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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

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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Friday - March 18, 2016

From: Cypress, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Trees
Title: Planting a Willow Close to a Water Line
Answered by: Mike Tomme

QUESTION:

I have a postage stamp-sized front yard, with the water tap in the front 1/3. I believe the water line runs right through the middle of my pss-front yard. I REALLY wanted to plant a weeping willow there, but I wanted to ask what you thought would be a good tree for this spot? Let me say up front that I realy loathe pine trees.

ANSWER:

A willow, or any other tree, will not affect a properly constructed water line becuse the joints in the pipe are tight enough to sustain the water pressure. A sewer line is a different story and you should avoid planting too close.
 

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