Drought recently made its presence felt in Texas, prompting scientists from the Texas A&M University and Texas A&M AgriLife Research to compare the perceived impact of this brutal weather phenomenon on woody plants to the studies done during the drought in the 1950s, which many consider the worst dry spell in the state’s history. The study showed that the recent severe dry spells have, indeed, resulted in woody plant diebacks. Additionally, the study proved that while the 1950s dry spell was considerably longer, climactic extremes in recent years have cause vegetation shifts, thus posing a bigger threat to woody plant species.
Deciduous shrubs and trees, evergreen shrubs and trees, and woody vines are all classified under the woody plant variety. A group of woody plants used as subjects for the research belonged to the Quercus pungens class, which is more commonly known as sandpaper oak or scrub oak, which are popularly used as decorative fixtures on private lawns in Plano. Since these plants are vulnerable to extreme heat, homeowners will need professional lawn care in Plano TX as a precautionary measure.
In the past, caring for lawns and landscapes during hot and dry weather generally involved constant use of water sprinklers, which undoubtedly results in increased water consumption. In the light of the current circumstances, however, homeowners may find it advantageous to contract reputable lawn care professionals like Pro Cut Lawn Care and Landscape. Aside from the regular maintenance necessities such as mowing, edging, trimming, and pruning, these companies also apply sophisticated techniques to guarantee lush and green lawns. With their help, what is primarily perceived as an inevitability during droughts—i.e. woody plant diebacks—can actually be prevented.
The study further cites how factors such as soil type, plant water-use strategies, and the density-dependent relationships among plant species all contribute to vegetation shifts. Scientists involved in the study also observed a correlation between livestock management practices and the direction of the vegetation shift, citing in particular how a juniper woodland transformed into a live oak woodland in Edwards Plateau, a region in West-Central Texas. Like oaks, juniper trees are commonly found on lawns and gardens throughout Texas.
Since woody plants have a special vulnerability to dry spells, homeowners can opt to have their lawns and landscapes redesigned by Plano lawn service specialists like Pro Cut Lawn Care and Landscape. These experts can teach homeowners how to select and grow plant varieties that require less water, and can withstand severe summer heat. Flowering plants like blue mistflower and tropical sage, or even shrubs like flame acanthus, which are all native to Texas, make excellent choices.
The task of prolonging the life of woody plants, which are vulnerable to extreme heat, entails a lot of work. With proper care and the necessary precautions, however, the ability of such vegetation to flourish in the midst of dry spells will, no doubt, increase. Meanwhile, in light of the recent drought in Texas, a lot more homeowners realize the need for professional lawn and landscape maintenance.
