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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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Tuesday - June 03, 2008

From: Greensburg, PA
Region: Mid-Atlantic
Topic: Non-Natives
Title: Pruning non-native Japanese maple
Answered by: Barbara Medford

QUESTION:

Can you tell me how to properly prune a Japanese maple?

ANSWER:

According to this USDA Plant Profile for Acer palmatum, Japanese maple, it is not native to North America, but will grow in Pennsylvania. We found several articles that address the care and pruning of your plant.

Bartlett Research Laboratories Plant Health Care Program, Japanese Maple.

The Garden Helper, Acer palmatum

essortment, Japanese maple pruning.

 

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