Texas is situated in the southernmost part of the country and is bordered by Louisiana, Arkansas, New Mexico, and other Mexican states. According to population and region size, the Lone Star State is the second-largest state in the nation. The trees there are diverse.
Due to the fact that Texas’s population was established on former prairies, meadows, woodlands, and coastal areas, less than 10% of the total state is made up of desert. Perhaps this explains why so many trees, including some of the oldest in the nation, can be found here.
Traveling through Texas, you’ll see a variety of landscapes, including pine forests, arid deserts, rolling hills, and mountains. One thing will endure throughout this: the trees.
All Texans have benefited greatly from the shade provided by these trees during the hot, muggy summers when the sun would beam brightly. In order to combat the Texas heat, cities throughout the state have planted a wide variety of these trees. This article will examine some of these popular trees in further detail and share with you information about their special qualities, value, and other things.
Table of Contents
Most Common Trees in Texas
The following are the most common trees in Texas
- Live Oak (Quercus virginiana)
- Pecan Tree (Carya illinoinensis)
- Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica)
- Desert Willow (Chilopsis linearis)
- Magnolia Tree (Magnolia grandiflora)
- Red Oak (Quercus rubra L.)
- Cedar Elm (Ulmus crassifolia)
- Camphor Tree (Cinnamomum Camphora)
- Cottonwood (Populus)
- Sycamore (Platanus Occidentalis)
- Tipu Tree (Tipuana Tipu)
- Sissoo Tree (Dalbergia Sissoo)
- Maidenhair Tree (Ginkgo Biloba)
- American Smoke Tree (Cotinus Obovatus)
- Pawpaw (Asimina Triloba)
- Sugarberry (Celtis Laevigata)
- Rough Leaf Dogwood (Cornus Drummondii)
- Titi (Cyrilla Racemiflora)
- Texas Persimmon (Diospyros Texana)
- Texas Madrone (Arbutus Xalapensis)
- Farkleberry (Vaccinium Arboreum)
- Texas Ebony (Ebenopsis Ebano)
- Texas Mountain Laurel (Dermatophyllum Secundiflorum)
- Honeylocust (Gleditsia Triacanthos)
- Texas Ash (Fraxinus texensis)
- Black Cherry (Prunus serotina)
- Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana)
- Shumard Oak (Quercus shumardii)
- Anacua (Ehretia anacua)
- Yaupon (Ilex vomitoria, Aquifoliaceae)
- Redbud (Cercis canadensis L.)
1. Live Oak (Quercus virginiana)
The live oak must be the first tree mentioned when discussing Texas trees. They are incredibly well-liked and as majestic as the state of Texas itself. Most are, your front or backyard already contains one.
It’s not surprising that Texans adore these shade-giving beauties given their enormous stature and broad canopy. Live oaks like other oaks have a long lifespan. They are sturdy, strong trees that offer protection to a wide range of Texas species.
2. Pecan Tree (Carya illinoinensis)
The hickory family includes the pecan tree, the proud state tree of Texas. It can get pretty big and offer shade on sweltering Texas summer days. The best thing, though? We get buttery, sweet nuts from it for pecan pie and countless other dishes.
3. Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica)
A shorter tree that is frequently found bordering roads and roadways is the crape myrtle. In the spring, it greets you with lovely blossoms and stunning dark green foliage. Hot pink crape myrtle flowers are the most common, but there are other blooms in white, lilac, purple, light pink, and red.
4. Desert Willow (Chilopsis linearis)
The desert willow is a well-liked option for Texans looking for landscaping that matures rapidly due to its speedy growth. They can reach a height of 30 feet and, as you might have guessed from the name, prefer a dry heat, which Texas can provide in many regions.
This low-maintenance tree bears flowers that resemble pink and violet orchids. This desert tree (Chilopsis linearis) can tolerate the intense Texas sun and heat as well as dry soil conditions.
They produce pastel-colored trumpet-shaped flowers. Desert willows can withstand nagging deer that insist on nibbling on the tree’s leaves. Deer may graze as much as they choose; the desert willow will swiftly regenerate.
5. Magnolia Tree (Magnolia grandiflora)
The magnolia tree is the epitome of Southern charm. They are robust southern trees with enormous white or pink blossoms, waxy deep-green foliage, and a scent that seems to make us forget about all other worries. Texas magnolia trees are extremely iconic in our landscaping despite having a tendency to be on the shorter side.
6. Red Oak (Quercus rubra L.)
The red oak transforms into a flaming foliage show in shades of crimson in the fall in locations where the seasons vary dramatically. Due to its hardiness and ability to withstand pollution, it is a favorite beside streets with heavy traffic. The red oak constantly produces acorns, which can occasionally make it a little dirty but still make it attractive to look at.
7. Cedar Elm (Ulmus crassifolia)
A cedar elm is almost the ideal tree because it can tolerate almost any environment, it offers shade, and its glossy green leaves are attractive to look at. Visitors can have a picnic underneath its enormous canopy, which grows up to a height of 70 feet.
8. Camphor Tree (Cinnamomum Camphora)
This medium-sized tree is typical of Texas. It offers a ton of shade thanks to the extensive canopy its evergreen leaves create. The tree is also thought to naturally ward off mosquitoes. A black fruit is also produced by it. However, the Camphor tree’s fruit and leaves are poisonous to humans.
9. Cottonwood (Populus)
The cottonwood tree is well-liked across the country, but Texas is where it is most common. One of the trees with the highest growth rates, it also offers a good deal of shade. Cottonwood trees are a common option for planting at homes in Texas because they require little upkeep and trimming.
10. Sycamore (Platanus Occidentalis)
One of Texas’ most prevalent and tallest trees is this one. Additionally, it is North America’s tallest deciduous tree. The sycamore tree can grow up to 100 feet tall. Texas residents might think about planting sycamores because they are low maintenance and will cast a lot of shade over your home.
11. Tipu Tree (Tipuana Tipu)
The Tipu tree is well-known across the nation and is one of the most well-liked trees in Texas. The well-known tree is well-known for its broad canopy, which casts a lot of shade, and its gorgeous springtime display of golden leaf. Many warmer climates, like Houston, have these native South American trees.
12. Sissoo Tree (Dalbergia Sissoo)
The Sissoo Tree is indigenous to South Asia, but it is also a typical tree in Texas due to its adaptability to the state’s hot and muggy climate. The strong wood from this quickly expanding tree is also utilized to create marine-grade plywood and a variety of furniture. Because of the tree’s stunning green leaves and foliage display, ornamental plantings are the main reason it is planted throughout the state.
13. Maidenhair Tree (Ginkgo Biloba)
One of Texas’s oldest and most well-known trees, also known as the gingko tree. It is without a doubt among the oldest trees in the world, having existed since the Jurassic period. Although they are no longer present in the wild, Texas landscape trees are still planted there because of their lovely color display. Despite its slow growth, the tree is remarkably resilient to pest and disease attacks.
14. American Smoke Tree (Cotinus Obovatus)
Native to Texas, the American Smoke Tree can be seen growing along rivers and limestone slopes. They feature vibrant pink or purple foliage that, when viewed from a distance, resemble smoke or haze, giving them their name. These trees are very tolerant to limestone soils, heat, and drought, which is why they are so common in Texas.
15. Pawpaw (Asimina Triloba)
The Pawpaw tree is a well-known species of tree in America, but it is also prevalent in Texas. This is a tiny tree with light green leaves that grows to a height of 30 feet. Pawpaw is primarily found along the Red River in Eastern Texas and along streams. They develop as individual trees or tiny groves rather than in groups.
16. Sugarberry (Celtis Laevigata)
The Sugarberry, often called the Southern Huckleberry, is a medium-sized tree with wide, drooping branches. It also contains a spherical, dull-red fruit that is eaten by a variety of birds. The Sugarberry can be found in Texas on major roads. Additionally, plywood, sports equipment, and numerous types of furniture are all made from tree wood.
17. Rough Leaf Dogwood (Cornus Drummondii)
This is a typical Texas shrub or small deciduous tree. Even though it has year-round rough-textured green leaves, in the spring it produces lovely clusters of creamy yellow flowers. Numerous butterfly species receive nectar from these flowers. Additionally, the white berries that are eaten by wildlife form during the summertime after the aromatic blooms have faded.
18. Titi (Cyrilla Racemiflora)
The Titi is a little deciduous tree that never exceeds 30 feet in height. It is a thin tree with branches and a smooth, cinnamon-colored trunk. In North America, South America, and Central America, the titi tree is a common sight. The tree’s leaves change from a brilliant green color in the spring to a bright scarlet hue in the fall.
19. Texas Persimmon (Diospyros Texana)
A very little tree or shrub with several trunks, the Texas persimmon. Although it typically stands at a height of 15 feet, it has the potential to reach 35 feet. In bushes in Houston and Bryan, you can readily find this tree, which is common in central Texas. It has white branches, and the female tree also produces stunning fruits that birds and other animals typically eat.
20. Texas Madrone (Arbutus Xalapensis)
Another little tree with several trunks, this one can reach a height of 30 feet. Underneath is a red, glossy trunk. On the Texas Madrone, scarlet can be seen even in the dark green leaves. Additionally, it features clusters of white, tiny, urn-shaped blooms on the branches. It also produces edible fruit that is red or orange in the spring.
21. Farkleberry (Vaccinium Arboreum)
The Farkleberry is a tiny, stiff-branched, evergreen small tree or big shrub that grows in Texas woodlands, on slopes, and in moist bottomlands. It bears tiny, white or pink bell-shaped blooms. The Farkleberry tree also produces tasty black fruit in the fall. The green leaves change to a vivid scarlet tint in the autumn.
22. Texas Ebony (Ebenopsis Ebano)
The Texas Ebony is a quite little tree that can grow up to 30 feet in height. It has a thick, heavy canopy of leaves that are dark green and covered in creamy yellow flower puffs. With these flowers, the tree thrives and blossoms in the spring and summer, making it one of the most well-liked trees in the state.
23. Texas Mountain Laurel (Dermatophyllum Secundiflorum)
When fully grown, this small tree or large shrub will reach a height of 15 feet. It produces thick clusters of blooms at the ends of the branches and has leathery, evergreen leaves. These blossoms sport a stunning purple hue. Fruit of the tree is a bloated, hanging pod with a seed within.
24. Honeylocust (Gleditsia Triacanthos)
The honeylocust is a big tree that, in the appropriate circumstances, can grow as high as 80 feet or even higher. It is frequently found in East and Central Texas, where it grows as a landscaping tree in moist soil. Some of these honeylocust trees provide tasty honey that is frequently utilized in drinks.
25. Texas Ash (Fraxinus texensis)
The Texas ash, also known as the mountain ash or by its scientific name, Fraxinus albicans, has a shorter lifespan than the other native trees we’ve just described, normally lasting 15 to 20 years, but occasionally even less.
With a height range of 35 to 40 feet, the Texas ash is also regarded as a little tree. During the fall months, the leaves do indeed turn to spectacular colors.
26. Black Cherry (Prunus serotina)
The black cherry tree is a native of eastern North America, and it can be found in Texas from east to west. The Prunus serotina contains fruit that attracts birds and develops rather quickly. It features fragrant white blooms that draw a range of species, including the Eastern tiger swallowtail butterfly and various types of bees.
The black cherry is known for its superior wood, which is frequently used to build furniture, toys, and paneling. It is also simple to produce. In the fall, the fruit of a black cherry will darken and the leaves will turn yellow. This upright native Texas tree thrives in damp environments with somewhat alkaline soil and likes well-drained limestone.
27. Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana)
One of America’s most widely dispersed conifers is this tree, Juniperus virginia. Due to its exceptional heat and drought tolerance, eastern red cedars can also be found in Texas. This species typically has dark green leaves.
The tree produces berries in the shape of cones in the early spring. Although they typically stand between 30 and 40 feet tall, eastern red cedars can reach heights of 90 feet. These trees get full light and draw in birds and butterflies.
28. Shumard Oak (Quercus shumardii)
The pyramid-shaped Quercus shumardii tree has vivid orange to deep crimson foliage in the fall. This resistant tree has thick, smooth, grayish-grayish bark and can reach heights of 50 to 90 feet. Although these oaks may grow in a range of soil types, such as sandy, clay, limestone-based, or caliche, they prefer deeper soils.
A Shumard oak is a flexible, moderately quick-growing tree that can withstand brief flooding and is reasonably drought-resistant. One drawback of this species of tree is that oak wilt, a frequent and sometimes deadly disease in some areas of Texas
29. Anacua (Ehretia anacua)
The Anacua tree, also called the Anaqua tree, the Knockaway Tree, the Sandpaper Tree, and Ehretia anacua, thrives in alkaline soils and grows well among streams and sandy deposits. Simple large, oval leaves on this tree have a sandpaper-like texture on top.
From late fall to early spring, anacua trees bloom with tiny, white flowers that can draw a sizable number of bees. With trunks up to two feet in diameter, these trees can reach heights of between 30 and 50 feet. The anacua tree is fairly low maintenance because it doesn’t need much irrigation and can withstand a lot of sun.
30. Yaupon (Ilex vomitoria, Aquifoliaceae)
Yaupon holly trees are common in Texas yards due to their adaptability to various environmental factors. Ilex vomitoria produces gorgeous red berries that are a favorite for passing wildlife, despite the fact that they do need pruning.
Yaupon trees prefer some shade, may thrive in regions with poor drainage, and have a high tolerance for drought. Although they typically don’t grow any higher than 25 feet, these trees are typically taller than 10 feet. These trees can also be cut to form hedges in residential settings.
31. Redbud (Cercis canadensis L.)
The Texas redbud tree (Cercis canadensis var. texensis) is a fantastic option for people who prefer pink and purple blossoms. This tree is extremely adaptive to various soil conditions and can resist dry conditions and drought. Redbuds have a 20-foot maximum height.
Conclusion
The variety of tree species in Texas is vast, ranging from live oaks to white oaks to cedar elms. While we could continue to list more, the aforementioned trees—more particularly, those that are considered native Texas trees—are the ones that are more frequently observed throughout the state.
Asking yourself what qualities you want in a tree is a crucial step to take when selecting one. Do you prefer a landscape painted with blossoming flowers or plenty of shade? Would you rather have a tree that needs little to no upkeep or do you dread keeping your flowers and trees trimmed and tended to?
And finally, you’ll need to think about where you live. The type of soil in your backyard and the local weather patterns must be identified because both have an impact on the growth of trees and whether they will thrive and flourish on your property.
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A passion-driven environmentalist by heart. Lead content writer at EnvironmentGo.
I strive to educate the public about the environment and its problems.
It has always been about nature, we ought to protect not destroy.