Yaupon Holly – Don’t Get Me Started
Ilex vomitoria, commonly known as Yaupon Holly, is a native evergreen shrub or small tree of the southeastern United States that is, quite simply, one of the most ecologically and culturally significant native plants of the entire Gulf and South Atlantic region.
That’s what the websites say.
Pull yourself together.
These shrubs are the worst and they don’t die. They come back with vengeance. Cut one at the bottom and let’s have a science experiment. But wait — I already know what happens next: it resprouts, and even more of them come up.
They are ruthless and we are removing as many as we can.
While my hate of them is real, they have a purpose. There is no “Big Thicket” without them and they are native, so let’s get past that. They are a nuisance and we are on a mission to keep them at bay.
There are a number of options out there: herbicide, burning, brute force with trimmers and chainsaw. Whatever — just stay consistent and I think you will win the battle, because it is a battle.
A lot of folks use a herbicide and diesel gas mix to neutralize them. Either way, I’m not happy they sell these at Home Depot and Lowe’s as they are exacerbating a real nightmare on ranches in East Texas.
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Thanks for following along — more updates coming soon! 🚜