Welcome to the Think Trees Tour at Little Walnut Creek 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) Live Oak
Quercus virginiana
A live oak tree in front of Little Walnut Creek Library
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.
Two mature Live Oaks sit on opposite ends of the building. 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 trees here are probably transplanted 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.
(2) Texas Ash
Fraxinus albicans
A Texas Ash tree at Little Walnut Creek Library.
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.
(3) Crape Myrtle
Lagerstroemia indica
A crape myrtle tree at Little Walnut Creek Library.
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.
(4) Texas Persimmon
Diospyros texana
A Texas Persimmon tree at Little Walnut Creek Library.
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.
(5) Cedar Elm
Ulmus crassifolia
A Cedar Elm tree at Little Walnut Creek Library.
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.
This specimen exhibits a common problem in nursery-grown trees. The two parallel stems are at risk of breaking apart someday. Structural pruning while the tree is young can reduce or eliminate the issue.
(6) Texas Redbud
Cercis canadensis var. texensis
a Texas Redbud tree at Little Walnut Creek 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.
(7) Bur Oak
Quercus macrocarpa
A Bur Oak tree at Little Walnut Creek Library.
Large, green bur oak leaves with deep lobes
a bur oak twig showing thin fins of bark along the length
a single leaf from a bur oak tree, showing deep lobes with rounded tips
Bur oak bark, with narrow, thick strips of gray and dark fissures between them
a pair of acorns attach to a bur oak twig at the base of tan cups with a frilled edge. Small, green domes of acorns emerge from the cups and have tiny points at the tips
Bur oaks are big. Big acorns, big leaves, big trunk and branches. If you have the space, they could provide decades of shade and wildlife habitat to your landscape. Bur oaks are in the White Oak group, meaning they are resistant to Oak Wilt disease.
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.
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.
