San Antonio Forest

Recommended Trees for Bexar County


Common Name (latin name) Evergreeen? Max Height Watering Sun Growth Rate Remarks
Afghan Pine (pinus eldarica) evergreeen 30-80' moderate full fast tolerates drought and alkaline soil
Arizona Cypress (cupressus arizonica) evergreeen 40' moderate full moderate likes dry, rocky, alkaline soil
Big-Tooth Maple (acer saccharum grandidentatum) deciduous 20-30' moderate to regular full to partial moderate likes dry, well-drained soil
Bradford Pear (pyrus calleryana) deciduous 50' moderate full fast tolerates drought and pollution;can split in windstorms
Bur Oak (quercus macrocarpa) deciduous 60-80' moderate full fast drought tolerant, grows in either acid or alkaline soils
Carolina Buckthorn (rhamnus caroliniana) deciduous 15-20' moderate full or partial fast fall berries, good understory tree
Carolina Cherry Laurel (prunus caroliniana) evergreeen 35-40' regular to moderate full moderate normally a shrub, can be trained as a tree; has messy flowers and fruit
Cedar Elm (ulmus crassifolia) deciduous 50-70' moderate full slow drought tolerant, Texas native
Chinese Pistache (pistacia chinensis) deciduous 30-60' moderate full slow to moderate tolerant of drought and alkaline soils
Chinquapin Oak (quercus muehlenbergi) deciduous 80' regular full moderate, then slow grows in clay and limestone soils
Crape Myrtle (lagerstroemia indica) deciduous 20' moderate full moderate bloom for 90-100 days; powdery mildew a problem
Desert Willow (chilopsis linearis) deciduous 25' moderate to little full fast, then slow flowers attract birds; prefers dry, limy soil; can be messy unless pruned
Eve's Necklace (sophora affinis) deciduous 15-20' moderate full or partial fast tolerates dry or limy soils; seeds are toxic if eaten
Goldenrain Tree (koelreuteria paniculata) deciduous 20-35' regular to moderate full moderate large yellow flowers; tolerant of drought, cold, and wind
Live Oak (quercus virginiana) evergreeen 40-80' regular to moderate full moderate needs room; avoid oak wilt by not pruning in spring
Mesquite (prosopis glandulosa) deciduous 30' none full slow excellent shade for lawns;iimpossible to transplant
Mexican Buckeye (ungnadia speciosa) deciduous 12-15' little to regular full or partial moderate tolerates dry, limy soils; seeds are toxic
Mexican Plum (prunus mexicana) deciduous 15-25' regular to moderate full moderate to fast (use water!) drought tolerant, like limestone soil
Mexican Sycamore (platanus mexicana) deciduous 60' regular full or partial moderate adapted to dry, rocky, alkaline soils
Montezuma Cypress (taxodium mucronatum) evergreeen 50-70' little to much full fast prefers acid soil; resistant to mechanical damage
Pecan (carya illinoensis) deciduous 70' regular to moderate full fast needs room, deep soil, difficult to transplant
Possumhaw (ilex decidua) deciduous 6-10' regular full or partial moderate red berries into late winter
Southern Magnolia (magnolia grandiflora) evergreeen 80' regular full or partial moderate protect surface roots near trunk; may take 15 years to flower
Texas Mountain Laurel (sophora secundiflora) evergreeen 25' moderate full or partial moderate thrives in heat and alkaline soil; violet flowers midwinter; seeds toxic
Texas Persimmon (diospyros texana) deciduous 30' little full or partial slow suited to dry, rocky, alkaline soil; female tree has messy fruit
Texas Redbud (cercis canadensis texensis or cercis mexicana) deciduous 25' regular full or partial moderate drought tolerant; other varieties do not thrive here
Western Soapberry (sapindus drummondii) deciduous 25-30' moderate to little full moderate adapted to dry, rocky, alkaline soils; self-sows
Yaupon Holly (ilex vomitoria) evergreeen 15-20' regular full or partial moderate grows in any soil

Trees that grow to 25' or shorter are suitable for planting near utility lines.

Sources: San Antonio Trees Guide, The Southern Living Garden Book

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