Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Your gift keeps resources like this database thriving!

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
1 rating

Wednesday - May 22, 2013

From: Houston, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Diseases and Disorders, Trees
Title: Need to identify leaf extensions on the leaves of an elm sapling in Houston, Tx.
Answered by: Jimmy Mills

QUESTION:

I have an elm sapling which grows strange leave extensions on its leaves. Can I send you a picture? Tree looks healthy

ANSWER:

I am not envisioning what kind of extension you are talking about, so a picture would certainly helpful. However, we no longer accept photographs of plants for identification because we did not have enough staff or volunteers to handle the volume of photos we received.  We do, however, show links on our Plant Identification  page to several plant identification forums that will accept photos for identification.
 
Here’s a stab in the dark; I just answered a question about insect induced  galls on plant leaves, and some could be described as leaf extensions. Check out the images at this website to see if any thing looks familiar.
Another example

And another 

 

More Trees Questions

Native conifer bearing evergreen for noise reduction
April 01, 2008 - I asked the prior question about noise reduction and you gave me several choices. Thank you for that. Of the plants you suggested, the wax myrtle is the tallest and therefore probably best for my 2-st...
view the full question and answer

Will wax myrtle (Morella cerifera) grow in Roswell NM?
September 29, 2011 - We live in Roswell, NM. Will a wax myrtle tree live in our climate and soil?
view the full question and answer

Fast growing shade tree for East Texas Piney Woods
April 11, 2013 - What is the fastest growing shade tree for E.Tx.Piney Woods? We have an area that desperately needs protection from the summer heat. The site is comprised of gumbo clay and there are no other plants t...
view the full question and answer

Pruning Wax Myrtle trees & bushes
February 28, 2016 - When is the best time of year to prune Wax Myrtle trees & bushes.
view the full question and answer

Laurel oak tree not leafing out in Pasadena TX
April 13, 2010 - Hurricane Ike blew down our red bud in the backyard. Had a large 25' laurel oak planted early March 2010. When it was put in the ground, the leaves were on it, but they were all brown and dried. T...
view the full question and answer

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