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Smarty Plants Question Topics
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| Problems with Monterrey Oak in Austin March 26, 2013 We had a local tree service plant two Monterrey Oak trees on 4/2/2012. At the time we noticed that woodpeckers had had a field day on the trunk bark of both trees with the most damage being on the lar... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Allelopathy of American elms from Dallas March 24, 2013 Are American elms at all allelopathic? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Long term effects of pesticide from Lubbock TX March 20, 2013 I have 9 western pecan trees about 20 years old. Trunk sizes is from 18" to 39". I used a product Bayer Tree and Shrub, applied to the trees. I wonder what it will do to the trees. I talkd to Bayer ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Black Sooty Mold on Bay Tree February 25, 2013 I have a large bay tree and all the leaves are covered with a black mold-like substance on the top part of the leaf. Under each leaf are some black/brown spots. I have washed the leaves with soap and ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Bugbane Leaf Blotch January 24, 2013 My bugbanes (Cimicifuga/Actaea) seem to suffer from black blotches on the leaves in the summer. This happens even when they have adequate moisture. I also see it on the ones growing wild. Is this a fu... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| What to do about volunteer trees growing beneath a large live oak tree in Austin, TX January 08, 2013 We have a large live oak tree. Several volunteer trees are growing directly underneath it and into its branches. I want to cut them down if they are going to hurt the long term health of the live oak.... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Problems with crossvine from Semmes AL January 06, 2013 I have a 3 year old cross vine (tangerine beauty) and the leaves have started turning black and falling off the plant. I have two plants growing on the same pergola (opposite ends) and the second plan... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Prickly pear doing poorly on Long Island NY December 27, 2012 First, thanks for your reply on 11-3-12, re.Can a prickly pear cutting from Harker Heights, TX find happiness in Long Island, NY. The plants were set before a southern window in the attic, temp. ra... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Problems with non-native Japanese privet from Glendale AZ December 26, 2012 We have Japanese privet shrub and they seem to be suffering from a disease, need help. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Mountain Laurel slowly dying in San Antonio, TX December 26, 2012 My Texas Mountain Laurel seems to be dying in a slow unusual manner. Over the past two weeks the leaves have been turning yellow and falling off starting with the south facing side of my multi-tru... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Will damage to live oak root make it more susceptible to oak wilt December 24, 2012 Hi. I knicked the root of a live oak when digging. Will this hurt the tree and make it more succeptible to wilt? Is there something I can use to protect the exposed part of the root and make it les... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Agarita and Mexican Buckeye not flowering or fruiting. December 11, 2012 The Greenbelt behind our home has a ton of agarita and Mexican buckeye, but they never bloom or berry. The pigeon berry is very happily doing both all year. Any suggestions for helping the agerita a... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Non-native Chamaecyparis pisiflora turning brown in Fuqua-Varina NC December 10, 2012 I have a "Soft Serve False Cypress" Chamaecyparis pisifera'Dow Whiting PPAF, that has only been in the ground for 6-7 months. I just noticed that the branches and leaves are starting to die, turni... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Problems with mature Blue Agave in Kenya December 09, 2012 I have a mature Agave plant and there is a thin black liquid that looks like oil starting to appear on the leaves. The plant plant seems to be dying (from the bottom up). (The plant is a blue Agave an... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Fasciation on Texas Mountain Laurel November 21, 2012 Do Texas Mountain Laurel normally have a staghorn looking growth hanging on them after blooming in addition to the seed pod clusters or could this be a mutation? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Newly planted nuttall oaks from Houston TX November 16, 2012 I recently purchased two Nuttall Oak Trees in Houston Texas (October). They are both 15' or taller. I planted them within 24 hours of being delivered, watered them in, staked them, and within 3-4 d... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Chlorosis in Texas Wisteria from Blanco TX November 05, 2012 Just noticed a Texas Wisteria I bought last month and it is already looking chlorotic. Mixed compost in w/the dirt it is planted in but I don't think that will be enough. Is Blanco soil too alkaline?... