Choosing A Tree

Trees do so many great things for us.  They cool our neighborhoods and our homes (and even save us money on our electric bills).  They slow our sometimes horrible South Texas winds down to a comfortable breeze, they filter dirt and other pollutants out of the air, and on a a more global level, the pull carbon dioxide out of our atmosphere.



So, what kind of trees to plant?  I'd like to recommend to you a variety of trees that are fast growing, long lived, flowers continuously, never drops leaves or blooms, is evergreen and has a nice fall color.  I'd like to, but can't, because this tree doesn't exist.  In reality, you have to make some compromises.  All trees have their strengths and weaknesses, so let's talk about them.

Live Oak-  native, evergreen, strong wood, moderately fast growing with good care (but often slow to start).  Few serious insect or disease problems at this point except "asp" caterpillar, but as Live Oak has recently become so widely planted, new problems are likely to develop; older trees have dense shade and roots that limit nearby plantings, and people often underestimate their ultimate size; high winds cause stunting.

Mesquite-  native, best adapted to poor soils, high winds, and tolerates poor maintenance.  Light shade of mature trees allows lawn or ornamentals beneath, "artistic" twisting trunks and branches.  Requires yearly pruning to maintain attractive shape and allow pedestrian or vehicle traffic beneath can drop sap on cars or paving.  Not tall enough to throw a long shadow over a house.  Non-native thornless mesquite doe not anchor well in our soil and is subject to freezing in severe winters.

Soapberry- native, attractive creamy white blooms in spring and yellow foliage in fall.  Tall and relatively narrow outline, moderate growth rate and life span.

Chinese Tallow- fast growth, good fall reds and oranges, best climbing tree for kids; relatively short useful life (20 years), messy if overhanging pavement.

Arizona Ash (Rio Grande Ash)- fast growth, large size (thought much variation is size occurs in seed grown trees); webworms can make a mess, relatively short useful life (25-30 years).

Cottonless Cottonwood- very fast growing, can shade upper story windows or roof in just a few years.  Attractive sound as wind blows through the leaves, tolerates strong winds.  Short useful life (20 years), drops leaves during drought periods, choose only large leafed varieties.

Sycamore- fast growing, attractive bark and new foliage; short life, ugly old foliage, poor wind tolerance.

Cedar Elm-  native, yellow fall color, narrow crown fits in narrow spaces such as curb strips or side years;  "offbeat" branching pattern is attractive to some, but not to all.

Anaqu-  native, evergreen, attractive white bloom and yellow berry, good bird tree; relatively slow growing.

Goldenrain Tree (Chinese Flame Tree)- fast growing attractive yellow bloom and salmon seedpod; seedlings invade beds.  Trees damaged by severe freezes.  But only bipinnata variety.

Montezuma Cypress-  Looks like our Hill Country bald cypress, but faster growing.  Looks like a real winner so far to me.

Many other tree varieties will grow in South Texas, but may have a more limited appeal, or require a more specific environment, or may have a lower success ratio.  Please ask one of our Certified Nursery Professionals if you have a question.