Welcome to the Think Trees Tour at University Hills Branch! We encourage you to learn about the trees that grow in Austin and how to identify them. Maybe you’ll even find a new favorite to plant in your own landscape.
Click or tap the numbered icons in the map for abbreviated descriptions and tree locations. Use the navigation bar above to see more pictures and details about each species. Scroll to the bottom of the page to take community action and find your next Think Trees Tour.
Click or tap the numbers in the map to see tree names. Use the navigation bar above the map (or scroll down) to see more photos and details of each species.
(1) Shumard Oak
Quercus shumardii
A Shumard oak in the parking lot of University Hills Library.
a Shumard Oak branch in spring, showing emerging new leaves and long strings of dangling catkins
Two deeply lobed leaves with pointed tips from a shumard oak tree with a ruler in the background showing their total length is near 7 inches
A shumard oak branch with green leaves and acorns that are almost mature. The cups are small, thin and brown with the green acorns bulging out
Red-orange shumard oak leaves in autumn
Five mature shumard oak acorns resting on gray tree bark. Two are still in their shallow cups. Three are out of their cups. Two empty acorn cups also are in view.
light gray bark on a shumard oak with shallow fissures between plates
Shumard Oak is a large shade tree with deeply lobed leaves. It is in the Red Oak group, so the tips of the leaves have tiny points or bristles. Pollen-producing catkins grow in early spring. Acorns are large and bulge out from flat, thin cups.
Shumard Oak is one of our largest trees at maturity. It has deeply lobed leaves with pointed tips that often turn red or orange in autumn. Shumard Oak and its Red Oak cousins (like Spanish Oak, Buckley’s Oak, and Blackjack Oak) are most susceptible to oak wilt disease.
Red oaks are the only trees that can form the fungal mats that can cause new disease outbreaks. Shumard Oaks can still be a good choice in Austin, but must be monitored carefully and removed promptly if infected by the Oak Wilt fungus(Bretziella fagacearum).
(2) Crape Myrtle
Lagerstroemia indica
A Crape Myrtle tree next to the building at University Hills Library.
a crpe myrtle twig with several light green, oval-shaped leaves and red coloring in twig
crape myrtles showing two different colors of pink flowers
a single crape myrtle flower against a white background with metric ruler for scale. The overall width is 35 mm. six bright, pink petals radiate from the base, each with a thin stalk 5mm long and a frilly section at the end about 5 mm diameter. In the center, a few dozen short, yellow-tipped stamens are surrounded by tall, arching, false stamens.
A cluster of frilly, white flowers with yellow centers on a crape myrtle tree
crape myrtle stems showing a mottled pattern in the thin, flaky bark
Close view of crape myrtle seed pods. They are dried, brown balls splitting open at one end into segments like an orange
Crape Myrtle grows oval-shaped leaves. Bark peels away in thin flakes to add visual appeal. Prolific flowers grow through summer in pink, white or red. Seed pods remain through winter for continuing visual interest.
Crape Myrtle is an imported tree from Asia. It typically forms a cluster of several stems, but can be trained to grow as a single trunk. It has proven to be reliable in a wide range of soils and climates without becoming invasive. It produces abundant flowers throughout summer, which can be white, pink, lavender, or red. Showy seed pods remain visible during winter after leaves drop. The bark peels away in thin flakes, creating more visual interest. Crape myrtle tolerates drought and root disturbance better than most trees. It is available in a range of sizes to fit most landscapes. Be careful to select an appropriate variety if you plant it underneath power lines or other utility wires.
(3) Texas Mountain Laurel
Dermatophyllum secundiflorum
A Texas Mountain Laurel at the University Hills Library.
A hard, red seed from a Texas Mountain Laurel pod
close view of texas mountain laurel leaves and developing flowers
close view of fading texas mountain laurel flowers and developing seed pods
Close view of texas mountain laurel branches with mature, brown seed pods
Close view of a compound leaf from a texas mountain laurel, showing pinnate, oval-shaped leaflets
Texas Mountain Laurel grows compound leaves with oval-shaped leaflets. Thick clusters of purple flowers form in spring, followed by bean-like seed pods. The pods become fat and hard by fall. The seeds inside have a hard shell that is bright red.
Texas Mountain Laurel is a small tree or large shrub that keeps its dark, glossy leaves year-round. It is native to limestone bluffs, making it tolerant of alkaline soils and drought. The large, purple clusters of flowers often remind people of the smell of grape Kool-Aid. Bright, red seeds form in large, woody, bean-like pods. Mountain Laurel grows slowly and can grow safely under utility wires. Leaves last year-round, so this plant can be used as a hedge to screen a view. It becomes a nice ornamental when planted as a single specimen.
