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 - July 12, 2012
From: Austin, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Problem Plants
Title: Are there prescribed burn professionals in central Texas?
Answered by: Joe Marcus
QUESTION:
I am looking for someone to hire for a controlled hillside burn. Can you recommend someone to hire?ANSWER:
The term land management professionals use for the type of service you seek is prescribed burn. That is not to say that their land management burns are uncontrolled, just that prescribed burn better describes what they actually do.
Whether or not you ultimately decide to employ a prescribed burn professional, you should educate yourself about the benefits and issues involved. A simple web search using the term "prescribed burn" will yield a wealth of information of the subject. Your county's AgriLife Extension Service agent should be able to provide additional information of value to you. For example, they might point you in the direction of the Prescribed Burn Alliance of Texas, a group dedicated to the use of prescribed burning as a land management tool. You will find more helpful information on their website: pbatexas.org. Here is an excellent publication by the Texas Coastal Bend Prescribed Burn Association.
As a rule, we do not give recommendations for commercial ventures or products within Ask Mr. Smarty Plants.
More Problem Plants Questions
Protection from native invasive trumpet vines
April 17, 2008 - Mr. SP: I have invaders! Trumpet vines from a neighbor's yard, two doors away have taken over and are eating my garage and trying to steal all the sun from my clematis vines.
How do I get rid of...
view the full question and answer
Eliminating unwanted vine on arbor in San Francisco
November 20, 2012 - There is a vine growing on our arbor, it has sickle-shaped pods and is crushing the arbor, how do we get rid of it?
view the full question and answer
Plants to replace Phragmites australis (Common reed) in Cedar Ridge Preserve
February 25, 2015 - Dear Mr. Smarty Plants,
I live in the DFW area and volunteer at a preserve (Cedar Ridge). We are constantly battling the common reed, Phragmites australis, around the pond. I am wondering what shou...
view the full question and answer
Eliminating evasive Celastrus orbiculatus (Oriental bittersweet)
July 21, 2013 - I have Oriental Bittersweet growing pervasively in my shrub garden, strangling my shrubs and growing into my beautiful Victorian porch. I can't keep up with it! What can I do?
view the full question and answer
How to Control Poison Ivy
February 22, 2016 - We have lots of Poison Ivy on a site we are clearing it is adjacent to a pond and children are around this area all the time. We are creating hiking paths. I have a lot of experience but I do not wan...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |