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
Care of huisache tree (Acacia farnesiana)
September 25, 2007 - I bought a huisache tree, about one ft. tall, last spring. How do I prune, stake, and care for it as it grows? Do they usually bloom in Brownwood, Tx ?
view the full question and answer
Tag on oak tree in Buda, TX
April 02, 2008 - I found a large oak tree on my property with a tag that has a number on it. Any idea what that means?
view the full question and answer
Transplanting hackberry trees in Texas
September 17, 2008 - I live N of Ft Worth,Tx is there a trick to digging up & transplanting hackberry trees?
view the full question and answer
Live oak trees buzzing in Taylor TX
October 20, 2012 - Is it possible for live oak trees to make a buzzing sound? We have heard this sound under our live oak and were worried it was bees but we don't seem to see any. I also heard the buzzing under my mot...
view the full question and answer
Difference between live oaks and post oaks in Driftwood TX
April 18, 2010 - What are the differences between Live Oaks and Post Oaks, and are both susceptible to Oak Wilt? Also, should we remove the Ball Moss on the branches of these trees? Or is the light green lichen on the...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |