In my lifetime, I've never seen a drought such as the one we're experiencing in Texas (in my case, East Texas). You really learn about your drought-tolerant trees.
Probably 90% of my Southern Red Oaks (quercus falcata) are dead. Not just shocked. Not conservative shedding. Brittle, limbs curling downward, dead. I've lost a couple American Hollies (ilex opaca), too.
On the other hand, my Water Oaks (quercus nigra), Willow Oaks (quercus phellos), Black Gum (nyssa sylvatica), and Sweet Gum (liquidambar styraciflua) are flourishing.
Even the Post Oaks (quercus stellata) which I was led to believe are not very drought tolerant, are actually doing alright except for the smallest ones who just couldn't survive it.
The Black Hickories (carya texana) are hit and miss - some look great, while some appear to be conservative shedding.
Fortunately, we've had a little rain here lately - not even close to a drought-buster, but it has helped.
I was surprised by the dramatic loss of Southern Red Oaks, though. Only the very large ones (with good, well established, root systems) have survived so far.
The good news is that I'm gonna have plenty of firewood in a couple years.
Probably 90% of my Southern Red Oaks (quercus falcata) are dead. Not just shocked. Not conservative shedding. Brittle, limbs curling downward, dead. I've lost a couple American Hollies (ilex opaca), too.
On the other hand, my Water Oaks (quercus nigra), Willow Oaks (quercus phellos), Black Gum (nyssa sylvatica), and Sweet Gum (liquidambar styraciflua) are flourishing.
Even the Post Oaks (quercus stellata) which I was led to believe are not very drought tolerant, are actually doing alright except for the smallest ones who just couldn't survive it.
The Black Hickories (carya texana) are hit and miss - some look great, while some appear to be conservative shedding.
Fortunately, we've had a little rain here lately - not even close to a drought-buster, but it has helped.
I was surprised by the dramatic loss of Southern Red Oaks, though. Only the very large ones (with good, well established, root systems) have survived so far.
The good news is that I'm gonna have plenty of firewood in a couple years.