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
Wednesday - March 31, 2010
From: Midland, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Pruning, Shrubs
Title: Removal of yaupon stumps in Midland TX
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
How is the best way to remove Yaupon tree stumps? We have 4 of them.ANSWER:
This is a little out of our usual line, but since Ilex vomitoria (yaupon) is a plant native to North America and to Texas, we'll cut a little slack. The most obvious answer is just to dig the thing up. They don't have terribly extensive roots and you can always saw through the larger roots closer to the stump with a pruning saw, and then get the extensions of those roots out separately. From Popular Mechanics, we found this article Do-It-Yourself Stump Grinding, which has suggestions mostly aimed at taking out a stump from a large, old tree. If you talk to a big box home improvement store in town, they probably have a small-size grinder, about the size of a lawnmower, for rent. Four shrub stumps should not take you very long, and the rental would probably be worth it to avoid the manual labor of grubbing out the roots.
More Pruning Questions
Trimming of Pineapple Sage and Salvia Greggii
October 07, 2007 - I live in Central Austin. My question is: When is the
best time to trim back Pineapple Sage and Salvia Gregii? How far back should these plants be trimmed?
view the full question and answer
Pruning a Martha Gonzales rose
January 20, 2016 - How much should I prune back an established Martha Gonzales Rose to keep healthy?
view the full question and answer
Winter trimming and shaping of native perennials
November 08, 2006 - Granted, it's a bit early, but for planning purposes: What is the best care for shrub-like woody perennials, like Lantana, Copper Canyon Daisy, Salvia greggii, Chile Pequin, Eupatorium wrightii, Pav...
view the full question and answer
Optimal time for trimming Fall asters
July 04, 2014 - RE: fall asters
What is the latest date in the summer that I can trim my fall asters and still get a good amount of blooms in October?
view the full question and answer
Pruning Post Oaks
July 26, 2014 - I live in Houston and have two post oaks. One is right by my house. I'd like to trim them but was told they are sensitive and might die if I trim them. Is this true? What is the right course of ac...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |