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The Natives are Friendly
Trees
The Natives are Friendly
Trees
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As the mercury rises and the rains seem to have come to an end, we reach the time of year when a
nice spot in the shade goes from being a luxury to a necessity. Our Texas summer sun can be brutal
and by August even the most sun loving of us are headed for the deep shade by the hottest part of
the day. Some of us are blessed with large mature trees in the landscape, but for those who aren’t
now is a good time to start thinking about what kind of tree would be best to give us some relief from
the Texas heat.
While there are many excellent trees for the home landscape, here are a few favorites.
1) Bur Oak (Quercus macrocarpa) This reasonably fast growing oak produces a magnificent
shade tree which produces golf ball size acorns.
2) Cedar Elm (Ulmus crassifolia) Some times called the poor man’s live oak, it is quick growing
and very drought tolerant.
3) Lacey Oak (Quercus laceyi) A smaller oak that is the perfect size for urban areas
4) Texas (Spanish) Oak (Quercus buckleyi) A great tree with beautiful fall color.
5) Pecan (Carya illinoinensis) Our state tree. Can be a little messy, but nothing is better than
having your own pecans for a Thanksgiving pie.
6) Mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa) A highly underrated tree, it will grow in the harshest
conditions and helps to improve the soil.
7) Plateau Live Oak (Quercus fusiformis) More cold and drought tolerant than the coastal live oak,
so unless your planting along the coast, this is a hardier choice.
nice spot in the shade goes from being a luxury to a necessity. Our Texas summer sun can be brutal
and by August even the most sun loving of us are headed for the deep shade by the hottest part of
the day. Some of us are blessed with large mature trees in the landscape, but for those who aren’t
now is a good time to start thinking about what kind of tree would be best to give us some relief from
the Texas heat.
While there are many excellent trees for the home landscape, here are a few favorites.
1) Bur Oak (Quercus macrocarpa) This reasonably fast growing oak produces a magnificent
shade tree which produces golf ball size acorns.
2) Cedar Elm (Ulmus crassifolia) Some times called the poor man’s live oak, it is quick growing
and very drought tolerant.
3) Lacey Oak (Quercus laceyi) A smaller oak that is the perfect size for urban areas
4) Texas (Spanish) Oak (Quercus buckleyi) A great tree with beautiful fall color.
5) Pecan (Carya illinoinensis) Our state tree. Can be a little messy, but nothing is better than
having your own pecans for a Thanksgiving pie.
6) Mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa) A highly underrated tree, it will grow in the harshest
conditions and helps to improve the soil.
7) Plateau Live Oak (Quercus fusiformis) More cold and drought tolerant than the coastal live oak,
so unless your planting along the coast, this is a hardier choice.
All of these trees should be available at your
local nurseries this fall when planting time is
near. Remember in this part of the world it is the
hot dry summers that are the toughest on plants
not the winter time. So you want to give your new
planting as much time to as possible to get
established before the summer heat tries to do
them in. I usually will plant just after the start of
our fall rains. Sometime in September to
October. Studies have also shown that a 5 or 10
gallon pot tree will actually out grow one of the
giant balled and burlaped trees in just a few
years, so save that extra expense.
local nurseries this fall when planting time is
near. Remember in this part of the world it is the
hot dry summers that are the toughest on plants
not the winter time. So you want to give your new
planting as much time to as possible to get
established before the summer heat tries to do
them in. I usually will plant just after the start of
our fall rains. Sometime in September to
October. Studies have also shown that a 5 or 10
gallon pot tree will actually out grow one of the
giant balled and burlaped trees in just a few
years, so save that extra expense.