Trees Are Key

Let’s discuss how “Competition is Key.” As a student of people, I just finished a book about Adlerian psychology called "The Courage to Be Disliked." I like a lot of it, but one aspect didn't resonate with me. In Adlerian psychology, we shouldn’t compete… I’m conflicted here because while, like many things, it can go too far, I do think that “Competition is Key.” Lets dig in on this week's episode of #TreesAreKey!

Species Spotlight

The Tallowtree, Triadica sebifera, is also called Chinese Tallow. Native of Japan and China, tallowtree is now found in yards, pastures, fence rows, and other unmaintained areas throughout coastal and southeast Texas. Tolerates all soil conditions, but not cold-hardy in North or West Texas.

Trees Are Key

Let’s discuss how “Terminology is Key.” Words have meaning and, in many cases, more than one meaning. Add to that our different industries, and oh my, it’s tough for consumers and people outside your field to know what you are talking about.

Species Spotlight

The Texas Madrone aka Arbutus xalapensis aka Madrono is an evergreen Texas native. This striking small tree grows up to 30 feet tall, often with twisted, multiple trunks up to 12 inches in diameter or more with a broad, rounded crown.

Provenance is Key

Did you plant your trees in the fall? If not, now is the second best time to plant. In much of the south it is still prime planting season and the spring flush of root growth will happen soon. Not only do you need to think about what genus and species you want to plant, but the provenance of the tree’s genetics may matter. Join us this week as we explore why “Provenance Is Key.”

Species Spotlight

This week’s tree is one of my favorites and show the role of provenance. Montezuma baldcypress, Taxodium mucronatum, is a wonderful, tall, Texas native. There’s one near Oaxaca, Mexico that is over 125 feet tall. Listen to this episode of #TreesAreKey to learn more about this amazing tree.

Trees Are Key

Let’s discuss why “Curiosity is Key." A previous supervisor stressed that ‘why’ is more important that ‘what’ or ‘how’ in motivating people. I’ve come to agree with him, and I think it all comes down to curiosity. That same curiosity drives people to continue their education, whether through traditional studies or self education. Think about it, how often have you been wandering in the woods walking farther and farther because you’re curious about what’s around the next bend or over the next hill.

Species Spotlight

The American Holly, Ilex opaca aka Evergreen Holly, is a Texas native. The American holly is an upright, evergreen tree up to 50 feet tall with a trunk up to 3 feet in diameter with numerous, slender branches that form a dense pyramidal or oval crown of striking dark green color. Open-grown specimens have branches that often extend to the ground. American holly is found on rich, moist soils of bottomland forests in East Texas.

Trees Are Key

Just like arboriculture and forestry, teaching and education is its own industry. Like any industry, there are commonly held beliefs that may or may not be proven. Learning styles are a fascinating concept from an educator’s point of view. It seem logical that different people prefer to receive and process information in different ways.

Species Spotlight

Some of my favorite trees are those that provide visual interest year round. Yaupon holly (Ilex vomitoria) is one of those trees. A small tree, yaupon really comes into its own in the winter when the berries provide one of the few bright spots in our Texas landscape.

Trees Are Key

Last week we explored “Keys to Angiosperms” and this week let’s discuss “Keys to Reconsider.” Happy Holidays – 2019 has been wonderful. There have been many changes in our industries including new headquarters for ISA and TCIA, new leadership in several of our professional and allied organizations, and I can’t talk about 2019 without mentioning #teamtrees and Arbor Day Foundation. Listen in to take a look back.

Trees Are Key

We recently discussed the Keys to Gymnosperms and now it’s time to talk about the rest of our trees… angiosperms. They are a more recent evolution and have been very successful. You can divide angiosperms into monocots, like corn, grasses, and palms, and dicots, our woody trees.

Species Spotlight

The Anacua Ehretia anacua is also known as Knockaway, a Sandpaper-Tree. This tardily deciduous Texas native is tough. It is a medium-sized tree to 50 feet tall with a dense, round crown of dark green foliage. Our four national co-champions are almost 4 feet in diameter.

Trees Are Key

Do you know the difference between spines, thorns, and prickles? It’s primarily based on the tissue source that develops into the plants weapon. It may not be key for most homeowners to know the difference, but this can be vital for tree identification.

Species Spotlight

Bluewood, Condalia hookeri, is also known as bluewood condalia or brasil. This tough, Texas native is a small tree or large thorny shrub, often forming thickets. This species grows up to 25 feet tall with a trunk up to 8" in diameter, with a rounded crown. Light green foliage distinguishes it from other brush species.

Trees Are Key

It's the time of year when many of us celebrate with evergreens. Whether that is a fresh Christmas tree, an evergreen wreath, or garland, let’s thank the gymnosperms. Do you know the difference between gymnosperms and angiosperms?

Species Spotlight

This week's Species Spotlight features the Virginia pine. More than 100,000 Texas-grown Christmas trees were sold last year, according to the Texas Christmas Tree Growers Association. The association was created in the late 1970s and one of its first acts was working with Texas Forest Service to develop a local seed source for Virginia pines, the most popular Christmas tree grown in the South.

Trees Are Key

Let’s discuss how “Gratitude is Key.” During this season of thanksgiving and as we approach the end of a decade, let’s look at the science of gratitude and how it contributes to our health so we can better care for our trees and forests.

Species Spotlight

The Post Oak Quercus stellata is a Texas native deciduous tree may be the least susceptible to oak wilt – unfortunately it is hard to propagate and transplant.