Nature’s Nuances

As the last gallon of water was drained into a bucket from the tap of the 1,000-liter cube and streamed into the soil surrounding the final Mexican Plum tree, the crew sighed in unison. After two years of “Watering Wednesdays,” the core group of five dedicated naturalists completed their last cycle of carrying 5-gallon buckets in each hand to every one of the 85 native trees and shrubs planted within Dripping Springs Ranch Park (DSRP).

To complete this maintenance stage the following week, buckets of chipped mulch were mounded in donut shapes around each tree and shrub with an application of root stimulator and kelp fertilizer to bed them down for the winter months.

The tree planting project, a partnership between the Hays County Master Naturalists (HCMN) and DSRP, began in response both to the severe winter freezes and ongoing drought that have taken their toll on trees and plants and to the tremendous population growth in the area. The city’s population has almost doubled over the past 5 years, with a 43% increase between 2020 and 2022.

As a result, both business and residential construction have accelerated, as has the associated impervious cover. The 130-acre Ranch Park decided it needed an uplift to create an expanded natural visual and audial barrier enclosing the park from encroaching development.

In August 2023, a grant for native trees donated by Apache Corporation was received. Originally, we requested 100 1-gallon seedlings. However, on delivery day, 50 saplings arrived in 3-gallon containers! We received five native species, including Cedar Elm, Chickasaw Plum, Escarpment Black Cherry, Mexican Plum and Possumhaw.

An additional 15 tree seedlings of Netleaf Hackberry were donated by a local HCMN member, for a total of 65 trees. But the donation of trees was just the beginning. We asked local businesses for donations of compost, deer fencing, and root stimulator to jumpstart the immature trees during planting. McCoys Building Supply, Tractor Supply, GeoGrowers and Natural Gardener were all extremely generous in providing essential supplies.

The next step was to find volunteers. Lots of volunteers. Park staff and Naturalists began sending a flurry of emails to organizations for both physical assistance and donations of materials - including to Boy Scout Troops, 4-H Clubs, high school students, Master Gardeners, and Hays County Master Naturalists. Staff also reached out to residents through the city website and Facebook.

On Nov. 5, 2023, an amazing group of 30 Dripping Springs folks banded together to get down and dirty, digging holes - now much larger holes than originally expected. DSRP staff had transported both compost and mulch near the planting sites. Most of the volunteers were well-versed in planting trees and were ready to jump in and select a task: Excavation Specialists (diggers), Transportation (wheelbarrow loaders), Horticulturists (planters), Safety Specialists (mulchers), Security (wire cage builders), and Collectors (cleanup crew). Fortunately, the soil was moist from recent rains and dark brown, indicating a healthy microbiome.

Several young students assisted in handcrafting welded wire cages. These were used to prevent wildlife from feasting on the young leaves or deer from rubbing against trees to shed velvet from their antlers, destroying vital bark. Many of these students were inspired by the vision of enriching the diversity of the tree population and of the future shade potential for hike-and-bike trails. It was an appropriate project to celebrate Texas Arbor Day (Nov. 3). By the end, 54 trees were planted and caged.

A week later, seven Master Naturalists volunteered to finish planting 11 more trees and formed cages for each. On Nov. 17, a group of 20 middle schoolers came for a service day. They fashioned larger tree rings by adding mulch and began to water the trees. Two more days were scheduled to provide water and Liquid Seaweed root stimulator to each tree.

Caring for these young saplings was a bit of a challenge since no water source is within range of the planting site. Initially, park staff drove a large tractor pulling a 1,600-gallon water tank on the existing dirt roadway, while volunteers bucketed water up the hillsides to each tree. This process was very time and labor intensive.

In March 2024, DSRP staff and Master Naturalists decided instead to use a skid steer with a 1,000 liter water cube, allowing them to maneuver on a much narrower trail closer to the plantings and requiring less hauling and time. A weekly watering schedule was set up, with DSRP staff filling the cube and driving while the naturalists carried water buckets to each tree. This launched “Watering Wednesdays,” a two-year maintenance plan.

During the first year, several new naturalists stepped in briefly to assist in watering as DSRP Maintenance Supervisor Patrick Baglietto operated the skid steer. During the 2nd year, a hard core group of five committed naturalists emerged to water every Wednesday. The “Bucket Brigade” started work at 7:30 a.m. and averaged about two hours to complete the task.

Twenty additional shrubs (donated by a naturalist) of Flame Acanthus and Trumpet vine were planted in the spring of 2024 along the fence line. A handful of native trees did not survive and were quickly replaced with other natives, including Western Soapberry, Spanish Oak and Mountain Laurel. In November 2025, six Bald Cypress and five Sycamore trees were also planted directly in the streamlet leading to the pond in Ranch Park, also donated by a naturalist.

This project was truly rooted in the Dripping Springs Community, including the many volunteers who supplied energy and labor and all the companies that donated supplies. A special thanks goes to Patrick Baglietto and Melanie Engels (who filed the Grant application), who were instrumental in helping to plan and coordinate this project. Thanks to all the ranch hands who expertly operated the skid steer and water cube including Patrick, Nick, Ted, Sherri, Eden and Chris. A sincere acknowledgement and appreciation to the Master Naturalists Robert Depwe, Maggie Carpenter, Roz Simmons and Bob Adkins, part of the dedicated Bucket Brigade who were determined to complete this conservation goal in an efficient and synchronized manner displaying a sense of camaraderie every Wednesday!

We hope to see these saplings sprouting new leaves and spreading their branches into a tall canopy for generations to come.