Native Plants
![](../_images/smarty_plants.gif)
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.
![](../_images/mr_smarty_plants_logo_web_200w.jpg)
rate this answer
![](../_images/star_00.gif)
Sunday - February 10, 2013
From: Sunrise Beach, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Drought Tolerant, Trees
Title: My Cedar Elms drop leaves all year long. Is that a problem?
Answered by: Jimmy Mills
QUESTION:
Lake LBJ Area. My Cedar Elms,(I have about 8) drop leaves all year long and then drop all in late fall/early winter. Does the year round drop indicate a problem? It is definitely a nuisance. ThanksANSWER:
Cedar Elm Ulmus crassifolia (Cedar elm) is a drought tolerant Texas native,with numerous dark green leaves which rank among the smallest of the native Elms. The tree is a deciduous perennial and sheds the bulk in the leaves on schedule in the fall. This leaf drop is signaled by environmental cues that predict the onslaught of winter. Other changes in the environment such as lack of water, or shading of leaves in the interior of the canopy can also trigger leaf drop through out the year. The dropping of leaves is termed abscission and it is preceded by leaf death which is termed senescence. This link explains how these natural processes work in the life of the plant.
The links below will tell you more about Cedar Elms
treesusa.com
Native Plant Society of Texas
From the Image Gallery
More Drought Tolerant Questions
Tolerance of plants in area of Amarillo TX
March 24, 2013 - I want to know tolerance in the Amarillo area for Diospyros texana, Berberis trifoliata, and Capsicum annuum where it gets colder, is dry, and intensely hot in summer.
view the full question and answer
Drought affecting non-native Zoysia grass in Austin
November 06, 2011 - Due to the extreme drought here in Austin this year and the watering restrictions our Zoysia lawn has suffered and appears to be dead in many areas of our lawn. Will it come back? Is there anything w...
view the full question and answer
Drought Resistant Privacy Screen for North Side of Austin Texas House
July 10, 2016 - We live in the densely populated Mueller development, where there's barely 3 feet from our home to the 6 foot high privacy fence between us and the house next door. Since the houses are 2 stories, we ...
view the full question and answer
Cenizos browning in Houston
October 01, 2011 - After this horrible drought, I am committed to xeriscaping with native Texas plants. The few hibiscus that survived have been transplanted into pots and are thriving. I bid the tiny boxwoods a fond fa...
view the full question and answer
Groundcover for clay soil in Southern California
August 08, 2012 - I live in Southern California and have hard packed clay soil in my yard. Could you recommend ground cover that would be green, low to the ground, require little water and survive in clay? I can't a...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |