My pasture is heavily wooded with cedar elm. I am losing the trees in storms, due to poor drainage and their shallow root structure. My expensive french drain system has been ineffective. I believe I will gradually lose these trees and would like to begin replacing fallen trees with a variety more suitable to the conditions. I researched the A&M website for bog trees and checked those against Howard Garrett's Texas Trees. I took the surviving list and eliminated those poisonous to horses (including red maple and water oak). I eliminated bald cypress on the grounds that the knees would make the ground unsuitable for riding. I am left with Dawn Redwood. Before I purchase a substantial number of these trees, I'd like some input on the suitability of my choice: Conditions are:

Black clay soil with poor drainage and bog conditions in winter
Hot dry summer temperatures, sometimes draught conditions
Needs to be safe for horses
Prefer deciduous to blend with existing trees
Richmond, TX location (SW of Houston)

Your thoughts?

Question:

Are either Willow or Birch poisonous to Horses?

Both can take wet feet and yet by and large survive in TX quite well despite the often dry summers. Improved Heritage Birch seems to do very well in my Black clay soil. Both are deciduous, and the birch has such pretty bark that it's nice even when bare in winter.

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Shepherd of the Trees
It is not our part to master all the tides of the world, but to do what is in us for the succor of those years wherein we are set, uprooting the evil in the fields we know so that those who live after may have clean earth to till.

Willow and birch are not listed in my sources as poisonous to horses. I eliminated willow on the information from Garrett's book which indicated that they are subject to wind damage and short lived. I am also looking for limited branches close to the ground (by pruning or naturally) to limit the horses' ability to dump riders by going under low branches. My cedar elm are great in this regard.

Well, I certainly wouldn't recommend Willows as a mass planting and for longevity, but it's not a bad tree so I suggest it as an occasional one to break up a monoculture of other trees.

I would go with a Lot of Dawn Redwood and Birch with the odd willow here and there where it won't really matter 30-40 years form now if they happen to die off and such.

_________________
Shepherd of the Trees
It is not our part to master all the tides of the world, but to do what is in us for the succor of those years wherein we are set, uprooting the evil in the fields we know so that those who live after may have clean earth to till.

I checked on why I had originally eliminated birch. Garrett's book stated that they didn't like alkaline soil. You think they'd be ok?

I think it may depend on the variety. I'm in black clay with white rock mixed in a few feet down. I've got an improved heritage birch that's happy as a clam in brake between the sidewalk and the street. If your property gets even a small-scale version of the organic program the PH of the soil will balance anyhow.

Anyhow, the willow and birch don't have to be the most numerous- the Dawn Redwood is a good choice for what you're trying to do- I'm just suggesting some trees to break up the monculture. Even the best native trees will cause trouble if planted in a huge monoculture mass.

_________________
Shepherd of the Trees
It is not our part to master all the tides of the world, but to do what is in us for the succor of those years wherein we are set, uprooting the evil in the fields we know so that those who live after may have clean earth to till.

Thanks for the helpful advice!

We aim to please.

_________________
Shepherd of the Trees
It is not our part to master all the tides of the world, but to do what is in us for the succor of those years wherein we are set, uprooting the evil in the fields we know so that those who live after may have clean earth to till.