Native Plants
![](../_images/smarty_plants.gif)
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.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
![](../_images/mr_smarty_plants_logo_web_200w.jpg)
rate this answer
![](../_images/star_30.gif)
Wednesday - December 29, 2010
From: Wimberley, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Diseases and Disorders, Pruning, Trees
Title: Is December a good time to prune oaks in Central Texas?
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
Given that we haven't had much cold weather here in central Texas (Wimberley) this season, is it a good time to trim live and Spanish oak trees (damaged limbs and low hanging branches and suckers)? Into 30's at night some days but also into 70's during the day. So is the nitidulid bug active right now here?ANSWER:
The Texas Forest Service has two articles, Guidelines for Proper Pruning to Prevent Oak Wilt Infection by Kim Camilli and Only You Can Prevent Oak Wilt by Robert Edmonson, that advise not pruning from February through June when the Nitidulid beetles are most active. So, now, while the weather is reasonably cold, is the perfect time to prune. Both articles recommend painting the wounds caused by the trimming as soon as the cuts are made no matter what time of year the pruning is done.
More Trees Questions
Floristic Quality Assessment program in Texas?
January 19, 2009 - Do you have knowledge of a Floristic Quality Assessment program for Texas such as the ones used in Indiana and Illinois?
view the full question and answer
Non-blooming parsley hawthorn in Madison MS
April 25, 2010 - I have a parsley hawthorn that has never bloomed. It is thriving in a low area under tall pines. It gets filtered sun most of the day with more direct sun in late afternoon. I don't know the age but...
view the full question and answer
Selection of native trees to replace trees lost in hurricane
September 28, 2008 - Hello, I have a tree replacement list I must choose from as I live in a HOA deeded area. I lost 2 pines to the hurricane. And according to them I need to replace with 2 large trees. The pines were 15 ...
view the full question and answer
Allelopathy of American elms from Dallas
March 24, 2013 - Are American elms at all allelopathic?
view the full question and answer
Native Perennials for Bees and Butterflies in VA
April 15, 2015 - What native perennial plants and trees can we plant to help honey bees and butterfly larvae in Harrisonburg, VA?
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |