Even the "tree huggers" and environmentalists have trouble with identifying
this tree in Texas. There's no native cedar trees in Texas. These are
Junipers. They were brought to the hill country by accident. Similar to
the mesquite tree in its introduction to the state of Texas.

If you can find some old photographs of the area, you will find that no tree
grew here a hundred or more years ago. It was the Junipers that broke up
the native rock so further foliage could follow. These trees use alot of
water and contain it. Its needed both for both using root hydraulic
pressure to breakup the rocky area, and to tide it over during dry periods.
Its not an "evil tree", just thirsty so it can do the job its done so well
for over a century.

There are few things I don't like about Junipers. One is their root system
will find and attack any leaky plumbing, for instance your waste drain pipe.
Another, is they tend to choke out oak trees that may take root around it.

Not sure how he's getting away with dumping of "bluewater", maybe its
treated further. Dunno. I know he keeps his waste trucks there overnight.
His house is right across the street.
--
Jonny
"Kathleen" wrote in message
...
I had no idea that was a water tower!

I spent Wednesday (with my kiddo) at John Knox ranch. They talked about
the
'cedar' trees, and how they suck up so much water. They had a contraption
made by UT students where they poured water in the top and it "rained"
over
4 different bins. One was filled with native grasses (which prevent
erosion
and make the ground more porous), one had a cedar tree and represented
"over
pastured land", one had "impervious ground cover" (asphalt, concrete) and
the last one had native xeriscape. Then there was an outlet for the water
from the bottom of the bin and one at the top for "runoff". It was
fascinating!

These demonstrations I've been seeing the past few years are turning me
into
a tree hugger! That is *REALLY* scary. ::wink::

Isn't dumping "blue water" illegal? I know someone got in trouble for
dumping septic stuff behind our land years ago, long before it was ours.

With hope and heart,
Kathleen

--
This year, or this month, or, more likely, this very day, we have failed
to practice ourselves the kind of behaviour we expect from other people.
~ C.S.Lewis



Same here Kathy.

City of Wimberley depends on ground water from a well also. Its stored
on
that big blue water tower off Wayside Drive. Further down the street,
just
outside Wimberley city limits on the left-hand side, a local septic
company
dumps the "blue water" from the portable toilets on his own land.
--
Jonny



That is really scary.
I drink well water.
Grrrrr!
With hope and heart,
Kathleen
--
This year, or this month, or, more likely, this very day, we have
failed
to practise ourselves the kind of behaviour we expect from other
people.
~ C.S.Lewis


"Jonny" wrote in message
k.net...
Frequent the local dollar store here in Wimberley. The store has
cases
and
cases of household bleach stacked inside the store. Noticed a few
folks
were buying the bleach by the case (6 gallon containers in a case).
Curious, I asked one person why so much bleach. He said he is using
to
pour
undiluted in standing water areas on his land. Made me curious.

What is this doing to:
-the water table
-local flora
-animals and insects that drink this bleach water
-long term affects
???
--
Jonny