Trees and Drought
Forests in Central and Eastern Texas have been hit hard by the driest year on record. The drought may also change vistas for decades to come. Some native trees and bushes are doing fine, but others such as Ashe juniper and redberry juniper appear to be dying in the Texas Hill Country. Because these trees had become prevalent, their demise could return swaths of Texas to more open landscapes that have more native grasses and wildflowers.
Viewer Tip: To keep trees alive in your neck of the woods, mulch at the base of a tree, avoiding the first few inches around the trunk to prevent rot. A two-inch depth of mulch helps retain moisture and insulates tree roots from weather extremes. Instead of watering the trunk of a tree on your designated watering days, do a deep soaking with water aimed at the tree’s root line: the point where tree branches end (a tree’s roots also extend that far out).
This information is provided by the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. Learn more at www.wildflower.org.
