So many dying trees (Austin, Tyler: how much, homes, buy)

[Exiled Texan]

Was out and about today. So many dead or dying trees. The grass is literally toast. Charred bushes. We need rain!

[neddy]

Its sad in the Hill Country cause the ones that made it through the Oak Wilt are dying now because of the lack of rain. I know some ranchers that have replaced lots of oaks in the past years and those smaller trees are just not making it.

[CarnivalGal]

I've noticed that the only trees that seem to not be bothered are the Cedar trees - the one tree we really need to go away *&%$@!

[RooCeleste]

It is very sad. We got an arborist because our new trees were so drought-stressed that they were becoming infected. One had some bacteria, another had a fungus, and three had spider mites. The arborist said that we're (Central Texas) going to lose a lot of trees with this drought, and he suggested that we buy a moisture meter to gauge exactly how much water each tree is getting. It was priceless today - one tree was already moist enough and didn't need any water, so we could focus on the other three and give them just the right amount. It was a great $20 investment (get them at Callahan's)

[atxcio]

Originally Posted by mm57553

I've noticed that the only trees that seem to not be bothered are the Cedar trees - the one tree we really need to go away *&%$@!

Or perhaps we should be thankful that they are here -- since there is nothing else that will survive such a climate.

I wonder what happened after the 50s drought. There wasn't even the lakes going through town, and much less irrigation from homes, so it must have been even drier for even more trees. Surely many died back then.

[love roses]

I was in Tyler last weekend and it's usually so lush and green with all the pine forests. Hitting about Corsicana and up nearly all the trees along the roadways are dead. Bright red and burnt up and lots of others turning brown. I've noticed a lot of trees around here turning yellow at the foliage and I know it's not because of "fall". I guess they're just trying to save their energy to keep water in the root and some of the trunk of the trees.

[Exiled Texan]

I think I've just hit my capacity on this un-relenting heat. At this point, I'd be rooting for a cat 5 hurricane to hit central Texas. Not very kind of me.

[thesonofgray]

Originally Posted by Exiled Texan

I think I've just hit my capacity on this un-relenting heat. At this point, I'd be rooting for a cat 5 hurricane to hit central Texas. Not very kind of me.

Oh that would be wonderful. I'm completely serious and feel kinda bad about it. But I was so devastated when Don didn't give us anything.

We need something like a Tropical Storm Allison, except have it stall right over Austin.

[Mrs.JT]

Originally Posted by Exiled Texan

I think I've just hit my capacity on this un-relenting heat. At this point, I'd be rooting for a cat 5 hurricane to hit central Texas. Not very kind of me.

[Trainwreck20]

All the highland lakes were there except for Town Lake, which isn't used for water locally, I don't think.

The oaks will get stressed and some of the younger ones will die, but the mature trees can withstand pretty extreme drought. They will get more susceptible to disease, though.

The cedars do look pretty terrible currently......