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January tips for a beautiful
Water-wise landscape
By Winola VanArtsdalen
Healthy, beautiful trees provide structure After purchasing a tree, taking care in Winola is a Williamson County
to your landscape, comfort to your home, transporting it to your home is important. Master Gardener, a member of
save energy and are your most valuable Protect the canopy from wind damage and the Sun City Garden Club and a
landscape investment. Tall trees such do not allow the roots to dry out. member of the Sun City Water Wise
as Monterey oak can shade your home’s Task Force.
roof, walls and windows from afternoon Stake only if necessary. If you do stake,
sun, reducing inside temperatures by as be sure to remove in six months. Expect Master Gardeners and other
much as ten degrees. Deciduous trees can to water once or twice a week if limited experienced gardeners are available
give shade in the summer, while in winter rainfall, using a moisture meter or screw- to answer questions a half hour
they allow the sun to filter through their driver to check depth of moisture. A few before Sun City Garden Club
branches and help warm the house. You deep waterings to the depth of the roots are meetings each month. The Garden
save the most energy when planting trees more beneficial than many shallow water- Club meets the second Wednesday
on the east and west sides of the house. ings. A soaker hose, left around the tree of each month beginning with the
If possible, planting to shade your air ready to hook up to hose for slow watering, question and answer period at
conditioner can also save on utility bills. works well. Watering with the sprinkler 12:30 p.m.
Smaller, understory trees such as yaupon system is inadequate as it does not water
holly, possumhaw deciduous holly, desert deeply enough. – Transplant dormant shrubs and trees
willow and Anacacho orchid trees can add now. Keep beds well-mulched and
color and balance, and provide a sanctuary The importance of mulching cannot be weeded.
for wildlife as well. overemphasized. The ridge of mulch is to
direct water to the outer roots of the root – Major pruning of non-flowering
My personal tree favorites in this area, ball where growth takes place. In future landscape trees and shrubs is best
listed by size, are these: Monterey oak, years, the ridge should be moved out as the done while dormant. Trim shrubs and
chinquapin oak, lacey oak, yaupon holly, roots grow so that water may continue to trees that have summer bloom on this
possumhaw holly, desert willow and Ana- go where it is needed. year’s growth, such as chasteberry
cacho orchid. Cedar elm is an excellent and crape myrtles, this month.
shade tree that can survive periods of our High quality mulch is expensive. If you
dry heat and an occasional monsoon but find yourself settling for less than pre- – You can trim oak trees now but paint
keep in mind that it does require many ferred, consider putting a one-inch layer all wounds - any season, any size -
hours on your hands and knees digging of high-quality compost beneath the mulch immediately!
seedlings out of flowerbeds in the spring! for nutrients for the tree. The cotton burr
Texas ash is an excellent shade tree but can compost sold here at the Sun City Texas – Apply pre-emergent before Feb. 15.
have insect problems. Crape myrtles are Horticulture Club gardens is excellent.
beautiful and well-adapted here - choose Source: Texas A&M AgriLIFE Extension
the size carefully. Bradford pear trees are Be sure to keep mulch away from the trunk Service.
a poor investment because their growth of trees! Distribute a two to three inch layer
structure ensures future problems, and evenly around the root zone out to the drip- Horticulture Questions:
they are susceptible to fire blight. Note: I line of your tree. Stay away from imperme- Contact Williamson County AgriLIFE
have only listed trees resistant to oak wilt. able mulches such as plastic. Plastic will
prevent natural precipitation and overhead Extension Office at
Careful planning avoids later problems. irrigation from reaching the soil. It also 512-943-3300
Consider distance from house, pavement reduces gas exchange in the soil, which is
and neighbors. Start by checking Sun City needed for the roots to breathe and grow! JANUARY 2017 SUNRAYS | 57
Texas design guidelines. Consider cultural
needs and accept the fact that your favorite JANUARY GARDENING TIPS
tree in Houston may not survive in Central
Texas! Correct choice and placement now – Check your sprinkler system once a
will save much work in future years. month, even though it should be set
on OFF during winter months. Water
ONLINE: SCTEXAS.ORG well before a freeze, but always avoid
overwatering.
