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

Monday - July 11, 2011

From: Clinton Township, MI
Region: Midwest
Topic: Diseases and Disorders, Trees
Title: Need help with my 25 yr old Mountain Ash in Clinton Township, MI.
Answered by: Jimmy Mills

QUESTION:

For the first time our 25yr old mountain ash tree has dying branches, we removed one branch and it seems to have spread to other branches? What should we do?

ANSWER:

Well you didn't give Mr. Smarty Plants much information to work with, but he thinks he could probably rule out transplant shock.

There are several trees that have the common name Mountain Ash, but there are only two of these that occur naturally in Michigan: Sorbus americana (American mountain ash), and Sorbus decora (Northern mountain ash).

My recommendation is for you to contact some one knowledgeable to take a good look at your tree to analyze the problem. This person could be an agent from Michigan State University Extension, a member of the Michigan Botanical Club ( a native plant society), or a Certified Arborist.

Native Plants

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants

rate this answer

Monday - July 11, 2011

QUESTION:

ANSWER:

More Trees Questions