By Jan Wrede
Cibolo Nature Center

Did you know that cedar is not an exotic invasive pest? No.  It is a native invasive pest. It has grown in the Texas Hill Country for a very long time, but before 1850 it only grew in limited areas, mostly on steep slopes. So how did this transformation — from not much cedar to covering the landscape — happen?

Cedar is a species well adapted to our alkaline soil and hot dry climate. Three environmental modifications have given cedar trees a bug boost that didn’t exist before. Since European immigrants began settling here about 160 years ago, livestock has overgrazed the Texas Hill Country grasses. Second, for the last 50 years white-tailed deer have not been controlled by natural predators and parasites. Consequently, the Texas Hill Country forbs and woody plants have been heavily over-browsed by a burgeoning deer population.

Generations of overgrazing and heavy deer browse have removed the native plants in competition with cedar for nutrients, water and light. In addition, wildfires that used to sweep unchecked across large areas of the Hill County are now suppressed. Cedar, a species easily killed by fire, is no longer held in check by naturally occurring fires. So, here we are – over run by cedar!

This fall and winter might be a good time to get out there and clear some cedar! Now the question arises, what is the best way to do the job for the least money? As with any land management problem, your goals and pocketbook determine what you should do.

If you are interested in managing your property as a cattle ranch, you want as much grass as possible and will need to clear nearly all the cedar growing everywhere except on steep slopes. If you want to raise trophy deer, it is necessary to keep some cedar for appropriate cover. If you need cedar poles for fencing material, you can cull cedar to open the canopy and encourage and keep the straight cedar trunks to be harvested for fence posts. Most often landowners have a combination of land use goals and will do an amalgamation of these cedar-clearing practices.

On Saturday, Nov. 17, the Cibolo Nature Center is sponsoring a special workshop on cedar biology and management. Even if you won’t be clearing until later next year, this is a good program to help you plan your work.

The workshop will be held on the Dietz-Ressel Ranch. Pre-registration is required. Call (830) 249-4616.