Explore Plants
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.
Can't find the answer in our existing FAQs, submit a question to Mr. Smarty Plants.
Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.
rate this answer
Friday - July 16, 2010
From: Austin, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Pruning, Trees
Title: How can I control underground runners from from Pride of Houston Yaupons in Austin, TX?
Answered by: Jimmy Mills
QUESTION:
How can I control the underground runners from the Pride of Houston Yaupons?ANSWER:
The Pride of Houston Yaupon is a cultivar of Ilex vomitoria (yaupon) that is noted for its abundant production of red berries. Another trait that is not so endearing is the production of sprouts from the roots that help the plant spread in its native habitat.
The paragraph below is an excerpt from Fact Sheet ST-311, "Ilex vomitoria Yaupon Holly", published by the US Forest Service, and addresses the sprouting problem.
USE AND MANAGEMENT
A tough native of the southern United States, Yaupon Holly grows quickly in a variety of locations, from full sun or shade to seaside or swamps, in sand or clay. Crowns will be thin in the shade.
It will grow in soil with a pH in the 7’s and is very tolerant of drought and sea salt, It sprouts readily from the
roots forming clumps of upright shoots beneath the canopy. Sprouting is most troublesome if the soil beneath the canopy is disturbed, as in planting shrubs or flowers under the tree.
These need to be pruned to the ground two or three times each year to maintain a neat appearance.
Click here for full text
At least your situation doesn't seem as dire as the one addressed in this answer to a previous question.
From the Image Gallery
More Pruning Questions
Yucca blades damaged by weedeater in Hellertown PA
July 05, 2011 - Can I cut off the blades of a Yucca plant that have been eaten on the edges with a weed wacker and are very unsightly looking? Can they be cut back to the flower shaft?
view the full question and answer
Due to drought is pruning live oaks beneficial from Houston
December 07, 2011 - Would it be beneficial (presuming a continued spring drought) to prune live oak trees more severely than usual this winter? I'm thinking that it might help them to have less mass to support.
view the full question and answer
How to prune Opuntia ellisiana in Decatur, GA.
August 20, 2009 - Hi Mr SP--How do I go about pruning an Opuntia ellisiana? I have saws, newspaper, heavy leather gloves, goggles, etc. But my question is more about what section of the plant to cut. The base has de...
view the full question and answer
Is December a good time to prune oaks in Central Texas?
December 29, 2010 - Given that we haven't had much cold weather here in central Texas (Wimberley) this season, is it a good time to trim live and Spanish oak trees (damaged limbs and low hanging branches and suckers)? ...
view the full question and answer
Arrows and Hunting Dogs in Kentucky
December 09, 2009 - Mr. Smarty Plants--Is it normal for our arrowwood viburnum to give off a musky odour in the late fall? The smell reminds me of a wet hunting dog.
view the full question and answer
 |
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. Mr. Smarty Plants wants you to be his Facebook friend. Click the Facebook icon to add yourself to Mr. Smarty Plants list of friends. |
