Native Plants
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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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| Fertilizing Newly Planted Trees February 07, 2016 Back in November, I planted 20 trees on rocky, caliche slopes around my house outside of Utopia, Texas. The trees were 45 gallon Monterrey Oaks and Texas Redbuds. I have also installed a drip irriga... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Replanting a Desert Willow February 07, 2016 My desert willow was damaged badly in a winter storm and had to be taken down. Do I need to remove the old root system below grade when I plant a new desert willow? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Repairing Damage to Oak Tree Bark February 02, 2016 I have destructive horses who have torn a lot of the bark off of my oak trees. I've moved the horses from that area, but is there something I can put on the places where the bark is missing so the tr... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| What are the cone shaped evergreens around Pilot Point, TX? January 26, 2016 What are the cone shaped evergreens around Pilot Point, Texas called? They are dark green with spiky leaves and rough bark. I have a row planted as a windscreen and want to transplant a couple from a ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| How Close to Tree Trunks Should Bricks be Placed? January 26, 2016 Do you have guidelines as to how close bricks can be placed to trees, particularly cypress, cedars and live oaks? Contractors habitually plant up to the trunk and I've had trees die from their roots... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Are Tannins in Persimmons the same in Fruit and Leaf? January 23, 2016 I was wanting to know if tannins in persimmons have the same properties in both the fruit and leaves. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Bignoniaceae Family Members Fix Nitrogen? January 23, 2016 Do plants in the Bignoniaceae family, such as Tecoma stans and Chilopsis linearis, fix nitrogen into the soil? I ask because they have a bean-type pod. Just curious. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | | |
| Reducing the Height of a Redbud Tree January 23, 2016 We have a very large, about 15-year old, Redbud tree that is growing so tall it's obstructing our view of the river. How and when can we prune this tree back so it does not hurt the tree. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Wanting to grow a Buckley Oak in Amarillo, TX January 20, 2016 I live in Amarillo Texas in the Texas Panhandle. I recently became interested in the Buckley Oak and was wondering if it might grow well here and if so, where I might find one that I could purchase a... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Will blue eyed grass grow under black walnut trees? January 18, 2016 Will blue eyed grass grow under black walnut trees? I know the Siberian Iris is tolerant but the scientific names are not the same yet everything I read indicates that blue eyed grass is not in the g... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Is Goldenball leadtree really evergreen, as we state? January 17, 2016 Please would you confirm that Goldenball leadtree Leucaena retusa is evergreen as stated on this website and not deciduous as stated by Wasowski in Native Texas Plants? Thanks View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Narrow, Small Tree for Austin, Texas Yard December 17, 2015 I need recommendation on what type of tree to plant between our neighbors and our home. The wall to wall space is 15 feet at best, with a fence in between. Currently we have a young mulberry but are b... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Pin Oak Dropping Leaves Early December 17, 2015 I have a large pin oak that's losing it's leaves at this time. Is this too early? I have been watering the tree during the hot, dry weather and overall the tree looks healthy and has a good crop of ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Non-toxic trees for cattle, horses and swine in Washington state. December 04, 2015 What non-toxic trees can be planted in cattle pastures in Central Washington? We also have horses and swine on the property. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Causes of death to Papershell pinion pine (Pinus remota)? December 03, 2015 Good afternoon. I did my best to review the site and have not found a comparable question - apologies if I have missed something. I own property equidistant between Leakey and Campwood off of HWY 33... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Colorful Maples for Virginia and Pennsylvania November 27, 2015 We are trying to find out which trees have three or more leaf colors in the fall in Virginia and/or Pennsylvania. We found that Sweetgum and some maples do. Can you please let us know which maples hav... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Evergreen screening tree for Wichita Falls TX November 25, 2015 Recommendations for a screen plant. Dry. full sun. 20 to 30 ft.high. evergreen. Wichita Falls, TX location. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | | |
| Propagation of Pacific dogwood November 21, 2015 When do I plant Pacific dogwood seeds? How deep and far apart should they be planted? The elevation will be around 5k. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Thorn bushes for a fence in Puerto Rico November 17, 2015 I'm looking for thorn bushes that grow in Puerto Rico. Want to use as fence to keep wild life in. Thanks, at least 5 ft tall so dogs can't get out. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| A good Amelanchier (Serviceberry) for Brooklyn, NY. November 03, 2015 I am looking to purchase an Amelanchier to plant in Brooklyn this month. Would you know which variety works best in a small garden and also is it too late to plant. Mainly, I am looking for someone wh... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Precautions regarding pruning live oaks in the Austin area. October 27, 2015 Is it still recommended that we clean pruning shears and spray wounds when pruning live oaks in the Austin area? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Growing Osage Orange in Caliche in Austin October 23, 2015 Does Osage Orange tree grow in caliche? Do nurseries carry it? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Food Allergy to Beautyberry or Persimmon? October 22, 2015 I think I might have a food allergy to Beautyberry or American Persimmon, eaten Saturday at the North Carolina Great Dismal park. These were the only strange foods recently, though I've had persimmo... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Is my Crimson queen maple dying? October 20, 2015 Is my Crimson queen maple dying if it's leaves are turning brown? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Possible transplant shock in Red Oak in Albany, TX October 20, 2015 We planted a new tree last spring which we were told was a Texas Red Oak. The soil where it was planted is hard clay. We have had a watering bag on it and have watered an average of 2x per week throug... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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