Native

Pecan
American Smoke Tree Carya illinoinensis
Cotinus obovatus Outstanding small tree or This State Tree of Texas is a superb shade and
multi-trunked shrub with nut tree, but is very slow growing when located
Bald Cypress Taxodium distichum masses of smoke-like flowers in dry or shallow soils. When properly placed,
Deciduous wetland native that can grow higher Carolina Cherry Laurel in the spring and great fall foliage color.
Prunus caroliniana this large tree can reach 65 feet or higher at
than 100 feet. Pyramidal shape, fall color and Mature Height: 15' to 25' maturity. Mature Height: 50' to 70'
adaptability make it a favorite in the South. Small, oval-shaped tree that flowers in spring and
Mature Height: 60' to 80' has dense, green foliage which is ideal for
screening. Mature Height: 25' to 40'

Yaupon Holly
Ilex vomitoria
Very picturesque,
upright evergreen for
Mesquite southern gardens.
Prosopis glandulosa Carolina Buckthorn Adapts to varied soils.
Yellow, fragrant flowers in spring and summer. Rhamnus caroliniana Multiple uses including
North American native with spreading, rounded Native to most of eastern and screens, barriers and Escarpment Black Cherry
canopy and many drooping, crooked branches midwestern U.S., this small, bright Prunus serotina var. eximia
takes to pruning well.
low on trunk. Mature Height: 25' to 35' green, fruit-bearing tree attracts White flowers appear in early spring with
Mature Height: 15' to 20'
wildlife. Showy yellow-orange or red new leaves. Lustrous green leaves turn a
fall color. Mature Height: 12' to 15' beautiful golden yellow in the fall.
Texas Ash Mature Height: 35' to 50'
Fraxinus texensis Drought tolerant, medium
shade tree. Stunning orange, yellow and
purple fall color. Mature Height: 40' to 50'

Mexican Buckeye Texas

Ungnadia speciosa
Persimmon
This multi-trunk tree Diospyros texana Desert Willow
is noted for its clusters Chilopsis linearis
of pinkish, orchid-like Easily identified by its smooth,
Fragrant and orchid-like with
flowers in the spring and gray trunk, peeling bark and
shades of lavender and pink
yellow foliage in the fall. dark green deciduous leaves. trumpet-shaped blooms at tips
Mature Height: 15' to 25' Edible fruit matures to a dark of branches. Regularly visited
black and is a great wildlife by hummingbirds. Lacey Oak
food source. Mature Height: 15' to 20' Mature Height: 15' to 25' Quercus laceyi
Anacacho
Orchid Tree A small oak tree good for limestone soils.
Bauhinia congesta Unusual smoky, blue-gray foliage and compact,
round canopy. Mature Height: 15' to 25'
Fragrant and showy white
blooms appearing in the
Chinkapin Oak spring. Occasionally blooms
Quercus muhlenbergii intermittently in the fall.
Grows best in full sun on well-drained soil. Mature Height: 15'
Leaves turn red, yellow, orange and brown
before dropping in fall. Acorns are edible.
Mature Height: 40' to 50'

Possumhaw Holly
Western Soapberry Ilex decidua
Sapindus drummondii A small and generally
Anaqua
This excellent shade tree is well suited to Ehretia anacua
multi-trunked tree, this holly
the urban environment. Name derives Fragrant white flower clusters,
loses its leaves in winter to
from Native American use of crushed and fleshy fruit. Nectar attracts Texas Pistache
display a multitude of red
berries to make soap suds. Showy fall wildlife. Mature Height: 30'-40'
berries (female trees). Pistacia texana
color. Mature Height: 40' to 50' Mature Height: 15' to 20' Leaves are relatively small, shiny,
and usually evergreen with a
bronze color at the growing tips.
Small, white flowers bloom in
spring and summer.
Mature Height: 12' to 20'
Bur Oak
Quercus macrocarpa
Huge tree, with impressive
crown, massive trunk, stout
branches and coarse texture.
Very large acorns are covered with furry,
bur-like cap. Mature Height: 70' to 90'

Bigtooth Maple
Eastern Red Cedar Acer grandidentatum
Juniperus virginiana A Hill Country native with spectacular fall
Will grow almost anywhere including color when growing conditions and
sandy soils. Has an open and wide- weather permit. Mature Height: 40' to 50'
spreading habit.
Mature Height: 30' to 45' Cedar Elm
Ulmus crassifolia
Native to the Hill Country and southern
central U.S. Very adaptable deciduous tree for Texas
the urban environment. Makes a great shade Mountain Laurel
or street tree. Mature Height: 50' to 70' Sophora secundiflora
Native evergreen indige-
nous to Hill Country. Small,
multi-trunked tree with dark
green leaves with purple, fragrant
flowers. Mature Height: 15' to 20'
Eve’s Necklace
Sophora affinis
Drooping clusters of pinkish
blossoms in the late spring form
necklace-like chains of black beans
in late summer through fall.
Mature Height: 15' to 25'

Gum Bumelia
Sideroxylon lanuginosum Escarpment Live Oak Quercus fusiformis
The fruit is eaten by birds, and white-tailed Large, wide-spreading evergreen with massive,
deer browse the leaves and fruit. The flowers horizontal, arching branches. Mature Height: 60' to 80'
provide early season nourishment for honey Small deciduous,
bees. Mature Height: 40' to 50' understory tree Texas Red Oak Quercus texana
Texas Redbud Native to Texas. Stately tree with narrow, open
with delightful pink Cercis canadensis
Mexican Plum blossoms in early spring var. texensis
and rounded canopy. Mature Height: 35' to 45'
Prunus mexicana
before leaves emerge.
Very showy white flowers in early spring.
Mature Height: 15' to 20'
Small, tart plums. Mature Height: 20' to 25' 80'

60'

Approximate Tree Heights At Maturity 40'

20'

American Anacacho Carolina Desert Mexican Mexican Possumhaw Texas Eve's Texas Yaupon Texas Texas Bigtooth Carolina Chinquapin Eastern Escarpment Anaqua Lacey Mesquite Texas Texas Western Gum Bald Bur Oak Cedar Elm Escarpment Pecan
Smoke Orchid Buckthorn Willow Buckeye Plum Holly Mountain Necklace Persimmon Holly Pistache Redbud Maple Cherry Oak Red Black Cherry Oak Red Oak Ash Soapberry Bumelia Cypress Live Oak
Tree Tree Laurel Laurel Cedar

SMALL TREES MEDIUM TREES LARGE TREES

Illustrations by Robert O’Brien

 Small trees: 25 ft. in height or less from pole. from pole. 20 ft. of pole.
at least 50 ft. trees 20 to 50 ft. trees within
Plant large trees Plant medium Plant small

Tree Selection Chart For Central Texas

Near
with utility lines or equipment.
Name Type Growth Height |Spread Utility WATER* Benefits CONCERNS COMMENTS should not be planted where they will eventually interfere
LINES your tree(s) adequate room to grow. Trees and shrubs
Medium trees: 25 ft. to 40 ft. in height
height and spread of your tree(s). Make sure you give
American Smoke Tree Deciduous Slow 25' 20' Yes L-M Color, Wildlife None High drought, heat and cold tolerance. Consult the Tree Selection Chart to determine the mature
Anacacho Orchid Deciduous Moderate 15' 10' Yes VL Attractive, Aromatic Flowers None Very attractive small tree that will flower in full or part sun. Tall trees: 40 ft. or taller in height Planting Site Selection
Anaqua Evergreen Slow 30' 45' No M Attractive, Showy Blooms Susceptible To Freeze Damage Deep shade; spring blooms look like the tree is covered with snow. Also called Sand Paper Tree.

Bald Cypress Deciduous Moderate 50' + 25'-50' No L Wildlife, Fall Color Surface Roots Well-adapted to many soil combinations and moisture. Handles wet areas well.
underground utilities are located.
will come out and mark the ground where all of your
Bigtooth Maple Deciduous Moderate 25'-50' 25'-35' No VL Fall Color None Native to Hill Country; good for well-drained limestone soils. Excellent fall color. Hard to find. www.austintexas.gov/parks/forestry.htm You Dig (8-1-1) three days before you plan to dig. They
Bur Oak Deciduous Rapid 50' + 50' + No VL Unique Leaves and Acorns None Excellent tree; not utilized enough. Plant with plenty of room! Austin Urban Forestry Program or buried utility locations. Play it safe and call Dial Before
Carolina Buckthorn Deciduous Slow 15' 15' Yes L Wildlife, Fall Color, Fruit None Attractive fall color and fruit.
ways, building outlines, compass directions and overhead
www.greenbuilding.austinenergy.com showing existing trees and landscape, sidewalks, drive-
Carolina Cherry Laurel Evergreen Moderate 25'-30' 25' No M Wildlife, Flower None Makes a good screening hedge. Requires good drainage. Green Building Program
and beauty. Plan before you plant. Make a sketch of your property
Cedar Elm Deciduous Slow 25'-50' 25'-35' No VL Wildlife, Fall Color Pollen Drop Well-adapted shade tree for Austin. Some problems with aphids & powdery mildew. trees for accent Where to Plant
Plant flowering http://txforestservice.tamu.edu
Chinkapin Oak Deciduous Moderate 50' + 25'-50' No L Wildlife None Good for limestone soils. Attractive, light-colored bark. lower your utility bills.
Texas Forest Service
sides of your house to help
Desert Willow Deciduous Rapid 25' 25' Yes VL Wildlife, Flower None Showy flowers through summer. Needs good drainage.
the trees are subjected to our hot, dry summers.
Shade the west and south
roots of your new tree(s) to become established before
Eastern Red Cedar Evergreen Rapid 45' 25' No L Wildlife, Aromatic Wood None Fast growing, adaptable evergreen for screening & shade.
www.austinenergy.com/go/trees
Managing Trees Near Power Lines March 31st). Planting in the cool, wet season allows the
Escarpment Black Cherry Deciduous Moderate 25'-50' 25' No L Wildlife, Flower, Fruit None Attractive, upright tree with showy fall color & interesting bark. Not for heavy, clay soils. Central Texas planting season (October 1st through
Semi- views.
Moderate No L Limit use to areas with few live oaks. Allow plenty of room. Oak Wilt disease a problem.
www.treefolks.org
Escarpment Live Oak Evergreen 25'-50' 50' + Wildlife Susceptible To Oak Wilt
Plant your new tree(s) as early as possible during the
screen undesirable Fruit & Nut Tree Guide for Central Texas
Eve’s Necklace Deciduous Moderate 25' 25' Yes VL Flower, Fruit None Attractive flower in spring and fruit through fall and winter. Tolerates light, wet soils. Plant evergreens to When to Plant
Semi-
Gum Bumelia Evergreen Moderate 45' 50' No L-M Wildlife, Fragrant Flowers Sucker Growth, Small Thorns Blue to black berries, edible, ripen in fall. Highly adaptable to soil types, drought resistant.
www.treefolks.org
Tree Folks less water to get established than older trees.
Lacey Oak Deciduous Slow 20'-30' 25' No VL Texture, Color None Native oak unusual for its bluish foliage. Resistant to Oak Wilt disease. less expensive to purchase younger trees, they require
No
to attract wildlife.
Mesquite Deciduous Slow 25'-35' 25'-35' L Wildlife, Flower Thorns Extremely drought tolerant with desirable light, filtered shade. Thornless varieties available. www.austintexas.gov/urbanheatisland new tree and two to three times as wide. Besides being
for edible fruit and City of Austin Urban Heat Island Mitigation Program You must dig no deeper than the rootball depth of your
Mexican Buckeye Deciduous Moderate 15'-20' 15'-20' Yes L Wildlife, Bark Texture/Color None Good as a multi-stemmed specimen. Plant fruit trees
planting hole you are willing to dig before you buy a tree.
Mexican Plum Deciduous Moderate 25' 25' Yes L Wildlife, Flower, Fall Color, Bark None Bright white flowers and edible fruit. May need protection from winter winds. www.austintexas.gov/trees/programs.htm ornamental purposes. Also, consider the size of the
Pecan Deciduous Slow 50' + 50' + No L Fruit, Wildlife, Fall & Winter Color None State Tree of Texas. Plant with plenty of room! Grows slowly until well-established.
City of Austin Tree Programs We recommend planting only native trees for shade and
Tree Growing Guide can help you decide what to plant.
Possumhaw Holly Deciduous Moderate 15'-20' 15'-20' Yes L-M Wildlife, Fall Color None Striking native plant. Bright red berries in late fall and winter. www.austintexas.gov/growgreen your yard. The tree listings and illustrations in the Native
Texas Ash Deciduous Rapid 50' 30' No VL Wildlife, Fall Color None A very attractive alternative to Arizona Ash. Darker leaf color & denser, more upright growth pattern. City of Austin Grow Green Program There are many kinds of trees available for planting in
Texas Mountain Laurel Evergreen Slow 15'-20' 12'-15' Yes VL Wildlife, Flower Poisonous Seeds Excellent drought-tolerant tree. Outstanding fragrant spring blooms. Needs good drainage. Resources What to Plant
Texas Persimmon Deciduous Slow 25' 25' Yes VL Color, Wildlife, Bark Texture None Drought-tolerant native with attractive exfoliating bark. Small, edible black fruit.

Texas Pistache Evergreen Moderate 20'-30' 20' No L Attractive To Birds, Deer Resistant None Glossy foliage, small, white flower clusters, maintains shrub-like shape.

Texas Redbud Deciduous Moderate 15'-20' 15'-20' Yes L Flower, Fall Color None Several redbuds available. “Texensis” best for our area. Eastern variety does poorly. are finished with it.
Texas Red Oak Deciduous Moderate 25'-50' 25' No L Wildlife, Bark, Fall Color/Acorns Susceptible To Oak Wilt Several red oaks available. “Texana” best for our area. Known as Quercus shumardii var. texana.
foldout can also be used as a wall poster. Please share or recycle the guide when you
Western Soapberry Deciduous Moderate 25'-30' 25'-30' No L Fall Color Sucker Growth Large amber berries fall through winter.

Yaupon Holly Evergreen Moderate 25' 25' Yes L-M Wildlife, Fruit None Females hold bright red berries through winter. Very hardy. Bushy unless pruned.
and small trees, and their characteristics and growing needs. The tree illustration
of power lines. air conditioner.
20 ft on either side walls, windows and
VL - Very Low (Water occasionally during very dry conditions). *Water guidelines are for established trees. Freshly planted trees require
tree planting and care in Central Texas. It provides a selection of native large
under and/or within to shade your roof,
L - Low (Water thoroughly ever 3-4 weeks if no rainfall). 15–20 gallons of water every 7-10 days. See the 'Planting Your Tree' section Plant smaller trees Plant deciduous trees
M - Medium (Water thoroughly every 2-3 weeks if no rainfall). in this guide for more information on watering your new tree.
THIS GUIDE was created to answer some of the most commonly asked questions about
H – High (Water thoroughly every 5-7 days if no rainfall). within 50 ft of utility lines.
Do not plant large trees

