Think Trees Tour at Yarborough Branch

Welcome to the Think Trees Tour at Yarborough 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 . 

Chinese Pistache is a medium-sized shade tree that grows up to 35 feet tall. It is a hardy tree with good fall color and does well in our alkaline soils, so it was recommended for Austin years ago. Now we find they produce too many seeds and become invasive in our area. Check out the  Grow Green Plant Guide  for recommended species to plant instead of Chinese Pistache. 

Chinaberry is an exotic import from Asia. It has pretty foliage and flowers. Seeds form in clusters of marble-sized drupes that are inedible to people, but are eaten by some birds. Unfortunately, it becomes invasive in Central Texas. Chinaberry should always be avoided in Austin. Check out the  Grow Green Plant Guide  or the Tree Planting Guide for recommended species to plant instead. 

Lacebark Elm is a large shade tree native to Asia. Like Cedar Elm, Lacebark Elm flowers in autumn and has small leaves, but the leaves are not as coarse as on Cedar Elm. The name comes from the thin, flaky bark that crumbles away to reveal a mottled orange-brown pattern. Seeds form in flat discs called samaras. Wood tends to be brittle and the trees tend to have poor structure. This species is best planted away from high traffic areas and valuable property. It is very prolific and tends to spread rapidly.  

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. 

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.   

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. 

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. 

Sweetgum is a large shade tree that can reach up to 100 feet tall. The form starts out conical and upright, then it spreads out as it gets older. The leaves have a spiky, starlike shape and turn red in fall. The seeds form in spiky balls about an inch in diameter. Sweetgum is rare in Austin because it prefers more acidic soils than we typically have here. This one is doing pretty well so far, probably because the soil was brought in during construction. It is not likely to grow as large as a Sweetgum in East Texas because it is basically a potted plant. Check the  Grow Green Plant Guide  for alternatives to plant instead of Sweetgum. 

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.

Pecan is the state tree of Texas, so it can be found planted all around Austin. It has compound leaves and grows edible nuts that ripen in October or November. When the leaves are gone during winter, the husks from the nuts are often visible on the branches, aiding identification. Native trees tend to have small nuts that may not taste very good, but several varieties are available that have been bred for large, sweet-tasting pecans.   

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. 

Chinese Tallow is a small to medium shade tree. It has unusual leaves that taper at both ends, with a narrow point a the tip. Seeds form in woody pods. They are hard, white, and bean-shaped. Then boiled, they produce a waxy material that can be used for candles and soap. Leaves often turn bright red in fall. Austin winters often damage the upper branches. The prolific seeds spread aggressively in Austin. Check out the Grow Green Plant Guide for a more suitable species to plant here.

Palo Verde, also known as Retama, is a small, bushy tree native to hot, dry areas that tolerates poor soils, heat and drought. It reaches heights of 15 feet, making it suitable to grow under utility wires. It has light, airy foliage and needs full sun to perform well. Palo Verde takes its name from the green bark, which allows it to make its own food through photosynthesis even when no leaves are present. The leaves grow in pairs of long, slender stalks with rows of tiny, oval-shaped, paired leaflets. Bright, yellow flowers with orange highlights appear all through summer, especially after rains. Seed pods resemble beans that dangle below the branches.

Learn more about our public tree data and where public trees are located using  TreePlotter , the City of Austin's application for tree inventory.  

Be part of the Native Tree Seed Collection Program by learning how to collect and send native tree seeds. This program is a partnership between  Central Texas Seed Savers ,  Treefolks , and the  City of Austin's Watershed Protection Department .