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.
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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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Monday - January 19, 2009
From: Houston, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Trees
Title: Fast-growing tree for Houston
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
Please suggest me fast growing tree like Eucalyptus for Zip 77099 to protect building with its shade. I understand Eucalyptus is not good for our area and is flammable. Any other with similar fast growing and good looking properties would be appreciated.ANSWER:
Mr. Smarty Plants answered an almost identical question a few months ago. Please see the answer to that question. All of the trees shown in that answer would be suitable for your situation. However, the Ilex opaca (American holly) and Quercus virginiana (live oak) would not be considered particularly fast-growing. We have a few other questions about eucalyptus trees that you can read by putting the term "eucalyptus" in the Keyword Search box on the Ask Mr. Smarty Plants page.More Trees Questions
Need shrubs for a privacy screen in Glendale CA
October 30, 2014 - Dear. Mr. Smarty Plants
I need to grow a tall hedge 15-20 feet minimum to block a condo complex which overlooks my back yard. I need a fast growing hedge which is non toxic to dogs and one which roo...
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Erosion controlling plants for a shady Minnesota lakeside
August 11, 2015 - I live about 50 yards from a lake and there is a steep embankment. Recently someone decided to cut the trees off the embankment and now the dirt is eroding off the embankment as well as off my back ya...
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Replacement for dead oak tree after hurricane
October 01, 2008 - Mr. Smarty Plants,
It still is hard to believe but my dead Oak tree survived H.Ike! Now that I've gotten that dreaded letter from the HOA, they want me to replace it with at least a 45 gallon tree....
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Roots in foundation of home in Audubon NJ
February 17, 2012 - I live in an old house (almost 90 years old), and within the past year I have noticed in one area the concrete basement floor breaking. Today I finally made time to investigate. In these old houses ...
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Late leafing and early leaf-drop of Ohio buckeye tree
October 28, 2005 - We recently bought a house which has an ohio buckeye tree in the back yard. It stands about 40 feet from a large creek in Troy, Ohio. The tree is about 30 feet tall. A strip of the bark is missing....
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