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
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 02, 2012
From: San Antonio, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Trees
Title: Native range of Osage orange tree
Answered by: Guy Thompson
QUESTION:
I found a "bois d'arc" or Osage Orange Tree in a San Antonio park. Is this very unusual? I thought they were mainly in East Tx as I had never seen one here before.ANSWER:
San Antonio is at the very lowest end of the native growth range of Maclura pomifera (Osage orange), as you can see from this web site. It seems particularly at home in the Blackland Prairie and Red River basin of Texas and Oklahoma. However, Osage orange has been planted over a much greater area, originally for use as livestock-proof fencerows before the advent of barbed wire. The tree is able to adapt to a variety of soil types and weather conditions.
From the Image Gallery
More Trees Questions
Smarty Plants on dogwoods
August 05, 2005 - I am interested in the worldwide distribution of the dogwood family/cornus. Specifically, I am interested in whether or not there are indiginous species on the Indian Subcontinent. Is there a resour...
view the full question and answer
Spacing for a Desert Willow Tree in California
July 07, 2016 - How close to a house can I plant a desert willow tree?
view the full question and answer
Oaks at Wildflower Center from Wimberley TX
September 05, 2012 - I know you have numerous Quercus fusiformis examples at the ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center. My question is, do you also have Quercus virginiana growing there?
Also, is Oak Wilt a disease that ...
view the full question and answer
Oak leaf fall causing ivy damage
August 28, 2007 - I read the A/Q in the Austin American-Statesman Saturday, August 25, regarding the leaves falling now from the live oaks. I am experiencing the same thing, but it is the leaves of my post oaks that a...
view the full question and answer
Live oak sprouts in Austin
August 01, 2010 - How can I control the hundreds of live oak sprouts our lovely trees are throwing off? We recently landscaped with rain gardens and the related drainage ditches; they are filled with these very happy ...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |