The Recent Storms Have Caused Significant Damage
Developed by Dr. Mario A. Villarino, County Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources Hopkins County, Texas
The recent storms have caused significant damage to the tree population in Hopkins County. It was concerning to me to see how even magnificent trees can be “pulled” from the ground by wind. As we start the recovery phase in our landscapes, the question for a replacement alternative to those trees usually comes by. Which characteristics are most important when choosing a tree to shade and beautify your home?
First, to realize the “Earth–Kind” goal of attractive, productive plants, with minimum effort but maximum protection for the environment, an enlightened selection of plant materials is crucial. Secondly, with the specter of oak wilt threatening live and red oaks in many areas of Texas, there is an urgent need for more diversity in tree species being planted in our state. So what is the best medium–size shade tree for most areas of Texas? The name is unusual but the performance is outstanding; it’s called the Chinese pistache (pronounced pis–tash’). Botanically it is known as Pistacia chinensis. Chinese Pistache Changing Color Highly recommended for many years by horticultural experts at Texas A&M, Oklahoma State and Kansas State universities, this native of China possesses a number of special advantages: Regarded by many knowledgeable horticulturists as one of the most beautiful, pest free and easily maintained shade trees for the Southwest and Gulf Coast regions.
Winter hardy to central Kansas, the pistache forms a spreading, umbrella–like canopy which at maturity is 40–50 feet high with a width of 30 feet. This is an ideal size to provide shade, enframement and background for single–story homes. Medium to fine textured foliage (an asset in smaller landscapes) that creates a light–textured shade pattern. Foliage that remains an attractive, deep green color during the growing season, even in the rocky, highly alkaline, horribly abused soils common to many new home sites across Texas. Spectacular fall color in shades of orange, red–orange and even crimson, often rivaling the show of sugar maples in the Northeast. In addition to its brilliance, this tree is also one of the most dependable sources of fall color in the lower South. Very acceptable growth rate for such a long–lived species, with 2–3 feet of growth possible each year with good management. The first shade tree to receive the coveted “Earth–Kind” designation from the Texas Agricultural Extension Service for its high levels of genetic resistance to insect and disease problems.
Extremely hard, durable wood, which is also very decay resistant, helps protect tree from wind, ice and vandal injury. Superior drought, heat and wind tolerance once tree is established (that is, after 2 or 3 growing seasons). Outstanding adaptability, with beautiful specimens growing form Amarillo to El Paso to Houston. The pistache is superbly adapted to all areas of Texas except the Rio Grande Valley. An extremely tough, durable and adaptable medium-size tree which is tolerant of both urban and rural conditions. Fruit set, only on female trees, consisting of clusters of small, round green berries which turn red to reddish–purple in the fall. These fruit clusters make excellent table decorations. And while inedible for humans, the fruit is relished by birds. Although considered by many experts to be near perfect for this area of the U.S., the Chinese pistache does have a couple of minor faults. First, young pistache in 5–gallon containers (a nice size to purchase) are often rather awkward and gangling in appearance. Rest assured that after 5–6 years of tender loving care in your landscape, this “ugly duckling” will have been magically transformed into a most “beautiful swan” as its canopy develops and begins to mature.
Secondly, shaping and pruning your tree when it’s young may be necessary to encourage proper branch spacing and structure and for best crown development. Even without such pruning however, the vast majority of pistache will eventually make very nicely shaped trees on their own. Trees 6–8 feet in height, trunk diameter of 1.5 inches, are probably the ideal size for most homeowners to purchase. There can be seedling variation in fall color of pistache, with color intensity normally ranging from good to spectacular. Thus, shop in late October, early November when most pistache are exhibiting their fall color. At this time, you can easily select a specimen with the most attractive foliage coloration. Trees are better planted in the Fall (September through November) is best. Select a planting site in full sun, and at least 15 feet from your home to provide sufficient room for future growth. Pistache will not tolerate “wet feet.” So if battling a heavy clay soil which doesn’t drain well, it’s best to construct and plant in a raised bed 6 inches high, 4 feet in diameter. With your fingertip, check moisture of the root ball weekly. Water only when top inch of soil is dry (this may be weekly during a dry summer but only rarely during a wet winter). Mulch immediately after planting. Beginning early next spring, make light but frequent applications of fertilizer. Because trees are an important decision for your landscape, it is important to find the correct alternative and locate suitable trees for your landscape and that might take time and research to locate the replacements. For more information on this or any other agricultural topic, please contact the Hopkins County Extension Office at 903-885-3443 or email me an [email protected].
Students Registering for Nurse Aide (C&A) Class at PJC
PJC-Sulphur Springs Center secretary Linda Meier, left, gives Catherine Lindsey and Leslea Minton a helping hand as they register for a nurse aide class that will begin soon. Registration is ongoing for Summer II and for the fall semester at the campus.
Coach Bailey Is Pleased With Turnout On First Day Of SSHS Boys and Girls Soccer Camp
Sixty boys and girls showed up for the first evening of the four-day Sulphur Springs High School Soccer Camp Monday,June 24, from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. in the Multipurpose Building. The weather was good for June in Texas.
Joel Bailey, who has retired from coaching soccer, is coordinating the camp. He said he was pleased with the turnout.
He said his goal for the camp is for the youngsters to have fun. He says he saw a lot of smiling ad heard a lot of giggling Monday evening.
Coach Bailey says lots of the kids mentioned that they had attended the camp in past years. The local soccer association will be at camp sessions encouraging kids to sign up for youth soccer.
Assisting Coach Bailey at the camp were Wildcats Head Soccer Coach Alexi Upton, new Lady Cats Soccer Coach Javier Aguayo, Wildcats Soccer Assistant Coach Salvador Mejia, Lady Cats Soccer Assistant Coach Kristov Garcia, former Lady Cats Assistant Coach Ross Hicks, former Wildcat player Chris Hefner; and former Lady Cats players Kamryn Wimberly, at Paris Junior College these past two years; and Makenna Kagar, at Ouachita University in Arkansas last year. Kagar’s college teammate, Kaylee Bobbitt from Greenville, is also helping out.
Soccer camp will continue through Thursday at the Multipurpose Building from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. each night.
Wildcats and Lady Cats Cross Country Runners Are Getting In Work This Summer
Perhaps you have seen a large number runners jogging as a group early in the morning this summer.
Wildcats and Lady Cats Cross Country Coach Ross Hicks is encouraging his athletes to train this summer and he says participation is increasing. Some middle school athletes are joining the Wildcats and Lady Cats. Coach Hicks says between 35 and 50 runners are showing up.
The runners gather at 7:15 a.m. at Prim Stadium. They run in Buford Park and Coleman Park and in other locations.
Coach Hicks says the runners are buying into his program. He says they are training in stages. He says this summer the runners are more concerned with building their mileage. Coach Hicks says they will work on increasing their speed later.
He says getting a June and July head start is more important than ever since the district cross country meet is now scheduled in early October.
Coach Hicks says the Wildcats are defending district champs and the Lady Cats finished in third place. He says all the top cross country programs are running this summer.
Despite losing some valuable seniors, Coach Hicks says he has some good young runners returning. He believes the Lady Cats can compete for the district championship this season and the Wildcats can defend their championship. He expects Christian Palomino to lead the Wildcats this year with a lot of young hungry runners nipping at his heals.
Sulphur Springs Man Taken Into Custody In Court On 2017 Marijuana Charge
Lakenzie Taylor Jr., 25, of Sulphur Springs was taken into custody in the 8th Judicial District Courthouse Monday on a possession of 4 ounces or more but less than 5 pounds of marijuana charge, according to arrest reports.
Taylor was first arrested on the charge Nov. 19, 2017. He was reportedly stopped around 11:15 p.m. on State Highway 11 west for a defective license plate light. A deputy reported smelling marijuana emitting from his vehicle as he approached it. When the deputy mentioned it, Taylor allegedly admitted it was in the passenger floorboard. Deputies did locate eight baggies of suspected marijuana, which the man had allegedly purchased in Rockwall for $1,000 earlier in the day, the deputy alleged in Taylor’s arrest report on Nov. 19, 2017.
He was arrested at that time on a possession of marijuana charge and transported to the county, where he remained until his release the next day on $5,000 bond.
Taylor was scheduled to appear in the 8th Judicial District Court at 1:30 p.m. Monday for an arraignment, according to the court docket.
He was taken into custody at 1:55 p.m. in district court and booked into the county jail at 2:15 p.m. Monday, June 24, 2019, on the 2017 possession of 4 ounces or more but less than 5 pounds of marijuana charge. He was released from the county jail at 3:45 p.m. Monday, June 24, on a $5,000 bond on the charge, according to jail reports.
Industrial Drive Gas Station Robbed Monday
Sulphur Springs Police are investigating a robbery that occurred around 6 a.m. Monday at gas station in the 400 block of West Industrial Drive.
A store clerk was reportedly opening up for the day when a male with a ski mask covering his face entered the store. The man allegedly sprayed mace into the clerk’s face, spoke to her and left with money, according to SSPD Sgt. Brandon Mayes.
The store clerk was treated by Hopkins County EMS personnel for the spray, but reported to otherwise have sustained no physical harm, Mayes reported.
The suspect reportedly has dreadlocks, is estimated to be about 5 feet 8 to 5 feet 10 inches tall, and to weigh about 180 pounds. No additional details were available Tuesday morning, according to police.
Any tips regarding the alleged robber’s identify or whereabouts can be relayed to SSPD at 903-885-7602.
A Gift From WoodmenLife
Sulphur Bluff ISD trustees received a gift of two flags gifted by WoodmenLife to be flown on the flagpoles donated for the two ball fields on campus.
Wildcats 7 on 7 Football Season Ends With One Point Loss at State Qualifier Tourney in Rowlett Friday
The Wildcats’ varsity 7 on 7 football team had their season end last Friday (June 21) with a one point loss. At their final state qualifier in Rowlett last Friday, basically the Wildcats needed pool wins over Lindale and Midland Lee to give themselves a chance of advance to state. Things looked iffy early against Lindale. The Eagles led the Wildcats 20-7 at the half. The Wildcats caught on fire in the second half, did not allow Lindale any points and scored all four times they had the ball to take a 33-20 win. Next the Wildcats had a game against Rockwall Heath that had no bearing on the Wildcats state qualifying chances. Rockwall Heath had already qualified for state and could not advance out of pool play Friday. The Wildcats trailed the Hawks, 26-20 at the half but scored on their first possession in the second half to go up, 27-26. The Hawks then went on a roll and won handily. That set up a must win game for the Wildcats against Midland Lee. Wildcats Quarterbacks Coach Mike Meador said the Wildcats did some really good stuff in the first half of that game. He said the game went back and forth. The Wildcats led for most of the game. Coach Meador said Lee scored a late touchdown and trailed by only one point. He said Lee went for two and made it to win, 42-41. Coach Meador said the Wildcats competed extremely well Friday and did some great things. He said quarterback Kaden Wallace grew up a lot. He was especially pleased with how Wallace changed some plays at the line of scrimmage and did that for good solid reasons. Coach Meador said Wallace threw lots of passes with good touch on them. He said the whole team got better during 7 on 7 season. Coach Meador said back Chock Sims had a great day Friday catching four touchdowns. He also praised receivers Chase Haney, Zack Tiemeyer and Bryson Lacy. Coach Meador said the Wildcats had to play with four good players missing Friday.
