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.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Sunday - July 06, 2014
From: Dripping Springs, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Problem Plants, Trees
Title: Live Oak Suckers Reprise, Austin TX
Answered by: Brigid & Larry Larson
QUESTION:
Referring to an entry dated March 11, 2011 about Live Oak suckers - what happened to the suckers covered with newspaper and cardboard?ANSWER:
Wow - You're checking up on me! I actually think that this experiment was relaively successsful.
For reference, this is the question/answer pair referred to and the recommendation was to clean up the suckers then cover the area with cardboard/newspaper to keep them down.
At the time of the question, we had already prepared and covered the area at least the previous fall. So, in my undocumented experiment:
- For about the first two years this treatment very successfully suppressed the shoots, only a few crept past the edges and were easily removed with garden shears. The cardboard remained relatively intact.
- on years three to four, the shoots would often penetrate the edges of the cardboard and shoot removal made for a full morning job. The cardboard was clearly starting to fall apart.
- I believe this year is year 4+. In selected broad areas the shoots are back and coming up quite healthy [where the cardboard was disturbed]. Other areas are still pretty suppressed, but the cardboard is giving out throughout. I'm thinking that come the Fall a new treatment will be needed.
As I stated before, I consider this a success and intend to keep it going.
From the Image Gallery
More Trees Questions
Can Carolina jessamine be grown in Syracuse NY?
May 09, 2010 - Hi--Can Carolina Jessamine be grown in Syracuse, New York?
view the full question and answer
Trees for pool area in Solano County, California
June 02, 2010 - We are looking for trees we can plant with non-invasive roots near our pool. We don't want them to get too big (about 10 feet) because we don't want them to shade out our pool. We also don't want...
view the full question and answer
Nuttall oak to replace ornamental pears in Houston, TX?
February 08, 2011 - We recently bought a house in the heart of Houston that has 2 huge flaming pear trees that were planted too close to the house and just engulf the house. Our landscaper suggested taking them out and ...
view the full question and answer
Allelopathy in Sassafras albidum
January 11, 2012 - Sassafras albidum description says
"Sassafras is allelopathic and can discourage the growth of certain other plants within its root zone."
My question is: WHICH plants are susce...
view the full question and answer
Plants beneath native bald cypress trees in Thibodaux LA
September 14, 2009 - I have a bed that needs to be revamped and it has two beautiful 18 year old Bald cypress trees. I would like to work the soil and plant some appropriate shade tolerant plants. How do I work the soil...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |