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Tree Encyclopedia

Species Selection

Choosing the proper species and planting location is critical to tree health a nd longevity. This section depicts information to assist with selecting the appropriate species and planting location.

ADAPTED TREES FOR THE AUSTIN AREA

LARGE

MEDIUM

SMALL

SMALL
(Shade Tolerant)

American Elm
Bald Cypress
Blackjack Oak
Bumelia
Bur Oak
Chinquapin Oak
Cottonwood
Escarpment Cherry
Escarpment Live Oak
Montezuma Cypress
Pecan
Post Oak
Shumard Oak
Southern Live Oak
Texas Sycamore
Walnut

Arizona Cypress
Ashe Juniper (Cedar)*
Big Tooth Maple
Cedar Elm
Cherry Laurel
Chinese Elm
Durand Oak
Escarpment Black Cherry
Honey Mesquite
Lacebark Elm
Lacey Oak
Monterey (Mexican White) Oak
Soapberry
Texas Ash
Texas Red Oak

American Smoke Tree
Anacacho Orchid Tree
Crape Myrtle
Desert Willow
Eve’s Necklace
Flameleaf Sumac
Flowering Senna
Goldenball Leadtree
Goldenrain Tree
Mexican Redbud
Poinciana (Pride of Barbados)
Pomegranate
Possumhaw Holly
Roughleaf Dogwood
Shin Oak
Texas Mountain Laurel
Texas Persimmon
Texas Pistachio
Texas Redbud

Carolina Buckthorn
Mexican Buckeye
Mexican Plum
Red Buckeye
Rusty Viburnum
Texas Buckeye
Yaupon Holly

* Ashe Juniper (Cedar) (Juniperus ashei)

Cedar trees are more properly identified as Ashe Juniper trees. Topography with dense cedars, and minimal competing vegetation, were described as "Cedar Brakes" by early observers. Cedar trees are native to the area and are a significant component of the Live oak/Ashe Juniper/Texas Oak association found through-out the Hill Country. Cedar trees do emit a substance that inhibits the growth of some other plants. This is referred to as allelopathy. Before embarking on a total cedar tree eradication program consider the benefits provided by having some cedar trees. They are the original xeriscape plants, provide diversity, and supply screening from adjacent properties. Conversely, cedars out-compete virtually all other native trees. Most trees can coexist with junipers provided that dense thickets or direct competition is avoided. Live oaks generally do not suffer greatly by competition with cedars. However there are exceptions and in areas where specimen oaks exist, thickets of small cedars should be controlled. Most native oaks can coexist nicely with a reasonable number of junipers in close proximity. However cedar elms invaded by cedars are a different matter. Existing cedar elms should be protected from encroachment from junipers. Cedar elms can exist in harmony with a few junipers in their root zone areas, however they can suffer severely when many junipers compete directly.

COMMON DESIRABLE CHARARTERISTICS FOR THE AUSTIN AREA

ATTRACT WILDLIFE

DEER RESISTANT

SEASONAL COLOR

Anacacho Orchid Tree
Arizona Cypress
Bald Cypress
Big Tooth Maple
Bumelia
Bur Oak
Carolina Buckthorn
Cedar Elm
Cherry Laurel
Chinquapin Oak
Desert Willow
Escarpment Black Cherry
Escarpment Live Oak
Eve’s Necklace
Flameleaf Sumac
Flowering Senna
Goldenball Leadtree
Hackberry
Honey Mesquite
Mexican Buckeye
Mexican Plum
Mexican Redbud
Pecan
Pomegranate
Possumhaw Holly
Red Buckeye
Roughleaf Dogwood
Rusty Viburnum
Shumard Oak
Soapberry
Southern Live Oak
Texas Mountain Laurel
Texas Persimmon
Texas Pistachio
Texas Red Oak
Texas Redbud
Yaupon Holly

American Smoke Tree
Bald Cypress
Carolina Buckthorn
Desert Willow
Flameleaf Sumac
Flowering Senna
Honey Mesquite
Mexican Buckeye
Mexican Redbud
Montezuma Cypress
Possumhaw Holly
Poinciana (Pride of Barbados)
Red Buckeye
Rusty Viburnum
Soapberry
Texas Mountain Laurel
Texas Persimmon
Texas Redbud
Yaupon Holly

American Smoke Tree
Anacacho Orchid
Bald Cypress
Bigtooth Maple
Cedar Elm
Chinese Pistache
Chinquapin Oak
Desert Willow
Eve’s Necklace
Flameleaf Sumac
Fruiting Pear
Goldenball Leadtree
Mexican Plum
Mexican Redbud
Possumhaw Holly
Red Buckeye
Roughleaf Dogwood
Rusty Viburnum
Shumard Oak
Soapberry
Texas Ash
Texas Mountain Laurel
Texas Pistachio
Texas Red Oak
Texas Redbud
Yaupon Holly


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