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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.

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

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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.

 
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Thursday - November 12, 2009

From: Andover, MA
Region: Northeast
Topic: Plant Identification
Title: Plant identification in Andover MA
Answered by: Barbara Medford

QUESTION:

I live in MA. I have found a tree that produces an avocado like fruit with a round grooved pit. There are several of these trees in the fields where I walk and the ground is littered with these fruits. Can you tell me what they are? Unfortunately there is no foliage left on the trees to help with the id.

ANSWER:

Nothing springs to mind that might have that description. It is possible it is a non-native tree, perhaps planted in an orchard. Please go to our page for Plant Identification and follow the instructions to send us pictures of the fruit, seed, perhaps the tree itself and the bark, and we will try to figure out what it is. You might also contact the University of Massachussetts Extension Office for Essex County to see if someone there recognizes the tree.

 

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