Fredericksburg Chapter

How to Plant and Care for Trees – May 23 Fredericksburg chapter meeting

Robert Edmonson with Texas A & M Forest Service is the speaker for the May 23 chapter meeting. He will share his expertise about choosing trees, how to plant and take care of them, and “what not to do” so you don’t kill the trees you already have. He will also provide recommendations for native plants and shrubs for our region (Edwards Plate

“We are looking forward to Mr. Edmonson sharing his knowledge with us,” said Deborah Simmons, President, Fredericksburg Chapter of NPSOT. “Our region has suffered greatly from oak wilt, drought and severe freezes. We hope new homeowners and long-time landowners will bring their tree-related questions and learn more about the best trees to plant in our area and how to do it.”

Edmonson has been with Texas A & M Forest Service since 1993 and serves the Johnson City Region, which includes Blanco, Comal, Gillespie, Kimble, Llano, Mason and Menard Counties. His current responsibilities include statewide implementation of the oak wilt suppression program; oak wilt research; creating content for the oak wilt partnership website (texasoakwilt.org); training International Society of Arboriculture-certified arborists for oak wilt qualification; implementation of woodland stewardship and conservation programs; assistance with Operation Ponderosa at Davis Mountains Preserve; emerald ash borer detection program; emergency response duties; public education on various tree-related topics; state-wide drought, flood and freeze assessments. He graduated from Texas Tech University in 1988 with a B.S. in Wildlife Management. ~ Holly Simonette

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