Some say the cedar hogs water, depleting our aquifers and outcompeting more desirable trees such as the live oak. "Cedar fever is the worst west of I-35, where you have primarily juniper mixed in with oaks and some other species," said Jonathan Motsinger, Texas A&M Forest Service Central Texas Operations department head. From the invasive rock cedar to the gently swaying drooping cedar, you can find a surprisingly wide variety of cedars in the Lone Star State. Cant wait to read the book! I love them. Here in the springtime, there is so much oak pollen collecting on surfaces that I have to wash my cars windshield daily just to see out of it.. Cedar trees and junipers belong to different genera and plant families. Her 578-page paperback, WANTED! Incredible book!!! Junipers and cedars are evergreen trees from the Pinales plant order with several common traits that make them easy to confuse. How do I get this book. In Texas, the predominant species of mountain cedar is the Ashe juniper. There are over-the-counter and prescription drugs you can take to repress the allergic reaction to pollen from various types of cedar trees in Texas. Many people are allergic to the pollen, resulting in outbreaks of "cedar fever" in late winter. The two main juniper species9 in Texas include the Ashe and Redberry junipers. Large animals like deer and smaller ones like the famous golden-cheeked warbler find refuge among their limbs, raising their young and moving about undetected from predator species through dense collections of trees that form cedar breaks. That the trees provide shelter for animals and birds is a fact celebrated by some landowners. In fact, trees called mountain cedar are actually ashe Also called the Rocky Mountain cedar, this aggressively growing tree can grow up to 50 feet but more commonly reaches 30 feet in height. When you see the pollen billowing off a tree that has just popped, or opened its cones, it looks very similar to smoke coming from a wildfire.. For example, contrary to popular belief, Mountain Cedars are not an invasive species. State Impact: How Hill Country Grazing Led to Cedar Fever. They get frustrated by the misinformation and answers that dont work, and they direct the frustration at the tree, she added. Male and female cones on separate trees; male conelets oblong, very small, at the tips of branchlets; female cones oval, inconspicuous. Mountain cedar, and how best to avoid it - mySA AN ELITE CAFEMEDIA LIFESTYLE PUBLISHER. Those fires killed the Ashe Juniper, but the oak trees survived. (2021, December 22). Please view our privacy policy for more information. A common sight in the Texas Hill Country during monarch migration season: the butterflies rest on Ashe juniper, a.k.a. In early 19th century Texas, Mountain Cedars were prized as a building material for cabins, telephone poles, and railroads and helped jump start the local economy. As a landscape designer and certified permaculturalist, she hopes to spread the message that while certainly not all cedars are good for the health of the land, not all are bad either. We also run the premiere real-estate site in the hill country at HillCountryRealestate.com. In Texas, the predominant species of mountain cedar is the Ashe juniper. It is a common tree in West Texas and can be shrub or tree-like and is typically multi-stemmed, growing in a bushy, round crown. Range/Site Description: The common juniper throughout Central Texas. To be clear, McGreevy does not intend to push a tree-hugging, Greenpeace agenda onto private-property-rights-protecting Texans. And in the winter, flocks of cedar waxwings crowd Mountain Cedars branches, gobbling up its berries. All rights reserved. While junipers are in the cypress and the Juniperus genus, the cedars belong to the pine family and the Cedrus genus. Most importantly, they provide the mental, physical and environmental health benefits of trees and forests everywhere. Moreover, the importance of wood chopped down in the cedar breaks is well documentedby local historians. I pre-ordered her book and love it! document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2020 Texas Butterfly Ranch | All Rights Reserved The retired U.S. Marine Corps colonel previously served as interim director, guiding the agency through one of the toughest Texas wildfire seasons on record. It is simply magical. Some are more common than others, but all are technically cedar trees. By the way, some people say they are a fire hazard. The two are both famous for their ornamental use globally, particularly in producing bonsai and small trees for dcor and gardens. She is currently writing a book, Mountain Cedar: Wanted Dead and Alive. The first of three parts will be released as an e-book in mid-2018. Nasal irrigation can also help wash off the allergens and eliminate excessive mucus; you only need to fill a syringe with warm water and salt. Today, much of the greenery in the Texas Hill Country is made of cedar trees rather than the more diverse, savannah of days past. As she states in her introduction, The Trees We Love to Hate, emotions often run high