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?

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

Thursday - May 02, 2013

From: Austin, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Diseases and Disorders, Trees
Title: Is it normal for the bark to fall off an oak tree in Austin, TX
Answered by: Jimmy Mills

QUESTION:

Is it normal for live oak bark to fall off when touched? I am afraid to get near them?

ANSWER:

Since the bark on a tree plays a critical role in the functioning of the plant, having the bark fall off is not a good sign. The extended drought has taken its toll on our oak trees, and in many cases, it has left trees susceptible to various microbial diseases. The Texas Plant Disease Handbook describes several of these. A big problem with oak trees in Texas is oakwilt .

The next thing you need to do is have a knowledgeable person examine your trees and determine what the problem is. This person could be someone from the Travis County office of Texas Agrilife Extension , someone from the Texas Forest Service , or a Certified Arborist. They will be able to advise what your next action should be.

 

More Diseases and Disorders Questions

Repairing the split trunk of a TX mountain laurel
February 28, 2015 - I have a fairly large mountain laurel that I just realized has a split down the trunk. Is there anything I can do to save it?
view the full question and answer

Problems getting desert western US plant Stanleya pinnata to bloom in England
March 13, 2006 - I am having trouble getting my Princes plume (Stanleya pinnata) to produce a flower and then go to seed. Do you have any advice on triggering flowering in this plant?
view the full question and answer

Non-native blue potato bush in El Dorado Hills CA
June 12, 2010 - I have two blue potato bush topiary planted in my front porch in a very big planter. It's getting a full afternoon sun. I am wondering why they are losing their leaves??? Am I overwatering them??? Al...
view the full question and answer

Red-backed bugs on mountain laurel (Sophoro secundiflora)
May 12, 2010 - I found red-backed bugs (in fact two end-to-end like the east Texas love bugs) on my mountain laurel which has been losing leaves. Are these bugs the culprit?
view the full question and answer

Tip Dieback on Lonicera sempervirens
August 14, 2013 - I have a Lonicera sempervirens (coral honeysuckle) vine in Virginia which does well early in the season, but then around July, the very tips of its shoots (just the last 1-2 inches) wither, turn black...
view the full question and answer

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