I was part of a team of about 15 Hays County Master Naturalists, led by Tom Watson, and we worked to clear Ashe Junipers at two different sites on the property.
The junipers are native, but they originally grew on rocky hillsides and ravines. They have spread beyond their original confines, due to overgrazing of grasslands and suppression of wildfires as our land became settled. They compete for water with grasses and other trees. The City of Austin is restoring the Water Quality Protection Lands to grasslands in order to enhance their ability to filter and recharge water in the aquifers. The junipers are also known locally as "cedars" and cause the dreaded allergy, "cedar fever". Cutting the tree down below any green needle will kill it. Typically, we cut it down at the ground.
Removing a small juniper |
It was nice to see Onion Creek had water in it, because it was dry the last time I saw it. The recent rains have helped, but are not enough. The water is also muddy indicating we're seeing erosion upstream.
A view upstream |
And downstream |
It was a beautiful afternoon to spend working outdoors. As Tom summarized, "We laid down a lot of wood" yesterday and I'm glad I was able to help!
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