when considering the Mountain Cedar. Juniperus ashei ( Ashe juniper, mountain cedar, blueberry juniper, post cedar, or just cedar) is a drought -tolerant evergreen tree, native from northeastern Mexico and the south-central United States to southern Missouri. Around Texas, ashe juniper trees mainly grow in the Hill Country, with male trees pollinating late in the year. The Ashe juniper/ post cedar/ blueberry cedar is primarily found in the east and south of the Edwards Plateau and covers more than 8 million acres of the rangelands. An Austin ecologist says the tree has wrongly been cast as an interloper and environmental hazard. Thank you Elizabeth! While junipers are notorious for releasing their fever-inducing allergens, they also have immense health benefits. Get our free newsletter >>,
The tree is not a cedar Cedar Mulching: How It Works and Why You Should Consider It In Texas, the predominant species of mountain cedar is the Ashe juniper. Ranchers view it as a noxious weed, an opportunistic plant that has invaded our picturesque Texas grasslands. exfoliates in strips. Myriad mammals and 19 species of birds consume its blue, tangy berries. 1. In Texas, the predominant species of mountain cedar is the Ashe juniper. The mountain cedar in question is actually juniperus ashei, or the Ashe juniper, which is native to Central Texas, though even that fact has been debated. Texas However, some of the biggest concentrations of Ashe Juniper can be found right here in the Texas Hill Country and Edwards Plateau area where I live! Most of them are dead anyway, so it reduces the fire danger if presented with a grass fire. Using accessible language, historic black and white photographs, and hundreds of annotations and scientific citations, McGreevy dispels the myths about the maligned native juniper. Such a useful, beneficial, beautiful tree. Native Cedar Trees of Texas | ehow Over the last 100 years, these trees have been characterized as non-native, water-hogging, grass-killing, toxic, useless species to justify their removal. Oppenheimer, dubbed the father of the atomic bomb, is the subject of a new movie set to hit theaters this weekend. Where I come from there are very few trees and I love these trees. This native juniper tree is an evergreen and is not very tall. (n.d.). Folks talk a lot of smack about cedar trees, especially when cedar fever starts up this time of year. They may not necessarily cause the reaction to cedar pollen, but eating them when the histamine levels are up can make you feel worse. When we lived in the Hill Country, we loved our abundance of Ashe juniper. The plant we know as "mountain cedar" is actually ashe juniper (juniperus ashei). Like many teachers, some places like that simply teach what is generally accepted. It is what it is. Mountain cedar . His follow-up research has shown just that! Junipers grow in hardiness zones 7-10, but the cedars prefer zones 6-9; therefore, the former are more resilient, although both are pretty hardy. amzn_assoc_ad_type = "smart";
The wood is famous for its rot-resistant properties, which makes it ideal for manufacturing posts that last decades. places to stay, tourism, events, lodging, and we feature Texas Hill Country info Firstly, Owens cedar was a juvenile tree, which consumes water more aggressively than an older cedar, according to recent research by A&Ms Georgianne Moore. Lets check out which types grow in and are native to Texas. Yep, thats me! As one of the smaller cedars, the oakbark cedar can be grown as a tree or a large shrub. In early 1996, Keith Owens of the Texas A&M Research and Extension Center conducted a study that compared the water usage of a 10-foot mountain cedar with that of a 10-foot live oak. You have the urban people and the rural people, and they both get frustrated about Mountain Cedars, McGreevy said by phone recently. Differentiating Between Cedars and Junipers - Treehugger Cedar fever season is upon us once again, complete with runny noses, itchy eyes and general misery. of all manners. In more eastern parts of the state, there are also eastern red cedars that pollinate around the same time and can induce a similar response from peoples auto-immune systems. I believe there should be a harmony between the oaks and the cedars and nature has already given us the template for their coexistence. Photo by Monika Maeckle. 