Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

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.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?

Share

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.

Search Smarty Plants
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
rate this answer
Not Yet Rated

Saturday - October 27, 2012

From: Oklahoma City, OK
Region: Southwest
Topic: Planting, Trees
Title: Need suggestion for a tree with a tap root in Oklahoma City, OK.
Answered by: Jimmy Mills

QUESTION:

I would like to know the best tree to plant in my area that does well. Would like a tap root tree and also a tree that will not mess with my septic lines. Thank you

ANSWER:

Lets start by going to our Native Plant Database . Scroll down to our Recommend Species Lists and click on View Recommend Species page. Click on Oklahoma on the map, and you will get a list of 124 commercially available native plant species suitable for planned landscapes in Oklahoma. This is too many for now, so go to the Narrow Your Search box on the right side of the screen and select Oklahoma under State, tree under Habit, and perennial under Duration. Check sun under Light requirement and dry under Soil moisture. Click on the Narrow your Search button, and you will get a  list of 6 native trees for Oklahoma landscapes. Clicking  on the scientific name of each plant will bring up its NPIN page which contains a description of the plant, its growth characteristics and requirements, and in most cases images. As you check out each plant, you can note its size and other features.

I found this link for a tree give away in Oklahoma City in November that you might want to check out  Hopefully it s not too late. Toward the bottom of the site, click on "Putting Down Roots” which will bring up a guide for tree selection and planting, that also has tree recommendations.

We are frequently asked for trees with taproots under the mistaken impression that the roots will only go down. While there are trees that have taproots, they also develop spreading roots in order to get moisture and nutrients nearer the soil surface. Tree roots grow toward water sources, and septic lines provide  water.  This link has some good advice concerning trees and septic systems .

 

More Trees Questions

Cold tolerance of Anacacho Orchid Tree (Bauhinia lunarioides)
January 13, 2010 - I live in Austin, and I'm considering planting an Anacacho Orchid Tree. How cold tolerant is it? Would the tree have been damaged in the recent 18 degree temperatures we experienced?
view the full question and answer

Yellowing leaves on Mexican Plum in Salado, TX.
July 24, 2013 - I do live in Cental Texas (Salado) and I have the same problem with my Mexican Plum as the lady in Bellaire, TX. Mine was planted in June in a raised bed and receives sun all day long. Within the la...
view the full question and answer

January good time to plant live oak in January from Manor TX
January 19, 2014 - I want to plant a Live Oak in January. Is this a good time to plant it?
view the full question and answer

Is Ilex glabra Shamrock a female cultivar
June 02, 2008 - I have an ilex glabra "shamrock". Is it a FEMALE cultivar? I have only found information that the "compacta" and the "nigra" are females. I have a male ilex glabra and was hoping to have berrie...
view the full question and answer

Aphids in pecan tree from Austin
July 14, 2012 - Last year at this time (midsummer) everything under the canopy of our 60+ year old pecan tree was covered with a sticky substance--plants, lawn furniture, concrete pool deck..Since we had never seen t...
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.