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Cupressaceae dying in Suffolk Co.NY October 20, 2012 I have noticed that all of my Cupressaceae (& others I see in my area) are dying. They turn yellow, then rust & brown til they are everbrowns. what is going on? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Spots on non-native naval orange trees from Stockton CA October 20, 2012 I have two mature Navel Orange trees. One tree has developed spotty chlorophyl depleted areas that were not on the oranges when they were smaller. In addition, the oranges on both trees are smaller ,... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Problems with recently planted trumpet vine from Worcester MA October 20, 2012 Dear Mr. Smarty Plants, I have a question about my recently planted Trumpet Vines. First of all, I live in Massachusetts, zone 6. The soil is perfect for the two vines, which I bought from a local nur... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Drought-resistant and grub-resistant grass for Smithville TX October 02, 2012 I want a drought resistant grass for a sunny area that is also resistant to grubs. I have lots of grubs but want a healthy soil of good microbes. Any ideas? Zoysia, Buffalo? I noticed that Tech Turf r... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Film growing on prickly pear from Austin September 28, 2012 We've just xeriscaped our front & back yards. Two of the spineless prickly pear cacti have a beige film growing on the paddles. The film is now moving further up the cactus, and one of the upper pad... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Failing to thrive of non-native rose bushes in Austin September 24, 2012 I live in NW Austin and I have lost one knockout rose bush this summer and it looks like another one is failing. The leaves on a cane turn yellow then brown. I do not see whiteflies or black spots o... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Controlling nematodes on lantana from San Antonio September 19, 2012 Can anything be done to "fix" root knot nematode on older lantana. Next to other lantana. Pull them out or try organic fix? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Problems with mature cottonwood in Justin TX September 17, 2012 I have a very large, 90" circumference, approx 60' tall, cottonwood tree in my front yard that appears to be sick. The trunk splits at about the 4' level into 2 parts. at that split is a 10" wide... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Bark problems with Monterrey oak from Austin September 15, 2012 I planted a 65 gallon Monterrey Oak (White Oak) in my front yard in February of this year. I water it once a week. All of the leaves and branches appear very healthy and there is no discoloration.... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | | |
| Dying branches on Texas Mountain Laurel from Kempner TX September 14, 2012 The branches on my Texas Mountain Laurel are very dry and brittle. The leaves are also starting to die. The tree has been in my yard for six years and prior to that it sat wrapped in burlap for ov... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| New nursery plants with sappy spots from Round Rock, TX September 09, 2012 We live on the west side of RR, near Cedar Park and recently bought three 15 gallon cherry laurels from a nursery. Started to plant them today as we bought them a week ago and noticed base of the trun... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Sap dripping from a lacey oaks in San Antonio September 06, 2012 I have a lacey oak tree, approximately 6 ft. tall that has been in the ground almost a year. The tree looks healthy but there is a small area on the trunk that looks and feels wet. The substance is s... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Oaks at Wildflower Center from Wimberley TX September 05, 2012 I know you have numerous Quercus fusiformis examples at the ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center. My question is, do you also have Quercus virginiana growing there? Also, is Oak Wilt a disease that ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Pecan tree dropping limbs in Grand Prairie, TX. September 04, 2012 Our 15 year old pecan tree is losing it's limbs. The tree and its leaves look healthy with no signs of bugs or mites, but all the limbs are drooping and breaking off. The tree did have a bumper crop ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Problems with mountain laurel from Sunrise Beach TX August 29, 2012 In Llano Co., TX near lake LBJ, crushed granite type soil - my 4 - 5 year old TX Mtn. Laurels (2), about the size of large wheel barrows, are turning very pale, dropping leaves and on 1 the seed pods ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | | |
| Problems with non-native tomatoes from Spokane WA August 18, 2012 I have 2 tomato plants in 1 whiskey barrel, they are in abundance with tomatoes. My problem is when the tomatoes start to ripen, half green & half light red within 1 day the tomatoes are really soft ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Insect damage on possumhaw August 12, 2012 We planted a small possumhaw in February of this year (2012). It had leaves and some berries and was doing real well until some bug starting eating the leaves and berries. I know it is not deer becau... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Pecan leaves falling off the trees in Austin, TX. August 08, 2012 Why are the pecan tree leaves turning black, sappy and falling off the trees, in great quantities? This has happened since the recent rains, all through the Allandale area. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| White mold on Bermuda grass August 07, 2012 I tried searching and could not find info for this on your website. What causes mold in Bermuda grass and how can I get rid of it? Tried fungicide as recommended by garden center in austin which did... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Problems with Cedar Elm in Austin, TX. August 04, 2012 Our Cedar Elm has yellowing very dry leaves and something is eating the topmost leaves leaving holes and obviously chewed off leaf segments. Could this be two different things? Aphids and bacteria or ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Muhly grass slow to green up from Spring Hill FL August 04, 2012 Have lots of muhly grass planted 3 yrs ago. This yr about 1/3 are VERY slow. Still look like hay stacks. No pattern in the bed. You mentioned pesticides being too close? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Recently planted Chinquapin Oak with browning leaves in Marlin, TX. July 31, 2012 We planted a Chinquapin Oak this in March 2012. As of July 21, 2012, the tips of the leaves on the lower branches are turning brown. We cannot see any insects. There does not appear to be any fungu... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Demise of Flameleaf Sumac in Austin, TX. July 31, 2012 My Flameleaf Sumac suddenly died. Beetles came out around the trunk when I cut it down. How can I prevent this on the other sumac? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plants dying in circular garden in Killeen, TX. July 31, 2012 I have a large circular garden in my backyard out in the country in Killeen Texas. Last year two elms died. This year the Rose of Sharon has been dying one by one. One bush will completely die off bef... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Distressed Red Oak tree in Pflugerville, TX. July 22, 2012 I have a large (40 ft) Red Oak tree in my yard that is distressed. It started with yellowing leaves, with darker veins. Then small brown spots appeared, followed by browning arount the leaves edges. N... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Problems with maple tree in Redding CA July 17, 2012 I have a 2 yr. old October Glory tree that is looking bad. It leafed out this spring, but not as much as the others. In total I have 9 red maples along a fence row about 15 feet apart. The trees on ei... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Suffering Yaupon in Austin July 14, 2012 I am in the Austin area and I planted a Pride of Houston Yaupon in my back yard in March. It is in full sun. Lately the leaves have been turning pale green and now they fall off the tree upon touchi... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Redbud leaves turning yellow in mid-summer July 13, 2012 The leaves on our redbud trees are turning yellow. The yellow leaves are pale with no other spots and no dark veins. I don't know for sure which variety of redbud they are or how old they are (more t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Escarpment Black Cherry losing leaves in Austin, TX. July 13, 2012 Dear Mr. Plants: We live in Austin off of Mount Bonnell Road. We have beautiful 20 foot tall + black escarpment cherry tree very near the house with leaves turning yellow like it's about to drop th... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Care of Live Oaks July 11, 2012 We have Two Young Live Oaks in the front of Our home. We had them treated for insects, ect. Now what can we do to make them Full Green and Happy Happy Happy again.Thank You View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Sticky sap (honeydew) on car July 10, 2012 MY CAR IS CONSTANTLY COVERED WITH STICKY SAP. I LIVE IN AN AREA WITH MANY COCONUT PALMS AND OTHER TREES. COULD THE SAP BLOW AROUND EVEN THOUGH I KEEP CHANGING THE PARKING? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Texas Ash secreting sap in Lockhart, TX July 05, 2012 I have what I believe is a Texas Ash in my front yard that is secreting a sap with what looks like some wounds on it with some white stuff and with black and red looking ants as well as it has a lot o... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Texas Mountain Laurel oozing sap in Spicewood, TX. July 05, 2012 We have a Texas mountain laurel that seems to be sweating. Oozing sap with no apparent signs of any type of bore holes, or holes made from any birds. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | | |
| Growth on top of Echinacea purpurea (Eastern purple coneflower) July 03, 2012 I grow purple coneflowers in my garden. ONE plant has something growing on the top of each cone. I would like to know what it is but I don't see how I can add a photo to this post. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Location of Alamo fungicide kit from Georgetown TX July 03, 2012 Where can I buy the Alamo fungicide injection kit shown in the oak wilt video? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Time for trimming oaks from Boerne TX July 03, 2012 I want to trim a native red oak but am scared to touch it because I dont want to lose it. It is the primary source of shade in our back yard. Also I want to trim the live oaks and am surrounded with O... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Young oak damaged by falling tree from San Diego TX June 27, 2012 My neighbor's Palo Blanco tree was struck by lightning and fell over our fence and on to a young oak tree in our yard. We waited a few days to see if the neighbor would offer help, but he never did,... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Yellowing of leaves in Texas Mountain Laurel from Austin June 25, 2012 I planted a Texas Mountain Laurel in my Austin, TX yard this January. The tree was good sized (about 5 feet tall) when I planted it. Recently the leaves of the tree have started to turn yellow alon... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Splitting bark on non-native mimosa from Buda TX June 24, 2012 What would cause my Mimosa tree to have splitting bark. I've only lived in this house for 8 months and am learning about this tree. The other tree seems fine. It looks as though it split and then ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Wound in Monterey Oak from Austin June 20, 2012 I have a 10 year old Monterey Oak that has developed a wound that is secreting a white bubbly substance that has attracted all the bugs, like butterfly's , pill bugs, ants, and several others I don'... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Trimming oaks and elms from New Braunfels TX June 20, 2012 I would like to trim my live oaks and elm trees at the same time, if possible. I think they are American Elms. When is the best time to do this and avoid oak wilt and Dutch elm disease? Should all c... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Possible fungal infection of oak trees in Mastic Beach, NY. June 19, 2012 Sir, I have a yard full of HUGE Oaks. The one in question is about 80' tall 48" in diameter at the base. They are all well maintained fed and trimed and elevated every 3 or 4 years. About 4 years a... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Transplant rootbound tree now from Kerrville TX June 10, 2012 I purchased a Blanco Crabapple tree. Should I plant it now or wait until Fall? (It is currently rootbound.) Second question: Our Mountain Laurel has a dead trunk and one trunk has already died. I c... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Something eating holes in Texas Betony from Austin June 06, 2012 What pest is eating holes in the leaves of my Texas Betonys? They look healthy but almost all leaves have various sizes of round holes in them. What is the best cure for this? Thanks View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Problems with Strawberry Hedgehog cactus from Temple TX June 03, 2012 I had purchased a Strawberry hedgehog Cactus (echinocereus stramineus) a few years ago from the Wildflower Center's annual plant sale and planted it then. It has now started to brown from bottom to t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Leafing out problems with oaks in Towson MD June 02, 2012 3 native 5-year-old oaks kept old leaves until March and are not leafing by the end of May. The few leaves that have emerged are shriveled. WHAT'S WRONG? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Trees starting to die in subdivision in Hutto, TX May 31, 2012 I live in Hutto Tx, in a subdivision where everyone has the 2 trees planted in the front yard. My trees have started to die, and I want to find out what kind they are to find a solution View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Oak trees shedding leaves in Denton TX May 27, 2012 In Denton, TX we have two mature Quercus buckleyi. It is May 11th 2012 and one of these trees has been shedding green leaves for the last week. The only changes we have made are: planted English ivy... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Dying leaves on Autumn Blaze Maple tree in Littleton, CO May 25, 2012 I have an autumn blaze maple where for the last two years the left side of the tree turns light green, then brown, and leaves die. The right side is dark green, normal. Is this a water over/under pr... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Yellow in pin oak leaves from Allen TX May 25, 2012 I have two pin oaks and one is completely yellow - a sign of iron deficiency and the other is starting to turn completely yellow as well. I've a proposal for iron deficiency but it is quite expensiv... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Which plants are resistant to dog urine in Ashmore, IL?? May 21, 2012 Which native plants are resistant to dogs urinating on them? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Reason for tree canopy dieback from Mahopac NY May 21, 2012 Dear Mr. Smarty Plants: Not a questions, just sharing, re person in Texas whose Ash Jupiter appeared to be dying "canopy very thin on top". We moved to Putnam Co. NY in 1970. Our house was shaded by... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Cultivar of Cercis Canadensis from Haskell OK May 16, 2012 We have a Hearts of Gold Redbud that first had dark edges to many of its leaves (about 2 weeks after planting). It now has multiple leaves w/ medium-dark brown spots on them. Are we looking at some ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Problems with a Sherman (Shumard?) Oak from Bixby OK May 14, 2012 We have done extensive research on oak fungi/diseases/pests could be affecting our Sherman Oak tree but we are stumped. The leaves are falling off and have some sort of moldy bunch within the leaf it... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Oak bark problems from Stillwater OK May 14, 2012 In my clients large oak tree there is bark stripped from the limbs in small pieces. No piece is larger than 1 inch by 1 inch and occurs on limbs high in the canopy. It does not look like squirrel doin... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| How to correct Anacacho leaves that are turning brown and curling in Driftwood, TX? May 11, 2012 Anacacho lunarioides leaves are turning brown and curling,how do I correct? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Replacement Yaupon holly doing poorly in Pflugerville, TX May 09, 2012 I had to replace quite a few shrubs after the drought last year. I live in Austin, TX. I have planted 3 dwarf yaupon holly bushes in the exact same place where the previous three same type of shrubs... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Small oak tree with powdery mildew in San Antonio, TX. May 09, 2012 I have a small oak tree with powdery mildew. Is there anything I can do about? Will it kill the tree? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| A year and a half old live oak tree is doing poorly in Nevada, TX. May 08, 2012 We planted a live oak tree about a year and a half ago. the tree is still rather small. The leaves are of a vibrant green, however the leave have only grown through the center of the tree and not out... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| How do you stop the bark from peeling off the tree in Amarillo? May 07, 2012 How do you stop the bark from peeling off the tree? I live in Amarillo, TX. If you can't stop the progression, how do you keep the tree alive? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Need to find a place to buy Western Soapberry in Paris, TX. May 05, 2012 Where is the closest place to purchase a Western Soapberry tree? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Problems with evergreen sumac in San Antonio May 03, 2012 I planted 5 5-gallon (approximately 2 feet tall) evergreen sumac in early January. Since that time they have sprouted out new shoot with new leaves several times - every time the leaves have wilted a... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Spots on bark of Mountain Ash from Engadine MI April 30, 2012 I have a mountain ash that is about 5 years old & have just noticed white, patchy, scaly looking spots on the bark. Is this something to be concerned about??? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Problems with blueberries from Kernersville NC April 29, 2012 My blueberry plants have no leaves or scrawny ones. I have 13 plants, 5 of them are like this. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Pruning live oak in Austin April 28, 2012 Hi, We recently purchased a house in South Austin and there is a huge Live Oak Tree about 6 feet from the back door (so so so love it!) The only real issues I have so far are: 1. Needing to trim a ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Why did my Prairie Flax plant die in Austin, TX? April 27, 2012 Hello, We planted 4 prairie flax last fall in garden. They were all growing nicely until last month when I found that one of them has completely dried up and died. The plants are planted together a... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Need help with a fungal disease in oak trees in Austin, TX April 26, 2012 Two adjacent oak trees in my yard are showing distinct symptoms of Sudden Oak Death. Most notably, the lowest ten feet of their trunks have several bleeding cankers with thick, tarry ooze and no accom... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Need to identify a fungus in a flower garden in Lansinging, MI. April 25, 2012 I have a fungus in my flower garden. It is white and ground hugging. It is in a moist area under a large spruce where mulch has been laid down. When I step on it , it expels a green dust. What is it a... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Tilling for grass under old live oak in San Antonio April 15, 2012 Hi, I have a 250+ year old Texas Live Oak. As usual, the lawn under the tree, after 18 years needs to be redone. MY QUESTION: to put down new sod the lawn company needs to till the soil about 4 t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Problems with yaupon from San Angelo TX April 08, 2012 We have a 3-yr-old yaupon holly entering its 3rd summer. We have put store-bought wood-chips under the tree several times since it was planted. A plant has grown under the tree, possibly out of the ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | | |
| Texas wild olive tree April 05, 2012 I live in the Phoenix area. My Texas wild olive (Cordia boissieri) is about 5 years old, about 12 feet tall and has beautiful blossoms all year long. However, this past year (through all seasons... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Red oaks that didn't drop leaves in Austin April 04, 2012 I have a number of Red Oaks on land that did not drop leaves this past fall. Now these same trees seem to be dead? It seems there's some type of mold/fungus on the trees. Some trees have small patche... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Mountain Laurels are dying in Georgetown, TX. April 02, 2012 Ten year old Mountain Laurels both last year and this spring have had entire branches turn brown just after blooming this Feb. Round Rock Arborist suggested I contact you. Last year one of my laurels... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | | |
| Hypoxylon Canker removal in Austin TX March 26, 2012 I have several oaks that appear to have been killed by Hypoxylon atropunctatum from last summer's drought. Is it safe to cut them down in March or does that risk spreading Oak Wilt too. Should I ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Black fungus on cholla cactus from Austin March 25, 2012 How to get rid of black fungus on cholla cactus? Cut it off? And treat with what? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Problems with volunteer tree in Joshua TX February 15, 2012 I have a 'volunteer' tree which has been in our back yard for about 15 years. It has had the usual traumas, ie. lots of snow, ice, etc. but after last years drought, its bark is coming off and sev... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Problem with non-native Houttuynia cordata (chameleon) January 30, 2012 I have a Houttuynia cordata chameleon plant in a clay pot. My zone is 9b and my yard is partial sun. Up until January, it was thriving. Now, it is dead. I think the cold killed it. I kept it moist at ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Live oak leaves yellowing from Denton TX January 26, 2012 In autumn of 2010 I planted 10 live oaks about 6 to 7 ft. tall. I have see that during the month of Dec. 2011 to Jan. 2012 they are showing some yellow leaves. What can I do to help them? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Habiturf installation after Take-All fungus January 24, 2012 Are other soil remedies needed (besides those listed in your Habiturf brochure) to install Habiturf on land which had a St. Augustine lawn which was decimated by take all patch. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Leaves dropping on evergreen sumac in San Antonio January 11, 2012 I have a large evergreen sumac in my back yard that started off as a small shrub 10 years ago. This summer the leaves turned red and now have dropped off. Is the plant dead? It sent out two smaller pl... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Cause of trees losing bark in Arkansas December 27, 2011 I live in very rural Arkansas and we did have extreme heat this past summer and since then I have noticed several trees in the woods that have lost huge strips of their bark and I was wondering if it ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Live oak leaves turning yellow after planting in Houston December 19, 2011 We bought a 65 gallon live oak in early October, and have been watering fairly heavily three days a week. It seemed OK, then all of a sudden lots of the leaves are turning yellow. Is it getting too ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Failure to thrive of Tex-ash in Tucson AZ December 02, 2011 I planted a mature (15') Tex-Ash about a year ago. Lately more and more leaves seem to be browning and it has never filled out. I am concerned I am going to lose it if I don't get it something befor... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
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