Do you need advice on what to plant in Central Texas?

If you need advice on what to plant in a specific location of your landscape in Central Texas, there are several key pieces of information that you need to bring to the experts at Backbone in order to receive a recommendation that will thrive in your landscape. Let's go over the information to consider before choosing a tree, shrub or perennial plant for you landscape. What type of soil are you planting in? Central Texas has a variety of soil types, and each one has its own specific properties. Does [...]

By |2026-03-15T08:50:32-05:00March 15th, 2026|Ornamental Trees, Native Plants, Yucca and Agave, Trees, Plants, Fruit & Nuts, Disease|
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Tree Installation Fees 2026

Tree Installation Fees These are our basic installation fees. Pricing may vary depending on tree location and soil conditions. Trees over 100 gallon size and large palm trees will require a separate quote. If soil is shallow or clay based, additional soil may need to be brought in at an additional fee. All tree installations will require a mandatory delivery fee based on mileage. This charge is per trip, for as many trees that will fit on our trailer.    Install Fee:     50% of the retail price of [...]

By |2025-12-29T11:36:44-06:00December 29th, 2025|Trees|
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Fig Leaf Rust

Fig Leaf Rust is a common fungal disease affecting Fig trees in the South. When fig leaves start looking sad in late summer we get a lot of questions about what can be done. Most fig varieties are susceptible to a fungal disease called Fig Rust, and it is not uncommon to see symptoms of this fungus on stressed trees. What are the symptoms of Fig Leaf Rust?     Fig Rust symptoms begin as angular yellow-green flecks on the leaf. The spots become more yellow and eventually turn a [...]

By |2025-12-29T12:40:27-06:00October 12th, 2025|Disease, Fruit & Nuts, Plants, Trees|
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Webs on Ends of Tree Branches-Friend or Foe?

Webs Forming at Tips of  Tree Branches     Has anyone seen tips of tree branches that are covered in spider webs? We have! Ground spiders will often form disorganized webs at the tips of tree branches and raise their brood of thousands of tiny spiders there. Fortunately most of these webs are made by these harmless and beneficial spiders, and not by pests at all.  This web was made by a spider on a leaf of a young Live Oak.           We have seen examples [...]

By |2025-10-12T12:55:47-05:00October 12th, 2025|Insects, Plants, Trees|
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Pecan Varieties for Central Texas

PECANS: Mix early and late pollinators for best nut set. All varieties do better with a pollinator. Mature height and canopy width of 30 x 30 ft. Remember, Pecan trees do best in deep soil. If planted in the home lawn always check labels on insecticides, fungicides and herbicides before applying them to the lawn. If the label says "do not apply under the canopy of fruit or nut trees" use another option   Choctaw (Cho)– Late pollinating variety with very large nuts and soft-shell. Early bearing variety with good [...]

By |2025-09-23T13:12:48-05:00September 23rd, 2025|Fruit & Nuts, Plants, Trees|
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Hail Damage to Plants Recovery Guide

First, I'd like to say how sorry I am if your garden and landscape was damage by hail. While it is a fairly common occurrence in Central Texas, that doesn't make it any easier to take when one day you have a beautiful garden/yard and the next it is shredded.  Assess the damage The first thing that you should do is to assess the damage. Since hail storms often involve high winds, inspect trees for any damaged or broken limbs and locate any plants or trees whose stems were broken [...]

By |2025-06-02T14:21:53-05:00June 2nd, 2025|Vegetable Gardening, Plants, Trees, Succulents and Cacti, Yucca and Agave|
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Trees For Different Soils

Know your soil before you choose a tree for your landscape. Always perform a drainage test if drainage is questionable. Clay Soil Cedar Elm              Lacebark Elm           Canby Oak Live Oak                 Texas Red Oak          Bur Oak Chinese Pistache   Magnolia                   Bald Cypress Mex. Sycamore Caliche Soil Cedar Elm              Lacey Oak                [...]

By |2024-10-19T14:37:33-05:00October 19th, 2024|Trees|
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What to Expect at Tree Fest

When you arrive... When you arrive, please check in at the welcome booth. If you are planning on purchasing a tree that is 15 gallon size or larger you MUST sign in with your name and phone number. You will be helped in the order that you signed in. If there are people ahead of you, we will call your phone number when it is your turn to be helped. If necessary, you may request a salesperson with a golf cart to assist you. You will be asked if you [...]

By |2025-10-01T11:58:38-05:00October 13th, 2024|Trees|
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Gardening in Clay Soils in Central Texas

Why is it hard to find information on gardening in clay soils? If you have been gardening in clay soil for very long you have probably had your fair share of failures. It is hard to find lists of plants that will thrive in heavy soil, as no one really wants to stick their neck out with recommendations in case it doesn’t work. Of course, there are many variables that need to be considered, and growing conditions are never identical, so please consider this a list of “plants to try” [...]

By |2025-05-03T08:54:27-05:00October 7th, 2024|Palms, Trees, Plants, Vegetable Gardening|
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Planting a Grow Bag Texas Mountain Laurel

Planting a Grow Bag Texas Mountain Laurel         MEASURE from the bottom of the bag to the top of the soil. (NOT to the top of the bag)               DIG a hole that is about two inches shallower than the measurement of the soil depth.             TURN the bag on its side and cut the bottom off the bag with a sharp knife.                 PLACE the grow bag in [...]

By |2024-03-18T15:57:44-05:00March 18th, 2024|Trees|
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Hard Freeze Preparation in Central Texas

Prepare for a Hard Freeze in Central Texas: A Gardener’s Guide As a horticulturist in Central Texas, I know one thing for sure—our weather keeps us on our toes. Sudden temperature swings are common, and winter forecasts can change quickly. When a hard freeze is predicted, the best approach is simple: prepare for the worst and hope for the best. Current forecasts show lows between 15°F and 25°F, with below-freezing temperatures lasting up to 60 hours or more in some areas. Low-lying valleys often drop colder than higher elevations. Because [...]

By |2026-01-21T14:59:45-06:00January 11th, 2024|Succulents and Cacti, Ornamental Trees, Palms, Yucca and Agave, Houseplants, Trees, Plants, Fruit & Nuts, Vegetable Gardening|
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Fascinating Fasciation

Plants are always a wonder to me. They come in so many different forms and shapes and colors. As with most living things, they have mutations that occur either spontaneously or as a reaction to an outside agent. Fasciation is one of the most interesting of these mutations that occurs when the tissues in the growing point of the part of the plant called the apical meristem mutates. Fasciation, or cresting as it is sometimes known, can happen in stems, flower heads, fruit, or roots. The causes include viral, bacterial, [...]

By |2023-07-18T15:16:25-05:00July 18th, 2023|Plants, Trees|
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