what kind of pine trees are growing along 360? (Austin: news, fake)

[Longhorn Al]

Originally Posted by CptnRn

Close but not quite correct, around here it is Juniperus ashei (Also known as Ashe juniper, post cedar, mountain cedar, or blueberry juniper) that pollenates in Dec-Jan and causes the worst allergy reactions. See the link to the annual allergy chart below.



There is a Red Berry Juniper that pollenates in Nov. & early Dec. that is also an allergy problem around Austin. See this allergy chart for Austin.

http://www.centraltexasallergy.com/i...ollenchart.gif

You seem to know what you're talking about, so I'll ask you something my dad and I have wondered about.


Why are young cedars bushy with no main trunk, but the mature cedars that are tall and big around have a main trunk that is relatively straight?


How does a young tree with no trunk that is growing straight up grow into a mature tree with a straight trunk? Are they 2 different trees? I've seen them from South Austin up to Lampasas. Our previous property in South Austin had really big cedars that were tall and branched out at the top. I've seen similar trees in Lampasas by the river. But the same areas are also covered with the short, bushy cedars.


My dad always thought a cedar would turn into the bushy sort if it had been chopped down previously and regrew. I don't think that's right.

[cBach]

Originally Posted by Longhorn Al

You seem to know what you're talking about, so I'll ask you something my dad and I have wondered about.


Why are young cedars bushy with no main trunk, but the mature cedars that are tall and big around have a main trunk that is relatively straight?


How does a young tree with no trunk that is growing straight up grow into a mature tree with a straight trunk? Are they 2 different trees? I've seen them from South Austin up to Lampasas. Our previous property in South Austin had really big cedars that were tall and branched out at the top. I've seen similar trees in Lampasas by the river. But the same areas are also covered with the short, bushy cedars.


My dad always thought a cedar would turn into the bushy sort if it had been chopped down previously and regrew. I don't think that's right.

It depends on who "groomed" the tree and when. When the tree is young, usually the tree isn't touched, as cedars can die if handled with when young. Once mature, you have to remove the bottom branches. Each branch is extremely "bushy" so it only takes removing 1 or 2 branches to get that "straight" look. Still, cedar trees are not really straight as compared to say, a pin oak or a pecan tree.

Around the preserve in Steiner, they have started grooming the trees each spring. Generally you don't want to prune it until after cedar pollination season (ends February). So around April is a good time. That is opposite of when you groom oaks, which are groomed in the heat of summer or in early fall.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34qgDNmGBUo

Look at how the tree was really bushy before and how it was tall and straight after. Yep, that's good pruning for you...

[Longhorn Al]

Thanks for the vid.


That one makes sense because it's split, and there's no real main trunk. The trees I've seen have a main trunk that is relatively vertical (some lean to it). If the trunk splits, it's not until 4-5' off the ground.


When I say "bushy" I mean it does not have a main vertical trunk. It just has multiple limbs growing outward from near the ground.


I'm sure they're both cedars (junipers) based on leaves and berries. I guess it's just chance. Some have the trunk while others don't. The ones on the South Austin property were never groomed/pruned. They just grew into these big trees. I guess they naturally shed the lower branches that allowed it to grow more upward.

[KWPN]

Originally Posted by Austin97

they dont look like the normal cedar trees, I havent looked closely though.

It's because they're actually Junipers, not cedars.

[Austin97]

Originally Posted by KWPN

It's because they're actually Junipers, not cedars.

yes we all know they are ashe junipers but we call them cedars. The still dont look like the normal scraggly cedars Im used to seeing.

[earthisle]

Originally Posted by Austin97

they dont look like the normal cedar trees, I havent looked closely though.

The species is juniperus asheii aka Ash juniper. Texans call them cedar even though they aren't cedars

[earthisle]

Originally Posted by Austin97

yes we all know they are ashe junipers but we call them cedars. The still dont look like the normal scraggly cedars Im used to seeing.

Because the City of Austin has crews that trim them to keep them looking neat

[Austin97]

Originally Posted by earthisle

Because the City of Austin has crews that trim them to keep them looking neat

really??

[Longhorn Al]

Austin can't mow/weed medians and sidewalks, but they can trim cedars on 360? No way.

[cBach]

Originally Posted by Longhorn Al

Austin can't mow/weed medians and sidewalks, but they can trim cedars on 360? No way.

It's not City of Austin it's the fire department that trims them. Cedars are highly flammable and burn at very high temps. I always see them in the various preserves trimming the cedar trees.