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
Monday - February 09, 2009
From: Belton, MO
Region: Midwest
Topic: Trees
Title: Pruning an oak tree in Missouri in February
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
Can I prune an oak tree in Missouri in February?ANSWER:
We would not recommend doing so. Members of the Nitidulidae family of beetles, which spread the fungus causing Oak Wilt, are already active in February. This devastating disease in oak trees, for which there is no cure, is described in this USDA Forest Service website Forest Insect and Disease Leaflet 29, Oak Wilt. Note that on the map of the United States showing degree of severity of infestations Missouri appears to have a high percentage of infection. Any wound, pruning or otherwise, is an invitation to the beetle to attack the tree. The best time to prune an oak is during a cold snap in December or January. We suggest you contact the University of Missouri Extension Office for Cass County for more specific advisories on care of oak trees in your area.More Trees Questions
Treating suspected drought-stressed live oak
July 13, 2011 - I have a live oak with excessive leaf drop - it was planted approx. 20 year ago surrounded by heavy pavers. very little grass - I did not plant the tree - I have noticed in the last few years the dro...
view the full question and answer
Should I top my scraggly magnolia tree? No
January 27, 2010 - Mr.Smarty Plants, I live in Crockett,Tx. My husband and I just bought this house. In the front yard I have a very tall,scraggly magnolia tree due to trees growing up around it. We have cut some of tho...
view the full question and answer
When is the appropriate time to prune pecan trees in Hewitt?
September 07, 2008 - Labor Day Weekend my husband decided to trim all the low branches on a big pecan tree in our back yard which I thought should had been done at the first of the year, our temprature is in the mid 90's...
view the full question and answer
Area under live oaks from Austin
October 08, 2012 - We have many live oaks in our mostly shaded half acre. While I have tried to plant mostly native plants, often beneath them, the plants are showered with leathery leaves, acorns and sap, while oak sp...
view the full question and answer
Spacing for a Desert Willow Tree in California
July 07, 2016 - How close to a house can I plant a desert willow tree?
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |