Tag North Texas Native Trees

After a devastating weather event like the tornadoes on October 20, 2019, the damage can be hard to assess, let alone start to repair. While damage to homes and other structures is of utmost importance to the community, addressing the damage to our urban forest, and determining what can be saved, is a key component of recovering after destruction.

Cleaning up downed trees is the first priority in an emergency situation. Fallen trees can prevent first responders and repair crews from accessing damaged utility lines and dangerous structures. Once the trees on the ground have been addressed, however, we must think about those left standing. After a high-wind event like a tornado, the trees left standing often have severe limb breakage and defoliation, or loss of leaves. Both of these issues have short- and long-term consequences, that must be understood.

Tree Safety Is Key

As soon as possible after a storm, owners of damaged trees should take a few steps to ensure there is no further damage to people or property:

• Clear the area around any damaged trees of vehicles and valuables and take steps to prevent access to the area.
  • If possible, cordon off the entire dripline area (from the trunk to the tips of the branches).
  • If there is a tree that could fall on your home, consider staying out of that part of the house until the tree can be assessed.
• Once the area has been secured, contact a certified arborist to assess the damage to your trees.
  • The International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) has established the Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ) to train certified arborists in the proper evaluation of the safety and stability of trees. Be sure to find an arborist who has completed the TRAQ program.
  • Ask the arborist about tree stabilization, such as bolting and cabling. These measures can help prevent future issues with splitting trees.
• Trees that are stable, but have lost a great amount of the canopy will probably need fertilization or other plant health care measures to recover.

Will My Trees Survive Tornado Damage?

Ultimately, the prognosis for a storm-damaged tree depends on several factors, including the species, location, soil condition, and underlying health of the tree. Based on our experience, however, certain North Texas trees should fare better than others.

• Live Oaks, Cedar Elms, Pecans, Bur Oaks – Uncertain/Wait and See

  • While these species are resilient, we are assessing them on a case-by-case basis.
  • If the tree is stable, we recommend waiting until the spring to see if new growth appears.

• Red Oaks, Maples – High Risk for Sun Damage

  • Both types of trees are susceptible to sunburn, which dries out the bark, causing it to peel off,  and exposing the sapwood underneath to damage.
  • Even if the tree is stable, the risk of stress and dieback from the winter sun is great.
  • Maples and red oaks that have lost their leaves have little protection from sun exposure.

• Crape Myrtles – High Chance of Survival

  • As long as the crape myrtles remained in the ground, they should survive.
  • Damage to limbs and safety pruning may alter the shape of the tree, but should not cause any major issues.
  • If increased insect activity is observed, consider using insecticidal soap in the winter or pesticides in the spring.

• Mulberries – Uncertain/Wait and See

  • Mulberries are fairly hardy, and may survive, but may suffer from dangerous instability.
  • Once tree is stabilized, wait to reassess during the next growing season.

• Hackberries – Uncertain

  • Have the root area examined by a certified arborist for signs of root rot or kretzschmaria.
  • Even if the tree appears undamaged, the hackberry’s tendency to develop root instability issues may make it a fall risk in the future.

• Magnolias – Unlikely to Survive

  • Extensive defoliation will likely stress the tree past the point of survival, and prevent recovery from any damage.
    • As evergreens, magnolias depend on their leaves year-round.

• Ornamentals – Likely to Survive/May Want to Replace

  • Smaller trees and ornamentals seem to fare better in high winds, as they are able to flex with the pressure.
    • One risk to smaller trees is being damaged by falling debris from larger trees or structures. If there is no physical damage, the tree is probably stable.
  • Many smaller ornamentals are understory trees, used to shade from larger species.
    • As with red oaks, risk of subsequent damage from sun exposure is high.
  • Even if the tree survives, it may not be as well-suited for its space after the damage, and owners may prefer to replace it.
    • Defoliation or wind damage may have irreparably altered the shape.

What Should I Do Now?

Whatever kind of tree you have, and however it has been damaged, contact a certified arborist to determine the best steps to take. We highly recommend fertilization for all trees impacted by storms, especially in our urban soils. If your trees are going to recover, they will need all the nutrients they can get. If your landscaping has been disturbed by the tornado, now might be a good time to adjust your mulching practices to help enrich the soil going forward. If you need guidance, we are always here to help.

