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 is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

rate this answer

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.
More Trees Questions
Foundation plants unlikely to provide good shade for rattlesnakes in TX
August 28, 2011 - I would like to plant native grass around my new home in the country near Mason, TX. My concerns are the rattlesnakes that are common here, and if they could "hide" in the native grasses since they ...
view the full question and answer
Plantings for beneath a red oak in Lubbock TX
February 23, 2012 - What would you recommend to plant in a two tiered raised bed facing west, totally blocked from the east, thus receiving only the afternoon sun? A 21 year old red oak sits in the middle of the upper ra...
view the full question and answer
Privacy Screening Plant for New York Narrow Site
April 20, 2013 - I need privacy screening on the side of my house in Mount Kisco, New York located 40 miles north of New York City. The area gets plenty of sun but is somewhat narrow. What evergreen bushes or trees ...
view the full question and answer
Edible forest garden for northern Minnesota
March 07, 2014 - I am planning an edible forest garden for northern Minnesota. Can you suggest a list of plants that are native to this area. We are in zone 3a or 3b. Thank you!
view the full question and answer
Trees for pool area in Solano County, California
June 02, 2010 - We are looking for trees we can plant with non-invasive roots near our pool. We don't want them to get too big (about 10 feet) because we don't want them to shade out our pool. We also don't want...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |