Another use for the mesquite tree

[twobittxn]

Corporation chooses Texas for HQ-- win for Texas and economy

New jobs from new business-- win for Texas and economy

Texas has another new export-- win for Texas and economy

Ranchers around Corpus have another source of income-- win for Texas and economy

[helibow]

"Mesquite is an extremely hardy, drought-tolerant plant because it can draw water from the water table through its long taproot (recorded at up to 58 m (190 ft) depth). It can also use water in the upper part of the ground, depending upon availability. The tree can easily and rapidly switch from using one water source to the other.
Many people, especially ranchers, consider the tree a nuisance because it competes with rangeland grasses for moisture. In many parts of Texas, particularly West and Central Texas, the proliferation of mesquite is blamed for lowering of groundwater tables. Mesquite is a phreatophyte, which means it has deep roots and transpires efficiently. For this reason, one method of managing water loss in arid areas is the removal of mesquite."

I wouldnt mind seeing some of it go away.... south texas could use more ground water/moisture to support agriculture and livestock rather than mesquites.

[Coyotekiller]

I wouldnt mind seeing some of it go away.... south texas could use more ground water/moisture to support agriculture and livestock rather than mesquites.

My thoughts exactly. My tires with definitely appreciate it.

[BBReezen]

Corporation chooses Texas for HQ-- win for Texas and economy

New jobs from new business-- win for Texas and economy

Texas has another new export-- win for Texas and economy

Ranchers around Corpus have another source of income-- win for Texas and economy

"going green" technology from a renewable resource that could be taken advantage of on American soil but isn't and still have the win for Texas and economy...epic fail

[whitetailfanatic]

when its gone its gone, well have to start smoking with cedar chips,mmmmgood

[tallnhairy]

They have (or had) a similar setup out in Hamlin, but I think it folded. It looks good on paper, but I'd rather see the older trees used for lumber as it's a beautiful, dense wood. I make pistol grips out of it.

[buxNdux]

Mesquite is never going away it is a monster in which billions of dollars are spent yearly to control. The way in which these guys are harvesting is top cutting, which does not kill the mesquite it just makes it mad and grows back with a vengeance. Some of you make me laugh, just look at CRP where it is controlled on a yearly basis.. If you leave that CRP be for 2-3 years, guess what you have? Mesquite.. Also this so called green technology is not new. All the are doing is replacing coal with mesquite and capturing that energy..

[BIG IRON]

Because it seems as of late that we will do anything and allow anything to be done here as long as it helps out another country or the environment.

Or we could let the ranchers who actually own the land get in a win/win situation by ridding themselves of trees that tax the water table and make some money. I didn't read in the article where the company is just gonna go steal the trees.

[geauxgruene]

Boy its gonna be smelling good over there!

[rconn]

I wish someone would come up with a use for all theses dang tallow trees around my place. Id cut them a heck of a deal to harvest them!

this! we would be rich cuz

[RLHoward]

they can come cut some of mine

[Ben]

Not sure why some of you see this as such a bad thing.

I'd say the reason we aren't taking advantage of this resource here is the fact that most of the state is overflowing with cheap energy. I'm guessing Poland doesn't have the natural gas (for one example) resources we have here.

Mesquite trees are like wild pigs. You won't meet a rancher that doesn't want to get rid of them. Might as well put a little money in your pocket while you're at it.

[jeepntx]

So why, exectly, cant WE do this for "green" energy in the US?

[100%TtId]

So why, exectly, cant WE do this for "green" energy in the US?

We are doing it now. This is nothing new, except for shipping it overseas. We have powerplants burning waste wood chips, leftovers from agricultural processes, etc. There are even power plants that burn old tires, trash, and landfill-generated methane.

The problem is none of them can produce power as reliably, cheaply, and at needed quantities to serve as base load plants. With natgas being as cheap as it is today, these folks will have a tough business model to make profitable.

[cbd10pt]

Corporation chooses Texas for HQ-- win for Texas and economy

New jobs from new business-- win for Texas and economy

Texas has another new export-- win for Texas and economy

Ranchers around Corpus have another source of income-- win for Texas and economy

the harvesting will not be done by legal American citizens this is Texas and that is hard labor