April 2017.
Texas Native Trees have long provided vital benefits to wildlife – nectar, forage, and habitat – that are in shrinking supply as both rural and urban communities expand. In Northaven Park, however, viewing these Texas Natives is as easy as a walk in the park, or along the Joe’s Creek Greenbelt.

While some varieties may not be the first choice for planting in residential yards, we can still appreciate their long and unique history, distinctive properties and diverse appearances.

Here then is an easy (too easy!) quiz. Match the photos and the tree names to the descriptions.

Planting a tree with care and proper technique is always a good idea, offering a sense of accomplishment for a job well done in the present, and the expectation of aesthetic and other benefits for generations to come. Earth Day can be every day – planting a tree remains one of the best ways to take positive action for the environment. For an excellent guide to suitable varieties, see the tree selector at Texas Tree Planting. Input variables such as soil type, space available, fall color, and the selector can yield several recommended trees to match your requirements. For planting guidelines, see “Tree Planting” under the library tab at Dirtdoctor.com.

Vince Punaro, Creek Leader

Match the photos and the tree names to the descriptions. *
A link to the answers is located at the bottom on the page.

Trees: 

• American Elm
• Black Willow
• Bur Oak
• Gum Bumelia
• Mexican Plum
• Osage Orange
• Sugar Hackberry

Photos:
Click on each photo below for a larger view.

1.    2.  3. 

4.  5.  6.

 7.  8. 
(Hint: one of the trees is shown in two separate photos)

Descriptions:

a. Other name is “…from the French words meaning wood of the bow, because the arching branches were a favorite of Osage Indians and others for bow wood.”

b. Also known as Chittamwood. “Small tree occasionally more than 40 feet high, with stiff, spiny branches. Children used to chew the gum that exuded from the bark and called it ‘chicady’ “.

c. “The overall form of (this tree) open grown is often likened to a column or fountain of water.” “The state tree of Nebraska and North Dakota.”

d. “…branches were used as divining rods to locate water. Indians made an infusion of the bark to alleviate fever and aches. (the bark does, in fact, contain salicylic acid, which is present in aspirin.)” “The fast growth and shallow roots are known to break pavement – these same properties make the tree useful for erosion control.” Woodpeckers favor these.

e. “…grows fast, gives good shade, resistant to pollution and cotton root rot, shallow root system holds the soil. …sweet fruits produced in abundance are a favorite food of many species of bird. Good selection to plant in areas where nothing else will grow.”

f. “Flowers very early in Spring. …juicy fruits are eaten by only a few species of wildlife – foxes, ring-tailed cats, and songbirds.”

g. “Seedlings have been found to have a 4 ½ foot taproot at the end of the first growing season. A stately tree, 80 feet or more tall, … in the landscape this tree can become large and dominating.” “…few insect or disease problems.” “In winter the corky twigs and stout branches give it a picturesque appearance.”

* Text and descriptions from Texas Trees, A Friendly Guide, by Paul W. Cox and Patty Leslie, Corona Press, San Antonio, 1999.

Find the answers here>>

February 2017.

NPNA residents are well aware of the opportunities and benefits of walking throughout our neighborhood, especially when winter seems like it never happened.

For those who walk along the creek, parks and greenbelt, there is an added opportunity to appreciate the timeless character of the creek. After a recent heavy rainfall, rushing water had stripped most of the algae from the creek bed, leaving only the natural rock and clear running water – a glimpse of what the creek can look like if runoff of fertilizer and other chemicals is minimized – that is; if all residents would avoid use of these products, and instead use only organics. (abundant information on organics is readily available from Howard Garrett, dirtdoctor.com, and at dallascountymastergardeners.org )

Walkers will also note the presence of a number of mallard pairs in the creek – as a long time neighbor observed, these ducks may well be returning to the first environment they knew – where they were hatched. Their long-term welfare depends on the thoughtful practices and continuing care by all NPNA residents.    

Enjoy the creek, the winter weather, and think good health to ourselves and to the neighborhood wildlife.

Vince Punaro, Creek Leader