Trees on the Trail: the Mighty Oak

In 2004, Congress officially recognized the Mighty Oak as our national tree. While no specific species was designated, the entire Quercus genus was given this honor. The significance of oaks extends beyond their individual characteristics. As keystone species, oaks play a crucial role in supporting entire ecosystems. They provide essential sustenance and shelter for wildlife, contribute to soil enrichment, and boast sturdy wood that serves numerous purposes. Moreover, their majestic presence in the landscape has made them iconic symbols of natural beauty.

How do you know which oak is best for your yard?

The 2024 Arbor Day Tree Giveaway will feature two oak species, white oak (Quercus alba) and Nutall oak (Quercus texana). Let’s take a deeper dive into the similarities and differences between the two species and help decipher which oak is best for your landscape.

The white oak can soar to a height of 100 feet, with a robust trunk that measures over 3 feet in diameter. Flourishing on fertile slopes or drier uplands, it is instantly recognizable due to its distinct pale bark that give it tree its name. Its leaves, spanning from 6 to 9 inches in length, exhibit deep lobes and rounded contours. In contrast to its red oak counterparts, the white oak lacks bristle tips on its leaves. During the flowering season, the male catkins can reach lengths of 3 to 4 inches, emanating a delightful yellow-green hue. White oaks bears diminutive reddish female flowers, measuring a mere half an inch and small light brown acorns that require at least a single season to reach maturity. As the tree ages its bark undergoes a captivating transformation, evolving from a smooth surface to an invitingly shaggy texture, characterized by loose plates.

The Nuttall oak is also a substantial tree, reaching heights exceeding 75 feet, with a crown extending 30-60 feet and a trunk measuring two or more feet in diameter. This species thrives in forested wetlands and moist areas. Its leaves, measuring 4-6 inches in length, display bristle-tipped lobes. The Nuttall oak bears both male and female flowers, with male catkins reaching 5 inches in length. The acorns of this oak are slightly larger than those of the white oak, and a darker brown. The dark grey bark, which starts off smooth, eventually breaks into scaly plates on larger trunks.

Oaks are a popular species for our native pollinators. Native oak trees are a host to over 500 species of moths and butterflies in the US. This is more than any other native or non-native species, making the oak the Most Valuable Player in an urban landscape. Planting either Nuttall or white oak in your yard is sure to attract birds, butterflies, and wildlife.

The white oak is a popular and long-lived canopy tree – if you only have room for one large shade tree its an excellent choice. This is a slow-growing species; while you may not witness its full splendor in your lifetime, it will be a living legacy for the generations that follow. This tree needs to be planted in sunny areas and can tolerate both dry and moist conditions. The white oak provides ample shade once it matures, and its leaves change color as the temperature cools. Transplanting the white oak is difficult due to its deep taproot. However, this tree is incredibly stable and can stand tall in the landscape for over 200 years.

Nuttall oak is one of the most well-adapted oaks for general use in urban and suburban landscapes. This species grows fast and can tolerate wet and dry conditions. They need to be planted in an area with access to full sun, offering a spot to sit under for shade in the summer. The dark green glossy leaves turn a beautiful red color right before they start to drop in winter which brings a variety of color to your yard. The acorns are a benefit to wildlife, especially squirrels, but can become messy if not maintained.

Whether it’s the majestic white oak, with its slow growth and long lifespan, or the versatile Nuttall oak, known for its rapid growth and adaptability, both choices offer abundant benefits to your yard! By planting a native oak, you will not only support a diverse array of local caterpillars that transform into beautiful butterflies and moths but also contribute to the vital role of these pollinators. Moreover, the oak’s presence will attract a variety of bird and wildlife species, creating a thriving backyard habitat. There’s no wrong decision when it comes to adding an oak tree to your landscape; its important to consider the specific characteristics and requirements each tree has to ensure its success in your yard. Whether in your yard or on the trail, appreciate the beauty and benefits of these magnificent oaks!

Don’t forget to join the Environmental Services Department for the 48th annual Arbor Day Tree Giveaway on January 27th, 2024, from 9am – noon at Rob Fleming Park.

The Butterfly Effect – How can you help the migratory monarch?  

National “Start Seeing Monarchs Day” is celebrated every year on the first Saturday in May.  In 2023, May 6th is a day to educate and celebrate the Monarch Butterfly.  

The Importance  

The Monarch was adopted as the Texas state insect in 1995, for its beauty and spectacular migration patterns. Texas is an important state for Monarch migration because of its location on this arduous journey. Texas is situated between the Monarch’s breeding grounds in the northern US and Mexico, where they spend the winter.  

