keep Earth Beautiful is the mission of Bear Springs Blossom Nature Conservation which protects over 300 Madrone trees in the Texas Hill country Keep Earth Beautiful
 Bear Springs Blossom Nature Conservation
Bear Springs Blossom Nature Protection
International charitable NON Profit organization


madrone tree - arbutus xalapensis - in the Texas Hill Country
The Madrone tree - Arbutus xalapensis
Visiting the Texas Hill Country gives you the opportunity to see Texas madrone trees.
A madrone is a delicate-looking, smooth-skinned tree. Every year the Madrone's skin is flaking away, because it cannot grow with the tree. In the beginning un-tanned, light yellow - later revealing a rusty red color.
In spring its early bell shaped blossom brighten your day with their look and their sweet scent. In fall its red berries seemed to glow like embers.
Arbutus xalapensis, an unusual tree species found in Texas only in the mountains of West Texas and on the rocky, limestone slopes in pockets of the Texas Hill Country.
The Texas madrone was once designated as a separate species, Arbutus texana, or as a variety of A. xalapensis. But it is one of more than a half-dozen species of madrones found primarily in California, New Mexico, the Mediterranean, Mexico and Guatemala. The Texas version is considered the same species as the Mexican species, which derives its name from the Latin word arbutus, or strawberry tree, and xalapensis, which refers to the Mexican town of Xalapa (Jalapa), capital of the State of Veracruz. The Texas madrone is a rare but remarkable Texas native.
The Texas madrone has been around for thousands of years and is considered by some scientists to be a “relict,” or a species from an earlier time that manages to survive even after the surrounding environment has undergone significant change.
While the madrone lacks the status and ubiquity of the pecan – the Texas State Tree — or the stature of the giant live oak, it makes up for its unimpressive size and paucity with an attention-grabbing yet subtle beauty that brightens the woodlands.
The Texas Forest Service’s Big Tree Registry records the state champion Texas madrones as a 27-footer with a 93-inch trunk circumference and 38-foot crown cross spread and a 45-footer with a 70-inch girth and 30-foot crown. Both were recorded in the Chisos Mountains of Brewster County. But most of the typical native species reach no more than 15 to 25 feet in height. The national champion, with a massive 14-foot circumference, grows in New Mexico’s Lincoln National Forest.
madrone tree in the Texas Hill Country While the madrone’s lantern-shaped flowers have a great smell and showy fruit dazzle the eye, it is the tree’s thick, papery, peeling bark that is its most distinguishing characteristic, undergoing metamorphoses each year. The Madrone trunk cannot get bigger without peeling away the old skin. A new cream-colored new bark is shown. Color then changes to peach to coral to reddish to chocolate.
In springtime, blossoms form in clusters of white or pale pink, framed against dark green, leathery foliage. Fall brings forth the tiny orange-red fruit dangling from branches in three-inch clusters, an appetizer difficult for deer, birds and other wildlife to resist.
One of the most intriguing things about the Texas madrone is that it has undergone very little long-term scientific study. Perhaps it’s due to the fact that the tree is almost impossible to propagate and has an extremely slow growth rate.
It can take a century or more for a Texas Hill Country madrone to reach a mature height of 20 to 25 feet.
Botanically speaking, the madrone is a member of the Heath family, Ericaeae. As such, it is related to blueberries, cranberries and azaleas. You can see over 300 madrone trees growing on the Bear Spring Blossom Nature Preserve in Pipe Creek in eastern Bandera County.

Our once overgrazed and eroded property, just shy of 2,000 feet in altitude, is try to be restored to its original state of native grasses and mixed hardwoods. Smaller Texas 'Cedars" (mountain junipers) are hand cleared. Mulching the wood and spreading it on trails and bare ground to level ph-levels and coax native grasses to come up again from the caliche soil is the main task.
A stroll along the "Madrone Trail" reveals more than 100 madrone saplings and trees, most thriving beneath or just adjacent to larger cedar trees.
“On our preserve, You never see a young madrone under anything but a juniper,” Peter Bonenberger, president of Bear Springs Blossom Nature Conservation, says resolutely. “I have been told that the cedar produces an ash-like fungus just under the soil that the madrone seed needs to germinate. Birds eat the madrone, sit in a juniper and expel the seeds in their droppings.”

For the most part, man has proven an abject failure at reproducing the madrone. Too little water at the outset and too much water later on can spell doom for the finicky native ornamental.
To illustrate the point, Bonenberger points to a lab experiment that was conducted to try to germinate 10,000 madrone seeds. Researchers succeeded in germinating only two seeds. Even if one is successful in germinating and growing a small seedling, chances are good that it will never reach maturity.
To make matters worse for the Texas beauty, it can succumb to a fungus similar to black spot that “scorches” the limbs, blackening them and causing loss of foliage. Some ravaged specimens on the Bear Springs Blossom Nature Preserve, however, have managed to fight back, regenerating new growth from the bottom of the trunk, but the long-term effects are yet to be seen.
Efforts to transplant the Texas madrone have proven dicey, too. It may have to do with the tree’s tiny, fibrous root system. As a result, the Texas madrone remains uncommon in most parts of Texas and next to impossible to buy at a local nursery.
In the past Native Americans found the fruit when fully ripe to be “sweet and savory” like strawberries. Pima Indians in Chihuahua, Mexico, still eat the berries, which are reportedly rich in vitamin C and zinc. The wood and bark of the madrone is very hard, but is rather brittle. Historically it was used for tools, mine timbers, stirrups, handles and the like. And the Madrone's bark was used by the tanning industry. Both leaves and bark also have been used in Mexico as astringents and diuretics, and its bark and roots utilized for dyes.
So by any name – and this unusual tree has several of them, including Naked Indian and Lady’s Leg – the Texas madrone warrants more study, protection and greater appreciation. This native beauty is a true Texas survivor, and those who’ve stumbled upon a madrone in the western fringes of the Hill Country know that its unique beauty can best be appreciated up close. Take a hike, and see for yourself - close your eyes - touch it - feel it ancient strength ...
Information and text in part by Rob McCorkle
International charitable non profit organization Bear Springs Blossom nature conservation keeps our Earth beautiful, protects nature, takes action on air pollution, water contamination, erosion control, solves other international environmental problems, provides nature education, solutions to climate change, global warming. Get your nature education online - main office Texas Hill Country, close to San Antonio, TX

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Send an email to Bear Springs Blossom Nature Conservation main office in Pipe Creek, Bandera county, Texas Hill Country about: international charitable non profit organization 501(c)(3) Bear Springs Blossom Nature Conservation, main office, Nature preserve, Pipe Creek, Bandera county, Texas Hill Country. Ruled by president Peter Bonenberger, Vice president Bob Taylor, local vice president Rob Platt, secretary Diane Platt, international treasurer Erhard Gold, US-treasurer Marianne Bonenberger, public agent Marky Mander, protects international nature, promotes international nature education, nature conservation about us: international charitable non profit organization 501(c)(3) Bear Springs Blossom Nature Conservation. Main office + Nature preserve Pipe Creek, Texas Hill Country. Board members president + educator Peter Bonenberger, Vice president Bob Taylor, Rob Platt, secretary Diane Platt, international treasurer Erhard Gold, teacher + US treasurer Marianne Bonenberger
keep Winnipeg beautiful is our expression to save Earth, to lower the amount of plastic bags, plastic trash, to keep biodiversity, to give the next generation a healthy life on earth. To reduce the impact of global warming, to keep Winnipeg beautiful, - Nature conservation is an affordable solution
members of Bear Springs Blossom Nature Conservation help us to keep Buenos Aires beautiful. Buenos Aires is the capital of Argentina in South America. Trash, airpollution, water contamination, and a loss of biodiversity are environmental problems in Argentina - Nature conservation is the only affordable solution
modern history of Neu-Ulm began with sovereignty change over the city of Ulm in 1810 from the Kingdom of Bavaria to the Kingdom of Württemberg, the Danube as boundary between Bavaria + Wuerttemberg. Nature conservation, nature shows, garden shows in Neu-Ulm
keep Hunt Texas Hill Country beautiful is all about land restoration, erosion control, beautiful nature trails in Hunt Texas. Newcomers work hard to keep biodiversity, to give the next generation a healthy life. Nature conservation is the only affordable solution to the global issue climate change

Bandera Texas
 keep Bandera beautiful = slogan to protect Nature. Nature education online, distant learning at BSB nature preserve - Texas Hill Country. Understand climate change, air pollution, water pollution, nature conservation, recycling. Nature education explains visitors native plants, birds, trees, erosion control, walking on guided tours to see environmental trails, Texas Hill Country birds, Texas Hill Country native tree Madrone - arbutus. Uncontrolled development endangers nature on earth, endangered the balance of fragile Texas Hill Country lime stone habitats
Keep Bandera clean, recycle, don't burn trash, don't bury trash, do not mess with Texas. Recycling lowers air pollution, water pollution, lower use of natural resources. Recycling station at Bear Springs Blossom nature preserve in Bandera County Texas bring recyclables to BSBNCG drop off station
Bandera Texas history founded 1854 - Texas Hill Country, Bandera county - beautiful native plants, madrones, oaks. Bandera cowboy capital of the world. Homes endanger the beautiful landscape of Bandera County, endangering the balance of fragile southern Texas Hill Country lime stone habitats
Cowboys and western values are part of Bandera Texas history. The Texas Hill Country saw many cattle trails. The western tradition is shown in many houses in Bandera county, in cowboy or western country music, jam sessions with fiddle and guitar. New home styles endanger the beautiful landscape of Bandera County, endangering the balance of fragile southern Texas Hill Country lime stone habitats
state Parks, natural areas, nature preserve in Bandera County Texas, Texas Hill Country guided tours, Bandera recreational areas, picnic places, where to grill, outdoor fun
Medina River flows through Bandera County, southern Texas Hill Country - water conservation, water flow control, water contamination, water pollution are big environmental problems

Nature Trails
TX Hill Country
Guided tours on 125 acre Bear Springs Blossom Nature Preserve, park, recreational area provides nature education. Bear Springs blossom nature trails, birding trails, educational trails in Texas Hills. Walking in Pipe Creek, Bandera County Texas on guided tours on 12 nature trails + 4 birding trails updates your nature education. On BSBNCG guided tours you see endangered species, the endangered bird Golden Cheeked Warbler. Hike on hiking trails in the TX hills, stroll on nature trails to see Texas Hill Country native plants, trees, wildlife. Learn, see pristine nature on guided tours, grab binoculars, get knowledge about native plants, watch native birds, the endangered golden cheeked warbler on our educational birding trails
Bear Springs Blossom Nature preserve has twelve nature trails, four birding trails - published in Texas Parks and Wildlife Heart of Texas Nature Birding trail map - our Nature Center lecture room offers knowledge about nature preserves, about wilderness, education trails - informs what to expect on guided tours - enjoy Texas outdoors, see endangered bird Golden cheeked Warbler. Have fun hiking, birding, walking on nature trails in the Texas Hill Country, gaining knowledge in our Nature Center or walking wilderness trails, birding trails
Photos of Bear Springs Blossom nature preserve in the southern Texas Hill Country offers many views, photo opportunities. Take photos of native plants, native grasses, blossoms pictures, wildflowers photos. Get first glimpse with photo slide show, many photos, impressions of native plants, common wildflowers, wild flowers in all colors, learn about nature, get a solid nature education
Texas wildflowers, native plants along our nature trails, birding trails, wilderness trails at the Bear Springs Blossom Nature preserve in Bandera County, Hill Country Texas. BSBNCG non profit provides environmental knowledge. See wild flowers, see wildflowers with blue blossoms, yellow, white blossoms, native grass with seeds, native plants, tree flowers + Madrone blossoms
Bear Springs Blossom Nature Conservation preserve, Pipe Creek Texas, Bandera County has different wildflowers along its nature trails, birding trails - see list of plants - of wild flowers, native shrubs flowering, white flowers, pink flowers, yellow flower, many different wild flowers at our nature preserve in the Texas Hill Country. See Texas Parks and Wildlife Heart of Texas Nature Birding trail map - send email for guided tour, visit to update nature education
Bear Springs Blossom Nature Conservation preserve, Pipe Creek Texas, Bandera County has different grasses along its nature trails, mostly bunch grass, the Texas state grass sideoats grama, visit to get your nature education updated
Photos San Antonio TX, southern Texas Hill Country balcones fault zone. San Antonio Texas with the famous river walk, Alamo, missions, San Antonio Texas 30 miles south east of Bear Springs Blossom Nature Preserve
Overgrazing destroys land, endangers our children's future causing climate change. Overgrazing is related to human health problems, overgrazed meadows reduce drinking water supply, multiply water contamination. Overgrazing causes erosion, destroys the native plants that feed wildlife


