Mesquite trees: useful no more

Once upon a time in the Old West, the mesquite tree was an integral part of the culture. Sewing needles were made from the thorns, the bark was used for baskets and fabric, the sap was used for sweet gum and black dye, and the wood made terrific bows and arrows. The beans were also used for tea and jelly.

The mesquite tree's shade was a welcomed relief to the cattle during Texas' hot summers, and because it was heat and drought tolerant, the tree was a constant source for fuel and timber.

However, the mesquite tree was also a nuisance. In the past, livestock suffered when the tree's sharp thorns penetrated hooves, allowing parasites to infest them.

Today, those same sharp thorns are said to be penetrating car tires in the parking lot of North Lake College, so school officials have decided to uproot them in the name of progress and replace them with car-friendly foliage.

But wait. It just might be the mesquite tree that has the last laugh. Ask any rancher and he'll tell you how hard it is to get rid of the tree entirely because the seeds can remain dormant for a long time.

Only now they'll have a layer of concrete to break through at NLC. But we're still putting our money on the mesquite.