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.
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.
rate this answer
Sunday - August 12, 2012
From: Wimberley, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Diseases and Disorders, Pests, Trees
Title: Insect damage on possumhaw
Answered by: Guy Thompson
QUESTION:
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 because it is surrounding by a cage. I have not seen any insects or caterpillars on it but the leaves have slowly been nibbled away until there are none. The plant is now putting out new sprouts on most branch tips. I realize that this has been the year of the bugs. Being new to Texas, we have seen insects that we did not know existed. Should we be concerned and should we do anything?ANSWER:
Ilex decidua (Possumhaw) does not normally have many insect or disease problems. I have a feeling that your possumhaw may have been stressed during one of the dry spells we have had this year. Newly planted trees are more prone to stress than established trees. When a plant is stressed it often redirects some of the goodies it makes through photosynthesis. Thus the leaves may get more sugars or other metabolites than normal. This can attract insects that usually would not find the leaves tasty. The fact that your possumhaw's branch tips are leafing out again is a good sign. I believe that if you keep the tree well watered and mulched it will survive and resume healthy growth next year.
From the Image Gallery
More Trees Questions
Spacing for a Desert Willow Tree in California
July 07, 2016 - How close to a house can I plant a desert willow tree?
view the full question and answer
Cherry trees in the North Texas area
April 21, 2009 - Will cherry trees grow well in the North Texas area?
view the full question and answer
Transplanting hackberry trees in Texas
September 17, 2008 - I live N of Ft Worth,Tx is there a trick to digging up & transplanting hackberry trees?
view the full question and answer
Need suggestions for planting trees in poor soils in Austin, TX
February 27, 2015 - Due to the clay soils and poor drainage in East Austin, what ornamental trees do you normally suggest?
view the full question and answer
Evergreen tree for privacy screen in Granbury Texas
December 21, 2014 - We need to put an evergreen privacy screen between our barn and our neighbor's new 132' long, unattractive building, which runs along & is just 40' away from our fence line & where they have decid...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |