COUNTY LIFE
Drought still a concern cooler temperatures
While Texas is feeling some reprieve from the heat this week, slightly cooler temperatures and minimal rainfall will do little to help trees being affected by drought and extreme heat conditions.
According to the Texas A&M Forest Service Forest Drought application, 85% of the state is experiencing some level of drought, including 57.6 million acres of the state’s 60 million acres of forestland – the effects becoming apparent.
Trees in the Rio Grande Valley, Davis Mountains, Southern Plains, Cross Timbers and Hill Country are showing the most effect from the conditions, that is the most change in greenness. Whether that change is from stress or mortality can only be determined with time.
Leaves turning brown and dropping early is the most commonly seen symptom but others include oak trees lacking acorns, scorching leaves, tip burn and hypoxylon canker.
Texas A&M Forest Service uses a combination of remote sensing satellite imagery and on-the-ground observations to monitor the health and productivity of forests.
The agency uses High Resolution Forest Monitoring System (HiForm), a USDA Forest Service product, that uses satellites to produce Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) change products to monitor changes in forests that result from severe weather, wildland fire, logging, insects and disease.
NDVI shows how green plants are. A change or deviation in NDVI means that trees are changing their chlorophyll signature, and showing either stress or mortality, even if it’s not yet evident for some regions.
As forecasters predict the drought to continue through November, landowners should remain diligent in caring for the health of their trees and forests. Continued monitoring is also critical to fully assess the overall impact and to determine the next steps, since trees may be going dormant and leaf out again in the spring.
Managed landscapes are generally far more resilient to extreme weather conditions, so practices that include planting locally adapted trees, managing invasive and providing supplemental water to high-value trees are important actions landowners can take.
Texas A&M Forest Service experts are available to provide tips on how to keep trees healthy during extreme drought conditions.
For additional information on drought and trees, visit https://tfsweb.tamu.edu/afterthestorm/drought/
The Saint Jo City Council was scheduled to meet at 6 p.m. on April 9 in Saint Jo City Hall for the regular monthly meeting.
Items on the agenda include a permit request from Amy and Troy Allen for property located at the corner of Meadows and N. Meigs lots one and two. City Secretary Debbie Dennis will make a request to consolidate the water and sewer fund into a general fun for the purpose of creating a consolidated cash account. This is based on a recommendation from Accountant Josh Harman and Fundview, which is the new records management program now being used by the city staff.
An executive session is planned to discuss the possible hiring of a new police officer. Any action would be taken back in open session.
The agenda concludes with minutes, monthly bills and written reports from the mayor, police, fire, water and sewer and the city secretay.
Members of the Nocona City Council were scheduled to meet at 5 om. on April 8 in council chambers.
The councilor will receive the annual financial report for 2023-24 from its outside auditor.
A resolution approving the Nocona Economic Development Corporation (Type A and B boards), to spend $2,250 in funds for L&M Barber and cigar shop signage will be considered.
A second resolution is set to allow the two NEDC boards to participate in a grant of $19,225 to the Indian Oaks Golf Advisory Committee for equipment, aerifying and top dressing greens, plus batteries in the rental carts.
The third resolution would allow the boards to participate in a grant of $20,000 to the Nocona Chisholm Trail Rodeo Arena Committee to build new concrete bleachers, railings, fence and a platform. And the final resolution would allow the boards to expend loan funds of $5,000 to Studio 940 (Circle F Salon) for furniture and equipment.
The council will consider reappointing Kevin Kirkpatrick for the NEDC Type A Board for a three-year term.
During the workshop agenda, the council was going to discuss a new date for the Nocona Gas Junkies Car Club race moved from April 19 to April 26.
The city council also has an item where it will act as the building commission to discuss a request from Bradley and Barbara Lawrence to install a new 2024 manufacture home at 605 Travis.
Michael Bohling, chief meteorologist from Channel 3 in Wichita Falls, will have a presentation at the Montague County Courthouse Annex Community room in Montague from 7-8 p.m. on April 8. It is sponsored by the Montague County Amateur Radio Club.
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