Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

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
Not Yet Rated

Tuesday - January 25, 2011

From: Pittsburgh, PA
Region: Mid-Atlantic
Topic: Trees
Title: A tree to replace a pin oak in PA
Answered by: Anne Bossart

QUESTION:

My 120 yr old pin oak has root and butt rot, 5 of 13 roots dead by pressure testing. I am in Pittsburgh PA. I want to plant a root rot resistant tree, either evergreen, fir or deciduous. The tree is 90' and 6' at trunk. It has to be cut down. Arborist recommends felling due to fall risk. Where can I get info about what to plant?

ANSWER:

What a heartbreaking situation!

Because the rot can be caused by many members of the Armillaria fungus family, the disease has a huge range and many plants are susceptible (or resistant) to varying degrees. So you will find a plant to replace that giant.

You don't describe the situation of the tree that will be removed or how big you want its replacement to ultimately be.  The form of a large evergreen tree is very different than a large deciduous tree so if you are on a small suburban lot, a large conifer will ultimately cover the whole yard.  Once you have determined what form of tree you would like, choosing one that is suited to your conditions (native to PA) and resistant to Armillaria will be easy, as the list will not be long!

Learn about the fungus on  Wikipedia, this article by the US Forest service and check out this article on eHow.com.  There are several links from the article you will find helpful.  The list of immune plants they refer to in the article was produced by one of our Affiliates, The Theodore Payne Foundation for Wildflowers and Native Plants.  Although they are situated in California, the disease is widespread and so you might try plants they recommend that are native to PA.  You can generate a list of plants native to PA by visiting our Native Plant Database and doing a combination search for PA, the plant type (tree) and narrow the search according to the conditions on your property. We also recommend checking with your local agricultural extension service to see what advice they can offer and ask your "tree guy" his opinion.

According to the Wikipedia article, the only trees that are truly resistant are larch and birch (which are not mentioned because

By cross referencing those lists, here are some plants that might work:

Betula nigra (River birch)

Cercis canadensis (Eastern redbud)

Fraxinus americana (White ash)

Larix laricina (Tamarack)

You can also select fron the many maples, pines and firs native to your area.


Betula nigra


Cercis canadensis


Fraxinus americana


Larix laricina

 

 

 

 

 

 

More Trees Questions

Insect damage on possumhaw
August 12, 2012 - We planted a small possumhaw in February of this year (2012). It had leaves and some berries and was doing real well until some bug starting eating the leaves and berries. I know it is not deer becau...
view the full question and answer

Planting a Texas Persimmon in rocky soil in Krum TX
March 27, 2009 - I have recently purchased a 10 gallon Texas Persimmon plant that I want to put as a highlight plant in my yard. According to the nursery, it has been in the pot for 2 years. I have been "blessed(or...
view the full question and answer

Understory trees for large trees in Austin
October 18, 2010 - I'm blessed with some beautiful large live oaks, burr oaks, and cedar elms in my front yard in southwest Austin. I'd like to plant some understory trees among them. The trees would get dappled lig...
view the full question and answer

Thornless honeylocust trees for Taylor TX
September 21, 2009 - I live in Taylor, Williamson County, in central Texas and I am interested in selecting trees for my backyard. I can't really explain (it may be my Midwestern roots), but I would like to plant three t...
view the full question and answer

Pruning tuliptree (Liriodendron tulipifera)
June 05, 2009 - Thank you for your answer regarding when my tulip tree will flower. I also understand it can/will grow to over 100 feet so should we be pruning it a certain way to keep it contained? thank you
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.