We got a new worker recently. A new machine to help us load and haul heavy logs. I’ve been a long time hater of equipment. It’s just more to take care of. But, one of my friends up in Ft. Worth, Jimmy Pritchard of Integrity Tree Care, has been telling me for a long time that it has revolutionized his business. So, I’ve decided to give it a try. The machine is pretty low cost compared to most equipment and it is small so we can take it into back yards and many other places that large equipment won’t go. We’ve only done one job with the mini so far, but it is definitely earning its keep. The logs in this video are from a palm tree. This wood is difficult to cut with chainsaws and the wood is very heavy. With the mini skid steer we didn’t have to cut into small pieces or pick them up at all!
As you can tell, we’re going to have to get used to driving it, but this machine is going to save us a lot of back breaking labor!
The Mexican sycamore has been a popular planting choice for about 10 years. Like the moneterey oak, it seems to be emerging as a great tree for the area, but it has yet to stand the test of time.
(more…)
Every now and then I like to do a fun climb. It really is a relaxing and peaceful thing 
for me to do. However, I wouldn’t recommend it for the average Joe. I have all the right safety equipment and know how to (hopefully) keep from breaking my neck.
(more…)
Growing healthy fruit trees can be very rewarding. There is nothing more satisfying than eating something you have grown yourself. However, fruit trees can be very frustrating. If you lose your crop, 
you miss out for the whole year. There are a number of things to consider when growing fruit trees. Here are some good tips to help you along your way.
site conditions
Ideally, You would want about 7-8 hours of direct morning and mid-day sun with some filtered shade in the afternoon on a well drained site with irrigation. It is rare to (more…)
Ever wondered how a tree that is hollow on the inside can be alive, or have not fallen when 
the wood is hollow in the middle? Internal decay is a common phenomenon in trees. I wouldn’t call it good, but it is normal (i.e. very common). These cavities are caused by mother nature’s decay fungi. Their job in the grand scheme of things is decompose woody materials back into the soil.
The decay process usually gets started from some large wound. Could have been from a lightening strike, broken limb or even a damaged root underground. Any large wound usually leads to decay. Wounds larger than about 3-4″ diameter (can vary depending on tree species and health) take (more…)
I don’t know where it started, but there is a wives tale out there 
that you need to cut the tops off your crepe myrtle to get them to flower properly. This is absolutely not true! Crepe myrtles will produce abundant flowers and be healthier if you let them be.
(more…)
Counting rings is the tried and true method for determining the age of a tree. Dendrochronology is the science of counting tree rings to determine tree age and to identify extreme and unique environmental events. Scientists use certain trees, such as bristlecone 
pine, that have slow growth rates and live for a very long time, to map out long sequences of weather patterns. These sequences are use to compare to known events, and to help develop base lines for carbon dating. In some regions dendrochronologists have more than 10,000 years sequenced. There are some problems with counting rings. Some of them surmountable and some not.
(more…)
Fertilizing trees is a great way to keep trees healthy and is especially important for revitalizing sick trees. I highly recommend you read my four part series on tree fertilizers. You can access them by clicking on the fertilize link under categories on the right sidebar. This article is aimed at pointing you toward a few fertilizer products you can buy to do the job yourself. Some of the tips here will help you with the timing of the right application, but you do need to read the label of the product you are using to make sure you are applying it at the right rate.
(more…)
The Treaty Oak is a southern live oak (Quercus virginiana) located in Treaty Oak Park on Baylor St. between 5th and 6th downtown. This historic tree is said to be over 500 years old. In 1927, our green piece of history was inducted into the American Forestry hall of fame. They said it to be the “most perfect specimen” of a tree in north America. The Treaty Oak is the last tree standing from a group of trees known as the Council Oaks. The grove was 14 trees strong at one time.
(more…)
I'm Keith Brown, owner of Austin Tree Experts. This is my repository of tree knowledge. I hope you find what you are looking for.