Nature Conservation

Bear Springs Blossom Nature Conservation international non profit organization. Nature Preserve located in Bandera County in the Texas Hill Country. See photos, get information how to recognize native plants, native trees as Spanish oaks, Escarpment cherry, lacey oak, texas persimmons, mountain laurel, different native grasses, as little bluestem, bushy bluestem, indian grass, lindheimers muhly. Bear Springs Blossom Nature Conservation shows how to use erosion control, BSBNCG gives courses how to get a beautiful landscape where flora, fauna will flourish and all can live in harmony with nature
Naturschutz ist international - Beschützt die Natur unserer Erde - Information des gemeinnützigen Bear Springs Blossom Naturschutz Vereins, online Bildung, Naturkunde, Naturwissenschaft - Naturschutz, Umweltschutz, Luftverschmutzung, Gewässerschutz, Regenwaldschutz, Klimaveränderung
nature conservation: the only way to give children, grandchildren a safe future, with enough breathable air, enough healthy drinking water, with good climate, without violent weather, storms, floods. Nature conservation is not very costly but very efficient if all of us do just a little bit to reduce air + water pollution, to reduce co2 levels, to lower the impact of global warming + climate change
International Water conservation provides a safer future to children, grandchildren. Water conservation provides enough drinking water, a better climate, without food shortages. Polluted water causes higher food prices. Water conservation is cheap but very efficient if all of us a little bit to reduce water waste, water pollution. Humans need to drink water - drinking water has many health benefits - earth has an permanent water cycle, but polluted drinking water cannot be used - take action today, reduce water consumption - conserve water
soil conservation is the only way to secure our food supply, our drinking water supply, a stable climate - soil conservation is not costly but efficient. Reduce erosion and chemical soil contamination = soil conservation. Reduce co2 levels to lower the impact of global warming, climate change
Nature Center of Bear Springs Blossom Nature Conservation is located at our Nature Preserve in Pipe Creek, Bandera County in the Texas Hill Country. BSB Nature Center gives information how to recognize native plants, native trees as Spanish oaks, Escarpment cherry, lacey oak, texas persimmons, mountain laurel and many different native grasses, as little bluestem, bushy bluestem, indian grass, lindheimers muhly. BSB Nature Center main task is nature education so you can learn how to use erosion control to get a beautiful landscape where flora and fauna will flourish
Mission of non profit organization Bear Springs Blossom Nature Conservation, located in Bandera County in the Texas hill Country. BSBNCG fights for Earth protection, why does Bear Springs Blossom Nature Conservation take action for water conservation. Our mission shows you how to get a beautiful landscape where flora and fauna can flourish, our mission is to provide a better education of the environment and a safer future for the next generation
Madrone or Madrona are rare trees in the Texas Hill Country. Some call it Indians leg, others the peeling tree because the Madrone cannot grow bigger without growing a new bark every year. Bear Springs Blossom nature preserve has over 300 madrone showing how nature conservation works and how important it is to live in harmony with nature so Madrone trees stay alive, provide food for birds, joy to humans
Junipers juniper ashei are trees or shrubs found all over Earth - preferring limestone. we need junipers, why does the Texas Hill Country, Pipe Creek, Bandera County, have so many junipers or Texas cedars? Texas Junipers are native trees growing up to 80 ft for 200 years. Texas Cedar juniper makes good mulch, help other native plants to grow. Juniper is a nursery plant - very important for nature and humans
earth star, astraeus hygrometricus - a native fungus found at Nature Preserve of Bear Springs Blossom Nature Conservation in Pipe Creek, TX, Bandera County
The Golden cheeked Warbler is an endangered bird breeding only in the Texas Hill Country - no other place on earth. Golden cheeked Warblers need Texas Hill Country trees and plants and mature junipers to build a nest. Our nature preserve provides habitat for 6 pairs of the Golden cheeked Warbler or in short GCW who peels little stripes from the bark of the mature Texas Hill Country juniperus ashei to built its nest, showing how important nature conservation and education is to live in harmony with nature to protect globally endangered species through international nature education
Birders like Birding on our birding trails during Texas Hill Country guided tours. Golden cheeked Warbler, an endangered bird breeding only in the Texas Hill Country, see tanager, wren, mocking bird, tit mouse and native and migrating birds at our nature preserve
birdlist of native birds seen while birding, walking our birding trails on guided tours in the Texas Hill Country. See the Golden cheeked Warbler, an endangered bird breeding only in the Texas Hill Country
vacation in Texas are very special - the Texas Hill Country - San Antonio - many parks and nature preservers, birding, river walks, hiking, biking are only a few favorites for visitors. guided tours in the Texas Hill Country - see Bandera the cowboy capital of the world
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join nature conservation nature education group to protect your family - information how to prepare for coming changes, non profit organization protects all living beings on Earth with nature education, conservation education, water education, soil education, pollution education. Updated nature education for good drinking water, healthy air, with nature conservation + online nature education - get environmental news, science reports, online nature education, online nature conservation newsletter, update your environmental education

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madrone or peeling tree, arbutus in the Texas Hill Country
Madrone at Bear Springs Blossom Nature Preserve
Pipe Creek, TX, southern Texas Hill Country
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