Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

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.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?

Share

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

Search Smarty Plants
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
rate this answer
Not Yet Rated

Monday - May 07, 2012

From: Amarillo, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Diseases and Disorders, Trees
Title: How do you stop the bark from peeling off the tree in Amarillo?
Answered by: Jimmy Mills

QUESTION:

How do you stop the bark from peeling off the tree? I live in Amarillo, TX. If you can't stop the progression, how do you keep the tree alive?

ANSWER:

You didn’t mention what kind of tree is loosing its bark. There are some trees where shedding of the bark is a characteristic of the tree (sycamore, silver maple, redbud, birches).

 Another cause of loosing bark can be a fungal infection. Mr. Smarty  Plants suggests contacting the Potter County office of Texas AgriLife Extension and ask one of their agents look at the tree to make an analysis.
If the tree is infected, continued loss of bark will kill the tree.

 

More Trees Questions

Thorn bushes for a fence in Puerto Rico
November 17, 2015 - I'm looking for thorn bushes that grow in Puerto Rico. Want to use as fence to keep wild life in. Thanks, at least 5 ft tall so dogs can't get out.
view the full question and answer

Availability of seeds or plants for Texas Mulberry
September 12, 2006 - Is there any source of seeds or plants for Texas Mulberry?
view the full question and answer

Tree for St Paul MN
April 30, 2012 - Need deciduous faster growing shade tree, more taproot style (few/no surface bulging roots--had to cut down large silver maple), few/no fatal pests, tolerant of cold (MN), preferably able to take vari...
view the full question and answer

Are the moths in my Austin, TX live oaks harmful?
November 03, 2009 - It is November and my live oak trees are full of moths. What are they and are they harmful to my trees?
view the full question and answer

Small flowering tree for cemetery in TX
November 07, 2010 - I am looking for a native large shrub or small tree to plant at a cemetery in Pflugerville, TX, preferable something with flowers. I need something that won't have a large root system that would dis...
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.