Native Plants
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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.
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Tuesday - July 10, 2012
From: BOCA RATON, FL
Region: Southeast
Topic: Diseases and Disorders, Trees
Title: Sticky sap (honeydew) on car
Answered by: Jimmy Mills
QUESTION:
MY CAR IS CONSTANTLY COVERED WITH STICKY SAP. I LIVE IN AN AREA WITH MANY COCONUT PALMS AND OTHER TREES. COULD THE SAP BLOW AROUND EVEN THOUGH I KEEP CHANGING THE PARKING?ANSWER:
It sounds as if you are experiencing the onslaught of honeydew. Honeydew is a waste-product of aphids and other sap-sucking insects such as scale. As honeydew is excreted by the sap-sucking insects, it becomes airborne and falls and coats any surface upon which it lands in the area.
This article from University of Minnesota Extension (use this link to get to the Sap Removal Article), another from the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, and a third from the University of California Davis give a rather thorough explanation of honey dew and aphids, and their effects on plants. You may also notice blackening of the plants under the trees because of an infestation of sooty mold that grows on the honeydew.
If you Google “car covers” on the web, you will find products that can protect your car from this sticky mess.
More Trees Questions
Flowering problems with Mexican Plum and Mimosa in Austin, TX
March 18, 2010 - Greetings,
My Prunus mexicana (Mexican Plum) did not produce flowers before its leaves. Can you tell me why? I was hoping to have some fruit this year.
Also, as of this morning March 13. My...
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Ground cover under Spruces from West Chester PA
December 06, 2012 - Trying to get a native groundcover (or any grass/wildflower/fern) planting established under a small stand of spruces. Established stand (30+ years old), so lots of needles on ground. Just about tot...
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Replacing mature Arizona Ash trees in Austin
August 26, 2011 - Mr. Smarty Plants,
I have 2 very large, very old Arizona Ash trees in my yard. I want to remove them and replace them with something like Cedar Elm or Chinquapin Oak. The problem is that they are t...
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Pecan Trees in Austin, TX prematurely losing their leaves.
September 03, 2010 - Why are the leaves on the pecan trees falling so early this year.
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Are Mesquite (Prosopis) pods safe for dogs to eat?
June 15, 2009 - are pods from mesquite trees posionus to dogs if they chew or eat them?
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