good deciduous trees
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American Elm (Ulmus americana)
Texas native
The American elm has been planted as a street tree for years.
Because the tree tends to drop limbs easily with age, it is better
suited in the yard. They grow quickly, but as soon as they reach
an impressive size they tend to start falling apart. They can
reach a height of 70 feet. back
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Catalpa (Catalpa bignonioides)
U.S. native
This is a naturalized tree of Texas, not a native. It is fast
growing and short-lived. The large heart shaped leaves range in
size from 5 to 12 inches long. The tree is often planted for its
white to lavender orchid like flowers that bloom from April to
May. By the end of the growing season the tree often looses its
appeal. The foliage fades and begins to drop by mid summer. back
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Mesquite
(Prosopis glandulosa)
Texas native
Though there are rumors that the mesquite is not a native of
Texas but an early import, there are written documents by explorers
of mesquite in Texas over 400 years ago. Its feathery leaves will
not provide much shade but they are a hardy tree and their bean
pods are eaten by a variety of wildlife. Mesquite can grow as
tall as some oaks in rich soil, 40 feet or better, but are usually
much smaller. back
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Mulberry (Morus spp.)
Texas native
The mulberry is a fast growing spreading tree. Do not plant near
sidewalks, drives, foundations, or sewer lines because of its
invasive root system. It can be an impressive tree if pruned correctly.
Do not top. Topping will shorten the tree's life. Fruit of the
female tree is edible and favored by many birds and other wildlife.
It can reach a height of 30 to 70 feet. depending on the species.
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Silver Maple (Acer saccharinum)
U.S. native
Fast growing attractive tree. The white undersides of the leaves
expose themselves in the wind giving the tree its name. But, the
tree is short lived and difficult to care for when mature. The
wood is brittle and the tree falls apart quickly with age. It
can reach a height of 40 feet. back
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Sweetgum
(Liquidambar styraciflua)
Texas native
Sweetgum is an attractive tree with a formal conical shape and
star shaped leaves. But, the tree prefers richer more acidic soil.
If yours starts to yellow it may need a boost of iron, which is
not readily available in alkaline soils. You can help the soil pH a
bit with pine needle or pine bark mulch. Sweetgum will grow to
a height of 70 feet. back
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Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis)
Texas native
This tall tree reaches a height of 90 feet. It is native to Texas
but does better in the acid soils of the Piney Woods in Eastern
Texas or around the Houston area. Here it tends to have continual
problems. It can pull so much moisture from the soil that any
pavement within 30 feet or more is susceptible to sinking. Plant
well away from foundations and water frequently. back
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better deciduous trees
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Black Walnut (Juglans nigra)
Texas native
Easily confused with pecan this native tree can reach a height
of 50 feet or more. An attractive tree, but the nut is covered
by a thick fleshy covering that can be messy. The nut is edible
but smaller than the English walnut. back
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Common Persimmon (Diospyros virginiana)
Texas native
This native fruit-bearing tree grows well in any soil. It can
reach a height of 60 feet. The genus name Diospyros means fruit
of the gods and the fruit was commonly eaten by early settlers.
The persimmons will ripen anywhere from August to February depending
on the individual tree. It makes a great shade tree, but is a
little messy for street tree plantings. back
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Durand Oak (Quercus sinuata)
Texas native
It is unlikely you will find one of these great little trees
in your nursery, but if you are lucky you may have a native in
your yard. The are often confused with live oaks because of the
shape of their leaves, but unlike the live oak they are deciduous.
They have a gray platy bark that has an interesting texture. They
are found naturally in shallow limestone outcroppings and will
grow in the shallowest and poorest soils. The Durand is drought
hardy and very slow growing. It makes a great street tree for
small parkways. The tree may reach a height of 60 feet. but is
often much smaller and not wide spreading. back
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Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba)
non-native
This native of China was once thought to be extinct, found only
in fossil records. Now it is one of the most widely distributed
trees in the world. Only the male is sold and planted as the fruit
of the female has the stench of rotting meat. The Ginkgo has little
fungal or insect pests. It is said to capture more carbon
that other trees but may be hard to establish in high-reflected
heat. Can reach a height of 50ft. back
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Western Soapberry (Sapindus drummondii)
Texas native
The native tree gets its name from the waxy transparent berries
that settlers used for making soap. The berries are sometimes
eaten by birds but not enough to keep them from making a mess
on driveways and sidewalks. Though they do not ripen till fall
they will drop all growing season long. The late spring blooms
are very fragrant. It is extremely drought tolerant, grows in
any soil, and requires little care. Soapberry can reach a height
of 40 feet. back
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best deciduous trees
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Bur Oak (Quercus macrocarpa)
Texas native
This tree is too large for most parkways, reaching a height of
80 to 150 feet. It is a native of the area and is drought tolerant.
The name macrocarpa means big fruit and references the golf ball
size acorns favored by squirrels. It grows larger than its cousin
the live oak and is oak wilt resistant. back
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Caddo Maple (Acer saccharum 'Caddo')
U.S. native
This tree is usually planted for its brilliant golden yellow
fall color. It is well suited to alkaline soils and the hardest
of the maples for our area. It can reach a height of 60 feet.
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Cedar Elm (Ulmus crassifolia)
Texas native
Though not as popular as other elms, the cedar elm is reliable.
This native has the widest natural range in Texas of any other
elm. It is found in wet bottomlands to alkaline out croppings.
If you tend to kill every tree you plant, try this one. It will
reach a height of 80 feet. As with other elms, it is susceptible
to mistletoe. back
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Chinese Pistache (Pistacia
chinensis)
**We are no longer recommending this tree due
to early warning signs that it is becoming an invasive species in
our natural areas.
non-native
This tree is so popular it may be on the verge of being over
planted. A native of China it is planted for its high drought
tolerance and its multiple fall colors. It also has a shredding
reddish bark that adds interest. It can reach a height of 70 feet.
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Lacebark Elm (Ulmus parvifolia sempervirens)
non-native
A native to China, this tree is often called Drake elm. It has
a distinctive patterned bark that gives the tree its name. It
often fairs better in old age than the American elm. Lace bark
is easy to care for and is a striking yard or street tree. It
can reach a height of 50 feet. back
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Pecan (Carya illinoinesis)
Texas native
The pecan tree has a wide natural range in Texas growing in almost
any type soil. It is planted in rich old river bottoms for best
crop production but does well in our shallow alkaline soils as
well. It is messy enough you will want to plant it far from driveways,
sidewalks, streets, and pools. The leathery outer layer of the
pecan will leave a dark stain on concrete that is difficult to
remove. Older trees near homes should be watched carefully as
they have a tendency to drop limbs. The pecan can reach a height
of 100 feet or more and easily live to 300 years of age. back
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Shumard Oak (Quercus shumardii)
Texas native
If purchasing a red oak from a nursery make sure it is a Shumard.
This native will fare much better in our soils than its nearly
identical cousin the pin oak. Shumard has a majestic upright form
and is the most sought after tree in real estate. It can often
add as much as $2,000.00 or more to property values for each mature
tree. Its natural branching pattern makes it virtually maintenance
free. It is long lived and can reach a height of 80 feet or more.
Though it lends itself well in street plantings, do not plant
under power lines. back
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Texas Ash (Fraxinus texensis)
Texas native
Closely related to green ash, this Texas native will seldom reach
a height greater than 50 feet. Texas ash is found naturally on
limestone outcroppings and thrives in our alkaline well-drained soil.
It is drought tolerant and has brilliant autumn colors. It should
be planted more in our area. Be careful not to over water. back
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Texas Red Oak (Quercus texana)
Texas native
Similar in leaf and form to the Shumard oak, but much smaller
it rarely reaches a height greater than 40 feet. This makes it
an ideal tree for small parkways. It is a native of our area and
does well in our soils. back
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Trident Maple (Acer rubrum var. tridens)
Texas native
A variation of the red maple it boasts a vivid yellow color in
the fall. It does well in our area thriving on our alkaline soils.
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