I am asked frequently what grows here, what should be planted in this location and what is a good tree? Well I have come up with a list for this area that will best suit your landscape. It is a list of proven trees which I have either planted in my yard or have come across in my career and are proven.
Arborvitae (EG)** Dawn Redwood Pecan (Native)
Arizona Cypress (EG)** Deodar (EG) Persimmon
Ash (Green or Texas) Desert Willow Possum Haw (US)
Austrian Black Pines (EG)** Dogwood (US)* Roughleaf Red Bud (“Forest Panzy”)
Big Tooth Maple Elderica Pine (EG)** Red Cedar (EG)**
Bird of Paradise (Dry) Eve’s Necklace (US)* Red Maple
Buckthorn (US)* Fig Red Oak (Shumardii, Texana, Rubra)
Burr Oak Hackberry (FG) Smoke Tree
Button Bush Hollywood Juniper (EG)** Sumac (Dry)
Calorie Pear Japanese Black Pine (EG)** Texas Ash
CarolinaLaurelCherry(EG)** Japanese Maple (US) Texas Persimmon (Dry)
Cedar Elm
Cottonless Cottonwood Lacebark Elm (FG)***
Kidney Wood Toothache (US)*
Tree of Senna
Chinese Photenia Lacey Oak Vasey Oak
Chinese Pistachio Leland Cypress (EG)** Viburnum (US)
Chinquapin Oak Live Oak Vitex (Dry)
Chitamwood Magnolia (EG)** Western Soapberry
Chitalpa Willow Mesquite Winged Elm
Crabapple Mexican Buckeye (US) Yaupon Holly (US,FG)*
Crepe Myrtle Mexican Plum (US)
Mulberry fruitless
*(US) = Understory
**(EG) = Evergreen
***(FG) = Fast Growing
There are; shade trees, mid size ornamentals, small ornamentals, flowering ornamentals, evergreens, shade tolerant or understory, full sun, and dry site species all of whom have a purpose and reason for thier existance. Shade trees should be afforded enough area to fill into, for example, Live Oaks don’t grow very tall but they do grow very wide as opposed to say Red Oaks which grow tall but not wide. These species can coexist when planted near each other, a skilled Certified Arborist will be able to prune these trees in such away that they will maintain character and sustain a layering effect on your property. Shade trees should be planted before ornamentals to allow for growth prior to planting ornamentals. Generally shade trees grow slower,this takes about 8 t0 15 years to assume character unless of course they are professionally taken care of. I have most of these trees in my yard, but understand this as I have previously mentioned there are planting techniques to be aware of and you must abide by them to be successful. After planting the shade trees and getting the desired future affect you want, then start thinking about ornamentals. When choosing ornamentals always think about what you want to accomplish for example; do you want to compliment the house or the rest of the landscape, do you want it to grow large or remain small, do you want it to flower or turn color? The choises are numerous but a experienced Certified Arborist can save you time, money and anxiety in the long run.