One of the simplest, most effective ways to help trees and plants survive in tough Austin conditions is mulch. Mulch is a material used to cover soil around landscape plants. Good mulches include wood chips, leaves, grass clippings, and compost. Mulch helps plants in lots of ways.
Coarse wood chips are the best mulch for tree health
…The Texas Ebony Tree is a member of the legume family, displaying waxy green leaves that defy drought conditions and high temperatures with ease. Mature trees can reach heights of up to 30 feet or more, casting a broad spread of shade beneath their canopies. Blooming from late spring to summer, this tree showcases clusters of fragrant, yellow flowers that attract pollinators like bees and butterflies. In the fall, it produces dense, woody seed pods that contain several seeds, which play a crucial role in its propagation.
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Written by Keith Babberney | Forester | Community Tree Preservation Division | City of Austin
In Austin, we love our trees, but we don’t always know the best way to show them our love. People often assume they should fertilize to improve tree health, but plants that are well adapted to Central Texas soils generally don’t need extra nutrients. This article will help you decide if you need to fertilize and what the best methods are to do it.
What is fertilization?
Fertilization simply means adding material to soil (or sometimes directly to plants) that provides the elements plants nee…
Written by Keith Babberney | Forester | Community Tree Preservation Division | City of Austin
Illustrations by Laura Jackson
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Hi, I’m Anish. I will be a senior at McNeil High School in the fall of 2023. After being a member of the 2022-2023 Youth Forest Council, I decided to continue as a fellow for the 2023-2024 Youth Forest Council. With the help of my mom, I developed a passion for gardening during quarantine for Covid. My position as a member of the Youth Forest Council and my interest in horticulture helped me choose my Community Action Project (CAP). For my CAP, I decided to plant native trees in parking lot medians and create a courtyard oasis for students with special needs.
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In 2020, the City of Austin's Community Tree Preservation Division released the Community Tree Priority Map. This resource prioritization tool is for everyone to use including city programs, partners, policymakers, Urban Forest Grant applicants, arborists, and more. It provides access to relevant data comparable across Austin’s neighborhoods. For example, tree canopy data helps uncover disparities in historically under-canopied areas. This enables people to decide where activities like planting, tree care, and community outreach could occur around Aus…
Image 1 – 2017, Checking the Root Ball of a 5 gallon Tree
An innovative approach to tree distribution
Did you know…
Today’s sustainability spotlight is shining on Youth Forest Council Intern Cain Ly. For her Community Action Project, Cain engaged with teachers and students at Garza High School this past spring. She organized over 100 volunteers to participate in a series of tree plantings and the creation of a food forest on campus.
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Did you know Austin residents can get funding for projects that care for trees in their neighborhoods? They can, through the City’s Urban Forest Grant!
Applications are due January 1st and July 1st!
Non-profits, neighborhood groups, schools, and other organizations are eligible to apply for a grant to fund…