Some people in the Texas Hill Country view cedar trees as an invasive species. In fact, this is a myth. The current trend is to get rid of most or all of the cedars because of this myth. The truth is removing cedars in many cases disrupts the natural soil zone made up of minerals, nutrients, roots, hyphae, decomposition and water. Excess removal of cedars can disrupt this natural eco grid in the soil zone which can result in a drought stress due to a deficient intake of water and nutrients from the damaged soil zone.

For example, in a well-developed soil zone area there is mycorrhizal fungi in the mix that has developed over time. This fungi attaches itself to the roots and draws in water. This increases the intake of water to the trees. When the soil zone grid is disrupted by too much of the natural eco system being removed, this breakdown results in a deficiency in the intake of water and nutrients.

This is why I see so many of live oaks that are now in a standalone posture are not developing, but instead declining. These oaks will continue to decline until these issues are mitigated.

The rule of thumb for the most optimal results in the health of our trees is to preserve as much of the natural habitat as possible and to maintain a balance between the different species, especially the oaks and the cedars. As long as one specie does not have a dominant role, the various species will do well together.

We have several areas where the oaks and the cedars are growing together beautifully in great health. There might be a need to clean out some of the cedars to reduce overpopulation.  This along with a canopy shape and balance as well as root inoculation will result in healthy trees that will thrive.

Contact us today for a free consultation for your trees.

Tribemania Tree Services include:

• Canopy Reshaping

• Ball Moss Spray Removal

• Natural Habitat Preservation

• Oak Decline Mitigation

• Oak Wilt Monitoring

• Root Zone Inoculation