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More Information on Cedar (Juniper) Trees
As we continue
our business I am constantly reminded that over infestation
of Cedar is not a good thing. Several properties we have
cleared lately have had good specimens of other trees, Live
Oaks, Cedar Elms, Pecan, and others, that have been near
death. Some have been dead due to the cedar out competing
for water and in some cases light. We look forward to the
next few years when these trees that have been rescued will
return to health and their potential beauty.
Lots of people
in the Hill Country will make claims about how many gallons
of water a day a large Ashe Juniper tree will consume. Several
years back our county extension agent answered the question:
Cedar trees are very disliked by many in this area, is there
a legitimate reason for this prejudice? The answer was a
long one. There are good things about these trees, but the
sheer number of trees in an over infestation negates the
positives. The biggest negative is the commonly known reason,
water consumption.
There are primarily
three reasons that the cedar is a water waster. When it
rains the trees foliage will hold approximately a quarter
inch of rainfall before it starts to hit the ground. At
the end of the rain this quarter inch evaporates into the
air without ever getting to the ground. Secondly, when it
rains enough to get past the foliage the cedar tree is structured
to pull rainfall down towards its trunk. Most other trees
shed water at their drip line. The last reason that he explained
has to do with the internal structure of the foliage. He
explained that most trees have the ability to close their
"pores" during hot weather conserving water. The juniper
tree does not have this ability, leaving it to create an
open wick to the ground transferring water all the time.
In fairness,
other educated people interviewed have not concurred completely
with the third reason cited. Some even feel that if you
had an infestation of oaks or any other woody species you
would experience the same loss of water.
The horticulturists
that I have spoken with do agree with the benefits of mulching
the cedar trees in place. The mulch immediately begins retaining
water in the soil and reducing erosion. A good environment
is made to reestablish native grass and the biomass of the
mulched trees slowly composts and returns to the soil.
