It's official! I'm a tree farmer

The Texas Forest Service recently gave me a nice write up of the plantings done several years ago. Trust me, this is very small scale, but I'm delighted to have a little stand of pines to call my own. This property was stripped of all but hackberry and thorn trees when we bought it and I've worked hard over the last several years to plant it with mixed woods, in addition to the pine stand. We now have birds galore, 'vertical interest' and the a little bit of shade. Tree hugger? You betcha.

Good for you!

Cool! and Congrats!

Do you have pictures???

Congratulations !!!!

Would you believe these Pine trees were planted 8 yrs ago next January? They are growing along a creek bottom and are thriving. These trees will help with an erosion problem, too. They will be thinned out at some point, but I'll leave lots of them.

Thanks for asking for the pic. I knew you plant lovers would share my joy!

'nother

Congratulations. Great pics...now let us read the article! Can you link us to it?

Congrats! You have created a lovely area. Send us the link.

Wow, Bubbles and Bananna, thanks for asking for a link. It never dawned on me this info might be online. Good place for it.

I ask the forestor for a sign to place on my gate stating we're pine tree growers but what I got was much more. He prepared a Forest Stewardship Plan that is nothing less than a book full of info related to the property. It includes information concerning Management Objectives, Property Description, Soils, Water, Wildlife, Invasive Plants, Streamside Management, Potential Endangered Species and Maps (including topographic and soils) In addition there is info on management of animals and wildfire mitigation.

We Texans know there's special beauty all over this state. Each section is wonderous in it's own way. I love visiting elsewhere but boy, it's always nice to get behind the pine curtain.

It looks like you are building a very good and happy place there, and having a lot of fun doing it.
Josephine.

Rose, how exciting and what a great job you've done! 2006 was so hard on all of our local trees. Every time we have a loss I try to replace it. Does your parks department give away free pines? I know they do in Greenville and hoping to find another close town that does the same.

Gosh, thanks for the pics! Love the dobie too. I'm really interested in starting a project like that on my property, so any info you can share is gratefully accepted.

I'm having a ball planting and planning for the long term. Just wish I was in my 30's...still, I like the idea of leaving a place better than I found it.

We planted the pines in conjunction with the Forest Service. These forestors are helpful before, during and after the plantings. Pines are so fast growing, you get a quick payoff for your efforts.

If the Nacogdoches Parks gives away trees, I'm missing out. Will check that out. I lose trees too, and finally realized I won't have 100% success, it used to bother me. I replace them and now have to be more thoughtful as the area around the house is getting planted out.

Planting trees from www.arborday.org has been my most successful effort. Pulling those trees out of an envelope then watching them outperform container planted trees has been an eye opener.

Here's another pic of my son's Dobie, taken last fall. Next pic is of our home.

Dobie Fall '07

Home

Thanks for the link and the pics!