( Native ) Flowering Dogwood, ( Cornus florida ) Native distribution East Texas to Florida and north to Canada. Deciduous tree 15 to 25 feet tall. Bloom period March-June. Likes filtered sun to shade.
See plant files, http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/1045/index.html
Close up of white blossom.
Close up od Red blossom.
Fall foliage on my little Red Dogwood.
( Native ) Mexican Plum, ( Prunus mexicana ) Central to East Texas ; Mexico.
15 to 25 feet high, deciduous, bloom period March-April, full sun to partial shade.
Beautiful white flowers in Spring before leaves appear.
See plant files; http://davesgarden.com/pf/showimage/67638/
( Native ) Laurel Cherry, ( Prunus caroliniana) Lovely evergreen tree 15 to 40 feet high, bloom March-April, full sun to partial shade. drought tolerant.
See plant files, http://davesgarden.com/pf/showimage/58905/
Close up of the flowers.
( Native ) Honey Locust, ( Gleditsia triacanthus ) Deciduous 30 to 70 feet, full sun, cold hardy. Has large thorns on trunk and branches, lovely fall color.
See plant files, http://davesgarden.com/pf/showimage/60633/
View of bare branches with thorns.
( Native ) Possum Haw, ( Ilex decidua ) Small tree to 20 feet, deciduous,
full sun, partial shade, shade, cold hardy. Red berries on female trees remain on the branches after the leaves fall and look stunning. Be sure to buy the tree in the Fall to make sure it is female and has berries.
See plant files, http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/58203/index.html
( Native ) Prairie Flameleaf Sumac, ( Rhus lanceolata ) Deciduous tree with beautiful fall color, up to 30 feet tall, drought tolerant, full sun. partial shade.
Fast growing tree.
See plant files, http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/73366/index.html
( Native ) Goldenball Leadtree, ( Luceana retusa ) Fast growing tree 15 to 25 feet, deciduous, drought tolerant, cold hardy to 0 degrees, full sun, partial shade.
Lovely yellow puff balls spring to summer, lightly scented.
See plant files, http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/62589/index.html
Prairie Crabapple, Wild Crabapple (Malus ioensis), Rosaceae Family,Texas native, deciduous, blooms in April through June, fruits are mature in September or October
This tree (or large shrub) can be found Texas in the Edwards Plateau region in central Texas growing in moist soils along streams, canyons, thickets, pastures, and woodland borders. It prefers prefers acid and neutral soils, but is adaptable to other types and grows at a slow rate. Due to its showy and fragrant flowers, prairie crab apple has been cultivated since 1885. The fruits are hard and sour, but have been used to make jellies, cider and vinegar. The fruits are eaten by several species of birds and mammals.
For more information, see its entry in the PlantFiles:
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/65652/
Soft 1.5 inch pink blooms which fade to white appear in the spring. Not only are they beautiful, they are fragrant too. Shown in at the end of April when most of the blooms have already expired.
Prairie Crabapple, Wild Crabapple (Malus ioensis)
At the end of April, a lot of the fruit has already set. The fruit is eaten by songbirds, bobwhite quail, ring-neck pheasant, opossums, fox and other critters. The leaves serve as larval food for at least 4 kinds of butterflies. Note the fine hairs on the undersides of the leaves.
Texas Wild Olive, White Geiger, Anacahuita (Cordia boissieri), Boraginaceae Family, Texas native, evergreen, blooms late spring through early fall
This small tree (can be grown as a large shrub) is native to the southern most tip of the Rio Grande region of Texas. It can be grown as far north as San Antonio, but may freeze to the ground during an exceptionally cold winter in this area. Tip dieback occurs in the mid twenties and it is hardy to 18 degrees.
For more information, see its entry in the PlantFiles:
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/2246/index.html
The Mexican olive bloom is a clear white with a center varying from gold to an orangish color. The buds are a deep green with lighter green striations. This tree blooms almost nonstop.
Texas Wild Olive, White Geiger, Anacahuita (Cordia boissieri)
This Texas wild olive is still blooming in December, although the flowers are smaller than during the warmer months. There have been several nights with freezing or below temperatures
Texas Huisache, Sweet Acacia (Acacia smallii), Mimosaceae Family, Texas native, semi-deciduous to deciduous, blooms in February through April
In Texas, it grows in the South Texas Plains and Edwards Plateau regions. It tolerates both desert and lawn plantings, is fast growing to 15-30 feet, prefers full sun, is hardy to about 15 to 20 degrees F. and can be trained as a multiple- or single-trunked tree. Not picky about soil types, sweet acacia is easy to grow in any acid or alkaline soil. Due to their desirable qualities which include fragrant blooms, shade, and dark green canopy, these trees are used in a wide array of landscape settings. They are great trees in wildscapes, xeriscapes and in the background of rock gardens. It is among the most widely used desert trees
For more information, see its entry in the PlantFiles:
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/63234/index.html
The Texas Huisache used as a lanscape specimen provides an unusual bloom color to herald spring. This photo does not do it justice because it was taken as it was lightly raining at twilight.
Texas Huisache, Sweet Acacia (Acacia smallii)
The Acacia smallii is one of the first trees to bloom in San Antonio and signifies the onset of spring. The fragrant, deep yellow or gold (some call it mustard), 1/2 inch in diameter, puffball-shaped flowers are primarily composed of stamens.
Texas Huisache, Sweet Acacia (Acacia smallii)
The Acacia smallii's deep yellow or gold blooms turn a beautiful rust color as they age. The blooms attract bees which use the pollen, not the nectar.
Ashe Juniper, Post Cedar, Mountain Cedar, Blueberry Juniper (Juniperus ashei), Cupressaceae Family, evergreen perennial, tree/large shrub, blooms in early winter to late winter
For more information, see its entry in the PlantFiles:
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/54344/index.html
A branch ...
Ashe Juniper, Post Cedar, Mountain Cedar, Blueberry Juniper (Juniperus ashei)
The bark ...
Sycamore, Buttonwood,American Sycamore, American Planetree (Platanus occidentalis), Platanaceae Family, deciduous, blooms mid-spring through early summer
The American sycamore is sometimes confused with the several other trees in the same genus which are similar in appearance. If the tree has single seedpods, it is an American sycamore. If there are two seedpods together, it is a London planetree (Platanus X acerfolia). If there are 3-5 seedpods, it is an Oriental planetree (P. orientalis) which has the seedpods hanging like beads. All three have lobed maple-like leaves, but each is slightly different. American sycamore's leaf lobes are wider than long. London planetree's leaf lobes are about as wide as they are long. Oriental planetree's leaf lobes that are much longer than wide and deeply incised. London planetree is a hybrid between the American sycamore (Platanus occidentalis) and the oriental planetree. It prefers moist, deep, rich soils in full sunl however, it is adaptable to a wide range of soils, including wet soils, dry soils, compacted soils and poor soils. If not receiving enough water and during very, very hot summers, the leaves will drop. It is a bit messy due to large leaves falling even in the summer, the seed balls, shedding bark and small twigs and branches that fall under it which have to be cleaned up.
Be careful where these trees are planted. The growing roots can clog sewers and damage sidewalks and driveways. The fallen leaves can clog drains. Also, be careful not to plant these fast growing trees too close to buildings and utility lines.
For more information, see its entry in the PlantFiles:
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/1607/index.html
The Platanus occidentalis sycamore showing its structure, bark and round, ball-like seedpods. The object 1/3 of the way up the tree to the right is not a wild animal. It is an old pinata.
Sycamore, Buttonwood,American Sycamore, American Planetree (Platanus occidentalis)
The seedpods are individually attached which helps distinguish it from the London planetree (Platanus X acerfolia)and the Oriental planetree (P. orientalis).
Sycamore, Buttonwood, American Sycamore, American Planetree (Platanus occidentalis)
The trunk can appear like this at the base if the tree is an older tree.
Sycamore, Buttonwood, American Sycamore, American Planetree (Platanus occidentalis)
Platanus occidentalis sycamore has thin bark that flakes which gives the trunk a mottled appearance with irregular brown, gray, white and green patches. This is the bark of the same tree, but higher up than the first photo. In the fall and winter, the tree's bark provides interest in the landscape.
Texas Red Oak, Spanish Oak, Spotted Oak, Red Oak, Rock Oak (Quercus buckleyi), Fagaceae Family, Texas native, deciduous, blooms in the spring
This medium-sized oak is related to the Shumard oak, Q. shumardii, and is in the black oak group. It is more drought tolerant than the Shumard oak, but less hardy. The Texas red oak is naturally found in an area located in central Texas. It was originally named Q. texana, which remains a synonym.
It usually reaches a height of 30 feet or more and a width of 30 feet or more.
For more information, see its entry in the PlantFiles:
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/60892/index.html
Texas red oak in December. The leaves retain their deep green color as they change to the deep maroon and red shades. An outstanding tree for fall color ...
Texas Red Oak, Spanish Oak, Spotted Oak, Red Oak, Rock Oak (Quercus buckleyi)
A leaf turning colors ...
Honey Mesquite (Prosopis juliflora), Mimosaceae Family, Texas native, deciduous, blooms mid-summer, may be a noxious weed or invasive
The most common shrub or small tree of the Desert Southwest, mesquite restores nitrogen to the soil. The bean pods can lie dormant for forty years and can be viable. The bean pods have been used by wildlife (especially deer), livestock and humans as a source of food. Believe it or not in late summer, it is estimated that over 75% of a coyote's diet is comprised of mesquite beans.
Native Americans counted upon the mesquite pod as a main source of food making ground meal called pinole, tea and syrup. The bark was employed in the production of medicines, fabrics and basketry. The yellowish-gold mesquite flowers produce a fragrant honey which is a favorite of bees and other insects.
A hated tree by many (large taproot and large root system uses up the moisture in the soil, thorny, invasive, seed pods make a mess, etc.) and loved by me. When the leaves fall from the mesquite, I know the first frost is not far behind. When the beautiful yellowish-green leaves sprout in spring, I know that the last frost has usually occurred and I start planting my frost sensitive plants. For some reason, it is frequently hit by lightening.
For more information, see its entry in the PlantFiles:
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/31989/index.html
This message was edited Jul 16, 2017 9:42 AM
( Native ) Honey Mesquite, a beautiful specimen at Veterans Park,
Arlington, Texas.
A close up of Honey Mesquite leaves and seed pods.
A close up of Honey Mesquite tree trunk.
The original location of the Preston Trail (a precursor to the famed Chisholm Trail) can be followed by noting the numerous Mesquite growing in a line from South Texas to Preston Bend near Denison. It is especially easy to see from the air. Apparently the seed was in the hide and dung. An example of a native invasive species.
( Native ) Flameleaf Sumac, ( Rhus lceolata ) Small tree in bloom.
See plant files, http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/73366/index.html
Silk Tree, Mimosa Tree, Pink Siris (Albizia julibrissin), Mimosaceae Family, (naturalized), deciduous, blooms in mid-summer, listed as an invasive plant in some states
I love the mimomsa tree. It is airy looking and the blooms are gorgeous, But, it has its pitfalls. It spreads out not up and may take a lot of training to fit into one's landscape, the dropping blooms can cause problems (debri on cars, sidewalks, other plants, etc.) as well as the seed pods. The branches break easily in high winds. Although it is listed as invasive in some states, my Mother's tree has never caused a problem.
For more information, see its entry in the PlantFiles:
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/1764/index.html
Silk Tree, Mimosa Tree, Pink Siris (Albizia julibrissin)
( Native ) Chinkapin Oak, ( Quercus muehlenbergii ) Beautiful Oak tree with lush foliage,very pretty. The tree.
See plant files, http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/62918/index.html
Close up of leaves and acorn.
Orchid tree, Napoleon's plume, butterfly flower, pink orchid tree, poor man's orchid (Bauhinia monandra), Caesalpiniaceae Family, naturalized, hardy in Zones 10-11, blooms April through July, shrub or small tree
Pink orchid tree can attain a height of 20 feet and has a spreading habit. The 4 to 6 inches across leaves are cleft almost to the middle which gives them the shape of a hoof print. In April through July, the blooms appear in terminal racemes. The blooms, which look like orchids, start out a pale yellow, but turn to pink the next day and the center petal is streaked with magenta. The seed are enclosed in pea-like pods which are between 6 inches and 1 foot long. Although not usually necessary, they can be pruned after flowering. Pink orchid trees sometimes suffer from chlorosis and may be treated with iron chelate.
For more information, see its entry in the PlantFiles:
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/53511/index.html
Blooms look like orchids hence the tree's name. Photo courtesy of TopTropicals.com.
Orchid tree, Napoleon's plume, butterfly flower, pink orchid tree, poor man's orchid (Bauhinia monandra)
A closeup of the bloom ... photo courtesy of TopTropicals.com
Orchid tree, Napoleon's plume, butterfly flower, pink orchid tree, poor man's orchid (Bauhinia monandra)
A view of the blooms and leaves ... photo courtesy of TopTropicals.com
