Central Texas has a diverse cross-section of soils, terrain and plant life.  For many people, it evokes images of white limestone, brilliant wildflowers and stately live oaks. However, drought and extreme heat make it difficult for most non-native plants to survive without supplemental water and soil improvement. Before making your plant selection, evaluate the size, texture, flowering patterns, light requirements and wildlife value of each tree.  To assist you with your landscaping plans, the Lower Colorado River Authority has developed a list of some of the most popular native and adapted trees for the Central Texas area.

Shade Trees

Evergreen

Arizona Cypress               
Cypressus arizonica                      
25’ – 50’                             
good choice for limestone soils      
requires good drainage

Deodar Cedar                                     
Cedrus deodara                            
40’ – 50’                              
fine texture                              
requires good drainage

Live Oak                                           
Quercus virginiana                       
30’ – 50’                             
oak wilt susceptible                  
provides dense shade

Monterey Oak
Quercus polymorpha
30’ – 40’
fast growing
attractive trees
prefers deep soil

Deciduous

Bur Oak                                
Quercus macrocarpa                   
75’ – 100’                           
large oak                     
majestic                                          
very adaptable

Cedar Elm                            
Ulmus crassifolia                            
50’ – 60’                             
Fall color

Chinquapin Oak                
Quercus mulenbergii                  
30’ – 50’                              
tall, slender form

Lacey Oak                           
Quercus glaucoides                        
20’ – 30’                            
bluish-green foliage’             
grows well in limestone soil

Pecan                                                
Carya illinoinensis                            
60’ – 80’                             
nut producing

Texas Ash                            
Fraxinus texensisn                             
40’ – 50’                             
fast growing

Texas Red Oak                   
Quercus texana                             
15’ – 30’                             
Bright red fall foliage
                                                
Western Soapberry   
Sapindus drummondii
30’ – 40’              
showy winter fruit     
yellow fall color

Ornamental Trees

Evergreen

Cherry Laurel
Prunus caroliniana
25’ – 30’
screening plant
wildlife food

Yaupon Holly
Ilex vomitoria
15’ – 20’
red berries in winter
small tree
shade tolerant

Mountain Laurel
Sophora secundiflora
15’ – 20’
showy
fragrant purple flower

Texas Pistachio
Pistacia texana
12’ – 20’
almost evergreen
red berries
white flowers

Deciduous

American Smoke Tree
Cotinus obovatus
15’ – 20’
beautiful spring blooms and fall foliage
requires well-drained soil

Anacacho Orchid
Bauhinia congesta
8’ – 12’
orchid-like flowers
needs well-drained soil

Carolina Buckthorn
Rhamnus caroliniana
12’ – 20’
glossy green foliage
good food source for wildlife

Crape Myrtle
Lagerstroemia x. hybrida
15’ – 25’
summer flowers
many varieties

Desert Willow
Chilopsis lineaaris
15’ – 25’
orchid-like blooms
not a true willow

Escarpment Black Cherry
Prunus serotina var. eximia
20’ – 30’
fall color
fruit bearing

Eve’s Necklace
Sophora affinis
20’ – 30’
good nectar plant
flowers in necklace-like clusters

Golden Leadball Tree
Leucaena retusa
12’ – 20’
fragrant yellow blooms
fine-textured, airy foliage

Honey Mesquite
Prosopis glandulosa
25’ – 30’
long white blooms
wildlife nectar source

Kidneywood
Eysenhardtia texana
10’ – 15’
fragrant white flowers

Mexican Buckeye
Ungnadia speciosa
10’ – 15’
fragrant pink spring flowers

Mexican Plum
Prunus mexicana
15’ – 25’
white spring flowers
wildlife food

Possumhaw Holly
Ilex deciduas
12’ – 15’
attractive red winter berries
sun or part shade

Red Buckeye
Aesculus pavia
10’ – 20’
beautiful red flowers
loses leaves in late summer

Rusty Blackhaw Viburnum
Viburnum rufidulum
15’ – 20’
Beautiful spring blooms and fall foliage
Slow growing

Texas Persimmon
Diospyros texana
15’ – 25’
wildlife food
attractive gray trunks
 

Placement Tips
For future energy savings, plant trees to shade the west and southwest sides of your home.  Space trees at least 15 feet away from structures to avoid future conflicts as they grow.  Avoid planting trees that exceed 20 feet in height near or beneath overhead utilities.  Be sure to locate underground utilities such as sewer lines, septic fields and waterlines, allowing enough space to accommodate root systems.