Native Plants
Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
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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
Narrow, Small Tree for Austin, Texas Yard
December 17, 2015 - I need recommendation on what type of tree to plant between our neighbors and our home. The wall to wall space is 15 feet at best, with a fence in between. Currently we have a young mulberry but are b...
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Identity of a plant that may be a horse apple (Maclura) in Springtown, TX.
July 21, 2009 - I have a tree that I think is a crab apple, however, I can't find it in any collection on internet. The fruit looks like light green colored apples, however, they are very hard and very course textu...
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Norway Pine vs. Norway Spruce
April 28, 2010 - Dear Mr. Smarty Plants,
Is a Norway Pine the same species of tree as a Norway Spruce?
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Why aren't all blue spruce trees blue?
February 07, 2010 - I have been looking at blue spruce trees recently and I have noticed at a couple tree farms that not all blue spruce look blue at all. Some that are listed as Co. Blue Spruce are very green. The sha...
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Danger of oak wilt infestation in trees with storm-damaged limbs
June 15, 2007 - A recent severe storm in Southwest Austin broke large branches and trunks on many Live Oaks in my neighborhood, including my next door neighbors'. Can this invite Oak Wilt? I'm worried about my tree...
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