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 - May 23, 2007
From: Del Valle, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Trees
Title: Replanting members of Rosaceae family in same spot
Answered by: Joe Marcus
QUESTION:
HI Mr. Smarty Plants We had two apple (yellow fruit) trees besides out house and they died. Is it ok to replant in the same place with other trees without being afraid something is wrong with the soil? We would like to replace these with some fast growing trees. We have a couple of pecan trees but want something different. In a response to another question you mentioned the following trees-are these also go for our area? Bur Oak (Quercus macrocarpa) Shumard Red Oak (Quercus shumardii) Escarpment Live Oak (Quercus fusiformis) Cedar Elm (Ulmus crassifolia) Escarpment Black Cherry (Prunus serotina var. eximia) Some smaller ornamental trees with showy blooms that you could use as foreground or accent plantings include: Texas Mountain Laurel (Sophora secundiflora) Texas Redbud (Cercis canadensis var. texensis) Mexican Buckeye (Ungnadia speciosa) What about fruit trees? Where would be a good place to purchase these? Thank you so much for this avenue on communication.ANSWER:
If your apple trees died from a root-borne disease, then it would not be a good idea to replant trees in the same family, Rosaceae. Unfortunately for you, most common fruit trees including apples (Malus), pears (Pyrus), and plums, peaches and cherries (Prunus) as well as many other fruiting tree genera are members of Rosaceae. If you know that your trees died due to some other problem, then it would probably be safe to replant any tree you wanted to plant there.
In your area (Del Valle, TX), late fall to early winter is the best time to plant trees. Late winter to early spring is also good. You can purchase native Texas trees - fruiting and non-fruiting - at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center plant sale held each April and October. Other trees can be purchased at any local nursery.
More Trees Questions
Plants for heavy clay in Sonoma County, California
July 10, 2013 - Hi, I live in Northern California, Sonoma County, and would like to transition my front garden into mostly native plants. Trouble is, my soil is clay, yicky, heavy clay, and some of the natives I've ...
view the full question and answer
Native plants for sandy soil and not much water
April 14, 2008 - I am planning a new garden at home and would like to grow native plants that can handle sandy soil and don't need much water. I do not water my gardens.I would prefer plants that can have more than o...
view the full question and answer
Transplanting a redbud in Boerne TX
August 29, 2012 - Hi there, My question is when is it safe to transplant a native tree? I have a redbud tree come up in m flower bed I want to try to transplant it instead of cutting it out. It is very young - maybe 4-...
view the full question and answer
Is Texas Mountain Laurel Honey Toxic in Fulshear, TX?
March 11, 2012 - Toxicity of Texas Mountain Laurel HONEY
I know the seeds and leaves of the Tx Mountain Laurel are toxic. But, is honey that comes from the Mountain Laurel toxic too? I heard that it is, but can'...
view the full question and answer
Caterpillars on catalpa trees and hardiness of catalpas
May 23, 2007 - A volunteer catalpa tree has recently popped up near the edge of our swimming pool. The foliage is lovely, so I'm considering allowing it to stay. This one has already proven to be a fast grower . ...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |