Now is a Perfect Time to Add a New Tree or a Grouping of Shrubs to the Landscape by Mario Villarino
Developed by Dr. Mario A. Villarino, County Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources Hopkins County, Texas
Finally, fall is here. The weather is becoming slightly cooler, and gardeners are slowly migrating back outdoors after record-breaking heat this summer. According to Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, now is a perfect time to add a new tree or a grouping of shrubs to the landscape. Or perhaps you have an area in the landscape that needs ‘remodeling’ or rejuvenating. The fall may be the best season to plant, surpassing even the spring. Many people prefer January through March for planting, but the fall months of September through December have distinct advantages. Fall planting follows the heat of summer, before a cool winter season, and trees and shrubs planted in the fall use this to good advantage. Plant roots grow anytime the soil temperature is 40 degrees or higher, which may occur all winter in Texas. During the winter months, the root systems of the fall-planted specimens develop and become established. When spring arrives, this expanded root system can support and take advantage of the full surge of spring growth. Fall is the optimum time to plant balled and burlapped trees and shrubs. Balled and burlapped plants have ample time to recover from transplanting and proliferate roots before spring growth begins. Remember, however, all bare root plants, including roses and pecan and fruit trees, should be planted in late winter when they are completely dormant. When buying plants for your landscape, be sure to get healthy, well-grown plants. Always buy from a reputable dealer. Those in the plant-selling business year-round depend on repeat customers, and only by selling customers quality plants can there be assurance of future business. Beware of plant bargains. They can easily turn out to be real headaches. A bargain is no good if it dies. The price tag, especially the cheapest one, is not the best guide to quality. All plants have growing requirements. Think about the plant’s needs before you invest. Is it adapted to your area’s soil? Will it grow in sun or shade? Does it need a wet or dry location? Is it cold hardy? Some nurseries have this type of information on tags beside the plant. ‘Plan before you plant’ is always a good rule of thumb. Whether you are planting a single plant or an entire landscape, plan first, then plant. Good planning is a worthwhile investment of time that will pay off in greater enjoyment of attractive and useful home grounds, and in increasing the value of your home. It’s much easier to move plants on paper then to dig them after planting in the wrong place. A plan saves many planting mistakes. Every plant in the landscape should serve a purpose. Ask yourself if you want a plant for screening, for privacy, or for shade. How large will it be five years from now? Plants, like people, grow up. Remember, that a small one-gallon-size plant will look entirely different after a few years of growth in your landscape.
Plant properly for success. Here are a few guidelines on getting the job done right:
- Dig a hole large enough in diameter so that the root system has at least six inches of clearance on all sides. The root ball should rest on a solid soil foundation, so don’t dig the hole much deeper than the ball.
- Plant the tree or shrub slightly above the level of the surrounding soil, to allow for settling and increased soil drainage.
- Carefully place the tree or shrub in the hole. Handle the plant by the root ball, not by the trunk. A broken ball of earth can mean a dead plant. Always remove any container before you plant.
- Backfill the hole, using only the native soil removed from the hole; do not use soil amendments when planting large shrubs and trees. Fill the hole, and firm the soil around the plant. Water thoroughly to settle the soil around the roots and to eliminate any air pockets.
- Do not fertilize your tree or shrub after planting. Wait until early in the spring to do this, and even then, go lightly. Heavy applications of fertilizer may burn and injure the root system, and could possibly kill the plant.
- Watering has been and remains paramount in transplanting. At the time of transplanting, soak the root ball and surrounding soil. A thorough watering every 7 to 10 days dramatically increases the success ratio. More frequent watering may encourage root rot. Remember more trees and shrubs fail from over watering then from under watering.
- Before calling it a day, add 4 to 6 inches of mulch around the base of newly planted trees and shrubs. This helps to keep down weeds and conserve soil moisture. Use pine bark, compost, grass clippings, or leaves.
Fall is for planting. Visit your nursery today, and beautify and add value to your home.
For more information on this or any other agricultural topic please contact the Hopkins County Extension Office at 903-885-3443 or email me at [email protected].
Tree Webs Not Just for Halloween From Hopkins County Master Gardeners October 26, 2020
That fake webbing that we like to adorn our trees and porches with for Halloween has a certain scary element to it but is not near as scary as the real thing!
Fall webworm (Hyphantria cunea) ‘nests’ often start becoming noticeable in our landscapes during the late summer to late fall. The caterpillars will spin their communal webs on the ends of branches on which they are feeding. They have been found on over 400 different species of trees and shrubs. In Texas, they are most commonly found on walnut, hickory, pecan, redbud, sweetgum, maple and oak. (Interestingly, they are not commonly found on pine trees or conifers.)
Fall webworms are known for their large webs on terminal foliage. Heavy infestations are rarely fatal to the tree itself, but if they occur over several years they can make trees more susceptible to drought, disease, or other insect pests.
Description
The fall webworm cycle starts as a Moth. It has a 1- to 1½-inch wingspan. Its wings are white but sometimes may have small, dark spots on the forewings. Full-grown larvae are approximately 1 inch long, pale green or yellow, and covered with tufts of long white and black hairs. Fall webworms often cover entire branches with their webs and in extreme infestations may cover the whole tree. Larvae feed within the web—they eat the tender parts of leaves but avoid the larger veins and midrib. Fall webworms overwinter as pupae on the ground, behind rough tree bark or in other sheltered sites around homes and buildings. Moths emerge from their silken cocoons in the spring, then disperse and mate. Female moths deposit hair-covered egg masses on the under sides of the leaves of their food plants. (Do not mistake these egg masses for those of the walnut caterpillar, which have no hairs.) Egg masses can contain up to 600 eggs. Each female moth deposits only one egg mass in her life. The larvae begin to build a silk web soon after hatching. As larvae consume leaves within the web, they expand the web to take in more foliage. Under ideal conditions, the life cycle from egg to adult is approximately 50 days.
Control
Fall webworms can be managed on smaller trees without insecticides. Physically removing the webs, caterpillars, or egg masses by knocking larvae out of low-hanging webs into a box or garbage bag with a stick or broom. You may also prune webs from lower and smaller branches by pulling them down with a rake or a pole.
Be sure to dispose of these away from your tree, and/or property and/or burn them. Don’t drag the webs across the lawn as they may fall out and re-infest a different area.
Fall webworms and their eggs are often eaten by beneficial such as birds, spiders, assassin bugs, parasitic wasps, and beneficial stinkbugs. You can help these beneficials by tearing open the protective webs.
If webs are too numerous or too high in a tree to deal with individually, you can use insecticides to prevent damage. Hose-end or commercial high-pressure sprayers are best for reaching upper parts of trees. Webworm larvae stay inside their web so insecticide sprays must penetrate the web to be most effective. For best control, apply insecticides when webs and caterpillars are small. Insecticides containing Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) or spinosad are effective and will not harm beneficial insects.
Carbaryl and pyrethroid insecticides (such as permethrin, cyfluthrin, bifenthrin, and esfenvalerate) are highly effective against fall webworm. However, these insecticides are also toxic to our beneficial insects, so use them only for severe infestations.
Insecticidal soaps and horticultural oil sprays can also be effective when applied directly to caterpillars in their nests.
Insecticide labels are subject to change—always read and follow instructions on the pesticide label carefully. You are responsible for the effects of pesticides on your own property, as well as problems caused by drift to other properties. Not all insecticides are registered for fall webworms on all sites and commodities. Read the label to make sure the insecticide is labeled for your site and commodity.
For more information go online to Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Service.
Suspicious Activity Investigation Results In Controlled Substance Arrest
A suspicious activity investigation conducted by Sulphur Springs Police Department Special Crimes Unit on South Hillcrest Drive resulted in a controlled substance arrest Monday afternoon. Deputies also made a felony warrant arrest and drug paraphernalia arrest Monday.
Suspicious Activity Investigation
Sulphur Springs Police SCU responded around 4:30 p.m. Oct. 26 conducted investigation suspicious activity, specifically a man walking around several businesses in the 400 block of South Hillcrest Drive.
When contacted, 17-year-old Dylan Cole Anderson of Sulphur Springs was alleged to be extremely nervous to the point he was shaking. He reportedly gave officers permission to search his pockets and agreed to pull the waistband of his clothing away from his body. SCU Lt. Mark Estes, in arrest reports, reported seeing a dab pen containing THC, a Penalty Group 2 controlled substance, Anderson’s underwear/waistband area.
Anderson was arrested at 4:39 p.m. Oct. 26 for possession of less than 1 gram of Penalty Group 2 controlled substance, according to arrest reports.
Anderson remained in Hopkins County jail Tuesday, Oct. 27; bond on the felony charge was set at $5,000, according to jail reports.
The arrest marked the second time in 9 months Anderson has been arrested. The teen was also spent Feb. 1-March 4 in the county jail for possession of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 2 controlled substance, according to arrest reports.
Warrant Arrest
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Cpl. Todd Evans and Deputy Alvin Jordan went to an East Industrial Drive motel, where they located Ashley Renea Young at 4:11 p.m.
The 24-year-old Sulphur Springs woman was taken into custody at 4:20 p.m. and jailed on a warrant for violation of probation-possession of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance, according to arrest reports.
Young remained in Hopkins County jail Tuesday, Oct. 27, on the felony warrant, according to jail reports.
FM 2297 Traffic Stop
Hopkins County sheriff’s deputies just before 9 p.m. Monday reported stopping a 48-year-old Emory woman for failure to drive a Toyota Camry in a single lane on FM 2297 at Wildcat Way.
While talking to the woman, deputies reported obtaining permission to search her vehicle. Multiple pipes of the kind used to smoke marijuana and baggies with a crystal-like residue were allegedly located. The woman was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia, according to arrest reports.
The 48-year-old Emory woman as released from Hopkins County jail Tuesday, Oct. 27, on the misdemeanor C charge, according to jail reports.
KSST does not publish the names or photos of people charged with misdemeanor crimes in staff-generated reports, only those accused of felony offenses.
KSSTRadio.com publishes Sulphur Springs Police Department reports and news. The Police Department is located at 125 Davis St., Sulphur Springs, Texas. Non-emergency calls can be made to (903) 885-7602.
If you have an emergency dial 9-1-1.
The Sulphur Springs Police Department continues to serve its citizens with pride in its overall mission and will strive to provide the best possible police force in the 21st century.
If you have an emergency, dial 9-1-1
The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is located at 298 Rosemont Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. You can reach them for non-emergency matters at (903) 438-4040.
If you have an emergency, dial 9-1-1
The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is located at 298 Rosemont Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. You can reach them for non-emergency matters at (903) 438-4040.
United Way Has Collected 33 Percent Of $150,000 Goal
Hopkins County United Way has collected 33.3 percent of the $150,000 goal so far, with only 2 weeks left in the campaign.
Campaign workers on Oct. 27 at the fourth campaign report meeting turned in another $7,318.50 in donations and pledges over the last week for this year’s campaign, increasing the overall total collected so far to $50,012.92.
Campaign Chair Mike Horne encourages campaign workers to follow up on packets delivered and make sure everyone on their list is counted.
This week, numerous businesses, service providers and organizations were recognized for their contributions. Dial Study Club, Mother’s Culture Club and Junior Waverly were among the organizations recognized Tuesday morning at the fourth weekly campaign workers report meeting.
Two local funeral homes, restaurants, sign business, car dealership, insurance agencies, cooperative, healthcare and dental providers, construction and welding businesses, attorneys, realtors and title companies were among the named contributors. (See video below of the Oct. 27 campaign workers report meeting for the full list or recognized businesses.)
HCUW officers reported there are still some industries and contributors that are faithful United Way contributors who are working on but have yet to complete campaign donation and pledge packets. Some include agencies and businesses that have in the past been recognized as lead donors based on their generous contributions to HCUW.
The fundraising event hosted last Tuesday by Panda Express not only generated 20 percent of proceeds from customers who mentioned HCUW at purchase but also had donor match the amount given, doubling the amount.
Horne announced another giveback from 5 to 9 p.m. Nov. 10 at Soulman’s Bar-B-Que. The business will have a bucket that customers can drop their receipt in to have a percentage of those sales contributed to HCUW.
HCUW Co-President Bill Owens expressed appreciation to Jay Hodge for allowing his Chevrolet dealership to hold a giveback event again, contributing $100 for every vehicle sold at the dealership this month. The business hopes to be able to contribute $10,000 to HCUW. Owens said the the business has raised approximately $5,000 to date to contribute to HCUW.
Horne noted a second video has been posted on the Hopkins County United Way Facebook page, spotlighting one of the 19 agencies allocated a portion of the $150,000 campaign goal from this year’s campaign.
The first video highlighted Hopkins County Christian Alliance, an organization designated to receive $7,000 to help the Community Cupboard provide supplemental food to needy Hopkins County families on a weekly basis and emergency travel assisted; and allocated another $1,000 to help Empty Stocking provide supplemental toys for children from birth through age 15. In 2019, Community Cupboard served 33,924 people and Empty stocking served 806 children.
The second video features Bright Star Baseball, an organization designated $1,000 of the $150,000 campaign goal to provide positive modified recreational sports opportunity for players ages 5 years and older who have special needs. In 2019, the program served 107 players and buddies.
The two final scheduled HCUW campaign workers report meetings will be conducted at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 4, and Tuesday, Nov. 10.
Donations to HCUW may also be mailed to HCUW Campaign Headquarters, PO Box 735, Sulphur Springs, Texas 75483-0735; or via the HCUW Facebook page, where information about the 19 agencies allocated funding this year will also be featured.
Wildcats Football Defensive Coordinator Discusses Upcoming North Forney
On Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2020, we here at KSST radio met up with Wildcats football coordinators to discuss the upcoming game on Friday versus North Forney.
Wildcats defensive coordinator Alex Guerra said North Forney is very good, saying the team is talented at every aspect of the game.
The defensive coordinator said each position for the Falcons’ offense is full of talented, well-rounded players.
The coach said the key to victory this Friday versus such an all-around good team will be to “Keep them under us,” or avoid giving up the big play that could shift momentum to their opponents.
Coach Guerra said the Wildcats defense will have their work cut out for them.
And that they will as entering Friday’s match versus the Wildcats, the Falcons offense averages 43.5 points per game.
The Wildcats will have their hands full as this Friday Sulphur Springs (0-0 district, 0-2 overall) hosts the North Forney Falcons (1-0 district, 4-0 overall) at Gerald Prim stadium at 7:30 P.M.
This Friday’s match-up between the two teams will be the third home game in a row for the Wildcats, as they will be looking to avoid starting the season 0-3.
KSST is proud to be the official Wildcat and Lady Cat Station. We broadcast Sulphur Springs ISD games year round live on radio. When allowed, we also broadcast games via our YouTube channel.
CARES Funding For Qualifying Small Businesses Being Distributed By City
CARES funding to help qualifying small businesses has finally come through. The checks for $2,500 were being distributed Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2020 by the City of Sulphur Springs to 28 qualifying small businesses impacted by COVID-19 pandemic.
This City of Sulphur Springs COVID-19 Small Business Assistance Program is made possible by the CARES Act-Coronavirus Relief Fund. The funding is passed through to the city from the state of Texas. The application process for the program was opened by the city in July, contingent on approval of Texas Department of Emergency Management. The city is to use a portion of the $890,945 in CARES funding to help eligible local businesses.
The City of Sulphur Springs had planned for up to 88 grants for Sulphur Springs small businesses that meet the established criteria. The city received 37 applications and was able to approve 28 small businesses in Sulphur Springs to receive $2,500 each. Nine of the applicants could not be approved by the Small Business Assistance Program Committee because they did not meet program requirements, according to the city finance director.
The checks were made out Monday, and approved applicants were notified Monday and Tuesday their $2,500 checks are available.
The businesses, as part of the program, are required to sign a 380 agreement which stipulates the small business must continue to be still be owned by the applicant and remain open for the next 90 days.
“We were glad to be able to do this with the CARES funding we were eligible for,” Sulphur Springs Finance Director Lesa Smith said. As long as they stay open for 90 days, I think they can do with the funds however they need to do to recover from the pandemic.”
The $890,945 in CARES funding the city is eligible for must be requires 75 percent to be reimbursable expenditures related to public health, medical expenses or payroll expenses; and 25 percent of expenditures may be used to provide economic support.
City staff also applied for and was approved for a $645,088 public safety reimbursement for police and fire department salary expenses for April and May related to COVID-19 and $22,795 for public health purposes such as personal protective equipment, hand sanitizer and disinfectant. Another $31,900 in CARES funding was designated to Sulphur Springs school district as part of a technology funding match to help the school district purchase iPads and hotspots.
Potential use of the approximately $120,000 remaining in eligible CARES funding, within the scope allowed, will be up to to Sulphur Springs City Council. Sulphur Springs City Council is scheduled to meet next at 7 p.m. on Election Day, November 3, 2020.
Wildcats Football Offensive Coordinator Discusses Upcoming North Forney
On Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2020, we here at KSST radio met up with Wildcats football coordinators to discuss the upcoming game on Friday versus North Forney.
Wildcats offensive coordinator Matt Young said the North Forney defense might be the best the Sulphur Springs squad plays all year, adding that the defensive unit is extremely talented.
Coach Young said that not only do the Falcons have an incredibly talented disruptor inside in #99 for North Forney, but on top of that, they have eight guys standing up that can run really well. The offensive coordinator for the Wildcats said that the team will have their hands full Friday, but will gladly accept a good challenge.
Coach Young said he expects the North Forney defense to disrupt some things at times, but said the the team knows where they will be and what they could do. Ultimately, though, it comes down to execution and doing one’s job for Young’s offensive unit.
If the Wildcats do their job, they will end up in the end zone. No matter what ensues Friday, Couch Young remains grateful for the opportunity to play, seeing as how the last game played was the Oct. 2 loss versus Lovejoy, almost an entire month go now.
Last week North Forney had a bye, but entering Friday’s match versus the Wildcats, the Falcons offense averages 43.5 points per game.
The Wildcats will have their hands full as this Friday Sulphur Springs (0-0 district, 0-2 overall) hosts the North Forney Falcons (1-0 district, 4-0 overall) at Gerald Prim stadium at 7:30 P.M.
This Friday’s match-up between the two teams will be the third home game in a row for the Wildcats, as they will be looking to avoid starting the season 0-3.
KSST is proud to be the official Wildcat and Lady Cat Station. We broadcast Sulphur Springs ISD games year round live on radio. When allowed, we also broadcast games via our YouTube channel.
Tax Abatements, Nursing Homes Acquisition On Oct. 27 Hopkins County Hospital District Agenda
A tax abatements and nursing homes acquisition are among the items on the Oct. 27 Hopkins County Hospital District agenda.
The HCHD Board of Directors will be asked during the 6 p.m. meeting to consider approving tax abatements for Hopkins Energy LLC, a solar farm planned in the Dike area, and My Perfect Pet, a new business in Sulphur Springs.
Hopkins Energy, which recently changed ownership, is asking for tax incentives from Sulphur Springs and Sulphur Bluff ISDs and from Hopkins County to put a
Hopkins County Commissioners Court on Oct. 12 approved a document establishing a reinvestment zone for Hopkins Energy LLC. Establishing the reinvestment zone allows Hopkins County Hospital District to consider a tax abatement for the business.
The propose reinvestment zone spans approximately 2272 acres across 20 parcels of land in Dike.
My Perfect Pet, a pet food business relocated by owner Karen Neola from California to Sulphur Springs. a more central location from which to ship the specialty a gourmet pet food product to sellers across the country.
Neola officially broke ground for the project on July 31, 2019. My Perfect Pet’s 19,000 square foot facility in Sulphur Springs is now complete to USDA standards for production of human grade frozen pet food. The project is a $2.5 million investment. The business began its first production shift Oct. 7.
One of the incentives offered to Neola for the relocation was a tax abatement from the hospital district. The hospital district does not have the legal authority to create a reinvestment zone. Sulphur Springs City Council on Oct. 6 approved on first reading Ordinance No. 2774 establishing a geographic boundary of an area where a taxing entity can offer a tax incentive. The reinvestment zone doesn’t create a tax abatement with the city, but should allow the hospital district to consider a tax abatement for My Perfect Pet, Sulphur Springs-Hopkins County Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Roger Feagley reported earlier this month.
The Hospital District will be asked to consider that tax abatement at the Oct. 27 meeting, to be held in the Plaza Conference Room at CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic, 113 Airport Road.
Also submitted for HCHD Board approval is a resolution for Petal Hill and Rose Trail acquisition by Billy Shindele as manager, according to the agenda.
Two items on agenda reflect items for the Hopkins County EMS service.
A representative from Rees is scheduled to present for HCHD Board approval a design and pre-bidders conference for a new EMS headquarters planned on three hospital district-owned lots across the street from CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-Sulphur Springs.
A budgeted remount of Medic 6 and a new ambulance, are also expected to be presented for approval as well.
Financial statements for August 2020 and and EMS update are on the agenda for approval. The consent agenda includes nursing home reports and minutes from the Sept. 14 meeting.
Paul Harvey, hospital resident/CEO, is scheduled to present a CHHA update.
Planned during executive session are real estate matters, a performance review and compensation for the HCHD CEO and minutes from the Sept. 14 executive session. The board then will be asked to approve in open forum any of those items pushed forward for action.
North Hopkins FFA Auction and Stew
Lindsey Faulks, Kenna Lane, and Jessica Hatley want to invite everyone to come out and support the North Hopkins FFA. Funds from the auction and stew will support events and projects throughout the school year. The event will be November 7th, 2020.
Winnsboro Police Department Media Report — Oct. 19-25, 2020
The Winnsboro Police Department media report for the week of Oct. 19-25, 2020, included the following activity:
Arrests
- Jerry Crawford, 46 years of age, of Quitman, was arrested on 10/21/2020 on a Wood County warrant for Violation of Bond.
- Tristan Hyatt, 21 years of age, of Mineola, was arrested on 10/22/2020 for DWLI with previous convictions.
- Brandon Hicks, 38 years of age, of Winnsboro, was arrested on 10/25/2020 for DWI, 3rd or more offense, and Evading arrest with previous convictions.
Calls for Service
- The Winnsboro Police Department responded to a total of 132 calls for service during this reporting period.
Citations
- The Winnsboro Police Department issued 39 citations and 35 warnings during this reporting period.
