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

Friday - April 06, 2012

From: Midland, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Non-Natives, Trees
Title: Do non-native globe willows have a taproot from Midland TX
Answered by: Barbara Medford

QUESTION:

Do globe willows have a tap root?

ANSWER:

Over time, we have received LOTS of questions about globe willows. The answer to your question is "no." We assume you were asking with thoughts of planting one close to a building or pavement. Trees do not have true taproots. A carrot is a taproot, but it isn't required to stand up straight in the air for 50 feet.

Please read this previous Mr. Smarty Plants question. We can tell you we don't like it any more now than we did then. Note the remarks about "aggressive roots."

 

 

More Non-Natives Questions

Hardiness of non-native Lycium barbarum for Saschatewan
December 19, 2005 - Lycium barbarnum. What is its hardiness and where can it be grown?
view the full question and answer

Should non-native Royal Empress tree be planted in Lawrence MA?
May 13, 2010 - I am researching the Royal Empress Tree because I want to plant one in my yard in Massachusetts. I wanted to know if the Royal Empress will have rapid reproduction and bring more Empress trees to the ...
view the full question and answer

Native grasses for golf courses from Austin
October 06, 2013 - I may be working on two different golf courses and wanted to know if any native or hybrid native grasses would work for the fairways and rough areas? The rough areas are no problem as a number of ...
view the full question and answer

Non-native Tradescantia spathacea in Austin
July 10, 2011 - Can a moses in the cradle (Tradescantia spathacea) plant be planted in a landscape setting with part sun of up to six hours in this texas heat?
view the full question and answer

Yellowing leaves on non-native podocarpus Cupertino CA
May 22, 2011 - I recently planted a podacarpus granular and over half the leaves are turning yellow some are dead. What could be the problem? Is there something I can feed it? What should I do? I planted four & the...
view the full question and answer

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