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)
Wednesday - August 14, 2013
From: Cedar Creek, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Planting, Trees
Title: Evergreen Trees for Cedar Creek, TX
Answered by: Larry Larson
QUESTION:
Hello I am wanting to plant some evergreen trees on my property out in Cedar Creek Texas. We have a lot of cedar trees but I really would like some live oaks. Is it possible to grow live oaks or something different that cedar out there?ANSWER:
Sure, it’s possible to have Oaks, but it takes awhile! The way we find trees to recommend is to search the “Recommended Species” page. For areas in Texas, these lists have been split up into the differing Texas Ecoregions. Bastrop County is in Post Oak Savannah Ecoregion. When I sorted for evergreen trees, there were six evergreen trees were recommended as successful natives including:
Quercus virginiana (Coastal live oak) [Hurrah! the one you want!]
From the place name and from your comment, you may want to put some effort into clearing and/or controlling the Juniperus ashei (Ashe juniper) growth. They are actually a native, but they have been so successful in Central Texas that they tend to crowd out the other trees and monopolize the water supply. This Mr. Smarty Plants question/answer pair has more detail towards watering care for young trees: Watering practices for live oaks in drought from New Braunfels TX
From the Image Gallery
More Planting Questions
Grasses for a prairie in southeast Texas
September 30, 2013 - We have a small place (about 100 acres) in Colorado County, Texas, on the Colorado River north of the town of Weimar. We are gradually clearing (bulldozing) the woods of cedars. One particular spot ...
view the full question and answer
Quick and EZ way to cover bare spots in lawn with grass
March 09, 2015 - We recently had to dig up our lawn to have a pipe replaced. We now have a long strip of our yard that is either dug up or covered by some of the dirt that is dug up. We want to fill in the grass. W...
view the full question and answer
Replacing river birch from Maple Grove MN
April 22, 2014 - How soon after taking out a river birch clump tree and grinding the stump would we be able to plant a new birch clump?
view the full question and answer
Planting Texas Persimmon in enclosed planter from San Angelo TX
May 23, 2013 - I want to plant a Texas Persimmon (in West Texas) in an enclosed planter 4' X 4' X 2.5' deep. What would be a good planting medium. Does it need to be deeper?
view the full question and answer
Arctostaphylos Hanging Basket for Texas
April 24, 2015 - I would like to plant an Arctostaphylos uva-ursi in a hanging basket with a coco liner. Will this work, or will the roots grow too long? it's the 'Massachusetts' cultivar.
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |