Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Your gift keeps resources like this database thriving!

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.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

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.

Search Smarty Plants
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

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!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
rate this answer
Not Yet Rated

Thursday - May 07, 2015

From: san Antonio, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Diseases and Disorders, Trees
Title: Stressed Ashe juniper is dropping needles
Answered by: Guy Thompson

QUESTION:

We have a large Ashe juniper tree in our backyard, at least 20 ft tall. This past winter/spring, several limbs have died and it's dropped a ton of leaves (clumps of "needles" really). Is it slowly dying? Is it under stress from something? A lot of its lower limbs were trimmed off when we first bought the house 2 years ago. This winter/spring has been pretty rainy for here so I wouldn't think it's drought related. Thx for any insight.

ANSWER:

 

Juniperus ashei (Ashe juniper) is a pretty tough tree.  It withstands drought, high temperatures and many other environmental stresses.  But it does not tolerate extended periods of soil saturation.  Normally the tree would have enough foliage to transpire water from around the roots, but removal of a significant amount of foliage from your tree may have compromised that function.  I wonder if your juniper is in a spot that does become waterlogged in our rare wet spells.  You should check the soil just after and for a day or so after a good rain to see.  Adding material such as decomposed granite that loosens the soil near the tree or constructing a berm to divert rainwater from the tree would help prevent waterlogging if that seems to be the problem.

 

More Diseases and Disorders Questions

Strappy leaves on rudbeckias from Houston
October 31, 2013 - My Rudbeckias keep sending up odd shoots with strappy leaves on them. Should these be cut off? What is their purpose?
view the full question and answer

White fuzz on pine tree bark in Dartmouth MA
July 13, 2010 - We have white fuzz on our pine tree bark?
view the full question and answer

Dying branches on Texas Mountain Laurel from Kempner TX
September 14, 2012 - The branches on my Texas Mountain Laurel are very dry and brittle. The leaves are also starting to die. The tree has been in my yard for six years and prior to that it sat wrapped in burlap for ov...
view the full question and answer

Ground Arizona ash wood suitable for mulch?
April 23, 2015 - 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
view the full question and answer

New nursery plants with sappy spots from Round Rock, TX
September 09, 2012 - We live on the west side of RR, near Cedar Park and recently bought three 15 gallon cherry laurels from a nursery. Started to plant them today as we bought them a week ago and noticed base of the trun...
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.