Austin is home to many green and nature spaces such as Zilker Park, Lady Bird Lake, and Barton Creek. What might be as well known though, is what wonderful and vivacious tree types live in the beautiful capital of Texas. Let’s take a look into the trees of Austin and all their benefits!
Southern Live Oak
Location: Edward’s Plateau & Blackland Prairie
These large trees grow up to 50 feet tall and are classified as Evergreens. There are many benefits to these trees because they grow acorns which will feed wildlife such as birds, wild turkeys, and deer. They are more accustomed to the warmer weather (they THRIVE in Texas!) and cannot survive freezing temperatures (truly a Texas native). They typically bloom in March, April, and May and will grow for many years and you can see their large and long branches spread across the land!
Texas Ash
Location: Limestone Hills & Canyons
These small ash trees on average will grow to be 30-45 feet tall. They have Pinnate leaves which produce beautiful vibrant colors when they change in the fall! They only grow across parts of Texas but are also common in the mountains of Oklahoma. These ash trees are more adaptive to the warmer and less humid climates. Their bloom season is typically in March & April. Benefits will include the typical coverage and shade that is provided by their leaves, which is a prime nesting place for fruit birds and Mallards!
Cedar Elm
Location: Along the Colorado River & Brazos River
These beautiful large trees on average can grow to be 50-70 feet tall! They are called ‘Cedar Elm’ because of their rough, cedar-like textures of leaves. They are typically grown around East Texas and are in peak blooming season in the summer months of July, August, September, and October. While they are blooming they produce a beautiful vivid yellow color. Their native habitats include woodlands and ravines which is why they are typically found alongside creeks and rivers.
Fun Fact: These leaves are actually compostable and beneficial to your soil and our planet!
Southern Red Oak
Location: Spanning from New Jersey to Texas and Florida
These large trees are quite the character! These southern Oaks sprout and grow quickly in their prime soil and weather conditions. These vivacious trees are very adaptable and drought resistant, but they love it in these conditions and can live to be 100 to 150 years old! They get their name from their leaves turning a beautiful Scarlett color once the autumn season comes around. Whenever they are in bloom their leaves and white and green and produce acorns for the wildlife in their surrounding areas!
Pecan
Location: Northeast & Central Texas
These plentiful trees are actually the state tree of Texas! It is in their name: they produce and multitude of pecan for its lovers such as animals, and the people of Austin. These massive trees typically range from 60-100 feet and can even reach heights up to 160 feet (talk about a lot of pecan pies). Pecans aren’t the only valuable things you can get from these plants but their wood is also good for building furniture, flooring, and even to smoke meats! Their leaf colors range from yellow and green and typically are in bloom around March, April, and May.
After looking at all these beautiful, and vivacious trees that are native to Texas and even reside right in our own capital of Texas city, I hope you get some inspiration for your own favorite tree! Remember, these trees are not only beneficial to the wildlife and environment they live in but to you as well!