Ceader Trees (Austin, Live Oak, Valentine: allergy, live, backyard)

[amsoilman]

Greetings one and all,

I tried the search and nothing comes back. I do remember reading some information RE: ceader trees in Texas. The land my wife and I are looking at in the Hill Country has a mix of Oak and Ceader on it.

Do are Ceader Trees Good Bad or Ugley?

Thanks in advance

Ron

[AustinTraveler]

Try doing a search for Cedar. You have it spelled wrong.

[amsoilman]

Originally Posted by AustinTraveler

Try doing a search for Cedar. You have it spelled wrong.

Thank you.

So far only bad thing is might cause someone to have allergy to the tree.

Trying to find out if they can cause damage around wells and septic systems.

[lilypad]

There are CEDAR trees in East Texas. Even a few Cedar of Lebanon.

[KewGee]

Originally Posted by amsoilman

Thank you.

So far only bad thing is might cause someone to have allergy to the tree.

Trying to find out if they can cause damage around wells and septic systems.

True, many are allergic to them. They aren't pretty but quite prevalent in Texas and after a rain, they smell nice. They're more like shrubs to me than trees, a bit unkept looking.

I don't know about damage around wells and septic systems. I don't have any in my yard but my neighbor has ever so many. He has never said anything about damage to his septic system; he doesn't have a well.

I would think if roots got into the lateral lines, that would pose a problem. I have a giant and old Live Oak tree in my backyard and many large shrubs and have never had any septic problems at all in the 20 years I've lived in this home. I've never had the system pumped out nor do I use septic treatments in my toilets. I guess I'm very lucky!!

[Trainwreck20]

Cedar trees, which are really Juniper (or so I am told) are not native to central Texas. The major beef against them is that they suck up huge amounts of water (mostly near the surface) and prevent some of the native grasses from flourishing. Oh, and the Cedar Fever.

[theburro]

I believe you all are referring to Saltcedar, also known as Tamarisk. As mentioned, it is an invasive, non-native species that depletes surface and groundwater, displaces native species and habitats, and provides very little wildlife benefit. I recall it's a major problem in W Texas and the RG valley and probably other places.

[WA Transplant]

Cedar, aka Mountain Cedar, but really Ashe Juniper can range from a garbage shrub to an attractive tree. The shed pollen like crazy starting around Jan 1 and stop around Valentines Day. Most people cut them down or at a minimum thin them out. Once they are out and can't use the 15+ gallons of water a day that supposedly is typical then the grasses return. But they are prolific and the seeds sprout seedlings every year. BUT they are evergreen and not much else is here in the Hill Country in Jan and Feb except live oaks.