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
Friday - November 22, 2013
From: Wimberley, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Seeds and Seeding, Trees
Title: Abundance of acorns from Wimberley TX
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
We have lived in Wimberley since 1999 and this is the first time we have had such a huge abundance of acorns on our Oak trees, which is surprising considering the drought we have been in the last few years. I can't believe how many acorns we have and the deer are eating them like crazy, so is my dog! Why the bumper crop?ANSWER:
Please read this previous Mr. Smarty Plants answer concerning the large crop of acorns you are experiencing. You are not alone in this experience; at the Fall Plant Sale at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center you could hear the "pings" as acorns fell on the corrugated metal roofs of some of our buildings. And walking beneath them caused a constant crunching beneath the feet. It is a perfectly normal occurrence in the life cycle of the oak.
More Trees Questions
Preventing Oak Galls
February 22, 2016 - How do you prevent live oak galls? Do you have a solution? Many of our live oaks are infested with them.
view the full question and answer
Willow Tree Early Leaf Fall
May 14, 2015 - I have a weeping willow tree and it put out great leaves this Spring and looked great, but now here in the middle of May all the leaves are turning yellow and falling off like it does in the fall. So ...
view the full question and answer
Information about FanTex ash.
April 29, 2008 - I live in central Texas and recenty planted Fan-tex ash trees thinking that they were similar to the native Texas ash. I am beginning to beleive that this tree has more in common with the Arizona ash...
view the full question and answer
Suitability of Monterrey oaks for small space in San Antonio
April 23, 2009 - I am purchasing a home and the existing owners have planted three Monterrey oaks in the back. It is a small yard and the trees are no more than 15 feet from the house.The trees back up to a fence that...
view the full question and answer
Need plants to replace cedars on a 40 degree slope in Boerne, TX.
August 28, 2012 - My backyard is a roughly 40 degree slope that is covered with cedars. The slope is basically all rock, what can I grow here to replace the cedar which drink too much water. I would still like the area...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |
