AUSTIN -- Local and state scientists are now keeping a keen eye on a trend involving Ash Junipers,also known as cedar trees,in the western parts of theHill Country. They are dying because of the drought, heat, and lack of rain.
Botanists first started noticing the dying trees last week in Junction, about an hour west of Fredericksburg along Interstate 10.
They're not just goingbrown to recover, said Mark Simmons with the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. It looks like these plants are dying.
The question scientists are trying to answer is, Will the dying cedar tree trend reach Austin?
It's hard to tell right now, said Simmons. We're just beginning to see it, but in all likelihood, if we continue with these conditions and it's caused by dry soil, hot soil temperature and lack of moisture then there's no reason to suspect that it wouldn't come further east towards Austin.
Contrary to popular belief, Ash Junipers are indigenous to Texas.Experts say up until 150 years ago that cedar trees could be found around creek beds and rivers.As settlers began to control brush fires, the cedars, prolific by nature, quickly took over many grassy areas and plains.
Wildlife experts say there are animals which do rely on mature cedar trees like the golden cheeked warbler.However, some arewondering ifthis dying trend with cedar trees isa blessing or a curse.
It's never good for trees to be dying, but I mean, it's related to this heat obviously, said Paul Thomason, an Austin cyclist. For those of us who suffer from allergies, I'm sure we'll be happy for the relief.
Dr. Bill Rowland with the Allergy and Asthma Center of Austin says while cedar pollen is the number one allergen causing problems for Central Texans, he believes it would take a major die off to the tune of some 75 to 90 percent of the cedar trees in the Hill Country, to make a noticeable difference in late December and early January, the time when cedar pollen peaks in the area.
When Ragweed gets high in Austin, it gets up to about 1,500 grains of pollen per cubic meter of air.When cedar gets high it gets to 25,000 to 50,000, said Dr. Rowland.
