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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.

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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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Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

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Thursday - April 23, 2015

From: Deer Park, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Compost and Mulch, Diseases and Disorders, Herbs/Forbs, Trees
Title: Ground Arizona ash wood suitable for mulch?
Answered by: Guy Thompson

QUESTION:

We cut down a 40 year old Arizona ash tree and had the stump ground into mulch. Can we use this mulch in our vegetable garden and flower beds

ANSWER:

I do not believe there is anything toxic about mulch made from ground Fraxinus velutina (Arizona ash) wood.  I would have only one reservation.  Arizona ash is susceptable to anthracnose fungal disease.  If you suspect that your ash was infected with this fungus you might not wish to risk transferring the disease to flowers or vegetables.  Otherwise it should be good mulch.
 

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