(4) Yaupon Holly
Ilex vomitoria
A Yaupon Holly next to University Hills Library.
Yaupon holly branches in early spring, with dark, green, mature leaves and tiny, new, glossy leaves tinged with red at the edges
yaupon holly branches showing green, oval-shaped leaves with lightly scalloped edges and tiny, green berries developing along the twigs
Yaupon holly branch in spring with green leaves and tiny, round flower buds. A red insect feeds on a white, four-petaled flower with a yellow center.
yaupon holly branch showing two red berries and a bee pollinating a flower
A cardinal nest in a yaupon holly tree about 6 feet above the ground
Yaupon Holly grows small, oval-shaped leaves with scalloped edges that remain on the tree year-round. Tiny, white flowers attract bees and other pollinators in Spring. Red berries develop in late summer and fall, providing food for birds and small mammals. Yaupon creates a mid-story layer where many birds like to build nests.
Yaupon is a large bush or small tree, often forming multiple trunks. It keeps its leaves through the winter, so it is often used as a hedge or bushy screen. It produces clusters of red, berry-like drupes along its branches. Birds and wildlife enjoy the berries starting in fall. Cut branches can bring festive color indoors during December. Yaupon is the only plant native to Texas that makes caffeine.
(5) Eastern Cottonwood
Populus deltoides
A cottonwood tree at University Hills Library.
Cottonwood branches from below
Two cottonwood leaves on a white background next to a ruler
Cottonwood seed pods that have burst open to reveal a mass of cottony threads that will carry seeds on the breeze
Cottonwood bark with a hand to show how thick and wide the ribs are
Cottonwood trees have glossy, green, heart-shaped leaves that flutter in the breeze and sound like applause. Seeds are attached to tiny threads of fluff that float on the breeze. Bark develops thick, wide ribs with deep fissures between them.
Cottonwood is one of our largest tree species, reaching heights above 100 feet. If you are near one in the wind, the leaves flutter and sound a bit like applause. Cottonwood serves as a host for several kinds of caterpillars. The name refers to the cottony seeds that sometimes seem to carpet the area around the trees. Cottonwoods do best near a water source, like a creek or lake. In this case, it is taking advantage of the area where water collects after rain.
(6) Boxelder
Acer negundo
A Boxelder tree at University Hills Library.
compound boxelder leaves with reddish petioles
green boxelder twigs growing in pairs from opposite sides of the parent branch
Boxelder branch showing droopy, compound leaves and rows of twin samaras
Dark gray boxelder bark with patches of light green lichen and a few yellow leaves
a boxelder covered in yellow leaves in fall
Boxelder grows compound leaves in opposite arrangement. Twigs are often green and also grow in pairs on opposite sides of branches. Bark is thin and dark gray. Leaves turn yellow or orange in fall. Boxelder prefers wet soils near creaks and lakes.
Boxelder is our native maple tree. It shares the twin samaras (seeds) and the opposite leaf arrangement of other maples. Unlike others, it has compound leaves that can easily be confused for poison ivy. The opposite arrangement of the leaves and the reddish petioles distinguish the tree from the itchy vine. Boxelder is common near creeks, lakes, and greenbelts. The light gray patches on the bark in the photo above are harmless lichen.
(7) Lacey Oak
Quercus laceyi
A Lacey Oak at University Hills Library.
newly emerging, light green lacey oak leaves with wide lobes and rounded tips. Small, yellow pollen-producing catkins are developing from the base of the leaves.
A lacey oak branch covered in green leaves in the bright sunlight from below
lacey oak branches with numerous dull, blue-green leaves and several clusters of acorns in different stages of development
A thin, flat acorn cup attached to a twig of a lacey oak with a bulging green acorn.
Lacey oak bark is light gray and flakes away in thin, flat sheets
Lacey Oak grows leaves and catkins in early spring. Leaves have wide lobes and rounded tips. Acorns are barrel shaped with a flat end. Bark is light gray and flaky.
Lacey Oak is a small to medium shade tree. The barrel-shaped acorns with flat ends grow from thin cups. Foliage tends to have a bluish hue in summer and turns yellow in fall. This tree is in the white oak group, so it is resistant to oak wilt disease (though not immune). It provides food and habitat benefits to wildlife. Lacey Oak is typically smaller than most oaks, but it should be planted at least 20 feet from utility wires.
(8) Live Oak
Quercus virginiana
A live oak tree at University Hills Library.
A live oak twig in March with thick, dark green leaves and tiny, new leaves tinged with red at the tips. The first few catkins of the year are forming
a live oak branch covered in light, thin, green leaves that are developing at the tips of twigs while green strings of pollen-producing flower buds dangle below
Glossy, green, oval-shaped leaves of a live oak tree
Mealy oak gall (Disholcaspis cinerosa) on live oak twig
A plump, brown acorn bulges from a thin, brown cup beneath several mature, green live oak leaves
Live oak bark is dark brown or gray, and forms knobby chunks with narrow fissures between them. gray patches of lichen appear.
Live oaks grow chunky, dark bark that often has gray patches of lichens attached. The old leaves fall and the new leaves emerge at the same time in late winter or early spring. New foliage is sometimes tinged red at the edges. Catkins grow along with the new leaves and release yellow pollen that often collects underneath the trees. Acorns form in fall.
Live Oaks reign in Austin. There are two closely related species whose ranges overlap along I-35: Quercus fusiformis (Escarpment Live Oak) and Q. virginiana (Southern Live Oak). It is often difficult to distinguish between them in the field. These are probably planted from nursery stock, so Q. virginiana is more likely. Live Oak acorns are sometimes long and narrow, while others are shorter and rounder. Both species keep their leaves through winter. The old leaves drop and the new leaves emerge all within a few weeks in early spring.
Live Oaks are strong, reliable trees, but they are susceptible to Oak Wilt disease, which can spread through their roots and destroy whole colonies of trees. Oak Wilt is treatable, but consider a white oak instead if you are planting a new tree, especially if you live in an area where there are already lots of Live Oaks.
(9) Monterrey Oak
Quercus polymorpha
A Monterrey Oak at University Hills Library.
Monterrey oak forms pollen in flowers called catkins. They are columns of tiny, yellow, ball-shaped flowers that turn brown and fall within a few weeks
Close view of monterrey oak buds just before leaves emerge
Monterrey oak leaves can vary in size and shape but generally they are oval-shaped with irregular edges
Glossy, green Monterrey Oak leaves with developing acorns beginning to protrude from their tan cups
Fingers support a monterrey oak twig with several mature, green leaves and a mature, brown acorn. The acorn's cup is very thick and covers over half of the nut.
Monterrey oak bark forms wide, flat plates
Oak buds begin to swell in early spring. Pollen-producing catkins come before the first leaves. Monterrey Oak acorns form deep inside their cups, with only the tips protruding. Bark forms wide, thin plates.
Monterrey Oak is a medium to large tree that usually keeps its leaves all winter and drops them just before growing new leaves in spring. Acorns have a striped appearance and bulge out of shallow caps.
Also known as Mexican White Oak, this species is resistant (though not immune) to Oak Wilt disease. Its native range is south of us, so we hope it will be able to survive hotter, drier weather as our climate warms up. It can grow up to 50 feet tall, so should not be planted near utility wires.
(10) Texas Redbud
Cercis canadensis var. texensis
A Texas Redbud tree at University Hills Library.
A thick cluster of bright, pink flowers on a redbud tree
A hand supports developing redbud leaves, demonstrating their heart shape and red color in the newest leaves
a texas redbud branch showing the dull, green backside of leaves
Rows of mature, brown seed pods dangle below leafy branches of a redbud tree
close view of three redbud seeds against a white background with a ruler. A dried seed pod is behind them. the seeds are about 5 mm across.
mature redbud bark begins to split away in flat plates, revealing an orange-brown color underneath
Texas Redbud trees kick of spring with a show of bright, pink flowers. They are followed by simple, heart-shaped leaves up to 4 inches across. Seed pods develop through summer, resembling snow peas. They eventually turn brown and stay on the tree through winter after the leaves fall. Bark is light gray to reddish brown.
Redbud is a small tree in the legume family. It produces bright, pink flowers in spring before leaves appear. Flowers develop into seed pods that resemble snow peas and often stay attached to the tree even after the leaves drop in fall. The common Eastern Redbud (C. canadensis) tends to do poorly in Austin because it prefers more acidic soil. A few Cercis varieties can do well in alkaline conditions, including Texas Redbud and Oklahoma Redbud. This tree is small enough to live under power lines or other utilities.
Take Action
Learn more about our public tree data and where public trees are located using TreePlotter, the City of Austin's application for tree inventory.