At Texas Tree Surgeons, we love trees and we love our customers. We are shocked and saddened to see the widespread damage and devastation after the recent tornadoes, and our hearts go out to all those who have lost their homes. So much of our beautiful urban forest seems to have been uprooted or destroyed, and we want to do what we can to preserve what remains. We hope this overview has been helpful, and we are always available to come out to assess your specific trees for damage, stability issues, health issues, or to give you our recommendations for post-storm care. Don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions you may have.

While North Texas is full of natural beauty, the changing color of leaves in the fall is not generally seen. More often than not, our trees are green for most of the year, and then drop their leaves quickly once real winter hits. However, there are a few common North Texas trees that do show some fall color, and there are also a few places close by in Texas that you can visit to get your fill of colorful fall leaves.

Why do leaves change color in the fall?

While we think of leaves as being green, in reality they contain pigments of many different colors, depending on the species. Yellow is one of the most common secondary pigments, along with orange. These colors are not usually seen, however, because the amount of green in the leaf, provided by chlorophyll, greatly eclipses the amount of other colors. The green-colored chlorophyll is an essential part of the plant’s ability to absorb sunlight and convert it into usable energy. During the spring and summer, leaves eagerly process the ample amounts of sunlight and help the plant to grow.

As the year winds down, however, and the weather turns cooler, the amount of daylight lessens. This drop in light and temperature triggers a change in the leaves. The vast stores of chlorophyll in the leaves are no longer needed, and begin to break down. The strong green color begins to fade and be replaced by the underlying pigmentation, such as yellow or orange. Related chemical reactions in the leaves can also produce other colors, like reds or purples. A mixture of several different pigments can appear as brown.

What determines a tree’s fall color?

The exact color of leaves in the fall depends on several factors:

• Species

  • This has the biggest impact on fall color.
  • Oaks usually appear brown.
  • Some maples show red, yellow, or orange.
  • Dogwoods and sumacs can exhibit purple leaves under some conditions.

• Light

  • Depending on your latitude, the change in amount of light from summer to fall can vary greatly.
  • A tree’s physical placement can also affect its reaction to the light changes.

• Temperature

  • Low (but not freezing) temperatures over an extended period of time can help with the generation of certain pigments, like reds.
  • Early frosts can stop pigment from developing further.

• Rainfall

  • Excessively wet weather can dull fall colors.
  • Hot and dry summers can deplete a tree’s resources, affecting fall color production.

Why don’t we see fall color in DFW?

Unfortunately, the trees common to North Texas, combined with the climate, do not make for vibrant fall color.

• Oaks, one of the most common trees in DFW, generally show brown fall coloring.
  • Live oaks, however, are usually green through winter and drop brown leaves in the spring.
  • Red oaks can show their namesake-colored leaves in the fall, if they don’t drop their leaves early.
• Elms and other trees common to our urban forest do show some yellowing in the fall.
• While maples are known for their bright fall colors, they are not very common in North Texas, and when they are planted, are usually smaller than the oaks, pecans, and elms around them.
• Our dry summers and wet autumns usually make for muted fall coloring, and we generally have sudden, drastic temperature changes rather than slower cooling.

Are there any North Texas trees that show vibrant color?

While there are few native trees that exhibit fall color, a few imported species can do well here and give a better chance of a dramatic change.

• Chinese pistache (Pistacia chinensis) is a common sight in our urban forest, and, under the right conditions, can turn an earthy red color in the fall.
  • Be sure to plant the pistache where there is good drainage, or it may develop health issues.
  • Arborist Tip: Chinese pistaches are more likely to show fall color when both male and female (berry-producing) trees are present.
• The tallowtree (Triadica sebifera) is less common than the Chinese pistache, but can produce a variety of fall colors.
  • Be careful, though, as the tallowtree is not cold-hardy.
• Maples do not always do well in our climate and soil here, but if you can get one to become established, you have a great chance to see fall color.
  • The Japanese maple is a well-loved ornamental tree that can showcase beautiful colors. One variety has coral-colored bark, for a spark of color even when the leaves have fallen!
  • The most common color is red, but some species can show yellow or purple.

Where can I go to see fall color in Texas?

Although we may not have an impressive fall showing in North Texas, there are several places in Texas that do.

• Tyler State Park, just a short trip from DFW, is full of maples, dogwoods, and sweetgums that can show a variety of fall coloring.
• Lake Bob Sandlin, in East Texas near Pittsburg, also is known for its fall foliage.
• Check out this article for more suggestions!

At Texas Tree Surgeons, we love trees (whether they turn colors in the fall or not), and we love our customers! We are always happy to talk about planting possibilities to introduce color to your yard. While we can’t guarantee leaf change in the fall, we do have several great options for spring color! As always, let us know if you have any questions, are looking for planting recommendations, or want to know how best to take care of your trees!

Just like last year, the City of Dallas is giving homeowners free trees as part of its Branch Out Dallas program!

Registration starts September 1st, and continues until September 30th. The trees will be available for pick-up November 2nd.

This round, the available species are:

• Pecan
• Chinkapin Oak
• Shumard (Red) Oak
• Mexican White Oak
• Lacebark Elm

All of these are great Texas trees, but if you wonder which one might be best for your yard, get in touch with your arborist. We are happy to make a recommendation!

For more information about the tree giveaway and to register, visit the Branch Out Dallas site.

If you are not a Dallas resident, you can request a free tree through a partnership of Oncor and the Arbor Day Foundation. Trees can be mailed or can be delivered, as available. Plantings will begin this fall.

Visit the Energy-Saving Trees site to see what trees are available in your area!

After the severe storm damage we have seen this year, it is time to start renewing our urban forest. Fall and winter are the best seasons to plant trees, so start the process now!

At Texas Tree Surgeons, we love trees and we love our customers, and we are excited about these local programs to encourage tree planting! If you have any questions about the best way to plant a tree, or any other tree questions, let us know!

For our full list of decorative tree recommendations, start here!

If it’s time for a new look in your yard, or you recently lost some trees due to storms and are looking for replacements, our owner and ISA Board Certified Master Arborist Amy Langbein Heath has put together a list of her ten favorite ornamental trees for North Texas. Here is the second installment. If you have questions about what trees might be best for your specific landscape, let us know!

RedBud

When we say “redbud,” we usually mean the Eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis), but there are two other cultivars, Texas redbud and Mexican redbud, that are also common. All three varieties have heart-shaped leaves and pink/purple blossoms. The redbud is a relatively small tree. It has a short trunk, spreading branches and can grow to about 20 feet tall. It is often added to gardens and houses because it is one of the season’s earliest flowering trees and adds a lot of color with its burst of pinkish/purplish flowers. The redbud’s green leaves, stunning blossoms, and seed pods make it a beautiful decorative tree choice all year round. The redbud does best in full sun or light shade and the Mexican and Texas varieties are drought-tolerant.

Flowering Dogwood

Flowering dogwoods are a much-loved feature of gardens both in East Texas and the DFW Area. Dogwoods generally exhibit white blooms, but may also show pink or other colors. They bloom for 3-4 weeks in the springtime, and looks particularly spectacular during that time, but are a great decorative choice all year long. Fall brings crimson foliage, giving way to red berries in the winter. In their natural environment, dogwoods are understory trees, protected and surrounded by other trees. Because of this, flowering dogwoods prefer at least partial shade to thrive.

Yaupon Holly

Yaupon holly is a versatile, multi-trunk shrub or small tree. Yaupon can be trimmed into a hedge or left to grow as an individual tree, making it a popular choice for residential and commercial landscaping. A hardy evergreen, yaupons produce small white flowers in the spring and the female plants produce bright red berries that stay until fall. Yaupons are drought-tolerant and can reach a height of 25 or 30 feet. The dense foliage and berries are attractive to birds throughout the year. Additionally, the yaupon is the only caffeine-containing plant that is native to North America. The leaves can be dried and used for tea!

Japanese Maple

A graceful and elegant addition to the right landscape, the Japanese Maple is a local favorite for good reason. There are numerous varieties available, with foliage in a range of colors. Japanese maples start out with green leaves in the spring, which quickly mature into shades of red and ochre. These medium-sized ornamentals love the shade and thrive under larger plants or shaded by houses. One of the common issues we see with Japanese maples is too much sun, but if you have space in the shade, they can be a welcome addition.

Desert Willow

Looking for a low-maintenance, full sun, drought-tolerant tree? Meet the desert willow. The small tree or large shrub has a spreading crown with willow-like light green leaves. In the mid-summer, these have fragrant, pink flowers that form in clusters at the tip of the branches. This native tree can withstand the heat of our North Texas summers and its flowers are a great hummingbird and bee attractor!

At Texas Tree Surgeons, we love trees and we love our customers! While we don’t plant trees ourselves, we are always happy to give recommendations to help you find the perfect tree for your yard. Contact us online or give us a call and we’ll see what we can do to help!