good street trees
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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 plated as the fruit
of the female has the stench of rotting meat. The Ginkgo has little
to no fugal or insect pests. It is said to capture more carbon
than other trees but may be hard to establish in high-reflected
heat. Can reach a height of 50ft. 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 and is a good candidate for growing under power lines
or small parkways. 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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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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better street trees
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Bald Cypress (Taxodium distichum)
Texas native
Even though this species is often found in swamps, it is a drought
hardy tree. Its leaves will turn brown and drop in response to
a prolonged drought but will return with rain. They are very forgiving
of neglect or over watering and are perfect for sites with poor
soil. Because of their conical shape they make great street trees
when trying to work around power lines. Simply off set the trunk
five to ten feet from utility wires. They must be planted in full
sun and can reach a height of 80 feet. 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.
back
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Cedar Elm (Ulmus crassifolia)
Texas native
Though not a pretty tree, it 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
80ft. 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.
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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Eve's Necklace (Sophora affinis)
Texas native
The larger of the ornamentals this native can reach a height
of 30 feet. It is perfect tree under power lines. 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. back
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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 50ft. back
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Live Oak (Quercus virginiana)
Texas native
Anyone from Texas will recognize this native tree. It grows on
virtually any soil and is extremely drought tolerant. It may succumb
to freeze damage during severe winters. It is wide spreading and
needs lots of room. Over raising the canopy can weaken the structural
stability and destroy the natural beauty of the tree. It will
drop the previous year's leaves in spring after the current years
growth has begun. Can reach a height of 50 feet or taller. back
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Mexican Plum (Prunus mexicana)
Texas native
This is one of our most showy native trees. One of the first
bloomer 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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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 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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