Native Plants
![](../_images/smarty_plants.gif)
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.
![](../_images/mr_smarty_plants_logo_web_200w.jpg)
rate this answer
![](../_images/star_43.gif)
Tuesday - April 29, 2014
From: Austin, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Diseases and Disorders, Planting, Pruning, Trees
Title: Live oak leaves not dropping from Austin
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
We had a 65 gallon live oak planted last October. We watered it regularly and it was green all through the winter. In March the leaves started to turn brown but never dropped, as they should have. New branches are sprouting and new leaves are growing, but not on any of the existing branches. Could this be a normal case of transplant shock, especially, given that we had a harsh winter with the couple of freezes? Should we be concerned and will pruning it help to spur new growth? Thanks,ANSWER:
First, that was a really big tree to transplant, and we would wish that you had waited until it was a little bit colder before you planted it, especially since we had a late hot summer. We recommend that woody plants (trees and shrubs) be transplanted only in the coolest part of the year, which is ordinarily December and January. One of the main reasons for this is the possibility of Oak Wilt being contracted by visits from sap-feeding nitidulid beetles; mid-winter is the safest time, and when the beetle is least likely to be active.
We don't mean to say your tree necessarily has Oak Wilt, we just want you to be aware of the threat. Live oaks are very vulnerable to the disease; on that subject, we want to answer your question about pruning to induce new growth with a resounding "no." By now, those beetles are definitely active and they looooove freshly pruned branches. Any beetle visiting those newly-pruned areas to have a drink of sap may very well have just come from an infected tree, with the Oak Wilt fungus still clinging on ready to spread to your tree.
Third thought, you do know that live oaks don't drop their old leaves until Spring and, as you point out, this has been one weird Spring. If nothing else is wrong with the tree, all those last year's leaves will drop suddenly all in about a week, and you will be raking again.
Conclusion (sort of): We think it is very possible there is some transplant shock involved, but the tree will probably survive, especially since it is putting on new leaves, please, no pruning or even scratching the bark to see if the inner layer is green, because we are sure you don't want to invite the beasties to tea.
From the Image Gallery
More Diseases and Disorders Questions
Brown flakes on prickly pear in Los Angeles
June 03, 2008 - I live in Los Angeles CA. I have desert type plants in my landscape. I have prickly pear cactus that have developed some light brown, almost golden flakes on the skin of the pads. I believe it is call...
view the full question and answer
Webs on tree trunk, probably bark lice
August 19, 2009 - webs on tree trunk and creeping up. See no spiders or worms. what could be. very fine, thick web
view the full question and answer
Failure to bloom of Salvia greggii from San Antonio
June 29, 2011 - We bought Salvia greggii at the Wildflower Center Plant Sale three years ago and planted them in a well drained area. We cut them back early in the year as recommended at Go Native U classes. ...
view the full question and 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 the full question and 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 the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |