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Yaupon tree?

6 years ago

last modified: 6 years ago

I've been told they are Yaupon trees and when I Google Yaupon trees, that is what they look like to me. I went to learn how to make tea from this site: http://www.instructables.com/id/Harvest-Roast-and-Brew-Green-Tea-using-a-Common-Sh/ and her leaves look so much bigger than mine. Could it just be that my trees aren't making big leaves because they aren't getting enough water or the time of year or something? Thanks in advance. I appreciate your time.

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wantonamara Z8 CenTex

6 years ago

When I got my land, the first thing I did was start thinning out the brush so I could walk around.. I had to thin just to see the lay of the land and where I wanted too put the house and workshop. It was THICK! I had a impenetrably thick regrowth cedar brake that's killing off my red oaks, madrone and live oaks I started going around to county extension meetings and other seminars. learning about the land around me and all the different philosophies about land restoration. I have learned to do more with less labor and lowered my expectations to fit the land. I have learned how to do more harnessing of the natural process and letting the land be itself.

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Comments (12)

wantonamara Z8 CenTex
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
My understanding is that Yaupon is a highly variable tree with many variations in local populations. Their are many cultivars on the market with different appearances from weeping , yellow berried, very tiny leaves to larger leaves. It might be that soil and water has some hand in it too. also the variety that is in your more arid area has made that variation to live easier there. It is a wide spread species. Mine looks more like yours. I am in Central Texas. It is dryer than , say, Mississippi
rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
6 years ago
I've never seen Ilex vomitoria with larger leaves.
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wantonamara Z8 CenTex
6 years ago
I guess that theory of smaller leaves/dryer land gets shot down ,..LOL.
earlyfig200329
Original Author
6 years ago
Thank you all so much. We had to clear some trees for our homestead and it's been a while since we ran the brush hog back over. I think the trees are sending up shoots with shinier slightly larger leaves but I'm just not sure without seeing the berries. :-) Lots to learn at my new place. Anyway, THANK YOU. I love this forum.
earlyfig200329
Original Author
6 years ago
The optimum is getting a driveway and a house in first but thanks.
wantonamara Z8 CenTex
6 years ago
LOL.
earlyfig200329
Original Author
6 years ago
@wantonamara We bought 43 acres that have been left untouched for at least 20 years. I think I have mostly hackberry trees, yaupon, tallow (of course), wax myrtle, and cedar.... at least a couple huge pine trees and I think some black cherry trees... but mostly I have poison ivy. Poison ivy vines 3-inches in diameter!! There is a lot of work ahead and I'm so excited to get started. This land used to be rice fields... so the biggest task will be getting rid of all the burms that hold the water in!!
earlyfig200329
Original Author
6 years ago
Yes we thinned out a lot of brush and we have kept every tree we could. I love what you wrote and I will definitely check out the local ag extension meetings. I know exactly what you mean about letting the land be itself and I couldn't agree more! I've said this very thing to my husband. "Let's work WITH the land, not against it".
wantonamara Z8 CenTex
6 years ago
Another great resource was Holistic Land Management. I have also volunteered at parks around me and learned a lot from them . The Master Naturalist is a program that your county might provide. They do in Texas. I am not sure where you are at . but google around.
earlyfig200329
Original Author
6 years ago
Right now I'm in Galveston county but will be moving to Brazoria county. I haven't heard of the Master Naturalist program, unless that's the same as the Master Gardener but I will look it up! Thanks again for the advice. It is greatly appreciated.
wantonamara Z8 CenTex
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
It is very different wiith different goals. Master gardener is to teach you about gardening as in a yard type of gardening and Master Naturalist is about preserving our natural resources on acreage, either park or private. It is great for new land owners. One can do damage inadvertently with all the best intentions.

Here is a links to the Cradle of Texas Chapter (FB page)

and the actual website of Cradle Of Texas Chapter of Master Naturalist

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