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 is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Tuesday - September 25, 2007
From: Brownwood, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Trees
Title: Care of huisache tree (Acacia farnesiana)
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I bought a huisache tree, about one ft. tall, last spring. How do I prune, stake, and care for it as it grows? Do they usually bloom in Brownwood, Tx ?ANSWER:
Acacia farnesiana (huisache or sweet acacia) is a native of south Texas. The northern edge of its natural range is quite a bit south of Brownwood. According to the Texas A & M Horticulture database, Zone 8 is the recommended USDA minimum cold hardiness zone for huisache. Brownwood is in Zone 8a, the northern portion of the zone, so depending on the severity of the winter, your huisache may or may not flower. Late frosts often kill the flower buds. Also, since you are really out of its natural range, in a severe winter there is the possibility that it could freeze to the ground.
Typically, the tree has multiple trunks that fan out as it grows. There really isn't a need to stake it and pruning it is up to you, depending on the shape and size you want for your tree. If you want it to be a single-trunk tree, then you will need to prune for that shape. However, it makes an attractive dense shrub without pruning.
More Trees Questions
Runaway growth on mountain laurel in Coolidge AZ
July 01, 2010 - I have 2 mountain laurels. They are thriving well. In fact one is growing way too fast. I am growing it as a tree, but the branches are in excess of 6 feet, while the trunk is only 18 or so inches. I ...
view the full question and answer
Identificaation of different cultivars ofPrunus caroliniana
June 14, 2007 - How can you tell if you have a Carolina Cherry laurel or Carolina cherry laurel "compacta," or a Cherry Laurel-English?
I have a line of four cherry laurels and one in the middle recently died an...
view the full question and answer
Should shredded Ashe juniper be composted for mulch?
May 06, 2009 - Our neighbor shredded some Texas Hill Country cedar trees. Can we use it safely as mulch? Do we need to wait until it composts some?
view the full question and answer
Tall screening tree for Santa Barbara, California
August 20, 2011 - Hi, we live in Santa Barbara, California. We are looking for a tree between 20-30 feet high to block the neighbors two-story house yet the area we have to plant is 3 feet from the fence to the drivewa...
view the full question and answer
Danger of oak wilt infestation in trees with storm-damaged limbs
June 15, 2007 - A recent severe storm in Southwest Austin broke large branches and trunks on many Live Oaks in my neighborhood, including my next door neighbors'. Can this invite Oak Wilt? I'm worried about my tree...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |