How to Identify 10 most Common Trees in Austin, Texas

To properly care for your trees, you first need to accurately identify them. In this blog post, we'll introduce you to ten of the most prevalent tree species in the area and provide tips on how to identify them.

1. Live Oak (Quercus virginiana):

   - Recognizable by its evergreen leaves with rounded edges.

   - Bark is dark brown and deeply furrowed.

   - Often found with twisting and sprawling branches.

2. Pecan (Carya illinoinensis):

   - Features compound leaves with numerous leaflets.

   - Produces large, oblong nuts that are a Texan favorite.

   - Smooth grayish-brown bark.

3. Texas Red Oak (Quercus buckleyi):

   - Identifiable by its lobed leaves with distinct red hues in fall.

   - Bark is light gray and scaly.

   - Forms a broad, spreading canopy.

4. Texas Ash (Fraxinus texensis):

   - Compound leaves with up to 9 leaflets.

   - Smooth grayish bark on young trees.

   - Often planted as a shade tree.

5. Cedar Elm (Ulmus crassifolia):

   - Leaves are small, serrated, and dark green.

   - Bark is gray and furrowed.

   - Tolerant of drought conditions.

6. Texas Persimmon (Diospyros texana):

   - Small to medium-sized tree.

   - Dark, leathery leaves.

   - Orange to black fruit when ripe.

7. Mexican Sycamore (Platanus mexicana):

   - Large, heart-shaped leaves with serrated edges.

   - Exfoliating bark reveals white patches underneath.

   - Common near water bodies.

8. Texas Mountain Laurel (Sophora secundiflora):

   - Dark green, leathery leaves.

   - Fragrant purple-blue flowers in spring.

   - Drought-tolerant and evergreen.

9. Eve's Necklace (Sophora affinis):

   - Pinnately compound leaves.

   - Long chains of fragrant, pinkish-purple flowers.

   - Unique twisted seed pods.

10. Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis):

    - Heart-shaped leaves.

    - Pink to lavender flowers bloom before leaves in spring.

    - Smaller tree often used in landscaping.

Identification Tips:

- Observe the leaves: Pay attention to leaf shape, size, and arrangement (simple or compound).

- Study bark characteristics: Note the color, texture, and pattern of the tree's bark.

- Examine the fruit and flowers: These can be crucial for accurate identification.

- Observe the tree's overall shape and size: This can help differentiate between similar species.

Proper tree care is essential to the longevity and health of the tree. By honing your tree identification skills and familiarizing yourself with the distinct features of these ten species, you'll be better equipped to care for and appreciate the natural beauty that surrounds you in the Lone Star State. Happy tree spotting!