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Best Trees for Central Texas
Pflugerville Tree service clients often ask us about tree care, lawn care, and what the best trees are for our area for their property landscape. There are native and some non-native species of trees that thrive in the Pflugerville area. But the native trees do the best. It’s important to give any newly planted tree extra care by watering and fertilizing to help give it a good head start and ensure its long-term health and growth.
We are often asked for planting recommendations in the Pflugerville area. And we like it when customers ask for planting recommendations because many people plant the wrong trees in the wrong places on their property and for the area in which they live.
Trees that need a lot of water should not be planted in sunny areas where the soil remains drier. Trees that cannot live in rocky soil should not be planted in rocky soil. Certain trees, like evergreen shrubs or certain types of palms can’t tolerate frost without being wrapped up.
We are often asked for planting recommendations in the Pflugerville area. And we like it when customers ask for planting recommendations because many people plant the wrong trees in the wrong places on their property and for the area in which they live.
Trees that need a lot of water should not be planted in sunny areas where the soil remains drier. Trees that cannot live in rocky soil should not be planted in rocky soil. Certain trees, like evergreen shrubs or certain types of palms can’t tolerate frost without being wrapped up.
The native tree species that grow in the Pflugerville area are the Cedar Elm, Live Oak, Spanish Oak, also known as the southern Red Oak, the Texas Ash tree also known as the Mountain Ash, and the Escarpment Black Cherry tree. A couple of tree that don't do as well in central Texas are the Green Ash tree that is more common in southeastern Texas , and the Pecan tree. The Pecan Tree is the Texas state tree. Pecan tree not only grow delicious pecan's but they are also good shade trees, Pecan tree's require a lot of water so they more commonly grow along river banks and lakes.
A young Pecan tree requires about 10 to 15 gallons of water every week. Older mature Pecan tree's need about two inches of rainfall or water from a sprinkler every week from April through October. The water should be around the tree's dripline. The dripline is the circumference around and directly below the outer perimeter of of the trees branches. This area is also known as the critical root zone. One inch of rainfall is about 155 gallons per 250 square feet area. Since we can't depend on two inches of rain every week in Pflugerville, the Pecan tree can be rough on your water bill.
A young Pecan tree requires about 10 to 15 gallons of water every week. Older mature Pecan tree's need about two inches of rainfall or water from a sprinkler every week from April through October. The water should be around the tree's dripline. The dripline is the circumference around and directly below the outer perimeter of of the trees branches. This area is also known as the critical root zone. One inch of rainfall is about 155 gallons per 250 square feet area. Since we can't depend on two inches of rain every week in Pflugerville, the Pecan tree can be rough on your water bill.
Trees that do well in central Texas
Live oaks: The live oak is the most common tree in the Pflugerville area and can typically live over one-hundred years. The plateau or escarpment and the interior live oaks are the most common variety in central Texas. The live oaks are a slower growing tree with a strong wood, whereas the coastal live oaks are faster growing but have weaker wood. Because the coastal live oaks grow faster, they are often used by developers in new neighborhoods. However, the coastal live oaks do better in areas with a warmer winter. So, a better choice would be a hybrid species sold by nurseries that grows faster than the live oak but has a stronger wood than the coastal live oaks.
Live oaks: The live oak is the most common tree in the Pflugerville area and can typically live over one-hundred years. The plateau or escarpment and the interior live oaks are the most common variety in central Texas. The live oaks are a slower growing tree with a strong wood, whereas the coastal live oaks are faster growing but have weaker wood. Because the coastal live oaks grow faster, they are often used by developers in new neighborhoods. However, the coastal live oaks do better in areas with a warmer winter. So, a better choice would be a hybrid species sold by nurseries that grows faster than the live oak but has a stronger wood than the coastal live oaks.
Cedar Elms: The cedar elm is the second most common tree in the Pflugerville, Austin area. The cedar elm is drought tolerant and grows well near the live oaks and other trees in your landscaping. The cedar elms do well in hot dry weather because they have smaller leaves with thicker cuticles. They are thicker than the live oaks but have a weaker wood structure. The weaker wood structure makes them less able to compartmentalize wood rot and makes older trees more vulnerable to storm damage. Despite some of its shortcomings, the cedar elm is considered the second most valuable after the live oak because like the live oak it lives for 100 years or more with proper tree care and adds value to a homeowner’s property.
The Spanish oak or Southern red oak is a large, tall, straight tree with a rounded crown, and spreading branches. The Spanish oak is another very common tree in the Pflugerville and Austin areas. If you're looking for a fast-growing giant shade tree that is low maintenance because it is incredibly hardy and long lasting because they live over one-hundred years, then the Spanish oak is your tree. Spanish oaks do better in areas where their roots have shade from the canopy of other trees. You do not want to use them as edge trees where the sun can bake their roots. Their leaves are prone to bacterial leaf scorch when the heat doesn’t allow them to hold adequate water. We recommend planting the Spanish oak in a rocky shady area without competition from other shrubs and trees, and where they can get more water in the summer from a sprinkler or hand watering.
The Texas ash is another common tree to the Pflugerville and Austin area. This tree well suited for our central Texas soil and climate. The Texas ash is small relative to many other ash tree species but does well in our dry climate and limestone-based soil. It is a relatively fast-growing tree. It grows at about 2.5 feet per year depending on rainfall or watering and is a shade tree that would be a beautiful complement to your landscaping.The Texas ash tree is also referred to as a mountain ash tree. But the Texas ash tree is primarily found in Texas with some found in southern Oklahoma. The Texas ash is like the American Ash tree species.
It is a good choice for your landscape because it does well in most soils and it's drought resistant. It has round deep green leaves and its fall colors are beautiful ranging from yellow to red, overall, it is a beautiful tree. The drawback is that the Texas ash has a relatively short life as trees go because its lifespan is only about 20 to 30 years. In ideal soil and climate conditions they can live to be 50 years old. Although the Texas ash is a beautiful tree some people may not want to invest in the Texas ash trees in favor of longer lived, more valuable trees such as live oaks, cedar elms, and Spanish oaks.
Another interesting fact about the Ash tree is that it is related to the Olive tree family. The Ash tree produces a substance that is like olive oil. This olive oil-like liquid has been used in the treatment of stomach problems. The ash trees are essentially male and female in that male and female flowers develop on separate trees and are pollinated between male and female trees by the wind. The Ash tree produces tiny flower clusters in the spring during April and May with a green and violet blossom color. In the fall the color of the leaves turns yellow, orange, and maroon.
Young Ash trees can be identified by their smooth gray bark. Interestingly, like a person who develops lines or wrinkled skin with age, an old ash tree can be identified by its furrowed bark that has a diamond shaped pattern.
Most Ash trees have a shallow but strong and wide root system. When planting more than one ash tree make sure to plant the trees at least 60-feet apart to ensure that each tree has enough space for healthy development of its root system. The Texas ash can have either single or multiple trunks also called leaders. The Ash tree prefers sun to half-shade and is undemanding in terms of soil. Some animals like cows, goats, and wild rabbits like to eat the Ash trees leaves and branches.
Historically the wood from ash trees has been valued for its commercial applications. The strong but relatively light and elastic wood has been used to build carriages before the automobile also used in the manufacture of boats, airplanes, and sporting goods like baseball bats, canoe paddles, and hockey sticks, and music instruments such as electric guitars and drums. Ash tree wood is also commonly used to make office furniture veneers. The Ash tree wood is also popular for smoking meat and other foods.
Ash trees are found all over the world and among all species of ash trees they can range in size from 30 to 120 feet tall with a lifespan range from 30 to 300 years. But the Texas ash tree is on the small end of the height spectrum growing to a height of between 30-45 feet tall and the Texas ash’s lifespan is on the shorter end of the range falling in the 30-to-50-year range. Both its height and lifespan will depend on the soil, environment, and amount of annual rainfall.
Unfortunately, the Texas ash is vulnerable to certain diseases. The best way to protect your Texas ash and all your trees is to work with a qualified Arborist tree care specialist at Pflugerville Tree service.
One of our certified Arborists will regularly inspect your trees for signs of disease. Covering all the common diseases for all the Texas trees native to central Texas is beyond the scope of this website but we will briefly describe the most common diseases that could threaten your valuable Texas ash trees.
Here are some of the common Texas ash tree diseases.
Anthracnose
Anthracnose is a fungal disease caused by prolonged periods of rain. Signs of Anthracnose on your Texas ash are dark yellow or brown spots called lesions. The lesions will darken and spread affecting the lower branches the worst. Anthracnose will then cause earlier defoliation, which compromises the tree’s immune system leaving the tree weaker and vulnerable to further damage.
Cotton Root Rot
Cotton root rot is another fungal disease common in Texas ash trees. Cotton root rot spreads from tree to tree and once in the soil it stays there for years. Cotton root rot also affects the plants in the area near the tree. Telltale signs that the cotton root rot fungus is in your soil is that the smaller plants around the tree will die within a week. Once the fungal disease is established near the roots, the trees’ leaves will begin to yellow.
Leaf Spot Disease
Leaf spot disease can appear on many species of ash trees and the Texas ash is vulnerable to several types of leaf spot disease. Leaf spot disease is a fungal disease that colonizes in the leaves of the tree instead of the roots. Signs of leaf spot disease are obviously spots on the leaves. These leaf spots can range from very small spots that grow over time to dark clusters of spots under the leaves.
Wood Rot Disease
Wood rot is a fungal disease that attacks tree wounds. A tree wound can result from branches rubbing together in the wind wearing away the bark, or from a tree limb or tree bark having been removed by incorrect pruning leaving an unsealed wound. Wood rot can result from many species of fungi but unlike cotton root rot, wood rot disease kills slowly. Signs of advanced wood rot are tough growths called conks growing near the base of the tree trunk.
If you suspect that one of your Texas ash trees has one of these disease don't wait to call for help.
Call Pflugerville Tree Service: 512-582-2387
It is a good choice for your landscape because it does well in most soils and it's drought resistant. It has round deep green leaves and its fall colors are beautiful ranging from yellow to red, overall, it is a beautiful tree. The drawback is that the Texas ash has a relatively short life as trees go because its lifespan is only about 20 to 30 years. In ideal soil and climate conditions they can live to be 50 years old. Although the Texas ash is a beautiful tree some people may not want to invest in the Texas ash trees in favor of longer lived, more valuable trees such as live oaks, cedar elms, and Spanish oaks.
Another interesting fact about the Ash tree is that it is related to the Olive tree family. The Ash tree produces a substance that is like olive oil. This olive oil-like liquid has been used in the treatment of stomach problems. The ash trees are essentially male and female in that male and female flowers develop on separate trees and are pollinated between male and female trees by the wind. The Ash tree produces tiny flower clusters in the spring during April and May with a green and violet blossom color. In the fall the color of the leaves turns yellow, orange, and maroon.
Young Ash trees can be identified by their smooth gray bark. Interestingly, like a person who develops lines or wrinkled skin with age, an old ash tree can be identified by its furrowed bark that has a diamond shaped pattern.
Most Ash trees have a shallow but strong and wide root system. When planting more than one ash tree make sure to plant the trees at least 60-feet apart to ensure that each tree has enough space for healthy development of its root system. The Texas ash can have either single or multiple trunks also called leaders. The Ash tree prefers sun to half-shade and is undemanding in terms of soil. Some animals like cows, goats, and wild rabbits like to eat the Ash trees leaves and branches.
Historically the wood from ash trees has been valued for its commercial applications. The strong but relatively light and elastic wood has been used to build carriages before the automobile also used in the manufacture of boats, airplanes, and sporting goods like baseball bats, canoe paddles, and hockey sticks, and music instruments such as electric guitars and drums. Ash tree wood is also commonly used to make office furniture veneers. The Ash tree wood is also popular for smoking meat and other foods.
Ash trees are found all over the world and among all species of ash trees they can range in size from 30 to 120 feet tall with a lifespan range from 30 to 300 years. But the Texas ash tree is on the small end of the height spectrum growing to a height of between 30-45 feet tall and the Texas ash’s lifespan is on the shorter end of the range falling in the 30-to-50-year range. Both its height and lifespan will depend on the soil, environment, and amount of annual rainfall.
Unfortunately, the Texas ash is vulnerable to certain diseases. The best way to protect your Texas ash and all your trees is to work with a qualified Arborist tree care specialist at Pflugerville Tree service.
One of our certified Arborists will regularly inspect your trees for signs of disease. Covering all the common diseases for all the Texas trees native to central Texas is beyond the scope of this website but we will briefly describe the most common diseases that could threaten your valuable Texas ash trees.
Here are some of the common Texas ash tree diseases.
Anthracnose
Anthracnose is a fungal disease caused by prolonged periods of rain. Signs of Anthracnose on your Texas ash are dark yellow or brown spots called lesions. The lesions will darken and spread affecting the lower branches the worst. Anthracnose will then cause earlier defoliation, which compromises the tree’s immune system leaving the tree weaker and vulnerable to further damage.
Cotton Root Rot
Cotton root rot is another fungal disease common in Texas ash trees. Cotton root rot spreads from tree to tree and once in the soil it stays there for years. Cotton root rot also affects the plants in the area near the tree. Telltale signs that the cotton root rot fungus is in your soil is that the smaller plants around the tree will die within a week. Once the fungal disease is established near the roots, the trees’ leaves will begin to yellow.
Leaf Spot Disease
Leaf spot disease can appear on many species of ash trees and the Texas ash is vulnerable to several types of leaf spot disease. Leaf spot disease is a fungal disease that colonizes in the leaves of the tree instead of the roots. Signs of leaf spot disease are obviously spots on the leaves. These leaf spots can range from very small spots that grow over time to dark clusters of spots under the leaves.
Wood Rot Disease
Wood rot is a fungal disease that attacks tree wounds. A tree wound can result from branches rubbing together in the wind wearing away the bark, or from a tree limb or tree bark having been removed by incorrect pruning leaving an unsealed wound. Wood rot can result from many species of fungi but unlike cotton root rot, wood rot disease kills slowly. Signs of advanced wood rot are tough growths called conks growing near the base of the tree trunk.
If you suspect that one of your Texas ash trees has one of these disease don't wait to call for help.
Call Pflugerville Tree Service: 512-582-2387
Beautiful majestic Green Ash Tree
Escarpment Black Cherry is a variety of Black Cherry found only in the limestone soil of central Texas. They grow up to 50 ft tall with an attractive trunk and branches. The Escarpment Black Cherry is admired for its beautiful spring blooms and summer fruits, and for its bright yellow foliage in the fall. It needs full sun. Although the cherries can be eaten, the rest of the plant and seeds are poisonous if eaten.
Pflugerville Tree Service would love to be your Tree care service. We proudly serve Pflugerville, Round Rock, Hutto, Cedar Park, Austin, and Georgetown
Call Pflugerville Tree service for a free estimate: 512-582-2387