Here in Texas, we see monarchs on the flyway in the fall and the spring, but they are not the same individuals. To put it into perspective, a flight from Canada to Mexico would take people 8 hours; for the monarch that flight takes 2 months to complete. Monarchs have managed for millennia to navigate their way across the continent, drawn by an unseen force to migrate en masse. Nearly 500,00 monarch butterflies will undertake this journey every year – the longest repeat migration in the insect world.  

The Issue  

Unfortunately, since the 1990s the population of Monarchs has declined by more than 85%, landing them on the International Union for Conservation of Nature red list of threatened species. The number one reason – habitat loss. Breeding grounds throughout the US and Canada have been lost to urbanization, shrinking their habitat by 20% to 70% in the past decade. The situation is just as dire in their overwintering grounds, where deforestation to make space for urban development has destroyed vital areas of shelter. Throughout the monarch’s extensive range, pesticides and herbicides have killed butterflies and their host plant, milkweed.  

The Solution 

Protecting the monarch isn’t just about conserving a species, it’s about conserving a unique migratory phenomenon and ourselves. The term “butterfly effect” refers to the notion that small actions can have larger effects.  Even the smallest changes to your yard can help preserve this threatened species. Here are some ways that YOU can help save the monarch.  

1. Plant native milkweed 

Population decline for the monarch is inextricably linked to a decline in milkweed, the monarch’s only host plant. If monarchs don’t have milkweed they can’t complete their life cycle, forcing populations to plummet. Fortunately, there are over 100 species of milkweed in the US and over 30 species native to Texas. Some species native to our area include Antelope Horns (Asclepias asperula), Green Milkweed (Asclepias viridis), Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa), and Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata). Planting native milkweed is the best option to help the monarch as it is adapted to our climate. By going dormant in the winter, it preserves the natural cycle for monarch migration.  

One species to avoid is tropical milkweed (Asclepias curassavica), which is native to Mexico. While this species has risen in popularity to fill demand for milkweed, the downfall of tropical milkweed is that due to its hardiness, it doesn’t readily die back in the winter. This can confuse monarchs, signaling they have reached their destination and don’t continue to migrate to Mexico for winter. This becomes problematic if we have a hard freeze because the monarch and its caterpillars won’t survive the winter.  

The other issue with tropical milkweed is Ophryocytis elektroscirrha (OE) which is a parasite whose primary host is the monarch. If tropical milkweed is not cut back in the winter, monarchs infected with OE can leave behind spores of the parasite on the plant. Then concentrations of OE can build, infecting monarchs that subsequently visit the plant. For these reasons, the Xerces Society has named tropical milkweed a “no-grow” species. The best way to support monarchs is to find native milkweed species to plant in your landscape.  

2. Plant native plants 

While monarchs will need milkweed to lay their eggs on, during migration, they require an abundance of nectar plants to provide energy for adults as they continue their journey. While picking up your milkweed, be sure to add native nectar plants into your landscape design too. Loss of nectar-rich habitats and widespread insecticide use are also contributing to the decline of the monarch. Adult monarchs depend on diverse nectar sources for food and energy through all seasons of the year. Be sure to have a range of bloom times to ensure native nectar plants a providing a 3-season buffet for visiting monarchs. 

3. Avoid using pesticides  

Broad-spectrum insecticides and herbicides harm not only target pests, but pollinators and other beneficial insects as well. Systemic pesticides are particularly toxic as plants absorb these chemicals, toxifying their leaves and nectar which will poison visiting pollinators. If using pesticides is unavoidable for your landscape, choose the least toxic option that targets the specific problem pest and follow the label to put out no more than the recommended rate. To avoid unnecessary exposure to pollinators, avoid spraying plants in bloom, apply pesticides in the evening or at night when pollinators are not actively foraging, and don’t apply on windy days to minimize drift.

There are many alternatives to chemical pest control that can be just as effective in your landscape without harming these beneficial pollinators. Many insects are the “good guys” providing biological pest control for free! Find out how to encourage them in your own yard to reap the rewards of lady beetles, lacewings, spiders and more. Even the U.S Capital Grounds are maintained through the addition of beneficial insects to fight pests like scale. Learn to recognize these garden heroes and help prevent pests by designing your garden to work with nature.  

By planting native milkweeds, a variety of nectar plants, and avoiding the use of pesticides, you can join the growing movement of those making small changes to protect migrating monarchs and the local ecosystem. Like Doug Tallamy, author of Nature’s Best Hope has stated: “Chances are you never thought of your garden–indeed, all of your property–as a wildlife preserve that presents the last chance we have for sustaining plants and animals that were once common throughout the U.S. But that is exactly the role our suburban landscapes are playing.” 

