Native Plants
Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Sunday - September 28, 2014
From: Hutto, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Plant Lists, Trees
Title: Tree Recommendations for Hutto, TX
Answered by: Larry Larson
QUESTION:
I live in Hutto, TX. I want shade trees in my back yard. I would like a fast growing tree as well as a slower growing tree. What trees are recommended for my area?ANSWER:
The Wildflower Center keeps collections of plants that are native to various regions. In general, Hutto is in the Blackland Prairie Ecoregion. This link is to the Wildflower Center special collection for the Blackland Prairie Ecoregion.
These special collections can be sorted for several different characteristics. After selecting “Trees” there are still 50 candidates to review for your request! Speed of growth of these trees is a bit harder to determine; it is sometimes mentioned in the body of the record, both in the NPIN record and more often by the USDA. After reviewing these, here are those that explicitly fit your request for Slow growing or fast growing trees:
Slow growing:
Carya illinoinensis (Pecan)
Diospyros virginiana (Common persimmon)
Ilex opaca (American holly)
Ilex vomitoria (Yaupon)
Quercus macrocarpa (Bur oak)
Fast Growing:
Acer negundo (Ash-leaf maple)
Fraxinus pennsylvanica (Green ash
Gleditsia triacanthos (Honey locust)
Juglans nigra (Black walnut)
Liquidambar styraciflua (Sweetgum)
Platanus occidentalis (American sycamore)
Populus deltoides (Eastern cottonwood)
Prunus serotina (Black cherry)
Prunus virginiana (Chokecherry
Quercus virginiana (Coastal live oak)
Taxodium distichum (Bald cypress)
The pictures below are in rough order of mature height
From the Image Gallery
More Trees Questions
Is post oak resistant to oak wilt from Dallas TX
November 22, 2013 - I am confused. The NPIN website says that Post Oak IS susceptible to oak wilt, but all the other information I have been able to find says that it is resistant to oak wilt and rarely gets the diesase....
view the full question and answer
Fast growing tree for pasture in Coolidge, Texas
August 03, 2009 - Hello, we purchased some land around Coolidge Tx., it has NO trees on it. This is open pasture land, can you suggest a fairly fast growing tree for shade? And if you know can you give us some names ...
view the full question and answer
Death of mature tulip tree in Raymond IL
June 06, 2010 - We have a mature tulip tree that leafed out and looked very healthy then all of the leaves turned brown and fell off. I think the tree is now dead. We live in the country and have a corn field behind ...
view the full question and answer
Bugs on Arizona Cypress in Bellwood IL
August 27, 2011 - I live in Illinois and have an Arizona Cypress that looks like it is dying but I notice today it has bugs inside its cone. Can you tell me why and what can I do?
view the full question and answer
Red oak (Quercus shumardii or Q. buckleyi) for small yard.
December 13, 2007 - Hello,
I want to plant a red oak but my yard is not large. I'm looking for a red oak that is medium size in width. The height is not so much of a concern. From what I've read, the Shumard is m...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |