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

Not Yet Rated

Wednesday - April 20, 2011

From: Oak Ridge, TN
Region: Southeast
Topic: Trees
Title: Problems with dogwood borers in TN
Answered by: Anne Bossart

QUESTION:

What is the best way to treat native dogwoods infested with Dogwood borer insects? I have cut and removed the dead ones and the ones with large patches of bark missing but would like to save the remaining ones that have no external signs of infestation other then the small holes in the trunk.

ANSWER:

Unfortunately, this is out of our area of expertise. We suggest you contact your local county agricultural extension service, depending on whether you are in Anderson or Roane County. You may also find this article published by the University of Florida helpful.

It is heartbreaking to lose a plant as precious as Cornus florida (Flowering dogwood) which is such a widely loved icon of your area.

Good luck with your endeavor.