Welcome to the Think Trees Tour at the Central Library! 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. NOTE: To visit the trees on the roof, you must comeduring library hours.
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) Live Oak
Quercus virginiana, Q. fusiformis
Long, narrow acorns of Escarpment live oak with tapered cups and pointed tips
the tan ball of a Mealy oak gall (Disholcaspis cinerosa) on live oak twig
A mature, brown acorn on a Coastal Live Oak branch, showing the blunt tip and shallow cup
Live oak leaves with pollen-producing flowers called catkins
close view of dark, gray, chunky live oak bark
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.
Believe it or not, our tour starts on the roof! Take the elevator to the Fourth Floor and then exit to the outdoor patio. This is where you will find our first three trees, starting with Live Oak. 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. This transplant came from a nursery, so it is 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.
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) Mesquite
Neltuma glandulosa
a bipinnate mesquite leaf on the ground
A developing catkin on a mesquite branch
Mesquite pods hanging on a tree
Mesquite twig showing a sharp thorn
Several tan, beanlike mesquite pods on the ground
Mesquite leaves have an unusual leaf that splits into two feathery strands of long, narrow leaflets. Bees and other pollinators enjoy the flowers that form in spring as long, puffy catkins. In summer, seeds form in long, beanlike pods that feed a range of wildlife. Watch out for the sharp thorns, which have been the bane of many a rancher's tire!
Mesquite is a low, spreading tree reaching heights up to 30 feet. It has compound leaves with long, narrow leaflets. Seeds grow in long pods that look like green beans. Bees and other insects enjoy the flowers that appear in spring and summer. Watch out for the sharp thorns, which have been the bane of many a rancher's tire!
Mesquite occurs naturally in hot, dry pastures and other open areas. It weathers drought well. Folklore says the last frost of the year has passed once Mesquite trees grow new leaves in spring.
(3) Desert Willow
Chilopsis linearis
Smooth, brown bark of a desert willow with small beige dimples scattered across it
A hand holds a leafy green twig from a desert willow. the leaves are long, narrow and tapered to a point
Large, bright, pink, bell-shaped flowers with yellow pistils dangle from the tip of a desert willow branch with dark, green leaves in the background
A hand holds a dried seed pod from a desert willow that has split open to reveal the seeds inside with cottony strands attached
a mature desert willow stem with thin, narrow, papery strips of bark peeling from the surface. Several twigs emerge from the stem with new green leaves.
Desert willow has thin, rough bark. Large, pink flowers grow through the summer. Leaves are long, narrow, and taper to a point. Seed pods look similar to green beans, but the small seeds are attached to cottony, wispy strands that float on the breeze.
Desert willow is a small, rangy tree (sometimes more of a big bush) that is very drought tolerant. It is not a true willow. There are no other species in its genus, so it is fairly safe from invasive insects or diseases from other parts of the world. It grows large, pink flowers through spring and summer. It is small enough to grow under utility wires, but its tendency to spread out means it requires more maintenance when planted next to sidewalks or other traffic ways. This one has been trained to grow away from the pathways.
(4) Mexican Sycamore
Platanus mexicana
Smooth, light, gray sycamore bark with some thin, curling flakes beginning to peel away
The glossy, green back of a five-pointed sycamore leaf as large as an adult's hand
The back of a Mexican Sycamore leaf looks silvery white due to tiny hairs
Several sycamore leaves growing on a branch in alternate pattern
a spiky, yellow seed ball on a sycamore tree
Mexican Sycamore has smooth, gray bark that eventually crumbles away in small flakes or chunks. The large, glossy leaves are silvery-white underneath due to tiny hairs. Seeds form in small balls that explode into fluff that floats on the wind.
As you exit the building on to Cesar Chavez Street, the tour continues with the Mexican Sycamore to your left. Mexican Sycamore is a large shade tree native to regions south of Austin. It is very similar to American Sycamore (P. occidentalis), but should be more tolerant of drought. The outer bark peels away over time to reveal a smooth, gray surface underneath. The seeds are formed in small, tight balls that explode into fluff that is spread by wind in fall.
(5) Possumhaw
Ilex decidua
Possumhaw leaves with small, white flowers at the tip of the twig
Several bright, red berries on a possumhaw branch
dull, green possumhaw leaves with rounded tips and narrow bases
possumhaw branch with flowers in spring
Possumhaw covered in berries with no leaves in winter
Possumhaw grows small, white flowers in spring. Leaves are thin, soft, and rounded with narrow bases. They drop off in fall and winter. Berries form in fall and remain through winter, serving as food for wildlife.
Possumhaw Holly is a small tree or large bush that can be planted underneath utility wires. A close cousin to Yaupon Holly, Possumhaw has similar leaves and red berries. The leaves of Possumhaw are larger and softer, tapering at the base. This tree will drop its leaves in fall, while Yaupon will not. Most plants are either male or female. A female plant with a pollinator nearby will be covered with red-orange drupes (berries) through winter. Birds and other wildlife are attracted to the fruit.
(6) 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.
(7) Anacacho Orchid Tree
Bauhinia lunarioides
Anacacho leaf with flower buds
developing seed pods on an anacacho orchid tree
close view of anacacho orchid tree branch with seed pods
white anacacho orchid tree flowers with a honey bee
Anacacho Orchid Tree has unusual leaves with two lobes. Showy, white flowers attract bees and other pollinators. Seed pods form in summer into fall, peeling open when mature to release the seeds.
Anacacho Orchid Tree makes a nice understory tree, with its silvery gray bark and fragrant white flowers that resemble orchids. It is a relatively rapid-growing tree after its first year, when placed in a favorable location. It should be planted on the south side of buildings in areas with harsh winters. The nectar attracts butterflies and bees.
(8) Goldenball Leadtree
Leucaena retusa
Leadtree branch showing compound leaves with rounded leaflets in pinnate form
Leadtree branch with mature, fluffy, yellow flowers and developing green flower buds
a mature seed pod from a goldenball leadtree on pavement. The pod has split into two pieces lengthwise about 30 centimeters long. one piece is showing the darker brown outside and the other shows the light biege inside. the two strips are lines with shallow pockets where teh seeds developed. Over a dozen small, brown, disc-shaped seeds are scattered between the pod pieces.
close view of a leadtree leaf with three pairs of rounded leaflets
bean-like seed pods hanging from a leadtree branch. Some are still green and some have begun to turn brown
Goldenball Leadtree has bipinnate, compound leaves with rounded leaflets. It grows puffy, yellow flowers in spring and summer. Green seed pods resemble beans as they develop and eventually turn brown.
Littleleaf Leadtree, also known as Goldenball Leadtree, is a small, ornamental tree or large shrub. It is typically 12-15 feet tall, sometimes reaching up to 25 feet. It has compound leaves with round to oval leaflets. After rains during spring and summer, Leadtree will produce sweet-smelling, globe-shaped, bright, yellow flowers about an inch wide. Seed pods resemble long, flat beans.
(9) Texas Ash
Fraxinus albicans
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 branch showing opposite growth pattern of twigs and thin, green flower spikes in spring
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. Ash trees are at risk from an invasive beetle,Emerald Ash Borer. 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 hazardous and expensive.
(10) Baldcypress
Taxodium distichum
close view of reddish-brown baldcypress bark showing thin, papery strips
baldcypress next to a pond with prolific woody "knees" growing from the roots
Round, green cones developing on a baldcypress tree
Baldcypress branch showing feathery, light, green foliage
Baldcypress branch in fall with red-orange foliage and round, green seed cones
Baldcypress in winter with no foliage
Baldcypress bark peels away in thin, narrow, papery strips. It sometimes forms woody growths from its roots, called "knees." Light, green, feathery foliage turns red or orange in fall and drops off by winter. Seeds form in round balls that split open when mature.
Baldcypress is a large tree that is related to Redwoods. It has light, feathery foliage that turns orange or yellow before dropping in fall. Seeds form inside small, round cones. It grows naturally in swamps and other wetlands, but cultivated trees have been bred to tolerate drier soil. Still, this tree would not be a good choice for an elevated site with good drainage. They are perfect for a low spot where water may collect after rains. Because there are only a few species in this genus, it is less likely to be attacked by an invasive insect or disease from another part of the world, making it a sustainable choice.
(11) Texas Mountain Laurel
Dermatophyllum secundiflorum
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.
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.
