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Fruitful beauty: Flowering trees and shrubs for Louisiana landscapes

It’s that time of year. The deciduous trees are putting on their leaves. The oaks and pines are producing copious amounts of pollen. Live oaks are shedding leaves to put on new growth. Spring-blooming bulbs, trees and shrubs are starting to come life, and a great deal of our fruiting trees and shrubs are flowering.

Flowering fruit trees and shrubs add both beauty and bounty to gardens and landscapes, with species like Taiwan cherry, flowering quince, apples and blueberries offering a splendid display of blooms, some followed by delicious fruits.

One of the most stunning displays right now is the Taiwan cherry (Prunus campanulate), known for its vibrant pink-to-deep red blossoms that appear in early spring before the leaves emerge. This small-to-medium-sized tree can reach heights of 15 to 25 feet, making it a striking ornamental addition to any space.

Many of us local history buffs have had questions about the strip of land east of the Sabine River to the Gulf of Mexico known as the Neutral Strip or Ground or Territory but most famously known as “No Man’s Land”. Just how did this area become disputed land and how it was finally settled? After a great deal of research the following should settle the questions.

Back in 1740 Spain and France were in dispute concerning their exact boundaries. The French moved their Natchitoches post from the east side of Red River to the west side. The Red River was still flowing through Natchitoches at that time and has since changed course to the east. That remnant is now known as Cane River. The Spanish Governor of Texas was reprimanded for this move. It was determined that Arroyo Hondo (small creek west of Natchitoches near present day Rob Pine was the boundary). In 1864 the point became moot when France ceded the Louisiana Colony to Spain.

From Winter Dormancy, Lawns Spring To Life

As spring approaches in Louisiana, it’s time to shift our focus from the quiet dormancy of winter lawns to the vibrant growth season ahead. Soon enough, we will need to break out the lawnmowers if you haven’t already.

With the arrival of warmer weather, traditional lawns spring back to life, demanding attention to combat weeds and prepare for the growing season. Despite the dormant appearance of turfgrasses, weeds such as clover, lawn burweed and annual bluegrass remain active, stressing the need for early intervention.

Herbicides that include a combination of 2,4-D, dicamba and mecoprop have proven effective in controlling broadleaf weeds. It’s advised to apply these from January through spring for optimal results.

“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in Heaven.” (Matthew 7:21) To hear television audiences, movies, and newspaper obituaries, one would think that everyone that passes away is going to heaven. I know that is the best place to go and it may be the hope of everyone living that whenever he or she passes on they will go to heaven. One thing to check is your reservation. When did you make a reservation to go there?

“And whosoever was not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the Lake of Fire.” (Revelations 20:15) Another thing the Bible says is that not everybody is going there. (See Matthew 7:13) Jesus is the way there, not good works, church memberships, baptism, or just wanting to be on the right side… Jesus is the way to my Father’s home.

“Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: and the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.“ James ?5:14-15? KJVAAE All Christians should pray with Faith. Why is it so important that we pray with Faith? Faith is spiritual power. Faith develops personal and corporate encouragement. Faith brings hope in every situation. Faith brings peace and joy. Faith increases understanding and develops knowledge and matures wisdom. Faith is evidence of spiritual growth. “So Jesus said to them, ‘Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain’, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.” Matthew 17:20 NKJV See how much faith you need to be able to do the impossible.

Ask Rusty – How is my Social Security Benefit Calculated?

Consider the Lilies of The Field, How They Grow

Every year, the National Garden Bureau shines a spotlight on a select group of plants, and for 2024, the lily has been chosen as one of those deserving special recognition. Celebrated during springtime events both in gardens and as cut flowers from florists, lilies are admired for numerous qualities.

For one, they have large, unique blossoms on long stems, with many varieties providing great fragrance. Lilies have been celebrated in mythology and in many cultures across the Northern Hemisphere for centuries. Lilies are thought to symbolize purity, rebirth and virtue.

As this writer has stated many times in the past — History can take many forms. Today’s article primarily concerns a man that few in DeSoto Parish know or remember, Travis Spears. He and his wife were born here in the early 1900’s and he went to work in the oil fields in the 1930’s for the Standard Oil Co. After working in the drilling or production end for 15 years he was sent to Standard Oil’s South American Division in Venezuela. There he worked his way up to management in production. He and Mrs. Spears moved back to Mansfield with their 5th grade son, Travis, Jr. and they built a nice home on Hwy. 84 West near where Jeff and Jill Heard presently live. Travis, Jr. later became an M.D.

We are both trying to be health conscious and when Susan told me about this simple and good slow-cooker shrimp dish I immediately asked her to make it. You’re gonna love it but first I want to tell you about the interesting day we had.

She has three inside dogs – yes, three …. AND I have an outside cat. Not the best combination you say? Well, we decided that she should bring them down for a visit at my place, you know, get them acclimated and all and introduce them to Mr. Tux (Ha Ha – he said to “Bring those punks down!”) and my backyard and woods.

From time to time the towns of DeSoto Parish have been mentioned but several have asked that an article just on these towns be compiled. The history of the towns of DeSoto is interesting and this writer thinks you will enjoy.

Mansfield, the parish seat if government, was determined by the La. legislature in 1843 and incorporated April 15, 1847. Several names were suggested such as Jackson and Ferdinand however, Thomas Abington gave a very interesting speech for the name Mansfield. Lord Mansfield of England, the only British leader that supported the original 13 colonies, was chosen as the name for our parish capital. The first post office was in 1844, a few months after the Keatchie post office. Mansfield’s most noted historical happenings were the Mansfield Female College that was open from 1854 to 1930 and the April 8, 1864 Battle of Mansfield.