For great resources on how to create a pollinator garden, visit the Plant for Pollinators page or email enviro@thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov

Integrated Pest Management in the Home Landscape

Are aphids camped out on your roses? Leaf miners munching away at your prized lemon tree? It’s enough to send you scrambling for the quickest, easiest solution. That’s understandable. Just please don’t look for that solution in the chemical aisle at the hardware store, compromising the health of your backyard “habitat” and your pocket book. Integrated pest management (IPM) offers a research-based alternative to chemicals that is economical, environmentally friendly, and it works!

Leaf miners munching on citrus leaves can be frustrating for many gardeners

Pests in the home landscape may be an insect or other arthropod, plant disease, weed or other organism that negatively affects plant health or becomes an annoyance to people or pets. IPM is an approach to managing those pests that respects the interconnection and inter-dependency of all organisms. IPM is used to solve pest problems while minimizing risks to people and the environment.  

Using a combination of IPM methods, like biological, cultural, physical and chemical creates unfavorable conditions for pests. Biological control is the use of natural enemies, like a ladybug, to control pests, such as aphids. Cultural controls are practices that change the environment to remove the source of the problem, like adjusting irrigation levels, since too much water can increase root disease. Physical, or mechanical, controls trap or block pests from access to plants. Barriers or screens for birds and insects are great examples of a physical control.  The use of a chemical control, or a pesticide, is used only when needed and in combination with efforts of the above mentioned methods. If pesticides are needed, applying them so they minimize harm to people, beneficial insects and the environment is imperative.  Check out this fact sheet from Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service for more information on IPM.

Ladybugs provide a natural pest control by preying on aphids

With the average homeowner in need of problem-solving techniques to manage landscape pests, The Woodlands Township Environmental Services Department is presenting a FREE class on Integrated Pest Management in the Home Landscape.  Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Specialist in IPM and board-certified entomologist, Wizzie Brown will offer practical research-based information to support implementing IPM in your own back yard.  Wizzie shares specific tools for use in the home landscape to strengthen plant health and reduce plant pests.  You’ll take home information that can immediately be put to use in your own yard or garden. 

Join Us
Saturday, January 18, 2020 from 9 a.m. to noon
The Woodlands Emergency Training Center
16135 Interstate 45 South
The Woodlands, TX 77385

Space is limited and registration required. Register here.

Questions? Comments? Contact Environmental Services at enviro@thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov or call 281-210-3800

Woodlands Landscaping Solutions

Join us this Saturday for the 22nd annual Woodlands Landscaping Solutions. More than 30 exhibitors will provide information on native plants, local wildlife, yard care, attracting butterflies, and more! Live music, food vendors and children’s activities are all part of this family-friendly event. 

Free classes offered this year include Home Pollinator Gardening with Lauren Simpson, Lawn care with Tom LeRoy and Backyard Composting led by Montgomery County Master Gardeners. Classes are offered at 9:15, 10:15 and 11:15 a.m. Come learn simple ways to enhance your landscape this fall!

For more event information, visit our website here or email enviro@thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov

Know Better. Grow Better.

The 22nd Annual Woodlands Landscaping Solutions is a featured community event hosted by The Woodlands Township Environmental Services Department. This year’s event boasts a new location, guest speakers, live music and a variety of exhibitors.

Join us and connect with experts in current landscaping and gardening methods, proven for this region. Topics covered include:

  • Lawn and garden care
  • Native plants
  • Vegetable gardening
  • Backyard composting
  • Drip irrigation
  • Identifying common garden insects
  • Attracting bees and butterflies to your yard
  • Collecting and storing rainwater
  • Growing plants from seeds or cuttings

Meet representatives from Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, North American Butterfly Association, The Heartwood Chapter of Texas Master Naturalists and other organizations.

What’s more, at Woodlands Landscaping Solutions attendees will find these great services:

  • Presentations on Home Pollinator Gardening with Lauren Simpson and Lawn Care with Tom Leroy
  • Montgomery County Master Gardeners available to answer your questions and diagnose specific problems in your garden
  • Free perennials, annuals and vouchers for native milkweed
  • For sale – native plants, rain barrels, compost and compost bins

And much more!

Enjoy live music by Andy McCarthy.  Bring the family and enjoy the garden friendly kid’s activity, grab a bite to eat from local food vendors, and shop the marketplace for plants, backyard birding supplies, gardening tools and garden-themed gifts.

Planning fall landscaping projects and spring gardens is easier with help from great resources–and you can find them at Woodlands Landscaping Solutions. When you know better, you can grow better!

Don’t miss it! Everyone is welcome to attend this FREE event!

Map of location.

For information, call The Woodlands Township Environmental Services Department at 281-210-3800 or visit here for more event details