Native Plants
![](../_images/smarty_plants.gif)
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 is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
![](../_images/mr_smarty_plants_logo_web_200w.jpg)
rate this answer
![](../_images/star_00.gif)
Wednesday - June 24, 2009
From: SAN ANTONIO, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Diseases and Disorders
Title: Why are my Spanish Oaks dropping branches that appear to be alive?
Answered by: Jimmy Mills
QUESTION:
We have two large Spanish Oaks that we planted ourselves. They both have begun to loose large branches that aren't dead. These branches just break off and fall. There is usually a wind, but not to the extent that limbs should fall off the trees. Is this a problem with these trees? Can we do anything to prevent it?ANSWER:
This doesn't sound like a problem of the Spanish Oaks so much as it sounds like the oaks have some unwanted guests; twig girdlers. These are a type of wood boring longhorn beetles that girdle twigs and branches and cause them to fall from the tree. Common hosts of the twig girdler include persimmon, pecan, elm, hickory, oak, honeylocust, hackberry, poplar, linden, redbud, basswood, dogwood and various fruit trees.
This Bulletin from the Texas Agricultural Extension Service describes the biology of the girdlers.
Have you examined the ends of the fallen branches? There should be some tell-tale signs if the beetles are the cause.
This article from the Alabama Agricultural Experinent Station has good illustrations of beetle damage.
My suggestion is that you get in touch with the Texas AgriLife Extension Office in Bexar County, and show them the branches. They should be able to help you with this problem by identifying the culprit and suggesting treatment.
More Diseases and Disorders Questions
Spots on bark of Mountain Ash from Engadine MI
April 30, 2012 - I have a mountain ash that is about 5 years old & have just noticed white, patchy, scaly looking spots on the bark. Is this something to be concerned about???
view the full question and answer
Further question on sprouts from holly tree in Surprise AZ
November 16, 2010 - Thank you Barbara Medford for your response to my question about the sprouting holly tree in Surprise AZ. I took for granted that the tree I was talking about was a holly tree. I looked at pictures of...
view the full question and answer
Willow woes in Philadelphia, NY
August 22, 2010 - I have a 2 yr old willow; it is August and it looks like the tree has gone dormant, is this normal?
view the full question and answer
Control of sooty mold from aphids in Crape Myrtle
February 25, 2007 - I have a crape myrtle in my front flower bed that has a sooty black substance on the leaves and trunk. I've done research and understand this is caused by aphids. My question is how do I get the bl...
view the full question and answer
Problems with mature Blue Agave in Kenya
December 09, 2012 - I have a mature Agave plant and there is a thin black liquid that looks like oil starting to appear on the leaves. The plant plant seems to be dying (from the bottom up). (The plant is a blue Agave an...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |