Tag Archives: native plants & wildlife

Our favorite articles about Northeast Texas native plants, trees and wildlife posted on TexasHomesteader.com

Different Ways I Use Soapberries For A Natural Clean

by Texas Homesteader~

I was thrilled to find a soapberry tree growing in our NE Texas property. I found it far back in a remote pasture. The berries on the tree had already turned yellow in those cool autumn days.

As a matter of fact, it was the yellow orbs that attracted my attention to the three. So I took photos of the tree, leaves, bark and the berries and sent them to my extension agent for proper identification.

She reported back that the tree was a Western Soapberry Tree (or Sapindus saponaria ssp. drummondii) 

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Soap Grows On Trees! Using Soapberries For A Natural Shampoo

by Texas Homesteader ~ 

The Western Soapberry Tree (or Sapindus saponaria ssp. drummondii) is native in North America. I make my own all natural zero-waste shampoo with the berries I harvest. It’s all I’ve used for nearly 10 years now.

Using Soapberries for a natural shampoo is easy on your hair and easy on your budget. It's true - soap really DOES grow on trees! #TexasHomesteader

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Honey Locust Trees: Terrible Thorns, Yet Several Benefits

~ by Texas Homesteader ~ 

The Honey Locust tree has a pretty name, but it’s a MEAN TREE with long thorns! They grow everywhere on our NE Texas property. For the most part we consider them troublesome and invasive. But there are some really good features too.

Honey Locust trees are all over our NE Texas property. For the most part we consider them troublesome. But there are some good features #TexasHomesteader

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Homestead Hack: Keeping Birds Off Railings

by Texas Homesteader ~ 

RancherMan & I love the native birds, albeit not all the bird poop they leave on the porch. All those birds were landing on (and POOPING on) our porch railings. What a mess!

Come see the oh-so-simple Homestead Hack solution we came up with!

Texas Homesteader Homestead Hack Tricks. #TexasHomesteader

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Bois d’Arc (Osage Orange) Trees – Rot-Resistant Wood, Desirable Firewood & Pest-Deterrent Fruits

by Texas Homesteader ~ 

We have many Bois d’Arc trees (aka: Osage Orange trees) on our Northeast Texas property. I guess I’ve always just assumed people throughout the U.S. had them on their property too.

They grow wild here and we have several trees scattered throughout our property. 

Bois d'Arc tree, also known as Osage Orange, Iron Wood, etc.

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