Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

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.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?

Share

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants

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

Search Smarty Plants
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

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.

 
rate this answer
1 rating

Tuesday - October 08, 2013

From: Madison, WI
Region: Midwest
Topic: Plant Laws, Planting, Trees
Title: Law against planting cottonwood in Madison WI
Answered by: Barbara Medford

QUESTION:

I was told that there is an ordinance against planting cottonwood trees in Madison, WI. Is this true?

ANSWER:

You do realize you are asking someone in Austin, Texas about a local ordinance in the town where you live? Down here, the questions are usually whether it's against the law to pick the Texas State Flower, Lupinus texensis (Texas bluebonnet) (there is not) or a law to prevent homeowner's associations from mowing native plants (also no). There are 9 species of the genus Populus (cottonwood) native to North America. The species Populus deltoides (Eastern cottonwood) is native to both Wisconsin and Texas. There is a lot of complaint about it in allergy season because many people are sensitive to the puffs of "cotton" that carries the seed.

We suggest that you contact the University of Wisconsin (also in Madison) Extension Office for Dane County. There is probably a more appropriate city office that you could call, but we don't know that, and you can bet the Extension Office will have the answer.

 

From the Image Gallery


Eastern cottonwood
Populus deltoides

Eastern cottonwood
Populus deltoides

Eastern cottonwood
Populus deltoides

More Plant Laws Questions

Is it legal to pick wildflowers from the roadside in NY?
July 10, 2011 - Hi, Is it legal to pick most wildflowers from the roadside in upstate NY? Thanks!
view the full question and answer

Sample city ordinances to incorporate into city code
February 13, 2007 - I am looking for a source of sample city ordinances that will allow wildflowers such that we can incorporate it into our city code. My city is rural and per its master visionplan was originally publi...
view the full question and answer

Moving plants from Texas to Florida
September 27, 2013 - Hi, I found your answer for the person traveling from Florida to Texas, I am going the opposite way. Do I need to have my house and yard plants certified by Texas Dept of Agriculutre? If so how do I ...
view the full question and answer

Possibility of transporting native seeds to Europe
February 03, 2011 - Hi, Is it possible to bring seeds for North American plants and wildflowers from the USA to Europe? I live in Italy and have many Italian friends who want me to bring seeds from America the next time ...
view the full question and answer

Companion Plants for Salix nigra in Texas
April 02, 2015 - I'm looking the list of companion plants as well as those that might not go well with Salix nigra.
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.