Plant Q & A Texas A&M

Shrubs attract birds


Q: How do you rate Lacey oak as a shade tree? We have one that we just love but you never seem to mention the species.

A: I actually have a Lacey oak in my landscape and like it fine as a relatively small shade tree (25-30 feet). The leaves are gray green and very attractive. Lacey oak are pest-resistant, droughttolerant and long-lived. My one complaint would be the slow growth rate. Lacey oaks are in the white oak family so are not susceptible to oak wilt.

Q: What are some of the best fruit-producing tree shrubs for attracting birds?

A: Here is a list of trees and shrubs to provide 12 months of berries for birds. Many more are equally good. Ligustrum, pyracantha and yaupon holly provide winter berries. Grow mulberry, blackberries and viburnum for the spring. In the summer hackberry, agarita and anaqua provide fruit. In the fall lantanas, Texas persimmons and Chinese pistache are good producers. Note that I include exotics and natives. You can also provide good wildlife food-producing plants using native plants.

Q: What is that rose that you recommend to keep people from cutting across flower beds between sidewalks in high traffic areas? The one that has enough thorns to protect itself and direct traffic, but does not require a blood transfusion.

A: Martha Gonzales rose grows to about 4 feet tall, is drought-tolerant, does not need spraying or excessive pruning and produces small dark red blooms 8 months of the year in addition to directing traffic as you described.

Q: Which grass variety has the most traffic tolerance?

A: Bermuda grass has the best traffic tolerance and zoysia grass is second best.

Q: Is there a chemical that will kill sand burs without hurting the lawn?

A: There are several formulas of Image that are labeled for control of sand burs in the lawn. The best control however is to use of a pre-emergent herbicide in the spring. Make a note on your calendar to apply a Crabgrass Preventer, Amaze or XL on March 1 to keep sand burs from germinating.

CALVIN R. Finch, Ph.D. is a Horticulturist and Director of Texas A&M Water Conservation and Technology Center. Do you have a question for him? Write to him at calvin.finch@tamu.edu.



Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *