San Antonio Chapter

How San Antonio’s Development Code Can Affect the Presence or “Not” of Native Plants in Landscapes

**ARCHIVED POST ** from 2019-09-25

October 22, 2019 Chapter Meeting

Join us for a discussion with Mark Bird, San Antonio’s City Arborist, about the Unified Development Code of San Antonio and what our organization and individuals can do to increase the presence and protection of native plants in our community.

Mark Bird, the City Arborist for the City of San Antonio, aka the City’s tall tree hugger. He has been a professional arborist for over 30 years, the last 16 years with the City of San Antonio. As a tree climber, consulting arborist and city arborist, Mr. Bird has worked to provide proper care for trees and educate people on the value and benefits of trees in our communities. Contrary to popular belief, the city arborist does not spend their days outside just looking at trees. Unfortunately from his perspective, most days are spent in the office working to preserve and plant trees as the City of San Antonio grows. When it is time to get out of the office he is most happy being outdoors on family adventures to natural areas near and far.

 

Meeting Time and Location

6:30 pm – Native plant/seed exchange & Social time
7:00 pm – Meeting and program
Lions Field Adult Center
2809 Broadway (corner of Mulberry & Broadway by Brackenridge Park)
Map to Lions Field Adult Center

Please note that overflow parking is available at the Doseum parking lot, directly across Broadway from Lion’s Field.

Chapter meetings are held every 4th Tuesday of the month except August, November, and December. They are free and open to the public. So come join us!

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**ARCHIVED POST AUTHOR: tmaslonka **

About the Region

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This low-elevations region of Texas extends inland from the barrier islands, about 60 or so miles, and stretches from Brownsville to Louisiana. In total, it covers about 9.5 million acres, with a high point of 150 feet in elevation. More than 1000 species of plants can be found in this region. On the southern end, species more common in Mexico (such as Sabal mexicana) and Central America occur.

The barrier islands provide us with dune systems, and clay flats to the inland side, which have species found in these areas alone. Many plants here, such as Ipomoea pes-caprae (beach morning glory), can be found throughout tropical regions of the globe. I’ve encountered the same species on the beaches of Guam.

Once inland, vast marshes and wet prairies occur. Occasionally, oak (Quercus fusiformis) groves can be found. Common grasses include species of Bothriochloa, Paspalum, and Sporobolus; eastern gamagrass (Tripsacum dactyloides); and switchgrass (Panicum species). Many rivers and creeks cut through the Gulf Prairies, and along these riparian areas various species of trees, Sabal minor, and other plants adapted to clay soils can be found. Due to overgrazing, farming, and fire suppression, woody species such as mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa) and huisache (Acacia farnesiana), and invasive species such as chinaberry (Melia azedarach), Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius), and Chinese tallow (Sapium sebiferum) have increased and displaced our native flora.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason