Growing Beautiful Healthy Trees in Austin

If you want to grow trees that are healthy and beautiful in Austin, here are a few tips to help you on your way.

To start, if you select trees that are native you will increase your tree’s survival rate as native trees are more drought and disease resistant than non-natives. Native trees typically require less watering, fertilizing, and chemical control which in turn also contributes to the conservation and preservation of Austin’s precious water resources - its streams, lakes, and aquifers.

When choosing your native tree, there are a large variety to choose from, from walnut to oak to pecan, black walnut and hickory.

Going non-native is certainly an option as well. Many non-native trees have been around Austin for decades and thrive quite well. You can check with Austin city government at http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/trees/en_spec.htm for a list of adapted trees of Austin.

When planting your trees, consider putting shade trees on the west and south sides of your house, this will help lower your utility bills. For variety, you may add fruit trees to your yard; they not only provide you with an edible product but also attract birds and wildlife. Flowering trees accent your yard and some trees can be planted as a screen for privacy. If you live in a neighborhood with codes and regulations, research what types of trees they prefer in the front yard or those visible from the street.

To maintain your tree’s health and beauty, here are a few tips in preventing potential problems.

1. Use native and adapted trees when possible
2. Choose trees resistant to specific diseases and insects
3. Keep trees healthy -- if they are weak and stressed, they are more likely to have other problems.
4. Monitor often for insect and disease damage to keep small problems from becoming large ones
5. Tolerate some damage but if problem continues to worsen, seek out proper diagnosis.
6. Before using any pesticides make sure you have properly identified problem.

If you do detect a problem with your tree, don’t hesitate to hire a professional. Make sure this professional communicates the following to you before they start.

1. What the problem is and how it will be treated.
2. How long the treatment period will take.
3. What results can be expected.
4. What is guaranteed and what is not.
5. Whether products used present any hazards to people or pets.

By following some of these simple suggestions, whichever trees you choose will result in a beautiful addition to your yard for years to come.

Andrew Johnson is the owner of Central Texas Tree Care, a leading tree service provider in Central Texas (Travis County and surrounding areas) offering services such as pruning and removals, cabling and bracing as well as arborist reports, diagnostics, pest management, fertilization and Austin tree service trusts. For more information please visit http://www.centraltexastreecare.com.