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