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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.

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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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Sunday - July 20, 2014

From: Sebring, FL
Region: Southeast
Topic: Problem Plants, Trees
Title: Controlling live oak suckers in Florida
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

How do I kill emerging live oak sprouts coming from mature tree root system

ANSWER:

Please read the answer to a recent question and a follow-up to that question.  In those two answers there are further links to advice on solving your problem.  Although your question concerns live oaks in Florida, most likely Quercus virginiana (Coastal live oak), the answers address live oaks in Central Texas (generally, a mixture of Quercus fusiformis (Escarpment live oak) and Quercus virginiana (Coastal live oak)); the answers to the questions cited would apply to your treatment of live oak sprouts or "suckers" in Florida.

 

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