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
Monday - May 11, 2015
From: Waxahachie, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Non-Natives, Diseases and Disorders
Title: Elaeagnus sudden death in Waxahachie, TX
Answered by: Joe Marcus
QUESTION:
I live in North Central Texas and have eleagnus planted along my fence in full sun. Last year one dropped all it's leafs and died. The same is happening to one beside it this year. I have sprayed it with an insecticide, but that doesn't appear to have done any good. There are no fire ants around them and water a fair amount. I have several others that are doing fine. I understand eleagnus are hardy plants, so I am asking if you have any suggestions as to what might be happening here. ThanksANSWER:
One species of Elaeagnus -- E. commutata -- is native to North America, but chances are your landscape plants are one of the introduced species which would be outside of our area of research and expertise. However, the symptoms you describe sound like your shrubs might be succumbing to a soil-borne fungal disease called Cotton Root Rot. It is a very common disease of shrubs in your area. You should contact your county's Agricultural Extension Service agent for positive identification of the cause of death and for recommendations for what to do about it.
More Diseases and Disorders Questions
Growth on underside of squash plant leaves
August 22, 2009 - I have a mold in my garden that is oval in shape and has spikes growing out of it, the color is yellow. This mold (yup it's not a bug I checked) is all over the underside of my squash plants. Any hel...
view the full question and answer
Butterfly bushes and weed killer in Pueblo West CO
August 27, 2011 - I have 3 previously healthy butterfly bushes that have one by one developed masses of tiny yellowish-green compact leaves. The entire bush went from its normal healthy appearance to something that res...
view the full question and answer
Bark damage to Tulip Tree
August 10, 2006 - I have a tulip tree planted. It is about 9-10 years old. Two years ago the tree looked as though the trunk was cracked. Maybe hit by lightning after a storm. This year the bark on the side of tree...
view the full question and answer
Live oak leaves not dropping from Austin
April 29, 2014 - 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.
...
view the full question and answer
Danger of oak wilt infestation in trees with storm-damaged limbs
June 15, 2007 - A recent severe storm in Southwest Austin broke large branches and trunks on many Live Oaks in my neighborhood, including my next door neighbors'. Can this invite Oak Wilt? I'm worried about my tree...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |