good medium ornamental trees
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Bradford pear (Pyrus calleryana 'Bradford')
non-native
This tree is usually planted for its spectacular blooms in early
spring. It has a problem with blight and is short lived. Its dense
canopy makes it a poor street tree candidate in commercial areas,
as it will block visibility to buildings and signs. Can reach
a height of 25 feet. back
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better medium ornamental trees
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Austrian pine (Pinus nigra)
non-native
This strikingly beautiful tree is at its best appearance when
allowed to retain its bottom limbs. Its thick foliage makes a
good screen. Although at a height of 30 feet it is a bit short
for a good windrow tree on anything but smaller lots. back
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Goldenrain Tree (Koelreuteria
paniculata)
non-native
This showy tree is often touted as a native but comes from China.
Grows well in any soil and is drought hardy. Will reach a height
of 30 feet. back
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Japanese Black Pine (Pinus
thunbergii)
non-native
This pine native to Japan is a great little ornamental. Its contorted
style makes it an interesting show case tree for small spots.
Only reaches a height of 30 feet. back
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best medium ornamental trees
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Chitalpa (Chilopsis x Catalpa)
Texas native
This tree is a cross between catalpa and desert willow and boasts
the showy flowers of its parents. It is a drought tolerant tree
reaching a height of 30 feet. back
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Desert Willow (Chilopsis
linearis)
Texas native
This tree is impossible to kill from under watering. It is extremely
drought hardy and will do better if not over watered. It blooms
with orchid looking flowers in early spring and again after each
rainfall. Not a willow at all but a relative to the Catalpa, the
tree will reach a height of 30 feet. back
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Eve's Necklace (Sophora
affinis)
Texas native
The larger of the ornamentals this native can reach a height
of 30 feet. It will grow in any soil and is drought hardy. It
has showy flower, delicate foliage, and interesting seedpods.
The seeds resemble a string of black pearls, giving the tree its
name. It is under planted in our area and should be utilized more.
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Honey Locust (Gleditsia
triacanthos)
Texas native
Though it reaches a height of 40 feet. The Honey Locust's delicate
vegetation does not produce enough shade to be considered a good
shade tree. Each large thorn found on the Honey Locust has three
points. The thorns will sprout as readily from the trunk as from
the branches and can be quite intimidating. Watch out for root
sprouts; as the locust has the propensity to form thickets. Luckily there is a thornless hybrid of this attractive tree found at nurseries. The
tree is a native to this area, is fast growing, and is drought
tolerant. back
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Mexican Buckeye (Ungnadia
speciosa)
Texas native
This native of Texas and Mexico will reach a maximum height of
20 feet. Naturally found in limestone outcroppings but will thrive
in any soil. This shrubby tree has pink showy flowers in the spring
that resemble redbud. They are hard to find but are easily propagated
from seed. A word of caution, the seed is highly poisonous and
all parts of the tree are somewhat toxic. back
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Mexican Plum (Prunus
mexicana)
Texas native
This is one of our most showy native trees. One of the first
bloomers in spring, it has a brilliant show of white or pink blossoms.
It also boasts a rich fall color and an attractive peeling bark.
It is drought tolerant and will grow on even the poorest of soils.
A great tree for small parkways as it only reaches a height of
25 feet. back
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Redbud (Cercis canadensis)
Texas native
This native tree is so popular there are a multitude of varieties
to pick from. The Mexican redbud is drought tolerant and the 'forest
pansy' has purple leaves all growing season. The most common redbuds
have tiny clusters of pinkish purple blooms early in spring. They
sprout not only from the branch tips but also along the branches
all the way to the trunk. The blooms are edible and have a tangy
sweet taste. Its small size lends itself well to crowded parkways
and will grow under the shade of larger trees. Can reach a height
of 30 feet . back
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