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
Tuesday - August 11, 2015
From: Austin, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Diseases and Disorders, Trees
Title: Can a Quaking aspen grow in central Texas?
Answered by: Guy Thompson
QUESTION:
I live in Austin and like the idea of a Quaking Aspen tree. I live on a creek and the tree(s) would get good sun and water. Am I crazy?ANSWER:
Yes!
You aren't the only person in love with Populus tremuloides (Quaking aspen). The fact that none are seen in this area suggests that they are not happy here. It sounds as though you have most of the right conditions for Aspen growth. But you can't control our high summer temperatures. A number of studies have shown that prolonged heat damages Aspen. The structure of Aspen xylem elements is such that not enough water can be drawn up into the canopy during hot weather. The stressed tree easily falls victim to disease and other disorders.
You would be better off settling for one of the more mundane, yet very attractive, tree species recommended by the City of Austin. Populus deltoides (Eastern cottonwood) and Platanus occidentalis (American sycamore) have some of the qualities of an Aspen and thrive in Austin.
I admire you for thinking outside the box. Keep looking for the unusual.
From the Image Gallery
More Trees Questions
Possibility of symbiotic relationship between cedar elm and ashe juniper
November 14, 2006 - Is there a symbiotic relationship between cedar elm and ashe juniper? We have a small ashe juniper sapling and a small cedar elm sapling growing near each other (actually, we planted the juniper 2 yea...
view the full question and answer
Texas persimmon with scorched leaves from Austin
July 11, 2013 - I planted a Texas Persimmon seedling (five gallon) in my yard in early April. It is in a sunny, well-drained spot, and I have watered it regularly since planting. All was fine until the last weekend i...
view the full question and answer
Austrian pine in landscape in Denver CO?
May 30, 2009 - I'm relandscaping my yard and want to use all or mostly native plants, as I want to create a wildlife. My landscape designer has indicated she wants me to use Austrian Pine in as a specimen tree in t...
view the full question and answer
Abundance of acorns from Wimberley TX
November 22, 2013 - We have lived in Wimberley since 1999 and this is the first time we have had such a huge abundance of acorns on our Oak trees, which is surprising considering the drought we have been in the last few ...
view the full question and answer
Landscape buffer in Bluffton SC
January 21, 2010 - I have to install an irrigated landscape buffer along the outside of a 6'high x 42'long privacy fence about 8' from a public sidewalk in Bluffton, SC. The property owners association requires 4' t...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |