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)
Thursday - December 17, 2015
From: Cedar Park, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Diseases and Disorders, Trees
Title: Pin Oak Dropping Leaves Early
Answered by: Anne Van Nest
QUESTION:
I have a large pin oak that's losing it's leaves at this time. Is this too early? I have been watering the tree during the hot, dry weather and overall the tree looks healthy and has a good crop of nuts on it.ANSWER:
Pin oak is one of the common names for several native and introduced oaks that grow throughout North America and can be referred to Quercus nigra, Quercus phellos, Quercus palustris, and Quercus ellipsoidalis. There's also plenty of confusion between red oaks and pin oaks. But regardless of the exact identity of your oak tree, there is some variance from year to year about when your oak will start to drop their leaves based on the weather. There also could be differences between the same type of oak on when they drop their leaves. If the dormant buds on your tree look healthy, then patience is all that is needed to see how the tree fares next year.
The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Plant Disease Diagnostic Lab has a good webpage about the annual Texas live oak leaf drop that also could explain your pin oak leaf drop.
Each tree can be looked upon as an individual, with specific characteristics. Those trees may be different genetically, making one shed and produce new leaves quicker than another. It is also possible that there are environmental and/or physical factors that influences a particular plant to shed quicker.
From the Image Gallery
More Diseases and Disorders Questions
Can Live Oak suckers be mowed during Oak Wilt spread season in Austin?
April 12, 2010 - I live in South Austin, not too far from the Wildflower Center. I have a Live Oak in my yard with a substantial amount of sucker growth from the roots. Can I mow them freely throughout the year, or ...
view the full question and answer
Verticillium wilt in catalpa and maple
July 17, 2008 - On Monday - July 07, 2008, you answered a question about a catalpa and maple with the same problem--an entire branch died, and then more of the tree died. And both trees came from the same nursery. Th...
view the full question and answer
Young pecan trees with leaf and branch problems from Gatesville TX
November 18, 2013 - I have a young pecan tree that had very rapidly browning Leaves. They became brittle and so did the branches with affected leaves. The branches soon fell off. We treated with fungicide during that pro...
view the full question and answer
Hollies not retaining leaves in Tulsa
August 10, 2008 - I have Little Red Hollies that have lost their leaves, some areas being bald. They are also not full - you can see through them. These were planted in this condition Spring of '08 and have been wat...
view the full question and answer
Need help with Wheeler's Dwarf Pittosporum
September 02, 2015 - We have about five Dwarf Wheeler Pittosporum plants. All of them are mature and were doing well. I was on vacation for a week or so and when I came back I saw of each of them is plant 90% dead. The d...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |