Timberview Tree Times
Three trees commonly found at TMS
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Live Oak
The Live Oak tree is also known as Quercus virginiana. It's growth rate is around 2-8 inches a year. This tree grows well in a humid climate, which makes it a popular tree in zones 7-10. The Live Oak can live for over 200 years and produce evergreen leaves that are broad without lobes. The foliage is bright green, and known for abundant shade. It produces acorns around 20 years old. The Reproduction Method involves the acorns dropping to the ground and germinating. If you take a peice of the tree and plant it somewhere else, the tree will grow. If the tree is girdled, it will grow back. A variety of animals depend on this tree for its acorns. It also provides a nice place for a nest to birds as a long term effect. Limiting factors that prevent the tree from growing can be droughts, smoke, and animals eating the acorns. The Live Oak tree is highly susceptible to fire. Freezing temperatures, insects, fires, and diseases can harm and even kill the tree. Yet the Live Oak can adapt to any soil making it very popular all around! The leaves stand out on Timberview's campus and makes our lives easier by fending for itself as it grows to a remarkable tree.
Southern Magnolia
The Southern Magnolia's growth rate is about 1.5 feet per year. It grows to be about 60-80 feet tall. It grows in a warm temperature to semitropical climates. Annual rainfall averages to 40-70 inches in the northeast portion of where it lives and 50-60 inches in other areas where it lives. From north Carolina along the Atlantic coast to central Florida, through the southern half of Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and across Louisiana into southeast Texas. The southern Magnolia lives about 80-100 years. The leaves on the trees are 5-10 inches long, dark green, and have a leathery feel to them. The underside of the leaf is a cinnamon-brown color. It grows a white fragrant flower that blooms during the summer time. The Magnolia produces seeds by ten years of age (from the flowers). The seed are carried by birds and mammals. Many animals depend on the tree such as squirrels, opossums, quail, and turkey because they are known to eat the seeds. On the TMS campus there on not a whole lot of animals to carry the seeds, also the Southern Magnolia has to survive in the heat of Texas. Somethings that might affect it are termites and it is prone to fungal diseases on the leaves. Some abiotic factors it needs are water, sun, and soil. Short term affects are that it makes the school looks nice in the summer and some long term affects is that as it grows taller it can house more animals.
Red Cedar
The Red Cedar grows about 10-50 feat on average and only grows a couple inches per year. It is a very drought tolerant tree. On average the annual rainfall received varies from 15 inches (in the northwest) and 60 inches (in the southern part of its range). The Red Cedar on average lives from 150-300 years. On the tree the older leaves are flat and scale like and the younger leaves are sharp and pointed. The tree produces a a bluish berry. Many animals depend on this berry for food. It is important winter food for many birds, which disperse the wingless seeds. They reach sexual maturity at about 10 years. The males develop conelets of axillary branches, which lets other trees know they are ready for reproduction. Humans tampering with the trees can cause an effect its survival and reproduction. When we step on the berries or harm the tree, it can cause the seeds and berries to stop spreading. Fungi is a major stem and foliage disease. Diseases harm the seedlings and trigger tree fatalities. This tree can cause an effect on the animals on campus. Many animals love the berries, and produces oxygen that we all need. The Red Cedar makes yet another beautiful tree to our variety of life here at Timberview.
What would I need to grow these trees?
For any tree, there are simple steps to make it apart of your home, school, or even work. First, make sure you have chosen the right time of year to plant that specific tree. Check to see if there are any local requirements concerning digging deep holes.
Now, prepare the hole. Dig enough room down for the root ball to be completely covered. (4 to 5 times the length of the root ball.) Then prepare the tree for planting, and place it gently into the hole. Fill the hole with compost. Be sure to water and tend to it during the first few years of the trees beginning life. Sunlight, plenty of water, and good soil is what you need in order for it to survive. Good luck! Be sure to thank yourself for adding another beautiful tree to the world.