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_00.gif)
Saturday - July 14, 2012
From: Austin, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Diseases and Disorders, Transplants, Trees
Title: Suffering Yaupon in Austin
Answered by: Mike Tomme
QUESTION:
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 touching. Today I noticed on the still green leaves on the tree that they were turning pale green at the tip with a dark brown/black line moving to the base of the leaf. What could be causing this? Is the tree going to die? Thank youANSWER:
It's always hard to know why a plant isn't doing well, especially without seeing it, but the most likely explanation is that your Ilex vomitoria (Yaupon) is suffering from transplant shock. Even under the best circumstances a plant will suffer some degree of setback when it is transplanted. When the transplant is done in the spring, the shock is exacerbated by the stress of hot weather soon after being planted. This is why Mr. Smarty Plants always recommends planting trees and shrubs in the fall.
At this point, about all you can do is make sure it is getting enough water. A yaupon doesn't require much water after it is established, but it will need some extra water to get established. Be careful not to over water though, yaupons don't like wet feet. A layer of mulch arond the base will help.
Mr. Smarty Plants can't tell you if your plant is going to die or not, but you will probably know the answer by this fall which will be a good time to plant a replacement if it doesn't make it.
Here area couple of how-to articles that might help you out if you have to replant:
From the Image Gallery
More Diseases and Disorders Questions
Acid rain in Ft. Worth?
August 19, 2010 - ALERT. NEED IMMEDIATE ATTENTION. Why are so many trees, plants, etc. in the Fort Worth area dying?? I heard acid rain. Please don't say drought. I have lived in this area all my life and survived t...
view the full question and answer
Damage to native elm in Texas
August 20, 2008 - We had a major landscape renovation done over the winter. One of the trees, an elm about 10 yrs old, remained in the bed although plants around it were removed. The tree has suddenly started turning...
view the full question and answer
Leaf drop from live oaks in mid-summer
July 08, 2013 -
We have a live oak that is starting to drop a considerable amount of leaves here in early July in Cypress Texas. Its a mature tree with a base diameter of 12-14" and 25-30' tall. We live in a subd...
view the full question and answer
Bottlebrush buckeye not leafing out from Newburyport MA
June 11, 2013 - We have a bottlebrush buckeye bush that has grown and blossomed for 16 years. This spring the bush failed to produce any leaves and there are no buds in anticipation of leaves. There are a few smaller...
view the full question and answer
Need help with canker in willows in Flagstaff, AZ.
March 18, 2010 - We've got a lot of willows in high altitude desert conditions, irrigated. They've got canker and I want to know if there's anything I can paint on the pruning wounds when I go around trying to remo...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |