Welcome to the Think Trees Tour at Windsor Park 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
Cedar elm bark
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) Monterrey Oak
Quercus polymorpha
Monterrey oak buds opening in early spring, revealing the first light green tips of leaves
Monterrey oak twig with a green leaf and yellow threads of pollen producing catkins.
Large, green monterrey oak leaves with developing acorns
A mature Monterrey Oak acorn emerging partially from its thick, brown cup
Monterrey oak bark forming flat chunks of light gray
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.
(3) Western Soapberry
Sapindus saponaria
soapberry bark
Soapberry leaves on concrete, showing the pinnate compound form with pointed leaflets
Developing yellow, round berries and green leaves on soapberry branch
Mature soapberries on a branch, They are dark brown and beginning to shrivel.
Soapberry in fall with yellow foliage
Soapberry grows along creeks and lakes. Its bark is gray and flaky. It grows compound leaves in a pinnate form, with pointed leaflets. Round, soft berries form in summer that were used by native people for washing. Soapberry leaves often turn yellow-orange in fall.
Soapberry is a medium-sized tree that grows naturally along creeks and other waterways. The thin, gray bark peels away in thick flakes. Compound leaves resemble pecan, but leaflets are not as curved and do not droop as much. The fruits are small, round “berries” (drupes) that are yellow to orange when young and turn dark brown when dried. Native people used the seeds to work up a lather for washing, thus the common name.
(4) Mexican Plum
Prunus mexicana
Mexican Plum flowers have five round, white petals and pistils with yellow tips
Mexican plum branch with green leaves and pale, orange fruits
Mexican Plum leaves in fall, showing red color
Mexican Plum bark showing horizontal stripes
Mexican Plum bark flaking off in papery strips
Mexican Plum harkens spring with bright, white flowers. Rough green leaves form next. In summer, small, round fruits form that are enjoyed by people and wildlife.
Mexican Plum is a small, native fruit tree. It produces fragrant, white flowers in spring before leaves appear. The bark is dark brown or gray, with horizontal striations in lighter gray or silver. The fruits are small, ripening July through September. They are enjoyed by people and wildlife.
(5) Pomegranate
Punica granatum
Pomegranate leaves on a branch
Bright, red pomegranate flowers on a branch
Pale, pink pomegranates developing on a branch
Pomegranate fruit cut open to reveal bright, red, pulpy seeds
Pomegranate is a large bush or small tree. Leaves are small and narrow with blunt tips. Flowers are bright red and showy, appearing in spring and summer. Fruits are full of pulp-covered seeds with a tart flavor.
Pomegranate is a large bush or small tree that forms bright, red-orange flowers that become edible fruits. Typically six to twelve feet tall, pomegranate trees can be trained to grow up to 20 feet. This means they can be safely planted under power lines. The fruit is rich in vitamins, sometimes referred to as a “superfood” due to its healthful properties. The tough, leathery rind encloses dozens of juicy orbs that can be eaten fresh, added to foods, or juiced. Several varieties are available that have been bred for flavorful fruit.
(6) Texas Mountain Laurel
Dermatophyllum secundiflorum
A Texas Mountain Laurel leaf, showing the pinnate, compound form with rounded leaflets
Large clusters of purple and white flowers on a texas Mountain laurel branch
Numerous, tiny seed pods beginning to develop on a Texas Mountain Laurel
A hard, red, bean-shaped seed from a Texas Mountain Laurel
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.
(7) Bur Oak
Quercus macrocarpa
Bur oak bark
Bur oak twig with corky wings protruding along its length
Bur oak leaves on a branch
Bur oak branch with green leaves and a developing acorn in its cup
Mature bur oak acorns on a branch
Bur Oak is a large shade tree with dark gray bark. Twigs are stout, often growing woody protrusions along their length. Leaves are up to a foot long, with rounded tips and deep lobes. Acorns are almost as big as a golf ball, forming inside cups with fuzzy rims.
Bur Oak is our largest oak at maturity. It needs deep soil, but can tolerate a range of soil types and is well adapted to Austin. It is in the White Oak group, so it resists oak wilt disease. The leaves can be close to a foot long, with deep lobes and rounded tips. The acorns can be as large as golf balls. The bark forms deep fissures that create long, straight ridges, especially on twigs and small branches.
(8) Live Oak
Quercus sp.
live oak bark is dark gray and forms big chunks
Live Oak leaves with new catkins forming
Live oak branch covered in new, green leaves and clusters of yellow catkins
Long, narrow acorns of Quercus fusiformis
Stubby, round acorns of Quercus virginiana
Live Oaks have dark, chunky bark. Leaves are generally oval shaped, with smooth edges. Sometimes they have a point at the tip. Old leaves drop and new leaves grow all within a few weeks in March or April. Pollen-producing catkins form along with the leaves. Acorns develop in fall and feed a range of wildlife.
The east side of the parking lot is lined with Live Oaks. 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 nursery grown, so they are probably Southern 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.
(9) Mexican Buckeye
Ungnadia speciosa
close view of newly emerging mexican buckeye leaves tinged red at the edges
A mexican buckeye tree covered in pink blooms
Several green, developing mexican buckeye seed pods and one partial mature, brown seed pod on a branch
two mature mexican buckeye seed pods on a branch. they are just starting to open and the brown seeds are partially visible.
mexican buckeye seeds and pods
Mexican Buckeye kicks off spring with a display of bright, pink flowers. Compound leaves have narrow, tapered leaflets. Seeds form in hard, woody pods that often remain on the tree through winter.
Mexican Buckeye is a large bush or small, rangy, understory tree. It has compound leaves with pointed leaflets. It is covered with light, pink flowers in spring. Seeds form in large capsules, or pods, that turn brown and split open when ripe. Seeds are hard, brown, shiny balls that grow 3 or 4 to a capsule. The pods often remain on the tree through winter to add visual appeal.
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.
