permaculture

["Kirby Fry" <peace@totalaccess.net>]

Hello Heide,

Another scenario in Central Texas is that if you remove all of the juniper
trees, the springs supposedly flow longer.

David Bambhurger of Bambhurger Ranch has been vigorously removing the
junipers from his property for ten years and promoting tall grasses with the
enthusiastic support of the ag extension services.  Apparently he has
actually increased spring flow.

Of course, the local ranchers are all touting his work as an excuse to
remove their juniper, often however, they ignore the tall grass part of the
project and just let their cattle out on the newly cleared lands.

I think what folks aren't realizing is that when the trees are present, the
water is indeed there, but they're not seeing it because it's locked up in
the trees and going to rehumidify the air.  It's pretty when springs flow
but essentially you're just moving the water on its way even faster.  In
Texas that means you're giving it up to the rice farmers along the Colorado
and Brazos Rivers.

Is there a point when tree cover actually increases spring flow?


Kirby Fry

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