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
Wednesday - April 07, 2010
From: Austin, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Trees
Title: Is it wise to cut suckers from live oak branches in April in Austin
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
My live oak branches are filling with suckers and I would like to cut them now, April. Is that wise?ANSWER:
Short answer: No.
However small the open area in the bark would be after you nipped off the suckers, that would be enough to attract the nitidulid beetle, the little monster which is the carrier of Oak Wilt Disease. From an article in the San Antonio Express News, here is an article on Preventing Oak Wilt by Lynn Rawe, Extension Agent-Horticulture, Bexar County. Also, read this article from the Texas Oak Wilt Parnership.
The best time to prune the Live Oak is between December 1 and February 1. The worst time is between February 15 and June 15.
More Trees Questions
Evergreen hedge for NY
February 26, 2012 - I am looking for a native evergreen shrub that could be used as a hedge or privacy screen on the Rockaway peninsula in Queens county. It is a beach community with sand soil ( except where it has been...
view the full question and answer
Status of Texas Olive tree in Katy, TX
March 30, 2016 - I have a Texas Olive tree and it has very few leaves. Is this normal?
view the full question and answer
Live oak trees and possible drought stress in Lott, TX.
June 11, 2011 - One of our Live Oak trees is losing leaves in only a portion of it. I have researched Oak Wilt and I am not sure that is what it has. We have trees that are hundreds of years old and was wondering i...
view the full question and answer
Planting Live oak trees in Katy, TX.
November 03, 2012 - We are building a house in a neighborhood where the HOA requires two live oaks in the front yard. Our lot is pie shaped leaving a very small front yard once you take into acct the driveway and sidewal...
view the full question and answer
Impenetrable privacy hedge in Wimberly, TX.
July 26, 2011 - I live near Wimberly, TX. I'd like to grow an impenetrable privacy hedge about 200' long and at least 10' tall and 10' deep (or more) using native plants. I'd like it to be evergreen, drought t...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |