AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas is home to a diverse range of oak species, and each has unique characteristics.
They provide an environmental benefit, making them “super trees.” This is because they do a good job of supporting wildlife.
Oaks have extensive canopies that are highly effective at carbon sequestration, preventing soil erosion, and absorbing pollutants in the soil. They help to clean the air by pulling ozone, carbon monoxide, fine particulate matter, and other pollutants from the air.
Another benefit of oak trees’ expansive canopies is that they provide shade, with a temperature reduction of as much as ten degrees.
KXAN’s Rich Segal spoke with local arborist Will Johnston, who said an oak tree can produce up to 3 million acorns in its lifetime, providing a generous amount of food for birds, deer, insects and squirrels.
Johnston also spoke about oaks being drought-tolerant and what happens if they get too much water.
When asked about the best oak tree for Central Texas, Johnson said there was one in particular that he believes to be at the top of the oak tree menu. It’s the Live Oak. However, Johnson said other types of oak trees also do well in Texas, including the Bur Oak, the Chinquapin Oak and the Texas Red Oak.
It’s important to plant a variety that will thrive in the region’s specific soil type and climate conditions.
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