The Amazing Trees of Texas

Texas, as residents know, has a lot of wide open space. It also has a lot of trees that people never even think about or consider. As professional arborists, we make it our business to know each tree and its characteristics. We have to because we never know what we’ll find when we arrive on a private or commercial property. Here’s a short list of trees. The truth is there are hundreds of tree types in the great state of Texas.1. Sweet Acacia – This is a common shrub with light green foliage that is shaped like a fountain. In spring, it blooms orange-gold flower clusters. Its bark can be used for dying, tanning, and making ink. Its leaves can feather out between one and four inches long, and foliage is a gray-green color. During the 19th century, its flowers were collected to make perfume.2. Anacua – This tree grows to about 50 feet in height, with a trunk diameter of about two feet. Its crown is dark green. The tree can be found in abundance in Central Texas. Travel further south to the Golf Coast and the Rio Grande and it can be found there as well. The Anacua grows well in sandy deposits and on the banks of streams. This tree also favors alkaline soils. It’s a popular choice for landscaping in Houston, San Antonio, and southward.3. Mountain Ash – These trees may grow up to 45 feet tall and two feet in diameter. They can be found from Dallas to Central Texas. They grow abundantly on ridges, bluffs, and hillsides. There are male and female flowers of this tree species. Female flowers appear in loose clusters, while male flowers appear as dark clusters near the twig’s end.4. Southern Bayberry – This tree grows up to 20 feet tall, and can generally be found near seasonally wet areas like swamps and streambanks. It is also used extensively for residential and commercial landscaping. Male and female flowers can be found on separate trees. Some candles are made from Bayberry wax. The tree’s bark reportedly has medicinal properties as well. Sometimes, the leaves are used as seasoning for sauces, meats, and soups.5. Blue Beech – This tree may grow to a height of 30 feet, and it has somewhat of a muscular appearance. It can be found along streams where the soil is most fertile. It also prefers to grow in the shade of other trees. Both female and male flowers exist on the same tree.6. Flowering Dogwood - the Dogwood can grow up to a height of 35 feet, and grows best in soils that are well-drained. It also prefers to grow in the shade of other trees. There is Christian lore that Jesus was crucified on a Dogwood tree, which at the time was straight and stout. As the story is told, God decreed that the Dogwood would never again grow large enough to serve as a cross.7. Bodark – This tree grows up to 40 feet tall with a dense spreading crown. Male and female flowers originate on different trees. Flowering occurs during late spring. The wood produced is hard, durable, and heavy. When you see fenceposts, this wood should come to mind. This was once a popular wood for making Native American bows and war clubs.There’s a long list of Texan trees, and we could go on and on listing the types of trees that grace Texan soil. The key thing to remember is that it takes a professional arborist to know how each species should be cared for and pruned. At Wauson Tree Service, we have the experience and trained professionals who know tree care like the back of their hand.We are family owned, so we can offer our customers the best prices around. We’re also insured and licensed. We remove any worry of our employees getting hurt while working on your property. Our services include tree pruning, cabling, fertilization, stump removal, and more. Call us today for a free estimate. We can be reached at 214.450.8720, or you can email us at walt@wausontreeservice.com.