Not sure what to do after visiting and feasting with family and friends? Start a new tradition — buy a tree in advance and present it to the group as a special activity!
The holidays are such a special time of year. My favorite part is visiting with family and friends who come into town. However, after feasting and visiting for days we spend a lot of time sitting around the living room staring at each other.
Instead of breaking out the board games, why not get outside and plant a tree? In San Antonio, this time of year is ideal for planting trees.
You could purchase a tree in advance and present it as a special activity for the whole group. I know the kids and adults in my family would be very excited by that. And just imagine, as the tree grows and the family grows, you can take pictures in front of it every holiday as the years go by.
Visit your local nursery and talk to the skilled staff about what tree would be the best choice for your site conditions. Then bring it home and have it ready to go. Be the leader in your family and demonstrate the importance of having trees in your landscape and how to plant them.
People get excited to plant, especially when they have someone helping and showing them how. Plus, it’s a valued skill that can be passed down to future generations.
This holiday season get outside. Make memories. Plant a legacy.
Here are some recommendations from the Conservation staff.
Top Shade Trees
Top Small/Ornamental Trees
- Crape myrtle (full sun)
- Eve’s necklace (full sun or understory)
- Mexican buckeye (full sun or understory)
- Mexican olive (full sun)
- Mexican plum (prefer understory)
- Possumhaw (prefer understory)
- Texas mountain laurel (full sun)
