Winter Is A Wonderful Time To Plant Trees, Shrubs
By Dr. Mario Villarino, Texas AgriLife Extension Agent, Ag./NR
As I was writing this piece, the temperatures overnight dropped below freezing levels. I wonder what happen to our fall? All I can remember was two weeks of mild temperatures this year.
According to Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, from a gardening perspective, the end of the year can seem to be relatively mundane. With the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, garden activities seem less numerous and important. These latter months have been reserved for planting bulbs, soil preparation, and a few other garden chores.
This year, why not think about taking advantage of this time to plant some trees. When you plant a container-grown tree, there is often transplant stress as the tree acclimates to a different environment. Some species react more negatively than others to this change, but almost all trees suffer aesthetically and stop growth.
Winter is a wonderful time to plant trees and shrubs. Cooler temperatures, though not ideal for growth, provide a much-needed time for root development and acclimation for the new tree, thus, reducing transplant stress. Winter is also often a time of ample rainfall, resulting in even less tree stress.
Some nurseries have a selection of trees during winter. When deciding which tree(s) to plant, you should take into account the characteristics of the proposed planting site, such as the amount of sun the site receives, the soil drainage, and the amount of room the tree will have to spread. Ask local nursery professionals about trees that are particularly well adapted for your area.
Here are a few safe bets when looking for trees that thrive in Texas:
Large trees
- Bald cypress provides a glimpse of the South, with its picturesque pyramidal shape and fine foliage. Contrary to popular belief it will only grow knees (plant structures that pop out of the soil around the plant) if it is not receiving enough oxygen in the soil, such as in very wet conditions.
- Live Oak has a beautifully-rounded habit, and is well-adapted to most of Texas which makes it a natural for planting in landscapes.
- Shumard Oak is a wonderful species of Oak for our area, and it is one of the most dependable Oaks for red fall color in Texas.
For more confined spaces, very attractive small trees
- Crape Myrtles come in almost all colors and sizes, so it is a great choice for a number of different uses.
- Chinese Fringe Tree, although more rare, is a good small tree that puts on a spectacular show of refined, white flowers for two weeks in the spring. During the rest of the year, it has deep, dark, glossy green foliage and a nice shape that will certainly enhance any landscape.
- Redbud is also a wonderful choice for Texas plantings. It is typical in the fact that it has pink blooms in early spring, but it differs from other Redbuds by its beautiful dark purple or even maroon foliage. This deep, lush foliage makes for an interesting specimen and along with its eclectic seed pods provides interest throughout the year.
Winter buying and planting of trees also lends itself to another use: as Christmas presents! Why not get the gardener(s) in your life something that they’ll really enjoy, and that they’ll be able to observe for a long time? Even if the people you are buying for don’t garden, you could plant the tree for them, and provide enjoyment and added character to their landscape.
Brave the cool weather and plant some trees this winter. Come spring, you’ll be glad you did!
For more information on this or any other agricultural topic, please contact the Hopkins County Extension Office at 903-8853443 or email me at [email protected]
All Hopkins County Veterans Are Invited To SSHS Veterans Day Celebration On Nov. 11
Sulphur Spring High School will have a special Veterans Day program to honor our past and present military.
“We are inviting all Hopkins County veterans, current service members, and their spouses for a reception followed by a patriotic program,” said Rusty Harden, Sulphur Springs Independent School District assistant superintendent.
A reception will begin at 12 noon in the SSHS Library. The program will follow at 1 p.m. in the high school gymnasium, with special performances by the SSHS Band and various guests.
“Please come join us in honoring our current and veteran military members,” invites Harden.
For more information, contact Johna Burchfield at (903) 885-2158.
Wildcats Defensive Coordinator Was Pleased With Defense Against Greenville But Wants More of the Same on Friday
Wildcats Defensive Coordinator Alex Guerra said he was pleased with his defense’s effort last Friday (October 25) against Greenville from front to back. The Wildcats defense yielded only one touchdown and 147 total yards. He said it would be awesome to continue that effort over the next two weeks. Coach Guerra said he has seen no quitting by the Wildcats. He said it was hard to single out any defender against Greenville because they all played well. He called it a total team effort. Concerning Kaufman, Coach Guerra noted that the Lions have a 250-pound quarterback. He remembered him throwing some good passes against the Wildcats last year. He said the Wildcats would need to tackle low against the big quarterback. Coach Guerra said the Lions also have two good receivers and running back who is fast and plays hard. He said if the back gets loose, he would be hard to catch. Coach Guerra called Kaufman pretty solid overall on offense.
Wildcats Offensive Coordinator Discusses Play Against Greenville and Kaufman Defense
Wildcats Offensive Coordinator Matt Young said the Wildcats’ offense did not get into the end zone enough last Friday night (October 25) at The Prim against Greenville. He said some offensive guys did some good things last week but he added little things continued to hamper the Wildcats. Wildcats quarterback Kaden Wallace was injured against Greenville and may be a game time decision as far as playing against Kaufman Friday. Back up quarterback Noe Ponce was pressed into service last week. Coach Young said the Wildcats were successful for a while running a bigger package. Coach Young said the Wildcats got close on a couple of drives but ended up having to settle for two field goals. He said Cameron Kaufert, who was playing a lot at defensive tackle, also played a lot on offense as part of the bigger package. Coach Young said the Wildcats offensive line did a good job. He singled out Steven Jonaitis, Raydon McCormack, Alfredo Olavide, Ryan Hammons and Chandler Leo. Coach Young said backs Choc Sims and Caden Davis ran hard. The Wildcats suffered two interceptions and Coach Young said the first one hurt a lot. He said the Wildcats just did not do enough to get a win. Concerning Kaufman, Coach Young said the Lions are big and strong up front. He said they would present a challenge for the Wildcats big guys in both the running game and pass protection. Three or four of the Lions’ defensive front are seniors who can give an offense fits. The Lions quarterback Billy Pullen, a 250-pounder, also plays middle linebacker. Coach Young said the Lions’ secondary features fast guys who will man receivers up. He said he believes the Wildcats will have success moving the ball Friday and he added \they will have to have success scoring touchdowns inside the ten yard line to be successful Friday night. Coach Young said the Wildcats have a chance to end their season with two wins. He said almost all playoff teams end their season with a loss.
Como-Pickton Lady Eagles Cross Country Team State Bound After Regional Showing Monday
The Como-Pickton Lady Eagles Cross Country Team will be heading to the State Meet on Saturday, November 9 at Old Settlers’ Park in Round Rock. The Lady Eagles finished fourth at their regional meet in Class 2A last Monday. Lexi Busby led the Lady Eagles with an 11th place finish with a time of 13:02. Bailey Neal was 38th, Shelby Speed was 44th, Kara Tifft was 49th, Hannah Warren was 56th, Aylin Gonzalez was 65th and Breanna Warren was 111th. The Lady Eagles are coached by Dee Evans.
Early Voting Continues In JP 2 Courtroom With Extended Hours Thursday
Early voting continues this week with early voting hours extended until 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31, in the Precinct 2 Justice of the Peace Courtroom in the Courthouse Annex, 128 Jefferson St., in all city, school, regional and constitutional amendment election.
Early voting by personal appearance will conclude on Friday; voting hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 1.
Election Day voting will be conducted Tuesday, Nov. 5. Registered Hopkins county voters may cast ballots Election Day at any of the designated voting centers throughout the county. Voting information, including sample ballots can be found on the Hopkins County website.
Cumby City Council
Voters who reside within the Cumby city limits will be asked to select either Doug Simmerman or Ryan Horne for mayor. Voters may also vote, if they choose, for the Place 3, Place 4 and Place 5 alderman; however, Guy Butler, Betty McCarter and Julie Morris are unchallenged for the alderman seats they are seeking on Cumby City Council.
Cumby ISD Bond
Cumby residents who live within the boundaries of Cumby ISD are asked to vote either for or against a $6.2 million bond for major improvements to the elementary campus, career and technology and agriculture buildings and moving the football field.
Because Cumby ISD is located in both Hopkins and Hunt counties, voters may cast ballots only at the designated voting locations within their home county. Cumby ISD voters who live in Hopkins County may cast early ballots in person at the voting center on Jefferson Street in Sulphur Springs. Hunt County residents will cast early ballots in the Cumby ISD bond election at the Voter Administration Office, 2217 Washington St. in Greenville, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1 and from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31. Election Day voting will be at the designated voting centers in Hunt County from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 5.
More information about the Cumby bond election, including voting information, can be found on the Cumby ISD website.
Lake Fork Special Utility Distrtict
Hopkins County residents who live within Voting Precincts 1, 8 and 36 will also be asked to vote for or against the change dissolving Lake Fork Water Supply Corporation to form Lake Fork Special Utility District. These voters will also be asked to select their choices from the listed candidates to serve one-year, two-year and three-year terms as directors in the district.
North Hopkins ISD
Voters within North Hopkins ISD will be asked to cast ballots in the school board election. Voters will pick up to three of the seven candidates — incumbents Charlie Vaughn, Vicki Ferrell and Robert McPherson (appointed to fill out the term of Jim Westbrook which ends this year) — to serve as school trustees full terms on the board of trustees.
KSST asked each of the NHISD Board of Trustees candidates to provide a photo and answer the same questions about themselves to share with the voters. Click here for NHISD candidate profiles.
Sulphur Springs Proposition A
Sulphur Springs voters will be asked to vote either in favor or against Proposition A, which designates $200,000 per year for 20 years in Economic Development funding to go to Sulphur Springs Parks Department for construction and maintenance improvements at Pacific Park as well as toward a new Senior Citizens Center.
Click here for more information about Proposition A
Constitutional Amendments
The 10 proposed amendment to the Texas Constitution will impact education, parks, taxes, cancer research, people in disaster areas, flood zones and even retired police dogs.
Voters are cautioned to read the proposals carefully as the wording on a few warrant a closer read. For instance, individuals opposed to a state income tax would be in support of Proposition 4, which prohibits such a tax from being imposed.
Most of these amendments either provide funding to expand, maintain or improve existing programs or projects or seek tax exemptions or measures to prevent officials from creating certain additional kinds of taxes.
For a look at each of the 10 proposed amendments, click here.
Blood Drive Held at the PJC Sulphur Springs Center
The Blend Club, a student service organization on the PJC-Sulphur Springs Center campus, sponsored a blood drive this week to collect units of blood for Carter BloodCare. Among the students donating was Krystal Crump, pictured above being assisted by a Carter BloodCare specialist.
Annual DBA Car Show Comes to Downtown on November 2
Remember your first car, or the car you always wanted as a young driver? You may see that vehicle during the Heritage Square Car Show in downtown Sulphur Springs on Celebration Plaza on Saturday November 2, 2019. Cars will begin arriving on the square at 8am, and registration will remain open until noon. The entries will be parked around Celebration Plaza which will be closed to other traffic. At 1pm, judging of the best cars and trucks which are 1987 models and older will take place, with awards and announcement of winners at 3pm. It’s only $20 to register a vehicle to participate, so if you have a classic car or truck, plan to drive it to the show. And it’s free to stroll around the look at all the entries, because spectators are welcome and encouraged! And you can also vote for your favorite in the People’s Choice Awards! Just pick up a ballot at the information tent. Last year, this Downtown Business Alliance event brought 175 entries to Sulphur Springs.
Jason Tully, President of the Downtown Business Alliance, or DBA, says the downtown district is the perfect place to hold this show. He stated “cars and trucks will come from all over NE Texas and some from out of state, with many owners returning year after year because they love the friendly Sulphur Springs atmosphere and seeing friends they have made here”.
Examples of categories for judging are Best Paint, Best Engine, Best Restored Car, Best Restoration in Progress, Best GMC Car and Truck, Best Ford Car and Truck, Best of Show, etc. There are also categories for antique cars, foreign cars and even race cars. The Nolan Cason Award is another of the judging categories. In all, 23 awards will be given out. Additionally, there is $2000 cash prizes will be given away to select participants in the contest. To register a vehicle, go to sulphurspringsdba.com or register at the information tent on Saturday morning. There are already 86 pre-registered entries heading this way.
Restaurants and merchants in the downtown district will also be open for business, so plan to eat and shop and enjoy downtown Sulphur Springs this Saturday!
Longview Man Jailed On 5 Hopkins County Warrants
A 29-year-old Longview man was arrested Wednesday evening in Sulphur Springs on five outstanding Hopkins County warrants, including two felony charges and three traffic charges.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Cpl. Todd Evans and Sgt. Scott Davis alleged they spotted 29-year-old Alejandro Gamez of Longview walking down steps int the 800 block of Fuller Street, and aware of warrants for his arrest, took the man into custody at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 30.
Gamez remained in Hopkins County jail Thursday morning, Oct. 31, one one warrant each for not paying fines on no driver’s license fine and failure to maintain financial responsibility fees, bail jumping/failure to appear, no driver’s license and bond forfeiture on a possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge. Fees owed on the traffic charges totaled more than $580. Bond was set at $20,000 on the controlled substance charge and $25,000 on the bail jumping/FTA charge, according to jail reports.
