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
Friday - November 22, 2013
From: Wimberley, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Seeds and Seeding, Trees
Title: Abundance of acorns from Wimberley TX
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
We have lived in Wimberley since 1999 and this is the first time we have had such a huge abundance of acorns on our Oak trees, which is surprising considering the drought we have been in the last few years. I can't believe how many acorns we have and the deer are eating them like crazy, so is my dog! Why the bumper crop?ANSWER:
Please read this previous Mr. Smarty Plants answer concerning the large crop of acorns you are experiencing. You are not alone in this experience; at the Fall Plant Sale at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center you could hear the "pings" as acorns fell on the corrugated metal roofs of some of our buildings. And walking beneath them caused a constant crunching beneath the feet. It is a perfectly normal occurrence in the life cycle of the oak.
More Trees Questions
Why are small leaf pieces aligned on top of exposed root?
July 11, 2011 - Hi. An oak tree in my yard has one of its exposed roots covered in hundreds of small pieces of leaves. The pieces follow exactly the shape of the root above the surface. What insect would do this and...
view the full question and answer
Blooms on Desert Willow withering quickly in Rockwall TX
July 15, 2010 - Why do the blooms on my Desert Willow dry up and wither away in one or two days?
view the full question and answer
Will arctostaphylos grow in Austin, from Murrieta CA
April 23, 2013 - I currently live in Murrieta, CA at 2,000 ft. We planted 800 native plants on our slopes so they were extremely drought tolerant. One of my favorites is the Arctostaphylos family that will take the fr...
view the full question and answer
Stressed Texas persimmon, Diospyros texana
September 12, 2009 - I planted a 5' Texas Persimmon last May..it is watered by drip irrigation and has done well, putting on lots of new leaves and looking healthy as can be. That is, until several days ago when it began...
view the full question and answer
Larvae infesting Mexican white oak
December 16, 2010 - What larvae/worm would dwell and eat the inside of a Mexican White Oak? I planted one last November and it was doing great. The bark started cracking towards the bottom but the top was very full & gre...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |