- ARTICLE The Bastrop Fires: Assessing the long-term impacts
- ARTICLE Drought conditions and splitting trees
- ARTICLE Girdling Roots
- ARTICLE Trees and swimming pools
- ARTICLE The Afghan pine problem in Austin
- ARTICLE Native trees to consider planting in the Austin area
- ARTICLE The truth about cedars
- ARTICLE Trees and roots
- ARTICLE Spanish oaks in decline?
- ARTICLE Are your sycamores declining?
The Bastrop Fires: Assessing the long-term impacts
Since the devastating fires in Bastrop County in September we have been involved in several fire-related projects in the Bastrop area. The fires devastated large areas of Bastrop County, and left more than 1,500 people homeless.
The effects of the Bastrop fires have been considerable. The pine woods, for which the area is well known, have been damaged severely by the intense heat of the flames. Survivability is not certain with respect to the affected areas.
The Bastrop pine trees are serotinous (naturally fire resistant), and rely on infrequent fires to clear competition and open cones for regeneration. This is a natural element of the pine forest, and necessary for the long-term health of the forest eco-system.
Why do Bradford pears split?
Maintaining Bradford pears in the U.S. is a multi-million dollar a year industry. When Bradfords were more widely planted, billions were spent maintaining , bolting, cabling and bracing them. Cities are and have been moving away from Bradford pears for years and are replacing them with less problematic, more easily maintained and longer lived species.
When is the best time of year to prune my live oaks?
One of the most frequently asked questions I get has to do with timing with respect to oak tree pruning. People believe the spring is a bad time, also people believe that the summer is a bad time to prune their oaks. Which is true? Is there a ‘correct’ or ‘better’ time to prune oak trees?