Arbor Day is the time for celebrating the beauty and value of trees in our ecosystems. It was first celebrated in Texas in February of 1890 with a call for a tree planting campaign in Temple. Over the years the date has evolved, but the first Friday of November is now the official Arbor Day in Texas. This time is appropriate for our area, as it marks the beginning of the best time to plant new trees and prune existing ones (November-January).
If adding a new tree to the landscape is in the plan, this is the best time of year to plant. Planting a Texas native tree is the best choice. The native trees are well suited for our soil and conditions, making it possible to grow a healthy tree without using large amounts of water, fertilizer, or pesticides. There are numerous choices of all sizes.
The Pecan is the state tree of Texas and provides the only nuts grown in Texas. It is native to 152 counties in Texas, including the Blackland Prairie area of Hays County. If there is room for a large tree in your landscape, this is a great choice. The tree will reach 65130 feet in height and can live up to 300 years.
Another beautiful choice is the Lacey Oak, a medium size tree native to the Edwards Plateau and the Blackland Prairie areas of Hays County. It is in the white oak family making it highly resistant to oak wilt. It can reach 25 feet in height and has a full canopy of dark green, blue green leaves. It was first found by botanists many years ago thriving in a limestone outcropping. Rocky soil is not a problem!
The Texas Redbud is a small (15ft.) flowering native tree which thrives in the well drained soils of Central Texas. It is covered with clusters of bright pink flowers in early spring and provides shade in summer and fall.
If pruning an existing tree is on the schedule, November-January is the best time as this is the time that most trees are somewhat dormant.(Remember not to prune Live Oaks between Feb. 1 and June 30.) Pruning off dead branches, pruning to raise the canopy, and pruning off the small“suckers” which sometimes grow from the bottom of the trunk are important for the health and beauty of a tree. Always cut at an angle where a branch meets the trunk of the tree or a larger branch. Cut at an angle to avoid damaging the trunk or larger branches which will remain. Most trees will heal very easily from pruning, but the live oak wounds should be painted immediately after cutting.
Trees are healthiest if they are 2/3 canopy and1/3 trunk as the leaves are the lifeblood of the tree. If you need more information on planting and caring for trees, the Texas A&M Forest Service can be accessed online or by phone.
People and animals alike benefit when trees are in the ecosystem as they provide food, shelter, and shade. Plant a tree on Arbor Day and watch it grow! Generations will benefit.
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