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
Monday - May 11, 2009
From: New Braunfels, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Trees
Title: Problems with red oak in New Braunfels TX
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
One of my red oaks still doesn't have all its flowers. The main bark has some dark stuff oozing out and one of the branches has a fine powdery substance on it. HELP!!!!ANSWER:
There are several oaks that are referred to by the common name "red oak." Since you are in central Texas, we are betting that what you have is Quercus buckleyi (Buckley oak). All of the red oaks are very susceptible to Oak Wilt, and first symptoms usually show up in the Spring. Since we are not plant pathologists and wouldn't even try to diagnose at a distance, we want to first refer you to this USDA Forest Service article How to Identify, Prevent and Control Oak Wilt. Another possibility is discussed in the Texas A&M article on East Texas Gardening Hypoxylon Canker in Oaks. The white substance on the branch is probably powdery mildew .
We would really like to say it's really nothing to worry about, and we hope it is nothing to worry about, but we think you need to get someone who knows about oak pests and diseases on the spot to look at the problem and make recommendations. Start by contacting the Texas A&M AgriLIFE Extension Office Comal County. There is contact information on their homepage.
More Trees Questions
Controlling oak suckers in Austin
January 26, 2012 - I live in Austin TX and have one particular native Oak tree in my back yard with a large bed around it. I don't plan on planting anything else in the bed since it is already nicely landscaped along ...
view the full question and answer
What can be planted under a pine tree in Detroit, MI?
April 22, 2008 - What type of plant would you suggest I plant under my big (Blue bruce) pine tree? It's about 25 ft high and the branches are trimmed to about 4 feet up, so it does get some light but mostly shade.I a...
view the full question and answer
Stage of maturity for redbud trees bloom
April 01, 2003 - At what stage of maturity will Redbud trees bloom?
view the full question and answer
Native trees for Medford MA
April 07, 2011 - Two quick questions. 1) what trees would grow happily along the banks of the Mystic River in Medford, MA? 2) Would it be o.k. to plant weeping willows? Are they indigenous to the area? I'm not a pur...
view the full question and answer
Are hackberries harmful to other trees?
March 25, 2009 - A neighbor warned me that a hackberry tree that naturally sprouted up recently will harm the roots of other trees nearby and that it is such a bad tree we should take it down before it gets too big. I...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |