There are approximately 500 different species of trees indigenous to Texas soil, and every single one of these native Texas trees has been stressed to its environmental thresholds this year in the 2011 heat wave and drought, the worst ever recorded. Heading into the cold winter months all Texas trees are in dire need of care so they can adequately recover and keep growing and thrive next year. If you have never fertilized your Southeast Texas trees for the winter before, this would be a good year to start. This article is to be sure you have basic information to do it properly.
Most indigenous Southeast Texas Trees, including the prevalent tall longleaf Loblolly pine of the piney woods section of Southeast Texas, the Sabal palm, and the wide range of oaks that grow here, enjoy habitats that boast huge quantities of water, and this coastal region of the country is legendary for impressive levels of rainfall. The drought has been incredibly unpleasant to them. Many of these Texas trees possess deep root systems, and this is crucial to know when learning about the right way to supplement their soil and prepare them for the cold winter months.
So what can help to fortify and supplement your trees to help them revive and thrive next year? Here is the easy breakdown of the three most common varieties of trees local to Southeast Texas:
OAKS AND DEDCIDUOUS TREES
To winterize oaks is to fertilize oaks. Oaks want a blend of supplements that promote root development and disease resistance, since oaks are very susceptible to a vascular condition called oak wilt as well one or two varieties of pest infestation problems. Fertilize when the tree is well inside the dormant season (Late January or early February). The nitrogen element of oak fertilizer must be a slow-releasing form since quick-release nitrogen can promote rapid growth but is nutritionally feeble. A 19-5-9 fertilizer makeup would be an ideal blend. One pound per inch diameter of tree trunk is the guideline, spread it out within the branch spread of the tree. It is safe to use 3-6 pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet under the branch span of oaks. Actually, this direction also applies to most sorts of deciduous trees, even the bald cypress. Avoid using fertilizer stakes. While fertilizer stakes may seem useful because they are pounded down into the ground below the turf, giving the roots of the trees to get the primary access to the fertilizer nutrients and not have it going to the grass, the breakdown of the fertilizer nutrients from stakes is too isolated. Going with oak fertilizer by stakes could involve well over 50 stakes for most mature oaks and deciduous trees, dotted every few inches patterned throughout the root system beneath the tree, for the tree to have the access to the nutrients applied similarly by granular fertilizer. Water the tree frequently in times of no rainfall.
PINE TREES
The longleaf Loblolly pines indigenous to Texas love acidic sandy soil and clay, and essentially thrive in the most nutrient-lacking soil conditions, but they aren't drought hardy. The most important course of action for this water-dependent longleaf pine is to keep the soil most but well drained.
SABAL PALM
For all of us who endured those intense cold snaps in February 2011, we saw that Sabal palms suffered seriously because their core temperature fell under their cold hardy threshold. When it eventually warmed back up for good, pretty much all the region's Sabal palm varieties either suffered tissue damage or died.
Never trim a Sabal palm tree right before the cold season. The larger and fuller trees will have a better chance to survive the cold than the ones stripped of their protective leaves. Smaller palms can be covered for the length of a cold snap.
To fertilize, use a slow release fertilizer which also has supplemental magnesium and calcium. Spread the fertilizer consistently on damp soil, all the way around the trunk of the Sabal palm and work it into the soil, and be sure to water it in. Be cautious to not over-fertilize a Sabal palm.
Most indigenous Southeast Texas Trees, including the prevalent tall longleaf Loblolly pine of the piney woods section of Southeast Texas, the Sabal palm, and the wide range of oaks that grow here, enjoy habitats that boast huge quantities of water, and this coastal region of the country is legendary for impressive levels of rainfall. The drought has been incredibly unpleasant to them. Many of these Texas trees possess deep root systems, and this is crucial to know when learning about the right way to supplement their soil and prepare them for the cold winter months.
So what can help to fortify and supplement your trees to help them revive and thrive next year? Here is the easy breakdown of the three most common varieties of trees local to Southeast Texas:
OAKS AND DEDCIDUOUS TREES
To winterize oaks is to fertilize oaks. Oaks want a blend of supplements that promote root development and disease resistance, since oaks are very susceptible to a vascular condition called oak wilt as well one or two varieties of pest infestation problems. Fertilize when the tree is well inside the dormant season (Late January or early February). The nitrogen element of oak fertilizer must be a slow-releasing form since quick-release nitrogen can promote rapid growth but is nutritionally feeble. A 19-5-9 fertilizer makeup would be an ideal blend. One pound per inch diameter of tree trunk is the guideline, spread it out within the branch spread of the tree. It is safe to use 3-6 pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet under the branch span of oaks. Actually, this direction also applies to most sorts of deciduous trees, even the bald cypress. Avoid using fertilizer stakes. While fertilizer stakes may seem useful because they are pounded down into the ground below the turf, giving the roots of the trees to get the primary access to the fertilizer nutrients and not have it going to the grass, the breakdown of the fertilizer nutrients from stakes is too isolated. Going with oak fertilizer by stakes could involve well over 50 stakes for most mature oaks and deciduous trees, dotted every few inches patterned throughout the root system beneath the tree, for the tree to have the access to the nutrients applied similarly by granular fertilizer. Water the tree frequently in times of no rainfall.
PINE TREES
The longleaf Loblolly pines indigenous to Texas love acidic sandy soil and clay, and essentially thrive in the most nutrient-lacking soil conditions, but they aren't drought hardy. The most important course of action for this water-dependent longleaf pine is to keep the soil most but well drained.
SABAL PALM
For all of us who endured those intense cold snaps in February 2011, we saw that Sabal palms suffered seriously because their core temperature fell under their cold hardy threshold. When it eventually warmed back up for good, pretty much all the region's Sabal palm varieties either suffered tissue damage or died.
Never trim a Sabal palm tree right before the cold season. The larger and fuller trees will have a better chance to survive the cold than the ones stripped of their protective leaves. Smaller palms can be covered for the length of a cold snap.
To fertilize, use a slow release fertilizer which also has supplemental magnesium and calcium. Spread the fertilizer consistently on damp soil, all the way around the trunk of the Sabal palm and work it into the soil, and be sure to water it in. Be cautious to not over-fertilize a Sabal palm.
About the Author:
Katherine Parker is the Southeast Texas trees specialist for Southeast Texas Trees LLC, providing native Texas tree lovers useful information about best winter oak fertilizer and how to properly winterize indigenous Texas trees after this harsh 2011 heat wave and drought.