Join / Renew / Gift Donate Shop Member Portal Language
Search
npsot_bluebonnet_full_color

Native Plant Society of Texas

Highland Lakes Chapter

March 15 Chapter Meeting

The next Highland Lakes Native Plant Society meeting will be Saturday,15 March 2025, 1:00-3:00 at the Marble Falls Library, 101 Main Street.

Jess Divin, ISA Master Arborist, will be joined by certified arborists Talia Freeman, Kyle White, and William Johnston to present “Improving the Cultural Practices of Tree Care.”

Jess will address the common questions and qualms of the common tree admirer, and speak on

  • Improving conditions in our harsh climate
  • Common tree care faux pas
  • Common pests of Central Texas
  • How to mitigate tree stressors

Jess, Talia, Kyle, and William are certified arborists for Davey Tree who cover the Highland Lakes area. Both Jess and William are district managers and have made appearances on multiple news channels, from San Antonio to Austin. They’ve also presented at many garden club meetings in their respective areas. However, a day-to-day task is going to individuals’ properties and spotting areas to improve the lives of their trees and shrubs.

Jess is an International Society of Arboriculture Board Certified Master Arborist, Texas ISA Oak Wilt Qualified, and Tree Risk Assessor Qualified. He is currently a District Manager at the East San Antonio Davey Tree, which spans from Rockport to Blanco.
Throughout the years, Jess has arboricultural experience from entry level technician to District Manager at Davey Tree. He was also a wildland firefighter in Colorado, the Park Ranger Superintendent and Urban Forester for the city of New Braunfels. His passion for trees knows no bounds.

Upcoming NPSOT-Highland Lakes Programs: Saturday, 17 May Ashley Landry is the founder of the Native Plant Rescue Project (NPRP), which is a Central Texas-based nonprofit that coordinates plant rescues prior to construction. Ashley has been featured in Wildflower magazine, The Austin Chronicle and on Central Texas Gardener. You can learn more about NPRP by finding them on Instagram @nativeplantrescueproject or by visiting their website, www.nativeplantrescueproject.org.

About the Region

New Braunfels, the location of our Fall 2024 Symposium, straddles both the Edwards Plateau Ecoregion and the Blackland Prairie ecoregion. Interstate 35 divides the city of New Braunfels; its path through the city closely parallels the boundary of these two ecoregions, with the Edwards Plateau on the west side and the Blackland Prairies region to the east. The Edwards Plateau area is also called the Hill Country; however, this general term covers a much larger area extending farther north. Spring-fed creeks are found throughout the region; deep limestone canyons, rivers, and lakes (reservoirs) are common. Ashe juniper is perhaps the most common woody species found throughout the region. Additional woody species include various species of oak, with live oak (Quercus fusiformis) being the most common. Sycamores (Platanus occidentalis) and bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) border waterways. This area is well known for its spring wildflower displays, though they may be viewed in spring, late summer, and fall, as well. According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, average annual rainfall in the Edwards Plateau ranges from 15 to 34 inches.

The Blackland Prairie extends from the Red River south to San Antonio, bordered on the west by the Edwards Plateau and the Cross Timbers, and on the east by the Post Oak Savannah. Annual rainfall averages 30 to 40 inches, with higher averages to the east. This region is dominated by prairie species. The most common grass species include little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans) in the uplands and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) in the riparian areas and drainages. Common herbaceous flowering plants include salvias, penstemons, and silphiums. This area has suffered greatly from overgrazing and agricultural use. Few intact areas remain, though many of the plants can be found along county roadsides throughout the region.

Our four host chapters (New Braunfels, Lindheimer, Guadalupe, and the Hill Country chapters) are located in one or both of the ecoregions above. However, the eastern portion of Guadalupe County also falls within the Post Oak Savanna ecoregion. Annual rainfall averages 35 to 45 inches, with higher averages to the east. A wide variety of hardwood trees are found, including several species of oaks, elms, and in the Bastrop area, loblolly pine (Pinus taeda). Grasses and forbs dominate in the open savannas, with most common grass being little bluestem. Ranching, agriculture, and fire suppression have allowed woody species to encroach on the once-open savannas.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason