Categorized Trees

Tree List

 

Bald Cypress Bald Cypress           Taxodium distichum  ·  Bio- This upward growing, deciduous, conifer (cone bearing) tree has dimensions 60 to 70 ft. tall and 30 to 45 ft. across.  The life expectancy is about 50 years plus.  There is also another Cypress called a Pond Cypress that holds to a truer cone shape like the classic Christmas tree, whereas the Bald Cypress has a more random shape.  Bald Cypress trees are spread across the Southern part of the U.S. and most of Texas.  They are found where there is a lot of water, and are also known as Swamp Cypress.  Because of the water, this tree can develop “knees” that emerge from the soil, which are used as special breathing organs. The fall color is not outstanding, but if a pitiful brown color is what you like, then this tree is great.   ·  Maintenance- This tree does well in many types of soil therefore little maintenance is required. The interior part of tree gets congested easily, so thinning a good portion is acceptable every two to three years.  Low branches seem to be a problem, but trimming to a secondary level is easy to accomplish.   ·  Problems- Bald Cypresses can show an iron deficiency (yellowing of the leaves) in soils that are extremely alkaline (clay-black gumbo), but this is not always the case. Applying an abundance of Ironite or any granular product with iron and sulfur to the root system may help.  Also, there is a slight chance of bagworms becoming a problem, but is easily solved by using a licensed professional sprayer. I don’t know of any organic solutions, but there may be one.  I do not, however, like spraying poison in the air.   Bald Cypress “knees” can be an obstacle for a lawn mower because this type of tree likes water more than the average tree.  Even though Bald Cypresses may grow in standing water, they seem to take on a scorched appearance easily, around the latter part of summer.  Back to Tree List

Cedar Deodar Cedar           Cedrus deodara  ·  Bio- This is a large spreading, evergreen tree that has a pyramid shape to it with dimensions 40 to 50 ft. tall and 25 to 35 ft. across. The branches on this tree start low on the trunk, and I believe when they are left alone, this enhances the beauty of this tree. The life expectancy is about 100 years, and bears cones that are about three to five inches long. Deodar Cedars are known as the true Cedars with a soft droopy texture, and has bark (oils) that repels insects.   ·  Maintenance- This tree is fairly maintenance free if they are planted in the right location.  Lower branches can be an issue.  Placement of the tree can be crucial.  I rarely see an abundance of small dead branches.  If there is an accumulation of small dead branches, when they are removed, it will probably take a long time before you see this again.   ·  Problems- The problems that I’ve seen with Deodar Cedars have not been as bad in recent years. In the mid 80’s when we were having severe cold weather, I would see the top center section in these trees die.  After doing research, I found that these trees don’t like severe cold weather, there prone to cotton root rot (root fungus), and they are also susceptible to bores. I don’t know which of these problems is responsible for causing a major top section to die in these trees, but I haven’t seen this problem since the late 80’s.  In the year 2005, Deodar Cedars seem to be a very popular tree.The larger scale nurseries where I do business sell quite a few.  The other research that I have done indicated that they suffer in alkaline (black-clay gumbo) and rocky soils, but I’ve never seen this to be true. Then, since the research indicates that this may be a problem, when planting, make sure that the hole is large enough, the tree is not planted to deep, and the back fill is good organic matter (compost). By doing this, we are attempting to see that we have good drainage for the root system. This may curb the tendency for iron chlorosis. Despite the problems, this is one of my favorite trees. Back to Tree List

