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.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

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.

Search Smarty Plants

See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

rate this answer

1 rating

Wednesday - August 18, 2010

From: Kyle, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Seasonal Tasks
Title: When should I remove the stakes from Oak trees planted last november in Kyle, TX?
Answered by: Jimmy Mills

QUESTION:

I live in Kyle TX. I have new construction of oak trees that are about 10 feet tall and are staked. How long should they stay staked? They were put in the ground about Thanksgiving 2009. Thanks.

ANSWER:

The subject of staking newly planted trees is one that is wrapped in contoversy. Opinions range from no staking to leaving the stakes in place for up to two years. The answer depends on many considerations such as tree type, tree size, soil conditions, amount of rain fall, prevailing winds among others.

I have found three websites with opinions that run the gamut but with explanations of the rationale for their positions.

After carefully reading these, you might decide that removing the stakes from your trees could be a part of your Thanksgiving celebration this year.

Click on each URL to view the website

http://www.dirtdoctor.com/organic/garden/view_question/id/1791/

https://ogdenstreeservice.com/Central_Texas_Trees.html