TEXAS ARBORETUM

The 16-acre Mollie Steves Zachry Texas Arboretum is a classic arboretum featuring a diversity of Texas trees, from bigtooth maples and Texas madrones to pecans and live oaks. An approximately 1-mile looping path meanders through meadows of native grasses and wildflowers and connects visitors with groupings of trees.

 

What You’ll Find:

  • Our Texas Oak Collection (Texas has the greatest diversity of oaks in the U.S.)
  • The Hall of Texas Heroes, a collection of live oaks descended from famous Texas trees
  • Swings of all sizes in Elisabeth Maxine’s Cathedral of Oaks
  • Opportunities to learn about oak wilt, xeric trees and more
  • Shaded picnic areas

Opened in 2011, the Arboretum is a “lifetime project” that serves as a resource for tree identification, field trips, outdoor classes and tree-related events.

Hall of Texas Heroes

Texas history comes alive through this collection of historically significant trees from across the state. Oak trees are often identified with historic places and events because of their iconic nature and long life, and Texas has plenty of storied oaks. The Wildflower Center harvested acorns from many of these living legends and gave them a place of honor in our Hall of Texas Heroes.

Planted in 2016 and 2017, these trees will continue to grow with the Wildflower Center. Visitors will have the unique opportunity to return throughout the years and witness their maturation from saplings to established oaks. Future generations will be able to stand beneath the great canopies and learn about the historical roots underfoot.

Volunteers and staff planting the first round of Hall of Texas Heroes Trees

What trees are growing in the Arboretum?

 

EXPLORE THE GARDENS

Click on the areas below to view the gardens and spaces before you arrive

Central Complex

Central Complex

Iconic buildings nestled among gardens welcome visitors and evoke a sense of place

Theme Gardens at sunrise

Central Gardens

Our original core gardens display native plants from across Texas in a variety of styles

Family garden watering hole

Family Garden

Connecting families with nature through interactive features

Texas Arboretum trees

Texas Arboretum

A classic arboretum featuring a diversity of Texas trees

Restoration Trail

Savanna Meadow

Take a hike and learn about karst landscapes and the Edwards Aquifer

Hill Country Trails

Seventy acres devoted to land management research