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
Monday - June 01, 2009
From: Pickford, MI
Region: Midwest
Topic: Trees
Title: Would mountain ash (Sorbus sp.) grow in Michigan?
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I live in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan between Cedarville (Lake Huron) and Sault Ste. Marie (Lake Superior.) We would like to plant a Mountian Ash because we love birds and they love the berries and would like to know how this tree would do in our climate. Thank you.ANSWER:
Mr. Smarty Plants found six native trees with the common name 'mountain ash':Sorbus americana (American mountain ash) and its distribution includes Michigan. Here are more photos.
Sorbus decora (northern mountain ash) and its distribution includes Michigan. Here are photos.
Sorbus dumosa (Arizona mountain ash) and its distribution does NOT include Michigan.
Sorbus groenlandica (Greenland mountain ash) and its distribution does NOT include Michigan. Here is a photo.
Sorbus scopulina (Greene's mountain ash) and its distribution does NOT include Michigan. Here are photos.
Sorbus sitchensis (western mountain ash) and its distribution does NOT include Michigan. Here are photos.
So, Mr. Smarty Plants says "definitely yes" for the first two—S. americana and S. decora—but unlikely for the other 4 species.
More Trees Questions
Can Carolina jessamine be grown in Syracuse NY?
May 09, 2010 - Hi--Can Carolina Jessamine be grown in Syracuse, New York?
view the full question and answer
Determination of native plants of North Carolina
April 24, 2006 - I am compiling lists of native plants to use in NC, and found that Dirr (Manual of Woody Landscape Plants) lists introduction dates (xxxx) for MANY of the trees you list as natives, e.g., Acer rubrum ...
view the full question and answer
Slow development in Shumard Oak from Porter TX
April 02, 2013 - We had two Shumard Oaks Planted in Sept of last year (2012). About a month later, they started browning and dropping their leaves (no color change). Now I noticed on one of the trees the buds have sta...
view the full question and answer
Obtaining bark of Larix laricina from Hyderabad India
January 26, 2012 - I am in need of Larix laricina (Bark) for my research work. Please let me know how to procure it.
view the full question and answer
Large oak with possible Laetiporus fungus
November 29, 2011 - We have a huge oak tree in front of our new house. After the first rain this fall a large fungal growth appeared in an old knothole of the tree and I would guess that it is Laetiporus.
A neighborho...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |