Biscogniauxia also known as Hypoxylon Canker, is a type of fungal pathogen that attacks trees in a weakened or stressed state of health. Unfortunately, we are seeing it more and more around Central Texas in 2024 and we are seeing it on Live Oaks although it can affect or attack most hardwoods. It is usually found in years of drought or after drought. It goes after trees stressed from lack of water. It is considered a weak pathogen in that it is not aggressive enough to invade healthy trees. Once it actively infects a tree, the tree will likely die. Once the fungus invades a tree, the sapwood ..read more

Whether you love Crepe Myrtles, hate Crepe Myrtles, planted your own Crepe Myrtles, or moved into a new home with Crepe Myrtles already there.  Everyone seems to have a passionate opinion on this subject.  Do not get upset everybody.  I am referring to the practice of cutting mature Crepe Myrtles back by usually 50% or more.  The name Crepe Murder was applied to this practice by an article in Southern Living that came out in 1997 and it stuck!  The term Crepe Murder will get some people extremely fired up.  Before this happ ..read more

Winter is fast approaching here in central Texas, with the final few weeks of fall bringing beautiful foliage to our native trees. However, as the days get shorter and the weather becomes colder, our trees are beginning to attract some unwanted attention from local wildlife! With colder temperatures rapidly approaching, rodents and other pests are seeking shelter and heat, which unfortunately means many wild animals are trying to access our homes. Sadly, our beloved trees are unintentionally providing rodents with the perfect route to our roofing, making it much easier for them to access our ..read more

Anyone that lives in Texas knows just how adored pecans are in the Lone Star State. Even if you visited Texas, chances are you found an abundance of fresh, locally produced pecans during your stay. Texas provides the ideal conditions for pecan trees, as evidenced by the fact we’re the largest producer of pecans in the US – more than 250 million pounds of pecans are grown in Texas annually! Furthermore, the US is also the leading exporter of pecans in the world, most of which were grown right here in Texas! Our love affair with the pecan tree is nothing new. Officially adopted as our state tre ..read more

It’s summertime in Central Texas! Like most years, we’re experiencing some incredible sunshine this summer season, with lots of long, hot days without much rainfall. As the temperatures continue to soar, it’s important to remember to stay well hydrated and avoid the hottest periods of the day when possible. While it’s easy enough for people to escape extreme conditions, our trees aren’t so lucky. They’re facing the full force of the Texas summer, with long periods of extreme heat and drought causing heat stress. A major problem for our native trees, heat stress can seriously inhibit growth du ..read more

Oak Wilt: a deadly fungal pathogen for some oak trees and often a confusing and heated topic of discussion for homeowners and tree lovers.  It can lead to confusing and heated discussions because a lot of the information that circulates out there is based on hearsay or an incomplete and inaccurate understanding of the issue, as opposed to science and facts. Nevertheless, oak wilt is certainly a real problem and having good information about the issue will lead to better and more well-informed decision making around the health of your trees. In this blog post, I am only going to touc ..read more

Summer is in full swing here in central Texas, meaning warm, sunny days that are perfect for enjoying outdoor fun with friends and family. While most of us are having a great time in the summer sunshine, our trees here in Texas are facing some challenging times. We’re in peak drought season, with virtually no rainfall expected over the next few months, beyond the occasional summer showers. As a result, many of our trees aren’t getting the amount of water they need to remain strong and healthy. While mature trees can often handle the harsh Texas summers, our younger trees are quite ready to fa ..read more

Central Texas is blessed with warm, sunny weather throughout much of the year. However, because there’s little rainfall, especially during spring and summer, our trees often struggle to get enough water. So, you may need to give your trees a helping hand by watering them to protect against the effects of drought. Plus, our trees might need some additional water throughout the rest of the year depending on things like the weather, the tree’s age, and the type of tree. Thankfully, it’s easy enough to learn the water needs of your trees in central Texas, ensuring they remain healthy throughout t ..read more

Mulching is a great way to keep trees strong and healthy throughout the year. Applied around the base of trees, mulch is an organic material made from things like wood chips, grass clippings, and compost. By treating trees with mulch, you provide them with a range of long-term health benefits that improves growth and vitality. However, it’s important to understand how to properly add mulch to the base of the tree to ensure you get the best results possible. Let’s take a closer look at the importance of mulching and how to do it properly! The Importance of Mulching Trees One of the key advanta ..read more

Last month’s massive ice storm caused major damage across the city, with most Austin residents feeling the effects of the extreme weather. Fallen trees, damaged powerlines, and massive power outages were widespread, with storm debris littering the streets long after the storm subsided. Thankfully, the recovery process was immediate, with power restored and storm debris cleared from most areas. Unfortunately, trees throughout Austin took quite the beating from the ice storm. While many trees fell, even more where damaged from the storm. Ice weighing on the branches caused excessive damage, whi ..read more