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
Thursday - April 09, 2015
From: Liberty, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Seasonal Tasks, Trees
Title: Live Oak Mess in Liberty, TX
Answered by: Larry Larson
QUESTION:
Should I leave the pollination debris that has fallen from my 3 historic live oaks on the ground surface beneath them or use a leaf blower to remove.ANSWER:
My Homeowners Association doesn’t consider that there is any option there!
That debris is the male flower of the Oak Tree, a catkin, a male oak flower which has been happily coating your car in yellow-green pollen the last few weeks.
Here are a couple web articles about this phenomenom,
"Oak Flowers" from backyardnature.net, a discussion/description of Oak Catkins and
"Oak pollen: job done" from the Washington Post.
Being slightly more serious about this, it is pretty much up to you. The tree is done with them and has discarded the catkins. In a natural situation, the catkins become part of the leaf compost/mulch that is formed under the tree. This will act to suppress other plants under the Oak, but is fine otherwise. With that said - Mine has been raked up and set out for the city green recycling pickup.
From the Image Gallery
More Trees Questions
Identification of a tree at David Crockett Cabin Museum in Tennessee
October 22, 2012 - I was in Lawrenceburg TN and stopped by the David Crockett Cabin Museum. There was a tree and it dropped lemon sized balls on the ground. What kind of tree is it?
view the full question and answer
Anacacho orchid tree (Bauhinia lunarioides) and the freeze in Austin
February 03, 2010 - I just wanted to say that your answer in today's Austin American-Statesman about recent freeze damage to Anacacho orchid trees was right on for ours as well. We're in north central Austin and all t...
view the full question and answer
Washingtonia palms need to be skirted?
August 31, 2008 - Dear Mr. Smarty Plants, I have five Washingtonia palms on my property that have never been skirted and look rather shabby. The interesting thing is that they have thrived (20-30 ft) here to begin with...
view the full question and answer
White pine insect problems
October 08, 2009 - We live in The Woodlands TX. Some of our large pine trees have leaking sap and one is dead. What can we do to save the one's still alive?
view the full question and answer
Planting annuals around young oak in Evanston IL
July 30, 2011 - is it OK to plant annuals (i.e. salvias, impatiens or dusty millers) around the base of a young oak tree (2-3 years old)?
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |