree for t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Aphids in pecan tree from Austin July 14, 2012 Last year at this time (midsummer) everything under the canopy of our 60+ year old pecan tree was covered with a sticky substance--plants, lawn furniture, concrete pool deck..Since we had never seen t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Suffering Yaupon in Austin July 14, 2012 I am in the Austin area and I planted a Pride of Houston Yaupon in my back yard in March. It is in full sun. Lately the leaves have been turning pale green and now they fall off the tree upon touchi... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Redbud leaves turning yellow in mid-summer July 13, 2012 The leaves on our redbud trees are turning yellow. The yellow leaves are pale with no other spots and no dark veins. I don't know for sure which variety of redbud they are or how old they are (more t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Escarpment Black Cherry losing leaves in Austin, TX. July 13, 2012 Dear Mr. Plants: We live in Austin off of Mount Bonnell Road. We have beautiful 20 foot tall + black escarpment cherry tree very near the house with leaves turning yellow like it's about to drop th... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Bird-friendly plants for the Texas coast July 13, 2012 I'm interested in starting a native plant garden, specifically with an eye towards providing food (either from the plants or insects that are attracted to the plants) for migratory birds. However, s... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Search for Silver Magnolia from Coram NY July 11, 2012 Hi, 20+ years ago I purchased a small tree labeled Silver Magnolia from a catalog. It was a sapling about 8 inches high when I first received it but amazing! The bloom the first year was as big as my ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Care of Live Oaks July 11, 2012 We have Two Young Live Oaks in the front of Our home. We had them treated for insects, ect. Now what can we do to make them Full Green and Happy Happy Happy again.Thank You View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Sticky sap (honeydew) on car July 10, 2012 MY CAR IS CONSTANTLY COVERED WITH STICKY SAP. I LIVE IN AN AREA WITH MANY COCONUT PALMS AND OTHER TREES. COULD THE SAP BLOW AROUND EVEN THOUGH I KEEP CHANGING THE PARKING? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native violets under maples from Gettysburg PA July 06, 2012 Just for your info (no need to post or reply), I saw an old post of a question of something to grow under maples. In central PA, native violets grow very well under several species of maples in lawns... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Fast-growing, Horse-safe Pasture Tree for Okeechobee, FL July 05, 2012 I'm looking for a fast growing tree to plant in pasture that's safe for horses. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Texas Ash secreting sap in Lockhart, TX July 05, 2012 I have what I believe is a Texas Ash in my front yard that is secreting a sap with what looks like some wounds on it with some white stuff and with black and red looking ants as well as it has a lot o... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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