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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Thursday - October 08, 2009
From: The Woodlands, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Trees
Title: White pine insect problems
Answered by: Anne Bossart
QUESTION:
We live in The Woodlands TX. Some of our large pine trees have leaking sap and one is dead. What can we do to save the one's still alive?ANSWER:
Pine bark beetle is a huge problem in The Woodlands and all across North America, not just the Piney Woods.
It is of particular concern in the Woodlands, however, as it is the Woodlands is a community carved out of a second growth forest made up primarily of pine trees. When a monoculture like that is attacked, the problem can spread like wildfire and decimate the entire population (as happened to the American Elm and Chestnut). Many things (construction damage, drought and so on) stress the trees, making them more susceptible to insect and disease damage.
The only advice we can give you is to direct you to a website, The Woodlands Texas Trees dedicated solely to your challenge. We hope your unaffected trees are healthy enough to survive the attack.
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