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?

Share

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 - July 03, 2012

From: jacksonville, FL
Region: Southeast
Topic: Planting, Trees
Title: Need help with Tulip Tree in Jacksonville,Florida
Answered by: Jimmy Mills

QUESTION:

I planted a 20 foot tall Tulip Tree last spring. The hole I dug was double the size of what the tree came in. The tree was doing well until we got tropical storm Debby. In the middle of the night the tree started to lean. I pushed it back in place and tied it up with rope and cut up water hose. Now everything is drying up all the leafs are turning brown and falling off. I was hoping you could tell me what I did wrong and what else I can do to help it. Thank you for your time!

ANSWER:

The Tulip Tree Liriodendron tulipifera (Tuliptree) is a beautiful  tree, and should do well in Florida. More information about the tree can be found at Floridata.com.

When I hear about newly planted trees losing their leaves, transplant shock comes to mind. In this case, the problems of a new transplant were probably increased by the beating it took from Debby.

I am going to give you four links to sources that have information about transplanting trees, preventing transplant shock, and dealing with transplant shock.

Two of these are from Northscaping.com
    first year tree care  

    10 tips to minimize trans.shock

From Clemson University

     newly planted trees

From the University of Kentucky

     transplanting trees and shrubs

Another suggestion is to contact the folks at the Duval County office of IFAS Cooperative Extension.

 

 

 

 

IFAS Extension  http://duval.ifas.ufl.edu/

 

More Planting Questions

low-growing evergreen shrubs for thin soil
March 05, 2012 - Thanks to the winter freeze, we'll be starting fresh with the plants in the bed along the front of our house. The bed is about 13' long and faces the west, so it gets afternoon/ evening sun but no ...
view the full question and answer

Need a shade tree for front yard in Fredricksburg, TX.
July 16, 2012 - I live in Fredericksburg, Tx. I have a large front yard, but only one huge pecan tree in the front yard that is probably 18 years old. It shades half the yard. I want to plant another shade tree for t...
view the full question and answer

Need plants for full sun in Dallas Texas.
May 20, 2009 - What plants are best to use for full sun in Dallas Texas?
view the full question and answer

Cultivar of Cercis Canadensis from Haskell OK
May 16, 2012 - We have a Hearts of Gold Redbud that first had dark edges to many of its leaves (about 2 weeks after planting). It now has multiple leaves w/ medium-dark brown spots on them. Are we looking at some ...
view the full question and answer

Growing pecan and fruit trees near Canyon Lake, Texas
July 07, 2014 - I just bought a property on the north side of Canyon Lake in the Hill Country of Texas. Most of the trees around are cedar, and a few live oak. I know I have seen beautiful Pecan trees as well as seve...
view the full question and answer

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