I need a tree expert to help me identify these please!

[cajuntec]

Sorry I don't have better pictures.  My camera is only 3.0 megapixels.  I tried to get a variety of shots.  These trees are on my new property in San Antonio TX, which now has a house 98% built on it.

I've been told by the builder that some are "scrub oaks", and some are "cedar or some type of fir", and that the "cedar type" would probably have to be removed as they are taking up all the water and starving the oaks.

Here's the pics:
 
 
 

Thanks in advance!  I hope someone can figure out what they are from these pics.

All the best,
Glenn

[bentpole]

Look like Cedars to me.Could be Juniper too. Peel a piece of bark off and smell it. There are some bowyers who really like cedar/juniper  for limb veneers.

[**DONOTDELETE**]

looks like red cedar to me. like Tom said peel the bark & smell it.


Tom, Cedar is a true juniper....well that is what I read.

[MJB]

No expert, but looks like cedar too me.

[bentpole]

Good wood layed up for limbs eh Sal?

[Khayyam]

Most likely Juniper. I could be more sure with a close-up of the needle(scales)

[Jedimaster]

Don't know about them taking up all the water, seems a little odd to me.  Most of the cedars around my area are on dry ground, seems like they'd be in the wet areas if they liked water that much.  But I'm no biologist either.

[restless]

Salt Cedar they are good for fence post's nothing else, Cut them down.

[SL]

As its known here it's cedar. Its actually a form of mountain juniper. The oaks are most likely post oaks or scrubs. I would keep em all. Just trim them up nice and see how they look. It's hard to beat the native trees. As long as the roots didn't get compacted or a bunch of fill put over the drip line they should be fine.
Where are you located in SA? Im in Boerne just outside of SA.
SL

[cajuntec]

Thanks for all the replies.  I greatly appreciate you all taking the time to respond.

I think it has more to do with the height / branches of the cedars blocking the oaks from getting to the sunlight than actually taking up all the water, but I don't really know for sure.  I was told that the oaks would grow much better if I took out a "few" of the cedars, as they are blocking the oaks.

SL - I'm in a newer subdivision called "Alamo Ranch".  It's right across the highway from Sea World San Antonio - off the 1604 loop where it becomes 151.  I'm actually not living there just yet - my wife and son are in San Antonio, and I am joining them July 5th (driving down there this week), and we close on our house on July 17th.  I've fished in Boerne the last time I came to visit - at Boerne lake, but only from the shoreline.  Glad to see that there is actually a trad archer or two in the area.  Can you give me any info on shooting clubs, ranges, etc...?  Thanks!

All the best,
Glenn

[SL]

Alamo Ranch is nice. You will like it there. I don't really know of any good trad ranges. There is suppose to be a shoot over at Camp Bullis but I never could find anything out about it. There are some local archery ranges but they're pretty steril as far as shooting goes -lanes only etc.
I usally shoot at the house or out at a buddy's lease.
PM me when you get settled. Maybe we can get together for a cup of coffee.
SL

[cajuntec]

Sounds good.  I appreciate it.  Looking forward to making some new friends in TX.  So far, every time I go to visit my family, I like it more and more, which I didn't think was possible after my very first trip - I was really enjoying everything from day one.  I just hope all that good food there doesn't catch up with me.   :D  
All the best,
Glenn

[Killdeer]

They look like the only cool patch of shade that you've got. Don't see any oaks under them...maybe plant some oaks to the side.
I think it's Sea World that's taking all the water.  :D  
Killdeer

[onemississipp]

Looks like red cedar/juniper....

I doubt they are taking water from the oaks...

Those junipers love limestone, from the pics it appears you have plenty of lime in the soil and are on a slight hill.

That is probably the oaks problem...

[onemississipp]

Get a thornless Osage, Osage and Juniper like the same environment..

[cajuntec]

onemississipp - You are probably onto something there - tons of limestone, and my house is built into that hill - the garage is actually sunk into the hill, with the rest of the house built up so that it's level.  

In fact, my house now has a limestone front facing that was taken directly from the ground these houses were built on.  Here's the most recent picture I have of it:

 


  The ground is hard - very hard.  We were told that we would have to get someone to come dig through this stuff in order to plant trees, as we would never get through it with a shovel - and there were only certain ones that would grow here.  I'll look into the thornless Osage recommendation.  My wife also mentioned Satsuma and Grapefruit trees.

All the best,
Glenn

[Ray Hammond]

I love stone houses....very nice.

[Liquid Amber]

Ash, juniper [cedar], Texas oak, and stunted live oak are the dominate species in your area.  From what I can see those are oaks with the cedar.  Most folks in the Hill Country elimnate the cedars and allow the more valuable trees and vegetation to remain.  

Cedar is a huge water user.  It historically was kept in check by fire, but since we have done such a good job eliminating fire from the natural environment, cedar has spread unchecked pushing out the native species that were once prominent due to their fire resistance.  Cedar is not tolerant of fire.  

I wouldn't recommend osage for that area unless it was in a bottom.

[onemississipp]

That is a beautiful home, and the fact you reused the stone from under the homes is a big plus!

Thornless Osage Orange (Maclura pomifera 'inermis')

  http://www.sunshinenursery.com/catalogue.htm  

other names

'White Shield', 'Park', and 'Wichita'. 'White Shield'

[onemississipp]

With all the limestone around you should have chert/flint for flintknapping also...

You being in San Antonio, TX helps also..