2. Youll find them in rural and urban areas alike, although stretches of Austins 360 and San Antonios 1604 roadways are particularly popular with the tree-trimming elves., When you do see an Ashe juniper decked out for the season, consider it an attempt by locals to inject a little good cheer into humanitys ambivalent relationship with the local mountain cedar.. Some symptoms include runny nose, sneezing, nasal blockage, watery eyes, sore throat, temporary loss of smell, and sometimes a slight fever. Immediately before and after a cold front, it gets very dry and windy and the pressure changes very rapidly, Flocke said. It grows naturally in some of the lower altitudes of the Texas panhandle and in the higher mountain regions of western Texas. But what exactly is cedar fever, and why is it so insufferable this time of year? The first, Junipers ashei, is the small, multi-trunked Hill Country cedar sometimes referred to as Mountain Cedar which takes on a roundish shape. McGreevy also makes the case that Mountain Cedars do not cause soil erosion. at all, and its native range is central Texas, not known for its mountains. Most recently, he resides in northern Mexico. Light, hard, light brown, close-grained but weak, the wood is extensively used for fence posts and fuelwood. I removed only the ones I had to for my house. Groups like People Against Cedars have begun lobbying the Texas government to prevent these water hogs from taking over the habitat of other trees. provide food for wildlife. Retrieved November 16, 2022, from , 8Windbreaks for Conservation. They grow in terrain that isnt particularly hospitable to other tree species. Still, theres more to those pesky cedars than cedar fever. As cattle ranching took over in the 20th century, the land was overgrazed and the soil degraded, creating a fertile context for pioneering cedar thickets, the ubiquitous bushy, young Mountain Cedars that we see today. There are a few symptoms of cedar fever that are not linked to coronavirus or the flu though, like itchy, watery eyes, blocked nasal passages and sneezing. One of the most pervasive false claims about Mountain Cedars is that they are water hogs. Technically, mountain cedar trees aren't cedar trees at all! Retrieved from , 15Photo courtesy of James Manhart, Texas A&M University. It's called "cedar fever," but this allergy doesn't actually produce a fever. mountain cedar pollen and allergies, read on. These symptoms are common in people between December and February; luckily, you can take some steps to minimize exposure, and effective treatments are available. A similar study conducted between two equally dense trees or between a cedar and live oak at different stages of life would produce varying results. You can treat cedar fever by taking allergy medications and antihistamines, but you should consult with your physician or health care professional before taking new medications. Given the several types of cedar trees in Texas, it may be difficult to distinguish cedars from junipers by looking at them. Allergies bad? They'll probably get worse before they get better - wfaa.com The Juniperus ashei is also called the Ashe Juniper, Post cedar, Texas cedar, Mountain cedar, and Mexican juniper. Thanks for the great review!! Mountain Red Cedar (Juniperus scopulorum) Also called the Rocky Mountain cedar, this aggressively growing tree can grow up to 50 feet but more commonly reaches 30 feet in height. Website by, Pollen Trackers tap citizen scientists to monitor cedar pollen for allergy relief, At war with Agave americana: tenacious plant resists chainsaw, digging, fire, Trinity Students continue battle with Johnson Grass, New study: nectar plants more important than milkweed for Monarch butterfly migration, How to plan a successful pollinator garden, Mostly native urban butterfly garden outperforms lawn every time, IH-35 to Become Pollinator Corridor for Bees, Butterflies and other Pollinators. You may know a few types of cedar trees in Texas or are at least familiar with cedar-style hay fever, if you are from the state. Technically, cedars are juniper trees. When not writing, Codee enjoys epic fantasy novels, home DIY projects, and memorizing useless pop culture trivia. Im trying to get people to stop feeling hopeless about what can be done., TOP PHOTO: Slash and burn the cedar has been a classic land management strategy for decades. I treasure my copy and give them as gifts to my clients, buyers of Texas land. Many associate cedars with the heavy pollen production that affects those allergic to pollen but considering how many trees there are in the world, the cedar stands out as a magnificent species that positively impact the environment. (Image: Photo courtesy of James Manhart, Texas A&M University15). Cedar vs. Juniper: Why we call it 'cedar fever' when it's not cedar You can find it in the mountainous areas of west Texas, where it naturally grows as a windbreak;8 farmers plant it for the same purpose and as privacy screens. It's winter allergy season in North Texas. Here's what's responsible 1Texas MedClinic. You cant help but breathe it in. People often mistake cedar tree allergy symptoms for the common cold. Some trees that many call cedars are junipers in reality, and it helps to take a closer look to tell them apart. It is called ashe juniper and mountain cedar, but also rock cedar, Mexican juniper, and Texas cedar. The Redberry is common in west Texas, mostly on rocky and infertile soils. For example, it holds great value for wildlife. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Secondly, the cedar leaves look like fans, and the trees grow small cones, while the junipers needles tend to be flat and produce tiny berries instead of cones. In Texas, the predominant species of mountain cedar is the Ashe juniper. branches. The states should consider using it in conservation rural settings and minimizing it in large suburban areas. It was a patchy mosaic of vegetation that was constantly changing.. Many stations will give you the pollen count and can predict when its going to be a particular pollen-heavy day. Grazing by settlers in the 1800s removed grass and more tender saplings, allowing tougher cedar trees to take root and take over. While you can get a doctors prescription and have your symptoms treated, the best way to stay safe is to prevent contact with the allergen while staying indoors. The Ashe Junipers growth rate ranges from slow to moderate based on the prevailing conditions. According to the map below, most regions with more than 2 million acres of junipers are in the east and central part of Texas. 8 Billion Trees is a carbon offset company that runs large-scale planting operations in the Amazon Rainforest. (No, it hasnt worked. The sheer quantity and density of Ashe junipers in Central Texas is one of the main factors contributing to cedar fever. The Mountain Cedar is not a cedar tree; It's a juniper The male trees produce the pollen that causes allergies The "berries" produced by female trees have many benefits This is the unicorn of Texas weather, morning lows in the 40s and afternoon highs in the 60s. Those allergic to pollen relax during winter when the trees are frozen and blooming is not expected. amzn_assoc_search_bar = "true";
It is what allergists call the most. Pollen is primarily released during December and January, but can continue through early March. Settlers also controlled natural fires that would have controlled the overgrowth of cedar. Lastly, juniper barks are brown or gray, while most cedar barks are brown or red. The federal funding will help with a variety of ecological, environmental and quality of life efforts. This species is also called the Rocky Mountain juniper and typically grows to 30 feet but can reach 50 feet. Dont understand why people want to cut out their privacy. On vigorous young plants the leaves are sharp pointed and longer, up to 0.5" long. Know your Natives: Ashe Juniper aka "Mountain Cedar" Mountain cedar tree tends to be the biggest culprit when it comes to widespread allergy symptoms which include sneezing, runny nose and watery eyes. If you read his abstract he clearly states he only looked at one Mountain Cedar and that he predicted water use would be extremely varied across the Hill Country. In this years legislative session, state Rep. Paul Workman, an Austin Republican, filed House Bill 1572, which would certify that no restrictions may be made on the ability to remove a mountain cedar, among a short list of other trees, on the basis that they not only hog water but pose a fire risk. The male trees have pollen cones, and the female trees have berry-like cones, which are very inconspicuous, but thats what is pollenated from the male trees, Motsinger said. 5 Cool Facts about Mountain Cedar (Ashe Juniper) Other names for this tree include eastern juniper, red juniper, and aromatic cedar. She is researching the flammability of mountain cedar and has found that it is no more flammable than other trees that escaped Workmans removal list, including even the live oak. (Image: College of Agricultural Sciences18). if (theYear < 1900) Texas Butterfly Ranch Native Texas Milkweed Guide, A Year in the Life of a Mostly Native Urban Butterfly Garden, New study: Bigger white spots translate into success for migrating monarch butterflies, Gangbuster agarita crop fuels birds, bees, critters and people in Texas Hill Country, Scientist and naturalist David M. Hillis provides holistic, enlightening tour of Texas Hill Country, Finally! You can also visit the communitys historiccountry store, which is filled with the trees heavy scent.). Part of the push to eliminate the trees comes from a belief that the they are not only drought tolerant but also water greedy. At the Lady Bird Johnson Wild Flower Center, it is taught that the Ashe Juniper was not found widely in central Texas before the farmers and ranchers showed up. And when you do, your body reacts as it would to any perceived threat it tries to fight it.. I think an hour or 2 on a google dive. Around. It usually grows to over 55 feet and thrives in acidic soil, but it is relatively hardy and able to survive a wide range of low and high temperatures. Cedar is a catch-all name for a family of loosely related trees that grow across various parts of the globe. Settlers also controlled natural fires that would have controlled the overgrowth of cedar. Their pollen is legendary. http://texastreeid.tamu.edu/, Accessibility, Site Policies & Public Notices. The oakbark cedar is named for its thick, rough bark that resembles alligator hide. The pollen arrives on chilly north winds, often after the first frost. 5. The signs of Ashe Juniper allergies are similar to those of springtime pollen allergies. Pretty? Dr. Owens has continued his research. Retrieved November 16, 2022, from , 12Ed Gilman. , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .
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