16 Mar 2026 5 min read

March 16, 2026

Thank you to everyone who attended our recent Tree and Shrub Pruning Workshop on February 22nd! We had a great turnout and learned valuable tips from Master Gardeners Bob Hinojosa and Becky Brumley on keeping our trees and shrubs healthy and beautiful.

🤩A special thank you to our generous sponsors — Lowes (13201 RR 620), Gelatoro (10300 Anderson Mill Rd), and Cafe Java (12129 RR 620) — for helping make this event a success! We appreciate their support of our neighborhood programs and community learning opportunities and hope you will please pay them a visit!

🥐In addition to serving gelato, Gelatoro has recently added coffee and bakery items to their menu.

🥞Cafe Java just opened up and is serving breakfast and lunch daily.

💲Paid members of the Anderson Mill Neighborhood Association or paying attendees of this event, have access to some special materials from our Tree Pruning Workshop! The complete video, edited clips of the most important moments, and a shopping list of the tools demonstrated by Williamson County Master Gardeners Bob Hinojosa and Becky Brumley are available here:

Not a member? Sign up for just $2 a month, or save 20% by signing up yearly!

This week:

🌳What to do about Oak Wilt
🌱Westwood Band Mulch Drive
🌿AMNA Garden Club Meeting - March 22nd
⭐Neighbor Spotlight - Christian Alquiza, Next Level Chef contestant

Oak Wilt Season Is Here

🌳Oak wilt, one of the most destructive tree diseases in the United States, is killing oak trees across Central Texas. The disease is caused by a fungus that blocks the tree’s water-conducting system and spreads both above ground by sap-feeding beetles and below ground through interconnected tree roots.

Management focuses on prevention and limiting spread. Key strategies include removing infected red oaks, avoiding pruning during high-risk months, disrupting root connections between trees, treating valuable trees with fungicide injections, and increasing tree diversity in landscapes.

To help reduce the spread of oak wilt:

Avoid pruning oaks February 1 – June 30 unless necessary for safety.
Immediately paint all pruning cuts or wounds on oak trees. Properly dispose of diseased wood by chipping, burning, or burying it.
Clean pruning tools between trees with 100% bleach or Lysol.

Late fall is generally the safest time to prune oaks. These steps won’t cure oak wilt, but they can significantly reduce tree loss.

The Texas A&M Forest Service offers a cost-share program, the Texas Oak Wilt Suppression Program (TOWSP), to help landowners slow the spread of oak wilt in Central Texas. Eligible treatments may include trenching to contain the disease and removal of certain infected trees, with the program covering up to 50% of approved costs.

All projects must follow program guidelines and be approved before work begins. For assistance or to find the forester serving your county, visit the Texas A&M Forest Service website and use the Find My Forester tool.

For more information of the TOWSP Cost Sharing program and detailed Oak Wilt information go to: https://texasoakwilt.org/oakwilt

Westwood Band Mulch Drive

🌱Spring is around the corner — a perfect time to refresh your landscape! Support the Westwood High School Band by ordering mulch through their annual fundraiser. It’s an easy way to prepare your garden beds while helping local students.

Orders are open now through March 21, and mulch will be delivered directly to your home on March 27. Give your yard a spring boost while supporting a great program in our community! 🌱

AMNA Garden Club Meeting on March 22

🌿Join us for our next Garden Club gathering on March 22 at 4 PM at Carol’s home. Please RSVP to Carol at carolfeist@gmail.com if you plan to attend. She'll send you address.

Come connect with fellow plant lovers to talk about gardening successes, troubleshoot challenges, and share tips on both outdoor and house plants. Whether you’re a novice or an experienced gardener, all are welcome!

We’ll also be hosting a plant exchange, so bring any plants you’re dividing or digging up, along with seeds or cuttings you’d like to share. It’s a great way to try something new and grow your garden — and your friendships!

Neighbor Spotlight

⭐Anderson Mill neighbor Christian Alquiza, who moved to the area in 2025, is currently competing on Season 5 of Next Level Chef! The FOX cooking competition, produced by Gordon Ramsay, features professional chefs, home cooks, and social media creators vying for a $250,000 prize and mentorship.

New episodes air Thursdays at 8/7c on FOX and stream the next day on Hulu. Let’s cheer on our neighbor as he represents Anderson Mill on the national stage!

Read more about Christian and his cooking journey here:

Want to connect with your neighbors and get up-to-date information about Anderson Mill?