Why Native?
Mature Tree Pruning
Planting Your Tree
Young Tree Pruning Central Texas native trees have adapted to this climate over thousands of years and are better able to withstand extreme
Native
Dotted lines indicate branches that have been removed:
weather events. Native trees generally require less watering, are more resistant to insect and disease attack, and provide
1. Select the right tree for the right place. Proper tree 6. For balled and burlapped trees, rest the rootball in superior native wildlife habitat. There is also a link to our Central Texas natural heritage.
planting begins with good planning. Determine your plant- the center of the hole. Reshape the hole so the tree will Remove limbs that extend
ing goals and match the mature size, soil and moisture beyond the natural crown Why We Plant Trees
be straight and at the proper level. After adjusting the
of the tree. Remove
requirements of your trees to the site. (Refer to the Tree tree, pull the burlap and any other material competing Energy Conservation
Selection Chart.) away from the sides and stems to Properly placed shade trees can reduce home energy consumption, by providing shade for roofs, walls and air conditioners.
top of the rootball. Gently develop a
Remove dead, single trunk.
Large deciduous trees on the south and west sides of your home shade the roof and walls in the summer and help conserve
2. Mark out a plant- remove the material from broken or energy. In the winter when they drop their leaves they allow the sunlight through to warm your home. Planting evergreens
ing area 2-5 times the hole. crossing limbs. on the north side of your home can help you save energy too and keep your home warmer by blocking cold, northerly
wider than the root- winter winds.
ball diameter (wider 7. Backfill with original Remove limbs
is better). Loosen soil. Mixing fertilizer, that turn inward Remove dead Property Value
Remove
towards the trunk. Shorten low rubbing or broken
this area to about an compost, or other mate- Mature trees beautify and help reduce crime in neighborhoods. They can add a significant percentage to the value of a
branches to branches. branches.
8-inch depth. This Position the rial with the soil is not Do not leave develop trunk typical Austin home.
Mulch 2-4 top of the branch stubs. thickness.
will enable your tree Build soil dam recommended. Remove
inches deep rootball level Remove
to extend a dense 3-4 feet from sprouts. Climate Protection and Air Quality
in circle with or slightly Keep mulch root
trunk. Remove root Remove low Through the shading of homes, offices, air conditioning units, and by lowering localized temperatures through evapotranspi-
mat of tiny roots well around above the away from 8. Fill until the hole is suckers.
suckers and sprouts. branches.
tree. ground. trunk. ration (where the air is cooled by the release of moisture from the surface of leaves), the amount of related energy is
out into the soil in half full. Flood the hole
the first 1–10 weeks with a slow hose or tamp reduced including its associated air pollution and greenhouse gases. Trees don’t just help us avoid making more
in the ground. gently with your foot to air pollution; they actively absorb it. They sequester carbon dioxide, remove particulates and disrupt ozone particles.
Alternate firm the soil. Repeat until Urban Heat Island Mitigation
3. In the center of with the hole is full. Press
Dig hole original
Cities often experience higher temperatures than the surrounding countryside. This urban heat island effect is reduced by
the planting area, no deeper soil & water
only firm enough to hold Care Of Your Tree planting trees that shade hard surfaces like roads and sidewalks. Trees also literally cool the air around them through the
dig a hole at least than the when filling the tree upright. The best Three-Step Pruning Method natural process of evapotranspiration. Whether alone or together evapotranspiration and shading can cool your yard, your
rootball. hole.
Do not add fertilizer at planting. Have your soil analyzed
2-3 times the diam- soil for root growth has to consider amending soil. Fertilizer may injure the street and ultimately the city.
Place bottom of rootball on solid soil.
eter of the rootball Make hole 2-3 times wider than rootball. spaces for both air and tree. Half an inch of compost under the canopy is
and no deeper than water. Large air pockets 1. Undercut the limb Water and Land Conservation
recommended.
12-24 inches from Trees and other landscape plants help slow surface water runoff and reduce soil erosion. The soil absorbs more rainwater,
the depth of soil in the rootball. can cause problems. the branch collar.
Remember: a good mulch layer will provide a natural so less potable water is needed on your landscape.
The bottom of the ball should rest on solid undisturbed source of nutrients to the tree and it will help cool the This stops the bark
9. Construct a small dam or berm three feet in diam- from tearing. Branch
soil when finished, the soil at the base of the tree should soil and conserve moisture. Maintain a 3-4 inch mulch collar Wildlife Habitat
be as high on the trunk as it was in the container. eter around the tree. This dam will help hold water
layer within the planting area. Check the thickness of Trees provide food, nesting sites and protection to a wide variety of birds and animals.
until it soaks into the soil, rather than it running off your mulch mid-summer and renew it as needed. Keep Second cut
4. Make sure the sides of the hole are rough and uneven. across the surface. 2. Make the second cut
mulch away from the base of the trunk to avoid potential
from the top all the
In very hard soils, a rough edged hole may help allow new rotting of the bark. way through the
roots to grow out into the surrounding soil. 10. Cover the entire loosened area of soil, including branch, 2-3 inches
Regular watering is the single most important
the berm, with 3-4 inches of mulch. For example, you above the first cut.
factor in the success of your new tree. New trees
5. Place the tree in the hole. If the tree is in a container, can use shredded wood or bark, compost, or dry
need about one inch of water per week for about two
pull the container away from the rootball. Don't pull leaves. Mulch will slow water loss, reduce weeds and years. This is true for all trees, even though they may be 3. The final cut should be
the tree out by its trunk. Place the rootball in the center grasses, moderate soil temperature and provide small native or drought tolerant. Be careful not to drown the just beyond the branch Austin Energy recognizes the intrinsic value of The Austin Climate Protection Program is dedicated to TreeFolks is a non-profit organization dedicated to
of the hole. Adjust the tree so it sits straight and at the amounts of nutrients. collar, without cutting trees and works to maintain the health of the making Austin the leading city in the nation in the growing the urban forest of Central Texas through tree
roots; they need air as well as water to grow.
into it. Support the stub urban forest. To learn more, call 512- 494-9400 fight against climate change. To learn more, visit planting, education, and community partnerships. Our
proper level. Stand back and look at the tree now before Watering slowly by hand gives you a great opportunity to www.coolaustin.org.
so that it does not tear or visit www.austinenergy.com. award winning programs have planted nearly 200,000
you put the soil back into the hole. You can make careful monitor your trees for problems such as disease, insects the bark. trees in city parks, preserves, schools and community
adjustments to the hole at this point without seriously and broken or dead limbs. You will be amazed at how gardens. To learn more visit www.treefolks.org or
harming the rootball. well your trees will respond to your care. call 512-443-5323.

This poster is printed on acid-free archival quality paper. The pulp used for this paper is elemental chlorine free or totally chlorine free. It contains 30% recovered all post-consumer fiber.