Author: Bill Conrad

Spring winds normally blow oak tree “tassels,” or “catkins,” around North Texas every March, causing them to pile up in yards, streets and on cars, like snow, and with recent high winds, you’re probably seeing a lot of them. The yellowish-brown wormlike “strings” are technically known as aments, the male flower parts of the oak trees, and they fall to the ground once their pollen is released. Depending on the location of the tree, the aments can create a yard nuisance, but experts with the Texas AgriLife Extension Service say they can serve a useful purpose as a nutrient-rich, short-term mulch in flower beds and vegetable gardens or they can be mowed into the lawn, where they quickly break down. They can also be added to a compost bin/pile (see below for information about a free upcoming composting workshop).  

The Intro to Composting workshop, presented by Anne LeSenne with the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, will provide homeowners with a practical overview of how to turn everyday kitchen scraps and yard waste into nutrient-rich compost. Participants will learn what materials can be composted, explore simple bin options and gain an understanding of basic maintenance practices. The workshop also highlights how composting improves soil health, reduces waste and supports healthy landscapes, with a focus on easy, manageable steps that can be implemented at home.