It’s About Thyme
by CHRIS WINSLOW
With fall in the air comes that deep-seated desire for us to plant. The changing of the seasons leaves the stressful heat and drought of summer behind and brings promise of cooler temperatures and much needed rainfall.
All gardeners should know that autumn is the best time to plant trees.
My favorites are the shade trees, and I especially love all the oaks. Planted and watered properly, young trees will grow fast and can dramatically enhance our landscapes.
Apart from their beauty, there is a practical consideration too. If you plant them in the right place, shade trees will cool off the air around your home and help offset costly utility bills.
We have two native Texas oaks that are considered evergreen: the live oak and the Mexican white oak.
Both hold their foliage throughout the winter months, but then shed their leaves around the end of February–early March. Spring growth follows in two to three weeks.
Evergreen oaks are also highly effective as windbreaks and privacy screens. In addition, when planted on the east, south, and west sides of a house, they’ll provide you with winter shade.
We also have some deciduous oaks to choose from: the Chinquapin, Shumard and Bur oak.
For fall color, the Shumards (commonly known as the Texas red oak) are hard to beat. They carry their brilliant red/orange fall colors throughout November and December, and late trees can hold these colors even into January. (A good place to see Shumards is at the Southpark Shopping Center in south Austin.)
The Chinquapin’s fall color is yellow/rust to dark bronze/red.
The stately Bur oak sheds its big leaves without fall color change. However during the winter months you can enjoy the stark beauty of their bark and branching structure.
Considered slow growing, the oaks have often been overlooked by homeowners and property developers in their quest for fast growing shade trees. People have often made the mistake of choosing soft-wooded trees like Arizona ash, only to find a few years later that they are short lived and expensive to remove.
The oaks, however, when planted properly and watered on a regular basis, can grow as much as three feet a year in height and width. That’s 15 in five years. Now that’s shade!
Happy gardening, everyone!
If you have a question for Chris, send it via email to iathyme@yahoo.com. Or mail a postcard to It’s About Thyme: 11726 Manchaca Road, Austin, TX 78748 www.itsaboutthyme.com
