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 - April 26, 2010
From: Austin, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Propagation
Title: Adventitious sprouts on oak tree in Austin
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
Hello, I have an Oak tree which was planted in about 2002, which has adventitious sprouts. The tree has always sent these up, and we cut them off below ground. The tree has always been a 'runt', but is growing slowly and gaining more leaves up in the tree. I would like to keep the tree if possible and make it more healthy, but also stop the sprouts. Any information re/ how to help the tree and make the sprouts stop is most appreciated. Thanks.ANSWER:
What you're doing is what you do about oak sprouts. If you try herbicide on the sprouts, it will go right into the tree, because those sprouts have no roots-their roots are the oak tree roots. And, when your oak tree gets big enought to drop acorns, it will add those to the sprouting trees in your garden. If you keep a sharp eye out, you can usually pull out the sprouting acorns by the root. The oak has a long taproot and will get that taproot going down into the soil as quickly as it can, so don't let it get ahead of you. And no poison-if you want to keep the oak.More Propagation Questions
Revegetation with Rosa Woodsii in Heber UT
July 26, 2013 - I am using Woods Roses for a revegetation project (to stop trail short cutting) in a public picnic area. Growing them from seed was too slow so I am experimenting with transplanting and it is working ...
view the full question and answer
Transplanting Cornus sericea by sprouts in Maryland
November 21, 2008 - I would like to transplant suckers of a red-twig dogwood (Cornus sericea). When is the best time to do it (before or during dormancy)? How big of a root system does each sucker need to survive? Where ...
view the full question and answer
Transplanting roughleaf dogwood in Pflugerville, TX
March 28, 2007 - Hello.
My rougleaf dogwood is suckering enthusiastically, and rather than mow off all the root suckers, I'd like to transplant a couple of them to the stream bank in the greenbelt behind my house. ...
view the full question and answer
How does Graptopetalum filiferum produce seeds?
June 22, 2009 - Hi
I have a Graptopetalum filiferum. I found a seed on top of one of the plants and it resembles something like a cantelope melon seed-about 1/3" long, orange. Do these succulents produce seeds i...
view the full question and answer
Growing non-native lettuce under artificial light from Washington NY
April 15, 2012 - Which artificial light( UV LIGHT, FLUORESCENT LIGHT AND INCANDESCENT LIGHT) makes a lettuce plant grow the fastest over a time period of 3 weeks and what would be your variables( independent, dependen...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |