Welcome to the Think Trees Tour at Milwood 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.
Interactive Map
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) Cedar Elm
Ulmus crassifolia
Front and back of cedar elm leaves with samaras clustered on twigs
Cedar elm in winter with no leaves, showing multiple clusters of mistletoe attached to branches
Cedar elm bark is light gray and crumbles away in flat, thick plates
Close view of a cedar elm twig showing corky "wings"
Cedar elm leaves are small and stiff, with a rough surface like sandpaper. Seeds form in autumn in flat discs called samaras. Bark forms thin, narrow flakes. Mistletoe is a common parasite of Cedar Elm. Sometimes young trees form corky "wings" that protrude in flat strips.
Cedar Elm is one of our most reliable shade trees in Austin. It is medium to large at maturity, reaching heights of 50-60 feet, so it should not be planted under utility wires. The leaves are smaller than most elms and have a rough, sandpapery texture. It is sometimes called Fall Elm because it flowers and grows seeds at the end of the year (most elms flower in spring). Seeds form inside flat discs called samaras. This tree tolerates a wide range of soil types and can stand up to drought and heat.
(2) Live Oak
Quercus sp.
A Live Oak branch in spring with developing, green leaves and tiny, yellow flower buds on clustered catkins that dangle below the leaves
A live oak branch in March with dark, green, mature leaves; tiny, young, new leaves, tinged at the edges with red; and the first few catkins of the year.
Two long, narrow, green acorns in beige cups surrounded by dark, glossy, green leaves of a live oak
Dark, glossy, mature live oak leaves with a mature, brown acorn in its cup and an empty acorn cup next to it
Live oak twigs showing two small, brown balls formed to develop the larva of the mealy oak gall wasp
Gray live oak bark with deep, dark fissures between thick, narrow chunks
Live oak acorns can be long and narrow, or stubby and round. Pollen is produced in spring in catkins. Several kinds of wasps lay their eggs in the bark, causing unusual growths called galls. Bark is dark gray or brown and forms thick chunks.
A leaning Live Oak tree welcomes visitors to the library, and several more grow throughout the property. There are two closely related species of Live Oaks 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. The large, native trees here are probably Escarpment Live Oak.
Live oaks reign in Austin. Their acorns are sometimes long and narrow, sometimes 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.
Famous Austin Live Oaks include the Treaty Oak and The Auction Oaks downtown. 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.
(3) Texas Persimmon
Diospyros texana
Texas Persimmon branches in spring with bright, green leaves that are rounded at the tips and taper at the bases.
Small, bell-shaped flowers dangle from a texas persimmon twig, some fresh and white, others declining and turning brown
Round, green persimmons developing on a texas persimmon tree
Mature Texas Persimmon fruits on a white background next to a ruler. Four are dark purple balls from a half inch to three quarters inch in diameter. One has a brown, star-shaped sepal attached. A fifth fruit in the background has been smashed to show the pulpy insides and several large seeds.
Texas Persimmon stems showing the thin, smooth, flaky bark that peels away to add visual appeal in winter
Texas Persimmon flowers in spring and fruits in summer. The dark, purple fruits are enjoyed by wildlife and people. The bark peels away in thin strips, lending visual interest.
Texas persimmon is a small, native fruit tree. It shouldn’t be planted within 20 feet of utility wires. The thin, flaky bark adds visual appeal all year. It produces grape-sized fruits that can be eaten off the tree or made into jelly, wine, or other recipes. Don't plant this one above anything you wouldn't want stained purple!
Texas Persimmon thrives on the limestone bluffs of West Austin. It can tolerate extreme drought and high pH soils. It’s a great choice for an ornamental specimen or understory canopy.
(4) Crape Myrtle
Lagerstroemia indica
a crpe myrtle twig with several light green, oval-shaped leaves and red coloring in twig
Two light, pink crape myrtle flowers on a white background. Frilly petals on thin stalks emerge from a cup-shaped sepal. A ring of tall, arching hooks with false flowers emerge above a tight cluster of true pistils with yellow tips.
A flower spike on a crape myrtle tree. It is a thick, pyramidal cluster of hot pink petals. Thick clusters of yellow-tipped pistils are visible here and there among the petals. A few unopened flower buds are also visible.
Two crape myrtle trees in flower, showing color variations. These are reddish-pink and lavender.
Mature seed pods from a crape myrtle tree. Brown twigs end in small, brown balls that split open and separate into sections like an orange.
Crape myrtle bark develops a mottled pattern of dark and light brown as the smooth bark peels away in thin, curling sheets
Crape Myrtle grows oval-shaped leaves. Bark peels away in thin flakes to add visual appeal. It will be bursting with flowers through spring and 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.
(5) Sugar Hackberry
Celtis laevigata
Sugar Hackberry trunk showing the light gray bark with warty protrusions
Sugar Hackberry leaves on a twig, showing lopsided base tapering to a point
Sugar Hackberry branch with star-shaped, white flowers clustered along a twig
Underside of a sugar hackberry branch showing small, green, developing fruits and thick leaf veins
Sugar hackberry branch in winter with no leaves, showing numerous small, brownish-red berries
Underside of Netleaf Hackberry leaf, showing pronounced veins in distinctive pattern
Hackberry grows small, star-shaped flowers in early spring. Leaves are long and narrow with a tapered point. Small, round berries grow through summer and ripen in fall. They are a food source for a wide range of wildlife. Bark is light gray and mostly smooth, but forms warty growths with age. A similar native species is Netleaf Hackberry, which has more pronounced veins on the backs of leaves.
Often reviled and frequently neglected or abused, hackberry trees get a bad rap. This medium to large tree seems able to survive almost any conditions. It is very drought hardy. Birds and other wildlife rely on the “berries” it makes (called drupes). It was a food source for Native tribes in this area, who also used the wood to make tools and bowls, bark to make sandals, and leaves to make a brown dye for wool.
Related to elms, Sugar Hackberry has an upright, arching form that can be very attractive when maintained properly. In 2014, an Urban Forest Inventory Analysis found hackberries make up 6 percent of our tree canopy. Protect these tough, native trees when you can.
(6) Texas Mountain Laurel
Dermatophyllum secundiflorum
Texas mountain laurel leaves on a branch showing pinnate form with oval leaflets. a small, red insect rests on one leaflet.
Long, dangling clusters of purple and white flowers hanging from a mountain laurel twig with leaves
close view of fading texas mountain laurel flowers and developing seed pods
several seed pods on a texas mountain laurel twig have filled out and are almost mature
a hard, red texas mountain laurel seed resembling a dried bean rests on asphalt
Texas Mountain Laurel grows compound leaves with oval leaflets that stay on the tree all year. Thick clusters of fragrant, purple flowers appear in spring. Seed pods look like big, thick beans. The shell hardens and turns brown in fall. Each pod can hold up to 5 or 6 hard, red seeds.
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.
(7) Ashe Juniper
Juniperus asheii
ashe juniper bark peeling away in thin, papery strips
close view of blue juniper berries, which are technically the seed cones
tan, pollen-producing cones at the tips of a juniper branch
a bushy, small juniper tree with multiple stems
Ashe Juniper is a native conifer that grows in thin limestone soils west of Austin. It often forms multiple trunks and resembles a bush more than a tree. The small, blue "berries" are the seed-producing cones. They can be used as a culinary spice. Pollen producing male flowers form at the tips of branches and release clouds of allergy-producing pollen in winter. Ashe Juniper often looks bushy, with multiple stems.
Ashe juniper is the bane of allergy sufferers everywhere, but it’s a Hill Country native hero. This tough, scrubby, evergreen tree grows throughout the Austin area, but especially west of MoPac. It tends to form multiple stems, which helps distinguish it from its close cousin, the single-stemmed Eastern Red Cedar. Endangered Golden-Cheeked Warblers rely on its peeling strips of bark to make nests and raise their young. The dead foliage that accumulates underneath their branches builds soil where other plants’ seeds land and germinate. The berry-like cones provide food for lots of native wildlife.
(8) Texas Ash
Fraxinus albicans
Texas ash branch showing opposite growth pattern of twigs and thin, green flower spikes in spring
a texas ash branch showing compound leaves on opposite sides of the branch with oval-shaped, pointed leaflets
Close view of texas ash samaras growing in clusters on a branch
mature, brown, paddle-shaped samaras from texas ash, with a long, thin, narrow blade and a swollen bulge at the base where the seed forms
texas ash leaved in fall, showing tinges of yellow and red coloration
Texas Ash grows thin, green flower spikes in springs. Twigs and leaves grow in pairs from opposite sides of the branches. Seeds form in long, narrow, paddle-shaped samaras. Leaves can turn yellow, orange or red in fall. We no longer recommend planting Ash trees of any kind.
Texas ash is a small to medium-sized tree that grows naturally near creeks and other waterways but tends to be drought tolerant. It has compound leaves in opposite arrangement that often show bright fall colors. Leaflets tend to be smaller than other ash species, with more rounded tips. It grows seeds in paddle-shaped structures called samaras.
We don’t recommend planting any Ash species anymore because of an invasive insect, Emerald Ash Borer (EAB). If you already have an Ash tree, you should educate yourself about EAB before it arrives. The wisest course may be to remove poor quality Ash trees now, before the insect kills them and makes the job more dangerous.
(9) Texas Prickly Ash
Zanthoxylum hirsutum
Texas Prickly Ash flowers in spring, attracting many pollinators. The berries turn brown when mature and are related to Szechuan pepper corns. Branches are often tinged with red color and can be quite thorny.
Hidden among the branches of a Texas Persimmon, a small native tree has volunteered. Texas Prickly Ash is a bush or small tree that grows in Austin’s woodlands. The name can be confusing, because this tree is not a true Ash and is not at risk from Emerald Ash Borer. It has thorny branches with compound leaves. Leaflets are glossy and taper to a point. Flowers appear March through May, attracting pollinators such as the Giant Swallowtail Butterfly. Crushing the leaves releases fragrant, citrusy oils. Small berries form in clusters on the twigs. Chewing the leaves, bark, or fruit has a numbing effect on the mouth, giving this plant nicknames like Toothache Tree and Tickle-tongue. Prickly Ash is related to Chinese Szechuan peppers.
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.
