Ask a Naturalist
A Question:
With the recent heatwave, my ⅓ or so acre is drying up quickly. What can I do to mitigate that and bring it back to its previous state? Or are there things that I can do to improve the pond given its current condition? Objective is to eventually stock with fish, maybe one species. Thank you.
A Naturalist Answers:
Unless we get a lot of rain soon, there isn't much you can do in the near term. You will need to refill it and provide shade or some type of cover to prevent evaporation. The dry air and soil just soaks up any moisture it can find, so it's not likely to remain a pond without regular replenishment/rain.
But there are things you can do longer term that will enhance your pond and help you keep it filled in times of drought like we are currently in.
You should definitely keep a lot of native vegetation around the pond including trees to shade the water. That would potentially reduce the evaporation rate and keep the water cooler for the fish. We can talk more about the kinds of vegetation when we come to visit you in the fall for your HELM site visit. Also you may want to do as much rainwater collection as you can on any buildings or other structures you plan to put close enough to the pond so you can use that water to refill it.
If you have a well or want to have a well drilled to replenish the pond, that would certainly work too!
A Question:
My neighbor crossed onto property and mowed Onion Creek bottom. They literally scalped the surface with soil exposed. I need to do something to help soil preservation during next flood event. What do you recommend I plant. I've looked at resources at Native American Seed Co. and their Riparian Mix seems appropriate; yet, I'm concerned I need more grass coverage. I know so much had to be repaired from Blanco floods and I wonder if there are some lessons learned to be shared on how to quickly revegetate. Thank you!
A Naturalist Answers:
The Riparian Recovery Mix is a good choice. For grasses, the ones that would likely germinate most quickly are Sideoats grama and Green spangletop. And Inland seaoats for any shady areas.
These could be purchased individually. For any moist areas, Emory sedge would be a good choice. The Wildflower Center said they may have some at their fall plant sale. It is easy to transplant so you might also check with some of your neighbors along the creek to see if they have some.
You could also check with an area native plant nursery and ask if they could get some. Sometimes they will do this if their wholesaler carries it.
Nature may surprise you and, if roots weren’t damaged, some of the things may come back on their own. But it’s still a good idea to try and jumpstart things.
A Question:
We purchased the vacant lot next to our home in Woodcreek. Where do I start leaning how to restore it, although it seems pretty "original" as is?
A Naturalist Answers:
Our Beautiful Hays County site has many articles and resources that can help you get started. Please check out the articles on our Conservation & Restoration page.
In particular, Land Restoration Plans can help guide you through the process.
You might also be interested in our Habitat Enhancing Land Management (HELM) program.
A Question:
After that horrible Feb freeze, our live oaks started putting out lots and lots of little branches along their trunks. I was told to leave them alone as the trees needed time to heal from the freeze. I also hear to wait for fall and trim them off then to let the canopy thicken. I let them alone since the freeze. Can I/should I trim them off this fall? Thanks!!
A Naturalist Answers:
Those are known as sucker shoots and they can also sprout from an oak’s roots.
The main thing to be aware of when trimming oak trees is to minimize the susceptibility to and spread of oak wilt.
The Texas A&M Forest Service has an Oak Wilt: FAQ page which is very helpful and talks about the best time to prune.
We also have a video on Oak Wilt, presented by Karl Flocke, a Woodland Ecologist with the Texas A&M Forest Service, which is very informative.
A Question:
Hi,
We’ve collected a few fossil shells during our vacation on San Marcos river. Now we are trying to find out how old these fossils could be. We will appreciate any insight.
Thanks in advance.
A Naturalist Answers:
It’s hard to tell without seeing or identifying the species, but Texas was definitely under a shallow sea during its past. Most recently, central Texas was underwater about 80 million years ago.
Here’s a nice article about the geology of Texas where you can learn more.
A Question:
Large live oak in distress. Needs good arborist care. Recommendations on individuals, orgs, or companies in Hays?
I live in Driftwood.
Thanks!
A Naturalist Answers:
I’m sorry, but we cannot recommend any commercial operations. You might be interested in contacting our Habitat Enhancing Land Management (HELM) program and they should be able to provide guidance.
A Question:
Can I hire a Naturalist to come out and evaluate my property for invasive plants or anything that could harm our community?
A Naturalist Answers:
Our chapter provides a free service, Habitat Enhancing Land Management (HELM) to help you with exactly this kind of review.
A Question:
We recently bought a house on 3 acres. Half is wooded (oak and cedar primarily with other small understory trees). The remaining was clear cut and the soil badly damaged with bits of building debris and concrete left behind. The healthy and I disturbed portion has a wet-weather ravine that floods with water from the neighborhood. We are slowly trying to partially dam it to help keep some of that water on site and slow the rate of speed. On the damaged bit of land, I have added berms and native rock walls to slow the progression of water there as well.
My question is this: I would like to slowly start repairing the land and grow natives but the soil is so badly damaged and rocky that I need input on how best to do it. It is full sun and some portions are away from water runoff areas and some are smack in the middle. I was considering putting down topsoil and mulch but wanted input on how much. And since it is so badly damaged, would it be a bad idea to put down a thick layer of bark mulch, then a layer of topsoil so it has something to stick to and then another layer of mulch on top to keep the soil in place? I am hoping to convert one large space into native wildflowers and the rest I’ll pick at over time. The wildflower area is what I’m planning to make a mulch sandwich of right now.
A Naturalist Answers:
This is a perfect opportunity for our Habitat Enhancing Land Management (HELM) team to visit your property, evaluate it and provide you with helpful advice. This is a free service provided by our chapter. You can also subscribe to our HELM Network News so you can keep up with useful information.
A Question:
Hi there, I’m decided I’d like to be trained to become a Texas Master Naturalist. But I’m unsure of which chapter to get my training in. I grew up in Hays county but currently live in Burnet county. Is it advisable to undergo training in multiple chapters?
A Naturalist Answers:
Training classes are not typically organized to support this. Each chapter establishes it's own training policy and curriculum, following state organization guidelines.
Our Hays County Chapter currently runs two training sessions each year. The Spring session begins in mid-January until mid-June, Fall session runs from July to December. You can sign up for our training here.
Burnet County is served by the Highland Lakes Chapter.
Once you have completed training and are certified you can transfer to another chapter.
A Question:
We still have many downed branches and limbs from this winter's ice storm and freeze. Most of it has been gathered into piles or rows waiting on chipping, shredding, and/or burning.
Would it be more beneficial to leave cuttings on the ground for moisture (if it ever rains again!) and erosion prevention or should the cuttings be hauled off? Is there an optimal "mulch" size? We have ~ 6 acres that has been pretty well cleared and grassy.
Also, we are trying to decide between chipping (i.e. - using a tree service company) or shredding (i.e. - using a land clearing company). Any thoughts on which might be the most effective and best for the long run? (Which may get answered by response to the first question)
Please let me know if a more detailed consultation would be useful.
A Naturalist Answers:
You’re right about leaving the brush piles in strategic locations to help with erosion. Another benefit is to provide habitat for small wildlife and eventually, as the pile breaks down, the nutrients will help build the soil.
You may want to contact our Habitat Enhancing Land Management (HELM) team to visit your property. They can provide a complete assessment and give you advice on the best way to proceed.
A Question:
I watched your video but wanted to know more about the specific requirements of wildlife exemption.
A Naturalist Answers:
Wildlife exemption questions are best handled by our Hays County AgriLife office. Please check with them.
Texas Parks and Wildlife has a Tax Valuation for Wildlife Management FAQ which you may find useful.