Welcome to our newsletter. All the creek that's fit to print.
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Our biweekly newsletter is meant to be a one stop shop to keep you up to date on what is going on in the Bull Creek Greenbelt.
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Upcoming Events at Bull Creek
Our next Monthly meeting is the 4th Thursday of the month, January 28, 2019! The meeting will be from 6-8pm at the Lakewood Clubhouse, 7317 Lakewood Dr. We encourage anyone interested in greater involvement with Bull Creek Foundation to attend.
Check out our calendar for upcoming activities. While you are there, catch up on past events, history of the Bull Creek area, and all things Bull Creek. http://www.bullcreekfoundation.org/calendar/
The TreeFolks event on 2/23/2019 is full. We are happy that so many people registered.
Our monthly Community Hike is February 2nd from 10am to Noon. Board President Richard Brimer will lead our second hike of the year at Bull Creek District Park. "Learn about the history of the Bull Creek area from the time of the dinosaurs to the construction of Loop 360. Find out about Hippy haunts, stills, ranches, Native American sites and Boy Scouts." Details and registration at this link!
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Importance of Live Oaks in Central Texas
Live Oak trees are important to the Central Texas ecosystem, as they provide habitat for the Golden Cheek Warbler and Black Capped Vireo. These bird species depend on the Ashe Juniper for nesting materials and the Live Oak for nesting locations during the summer months. The unique pairing of these trees in Central Texas allow these birds to thrive in this region. In order to protect their habitat, Travis County, the City of Austin, and the US Fish and Wildlife Service established the Balcones Canyonland Preserve.
Live Oaks thrive in well-watered sandy or clay soil while they are young. They can grow up to three feet per year, though their growth rate tapers off as they become older, frequently growing to be up to 80 feet tall. They are wider than they are tall, since their branches grow horizontally before growing vertically. Because of this, they make outstanding shade trees. Their deep route system makes them resistant to floods and hurricanes and elevated levels of salinity.
The most famous Live Oak in Austin is the Treaty Oak on Baylor Street between 5th and 6th streets. It has survived many attacks, most notably “the tree was poisoned with the powerful hardwood herbicide Velpar. Lab tests showed the quantity of herbicide used would have been sufficient to kill 100 trees….Texas industrialist Ross Perot wrote a blank check to fund efforts to save the tree. DuPont, the herbicide manufacturer, established a $10,000 reward to capture the poisoner. The vandal, Paul Cullen, was apprehended after reportedly bragging about poisoning the tree as a means of casting a spell. Cullen was convicted of felony criminal mischief and sentenced to serve nine years in prison. by man and nature over the years and has lasted for over 500 hundred years.” (source: Wikipedia)
The most common enemy of the Live Oak is Oak Wilt which is endemic in Central Texas and is spread by the nitidulid beetles as they invade fresh cuts. With this in mind avoid pruning or wounding oaks between February 1st and July 1st. Additioanlly, wounds on Oaks should be painted to prevent contact with contaminated beetles. For additional information visit this link from Texas A&M Forest Service.
Live Oak trees are important to the Central Texas ecosystem, as they provide habitat for the Golden Cheek Warbler and Black Capped Vireo. These bird species depend on the Ashe Juniper for nesting materials and the Live Oak for nesting locations during the summer months. The unique pairing of these trees in Central Texas allow these birds to thrive in this region. In order to protect their habitat, Travis County, the City of Austin, and the US Fish and Wildlife Service established the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve.
Live Oaks thrive in well-watered sandy or clay soil while they are young. They can grow up to three feet per year, though their growth rate tapers off as they become older, frequently growing to be up to 80 feet tall. They are wider than they are tall, since their branches grow horizontally before growing vertically. Because of this, they make outstanding shade trees. Their deep route system makes them resistant to floods and hurricanes and elevated levels of salinity.
The most famous Live Oak in Austin is the Treaty Oak on Baylor Street between 5th and 6th streets. It has survived many attacks, most notably “the tree was poisoned with the powerful hardwood herbicide Velpar. Lab tests showed the quantity of herbicide used would have been sufficient to kill 100 tree....Texas industrialist Ross Perot wrote a blank check to fund efforts to save the tree. DuPont, the herbicide manufacturer, established a $10,000 reward to capture the poisoner. The vandal, Paul Cullen, was apprehended after reportedly bragging about poisoning the tree as a means of casting a spell. Cullen was convicted of felony criminal mischief and sentenced to serve nine years in prison. by man and nature over the years and has lasted for over 500 hundred years.” (source: Wikipedia)
The most common enemy of the Live Oak is Oak Wilt which is endemic in Central Texas and is spread by the Nitidulid Beetle as they invade fresh cuts. With this in mind avoid pruning or wounding oaks between February 1st and July 1st. Additionally, wounds on Oaks should be painted to prevent contact with contaminated beetles. For additional information visit this link from Texas A&M Forest Service.
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