Native Trees and Bushes

Over the 10 years we have lived on our 4 acres, we have planted many trees and shrubs that are native to the Texas coastal plains. One tree that has been very hard for us to find is the Anacua tree, Ehretia anacua. It is also known as the Sandpaper tree. It is found from northern Mexico into southern Texas.  While in dry areas it is the size of a shrub, in moister floodplain soils it grows into a tree of respectable heights, 20-40 feet.  The thing that has us so interested in it is that it blooms profusely in the spring and summer and is highly attractive to bees and in the fall it produces small fruits that are eaten by birds and mammals.

I received a notice from the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center that the weekend of January 24-25, they will be having their annual native tree sale.  The brochure lists the anacua tree as being available for sale! It is about a 3 hour drive to the Center from our house but JMM is determined to be first through the gate when they open and hopes to get 6 of them.  (Knowing JMM, he will come home with a lot more than just those 6 trees,)