December 2006

By ELIZABETH DROZDA-FREEMAN, LCRA

Archive of Elizabeth's Gardening in the Hill Country columns.

A bundled-up Elizabeth Drozda-Freeman plants a tree on the eve the start of winter.

AUSTIN — Garden centers are filled with the scent of cut evergreens at this time of year and this can make searching for the perfect shade tree a festive experience.

Winter is the perfect time to plant trees in Central Texas. Planting at this time of year gives trees a chance to get established before the blowtorch of summer returns.

Strategically planted trees that shade the west and southwest sides of our homes can lower cooling costs by 8 to percent, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Those of us who have survived a Texas summer know that a bit of afternoon shade also helps our landscape plants look better. Shade can help lower water bills by keeping soil moist longer, reducing the need for irrigation.

There are many beautiful native shade trees from which to choose. Majestic bur oaks have huge acorns; cedar elms turn a beautiful apricot color in the fall; chinquapin oaks are elegant and relatively fast growing. Whichever tree you choose, look for trees grown on tree farms in the western two-thirds of the state. These will be well-suited to our alkaline soils. Trees from East Texas are best suited to acid soils and turn yellow when planted in our area.

When looking for the perfect spot for your new shade tree, avoid overhead and underground utility lines. Stay about 15 feet out from the side of your home, and 5 to 10 feet out from sidewalks and driveways.

Dig your planting hole to the same depth as the tree’s root ball. Be sure to pack the soil firmly around the root ball when you refill the hole, but do not put soil on top of the root ball. Use 4 to 6 inches of mulch around the base of your new tree to help keep the roots moist.

Although there is no need to water the established plants in your landscape at this time of year, you will want to water your new tree slowly and deeply about once a week through the winter. Continue to water your new tree about once a week for its first year, and it will reward you with the gift of shade for years to come.

Elizabeth Drozda-Freeman is the conservation landscape specialist for the Lower Colorado River Authority. Contact her at (512) 473-3200, Ext.2230, or elizabeth.drozda-freeman@lcra.org if you have comments, questions or suggestions for future gardening topics.

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