Oak Bur Oak             Quercus macrocarpa  ·  Bio- This rounded deciduous tree has dimensions 50 to 60 ft. tall and 40 to 60 ft. across.  The life expectancy is about 80 years or longer.  This tree is a good tree for shade, but not for fall color.     ·  Maintenance- This tree is basically a maintenance free tree, but deadwood as needed.  There is no reason to excessively thin the tree out.  ·  Problems- One minor problem for this tree is large acorns the size of golf balls.  The Bur Oak is a great tree and typically has very few problems. Chinquapin Oak             Quercus muhlenbergii  ·  Bio- This magnificent landscape tree has dimensions of 60 to 80 ft. tall and 30 to 40 ft. wide.  The Chinquapin Oak is a good shade tree, but not good for fall color.  Generally, the life expectancy is 80 years, but some Chinquapin Oaks, also known as Yellow Oak because of the color of the wood, can live to be about 100 to 120 years old.  Even though some of them can live this long, they have a tendency to die off for unexplained reasons. Chinquapin Oaks are indigenous to the Ohio River Valley, where it grows in white rock beds. The only places in Dallas that you see them growing naturally is where we have white rock, buy they are being introduced to areas where there is little to no white rock. ·  Maintenance- This tree is basically a maintenance free tree, but deadwood as needed.  There is no reason to excessively thin the tree out.  ·  Problems- The Chinquapin Oak is a great tree and typically has very few problems. Live Oak           Quercus virginiana  ·  Bio- This out-ward stretched, drought-resistant tree has dimensions of 30 to 40 feet tall and 40 to 50 feet wide.  The life expectancy is about 80 years.  ·  Maintenance- This evergreen sheds its foliage in late March.  Unlike a Red Oak, excessive thinning a Live Oak seems to promote growth, a crowded branch structure promotes deadwood.      ·  Problems- Oak wilt – Oak wilt is a fungus that can kill trees.  There are two ways oak wilt is transmitted.  One is through the networking of the roots, but the most prevalent way are the spores carried on the wings of a beetle that is attracted to the sap of the Live Oak as well as Red Oaks and White Oaks.  It is particularly attracted to the sap of a fresh wound.  The best solution is prevention.  The timing of trees being trimmed hinges on the life cycle of this bug.  A good time to trim is from January 1 to February 15; a bad time to trim is from February 16 to June 31; a good time to trim is from July 1 to October 31; a bad time to trim is from November 1 to December 31.  The timing is not as crucial as the temperature.  For example, if we are having temperatures that are below 60 degrees in the latter part of March, it’s still an ok time to trim.  Trimming when it is cool or cold is good, and trimming when it is really hot is good.  When the temperature stays between 60 and 90 degrees, than it is a really bad time to trim. Shumard Red Oak             Quercus shumardii  ·  Bio- This wonderful deciduous tree can have very nice fall color ranging from orange to red. The Red Oak grows to be 50 to 60 feet tall, 40 to 60 feet across, and can live to be 80 years +. ·  Maintenance- If a red oak is not in a weakened condition, trimming every two to three years or as needed is acceptable. Large dead branches are one indicator that it is time to trim. Another indicator is abundance of small dead branches. Check out the Tree Tips section of our site. ·  Problems- Over thinning- There is a relationship between the amount of foliage and wood.  When the interior of the tree is stripped, the result is excessive deadwood.  Removing large branches is not as detrimental as over stripping.      Oak wilt – Oak wilt is a fungus that can kill trees.  There are two ways oak wilt is transmitted.  One is through the networking of the roots, but the most prevalent way are the spores carried on the wings of a beetle that is attracted to the sap of the Red Oak as well as Live Oaks and White Oaks.  It is particularly attracted to the sap of a fresh wound.  The best solution is prevention.  The timing of trees being trimmed hinges on the life cycle of this bug.  A good time to trim is from January 1 to February 15; a bad time to trim is from February 16 to June 31; a good time to trim is from July 1 to October 31; a bad time to trim is from November 1 to December 31.  The timing is not as crucial as the temperature.  For example, if we are having temperatures that are below 60 degrees in the latter part of March, it’s still an ok time to trim.  Trimming when it is cool or cold is good, and trimming when it is really hot is good.  When the temperature stays between 60 and 90 degrees, than it is a really bad time to trim.     Post Oak             Quercus stellata  ·  Bio- This native Texas, drought resistant tree has dimensions of 40 to 50 ft. tall and 30 to 40 ft. wide.  Post Oaks, unlike other Oaks, has a slow growth rate.  I never see this tree sold at the local nurseries, but they do grow naturally in rural areas.  The neighborhoods that I see them growing in, the trees were there before the houses were built.  It is a good shade tree, but not good for fall color.       ·  Maintenance- Deadwood only. This tree does not tolerate loosing an abundance of foliage because it is in the White Oak family. ·  Problems- This tree likes loose sandy soil that is well composted.  Most of the feeder roots are close to the surface because it needs oxygen and food.  Compacting soil, whether walking on it or driving on it, can be detrimental.  Merely installing a sprinkler system can kill this tree.  Severing the roots as well as over watering this drought resistant tree is not good.  If there is a decline in the foliage because any of these conditions have occurred, feeding along the drip line with a granular fertilizer should bring immediate results. Back to Tree List