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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| What to do with a sickly American elm in Austin, Texas September 27, 2010 I have an American elm that is about 6 feet tall in my yard. It is has not grown quickly this year--as compared to another American Elm that I have in another spot that is about 3 feet tall and has m... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Where to test for Bacterial Leaf Scorch in Austin, Texas September 26, 2010 It appears that the American elm trees in my backyard may have Bacterial Leaf scorch. Where can I have this confirmed? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Brush cleaning fluid used under non- native Loropetalum in Roswell GA September 25, 2010 My painter cleaned their brushes under one of my Black Diamond Lorpetulum and it is wilting "BAD." Is there anything I can do? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Sooty mold on Sophora secundiflora in San Marcos, TX. September 23, 2010 Dear Mr. SP, We have a Sophora secundiflora that is suffering with very black mold or fungus on most of its leaves. Last year, I washed it leaf-by-leaf with soapy water but it's getting too big t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| When is the best time to trim oak trees in Driftwood TX? September 09, 2010 When is the best time to trim oak trees? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Wax myrtle problems from Driftwood TX September 04, 2010 We planted 27 wax myrtles on the perimeter of our property last year and were diligent about watering them throughout the drought. They are in very rocky soil (we had to use a jackhammer to dig the ho... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| What's that sticky stuff on plants under many trees? August 23, 2010 Here in Austin, I've recently noticed a sticky film appearing on shrubs, flowers, grass, etc. under many trees. It appears to be coming from the trees under which they are planted. The sticky film ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Aphid infestation from hackberries in Austin August 22, 2010 I've got 5 hackberry trees in my yard and they are all heavily infested with woolly aphids! I wouldn't usually mind, but the aphids are now all over my newly planted native plants. I've read up on... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Willow woes in Philadelphia, NY August 22, 2010 I have a 2 yr old willow; it is August and it looks like the tree has gone dormant, is this normal? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Acid rain in Ft. Worth? August 19, 2010 ALERT. NEED IMMEDIATE ATTENTION. Why are so many trees, plants, etc. in the Fort Worth area dying?? I heard acid rain. Please don't say drought. I have lived in this area all my life and survived t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Aromatic sumac in Travis County August 14, 2010 This is an answer to article in today's, August 14, newspaper. I assume that aromatic sumac is native to Travis county because I have it all over my property. It turns bright red in the fall adding... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Bark of unidentified tree splitting in Merritt Island FL August 10, 2010 The bark on this 5 yr. old tree is splitting along its branches, like a sausage link splitting along its sides. Almost as if it is/was over-stuffed. Other than that, there are plenty of leaflets, some... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Need help controling suckers from an ornamental plum in San Pedro, CA. August 10, 2010 I have an ornamental plum tree in my garden which produces a lot of suckers in my vegetable beds. I do not want to use harmful chemicals and cutting them back is a hopeless venture and leaves small... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Ailing Lacey oak in Austin August 09, 2010 I have a five-year-old lacey oak that is about 5 feet tall. Last last spring it became infected with oak phylloxera, which was initially misdiagnosed. I treated it with Neem oil several time but this ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Need some help with a Plumbago plant in Mission, TX. August 06, 2010 Hello..I live in south South Texas and have a plumbago. It gets about 4 to 5 hours of direct sun and lately some of the branches and leaves turn bright green almost yellow. Am I over watering or is ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Why are our Euphorbia myrsinites plants dying in Soquel, CA? August 02, 2010 Some of our Euphorbia myrsinites die in our garden for reasons we cannot understand. Do you have any explanation or suggest area we should be looking for? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Live oak with brown balls and brown spots in Round Rock PA August 01, 2010 Is my live oak sick? Brown spots are on the leaves and round brown balls are growing on the stems. Please help. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Arizona ash tree with brown leaf tips in Las Vegas NV August 01, 2010 We've had an Arizona Ash Tree in our yard for over 7 years it was doing fine until last summer, the tree seems to be struggling with the heat, its leaves look like they are burning up and turning bro... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Brown spots on young redbuds in Lincoln TX August 01, 2010 I have lined my driveway in Lee County Texas with Red bud trees purchased both in Dripping Springs and in College Station. The 14 trees are of varying ages and heights (planted during the fall and wi... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| More trees to go with live oaks in Schertz TX July 13, 2010 We moved to a new house that has two recently planted live oak trees. Other than those two little trees there is nothing else on the property. Because of what I read about the oak wilt I would like ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| White fuzz on pine tree bark in Dartmouth MA July 13, 2010 We have white fuzz on our pine tree bark? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Death of mature Eve's necklace in Fredericksburg, TX July 12, 2010 A friend mentioned his mature Eve's necklace had died this year. The next day I walked past my own mature Eve's necklace(about 5 years old)and it was dead! What could have happened? Thanks. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Need information about oak wilt and Shumard oak in Houston, Tx. July 06, 2010 I want to plant a Shumard red oak in my North Houston front yard, with two Nuttall oaks. I keep hearing about something call oak wilt. Is there something I can do to prevent this disease during the ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Cottony infestation on Turk's Cap in Austin July 05, 2010 The Turks Cap in my front planter is well-established and, overall, happy and blooming. However, some of the top leaves, those in the most shaded area, have what looks like a thin, loose layer of cot... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Need help with a 50 ft Tulip Tree with storm damage in Brownsburg, IN. June 30, 2010 I have a 50 ft Tulip tree that suffered storm damage. One for the main branches split at the top fork and fell. It has left about 6 ft of exposed wood but there are still a couple of main branches in... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| New growth on Amur Maple turning black in McPherson, Kansas. June 29, 2010 Re: Amur Maple bushes Approximately 2 yrs old, 4 ft tall. New growth at the end of some branches is turning black. Plants are mulched with grass clippings. We live in Kansas. Thanks for any info.... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Clear pungent, liquid oozing from oak tree June 28, 2010 I have a large oak that over the last few days has been oozing a pungent, non sticky, clear substance from one specific site (no damage) about the size of a dime. It's attracting quite a few gnats, m... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Non-native sedum 'Burrito' sunburned in Providence RI? June 28, 2010 I have a sedum burrito that I keep outside and receives bright sun for around 6 hours a day. it looks like it's getting sunburned, the leaves are getting shriveled and browning on the tips. I've bro... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Possible freeze damage to Texas Persimmon in Fair Oaks Ranch TX June 27, 2010 I have a Texas Persimmon tree that is in a green belt. It has leafed out and flowered for the eight years we have lived here. This year it leafed out then the leaves turned brown and dropped. The top ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Yellowing leaves on non-native globe willow in Las Cruces, NM June 26, 2010 I live in Las Cruces, NM. I have a good size globe willow tree. The leaves are turning yellow and brown dryness at tips and leaves are falling off. Does it just need water? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| What to do about leaf spot on Vaccinium myrsinites in Clearwater FL? June 24, 2010 I have recently planted many Vaccinium myrsinites (shiny blueberry) in my yard. These plants seem to have many dead twig branches without leaves. The remaining leaves have red spots. I visited a na... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| What is causing leaf drop on oak in Morgan Hill CA? June 23, 2010 Dear Mr Smarty Plants: We have a large, young Valley Oak (about 20 yrs) which is dropping leaves even now in early summer. I have a feeling that the problem might be an invasive weed that is flourishi... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Lantana in hanging basket not blooming in Dover PA June 23, 2010 We have a lantana Bandana trailing gold in a hanging planter in full sun. It hardly blooms. Any suggestions? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Freeze damage to non-native Philodendron selloeum in Deltona FL June 22, 2010 My philodendrons selloeum died this past winter in the freeze,came back slowly this spring and now are suffering with very small deformed leaves. Some do grow but are getting large brown dry areas on ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Problems in non- native weeping willow in Spokane WA June 21, 2010 My wife and I have a weeping willow tree that has done well for two years. This year some of the branches are loosing their leaves in late spring in Spokane, WA. I though it was from the wind but ha... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Powdery growth in hydrangea in Philadelphia June 20, 2010 My hydrangea plants have a weird growth on their leaves that looks like white rice. It looks like it would be powdery if brushed, but I don't want to touch it for fear that it some type of mold. Any... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Ash tree dying back to lower sprouts in Kempner TX June 19, 2010 My 2 year old ash tree leaves dropped, appears dead, branches dying. New growth near base of tree. Do I cut upper trunk or remove entire tree? My other ash is doing well. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Insects on hybrid 'Ann' magnolia in Morrow OH June 17, 2010 I have an Ann Magnolia. It is covered in all kinds of stinging insects and flies. This has never happened before. Is this a common problem for the tree? What should I do? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Leaf problems on oaks in North Liberty IA June 12, 2010 My oak trees (young and old) are showing leaf problems. Is there a disease or insect causing oak tree disease? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Leaves of non-native crape myrtle browning in Sinton TX June 12, 2010 Crepe myrtle – tips of leaves are brown and curling up. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Non-native blue potato bush in El Dorado Hills CA June 12, 2010 I have two blue potato bush topiary planted in my front porch in a very big planter. It's getting a full afternoon sun. I am wondering why they are losing their leaves??? Am I overwatering them??? Al... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Problems with October Glory maple tree in Evansville IN June 10, 2010 We have a 15 yr. old October Glory maple tree. 2 years ago we had a bad ice storm and this tree was covered with 1/2 to 3/4 " of ice. The tree resembled a chicken wishbone with its limbs touching ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Firecracker plants not growing in Ft. Worth June 09, 2010 I live in Fort Worth, TX and last fall planted several firecracker plants. It's now June and they're not growing. How can I tell if they are still alive? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Browning leaves on recently planted chinkapin oak in Rockwall TX June 09, 2010 I just planted a chinkapin oak that is about 1 1\2 inches thick last week and now some of the leaves are turning brown. Does that mean its dying? Do you have any tips that I could use to protect it? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Blackening of top growth of yaupon in Sunrise Beach TX June 09, 2010 My question regards a Will Flemming yaupon which I am thinking may be within your scope of expertise. These were recently planted under windy conditions, then hit with a neighbors antiquated jet type ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Texas Pistachio trees dropping leaves in Austin June 09, 2010 I have several Texas Pistachio that are about 13 years old. Despite good rainfall in Travis county this year, they seem to be losing most of their new leaf growth now in early June. Leaves are simpl... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Death of mature tulip tree in Raymond IL June 06, 2010 We have a mature tulip tree that leafed out and looked very healthy then all of the leaves turned brown and fell off. I think the tree is now dead. We live in the country and have a corn field behind ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Beetles in spineless prickly pear in Austin June 05, 2010 I have an enormous spineless prickly pear in my front garden. It's about 6 feet tall, and 6 feet wide. It has blossoming yellow flower. However, it also has large colonies of black beetle-ish bugs li... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Problems with giant coneflower in Richardson TX June 05, 2010 Dear Mr Smarty Plants- I have had a giant coneflower in my garden for 2 years now. This year it came up like it always had..got lots of leaves and then withered..turned brown and died. It got plent... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Why is my recently planted Esperanza doing poorly in Texas City, TX? May 28, 2010 I have an Esperanza I planted about 2 months ago. It has been doing well, except today all but one stem of the plant is wilting and the leaves are rolling. I see no bugs on the plant. Any idea what... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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