Think Trees Tour at Cepeda Branch

A self-guided tour of the trees around the library

front view of Cepeda Branch of Austin Public Library

Welcome to the Think Trees Tour at Cepeda 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) Texas Mountain Laurel

Dermatophyllum secundiflorum

A hard, red seed from a Texas Mountain Laurel pod — 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.

close view of texas mountain laurel leaves and developing flowers — 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.

(2) Bur Oak

Quercus macrocarpa

Large, green bur oak leaves with deep lobes — 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 leaves in front of a tree trunk — 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 our high-pH soils. 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.

(3) Cedar Elm

Ulmus crassifolia

Front and back of cedar elm leaves with samaras clustered on twigs — 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 in winter with no leaves showing multiple clusters of mistletoe — 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.

(4) Pecan

Carya illinoensis

a single compound pecan leaf next to a ruler showing it to be 10 inches long. it has 9 scythe-shaped leaflets about three inches long each — Pecan leaves emerge after almost all our other tree species, usually in late March. They are pinnately compound, with scythe-shaped leaflets that sag and droop on the tree. Male flowers come soon after the leaves in the form of long, dangling catkins. nuts drop in October or November. Bark forms flat plates.

newly emerging pecan leaves on a twig with empty husks from the previous year's pecans — Pecan leaves emerge after almost all our other tree species, usually in late March. They are pinnately compound, with scythe-shaped leaflets that sag and droop on the tree. Male flowers come soon after the leaves in the form of long, dangling catkins. nuts drop in October or November. Bark forms flat plates.

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.

(5) Mulberry

Morus sp.

mulberry leaves that are wide at the base and tapered at the tip, with scalloped edges. — Mulberry leaves can take several different forms, sometimes all at once on the same tree. Fruit grows in late spring to early summer. It can be white, pink, or dark purple. Bark and wood tend to be yellow-orange.

mulberry leaves showing long, narrow fingers of lobes, one prominent center extending straight out with two smaller ones extending diagonally and two more even smaller extending horizontally at the base — Mulberry leaves can take several different forms, sometimes all at once on the same tree. Fruit grows in late spring to early summer. It can be white, pink, or dark purple. Bark and wood tend to be yellow-orange.

Mulberries are medium-sized trees with short trunks. The branches can be brittle and prone to breakage, but tend to be low to the ground and don’t cause much collateral damage. The fruits are enjoyed by wildlife as well as people. It attracts birds and butterflies, including the Mourning Cloak, which eats the leaves as a caterpillar.

(6) Chinese Pistache

Pistacia chinensis

Pistache bark forms thin, narrow strips — Chinese pistache is very prolific and can become invasive in the landscape. It grows compound leaves that turn orange or red in fall.

Thick cluster of small, red berries on a Chinese Pistache — Chinese pistache is very prolific and can become invasive in the landscape. It grows compound leaves that turn orange or red in fall.

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 or the Tree Planting Guides for recommended species to plant instead of Chinese Pistache.

(7) Bradford Pear

Pyrus calleryana

A bradford pear tree covered in bright, white flowers — Bradford Pear trees put on a big show of white blooms in spring and red color in fall. Unfortunately, the fruits can escape and become invasive. The wood is brittle and branches have poor structure, making storm failures common. We don't recommend planting Bradford Pear.

Close view of a cluster of five-petaled bradford pear flowers — Bradford Pear trees put on a big show of white blooms in spring and red color in fall. Unfortunately, the fruits can escape and become invasive. The wood is brittle and branches have poor structure, making storm failures common. We don't recommend planting Bradford Pear.

Bradford Pear was cultivated for its distinctive teardrop shape and large, white flowers that appear in early spring. It was bred to be sterile, but it can cross with native pear trees and become invasive. It is a pretty tree for 10-20 years, but eventually its poor structure and brittle wood lead to broken branches. Check out the Grow Green Plant Guide or the Tree Planting Guides for recommended species to plant instead of Bradford Pear.

(8) Chinaberry

Melia azedarach

Chinaberry foliage showing the fernlike form. — Chinaberry bark is gray-brown with orange coloration between bark plates. Fragrant, pink and purple flowers form in spring. Foliage resembles ferns, with compound, bipinnate form. Small brown berries often remain on the tree through winter.

Two chinaberry leaves against a black background, showing the complex, bipinnate form — Chinaberry bark is gray-brown with orange coloration between bark plates. Fragrant, pink and purple flowers form in spring. Foliage resembles ferns, with compound, bipinnate form. Small brown berries often remain on the tree through winter.

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. This one was removed but sprouted back from the stump. Chinaberry should always be avoided in Austin, but this one is particularly weak and should be removed.

(9) American Elm

Ulmus americana

American Elm bark — American elm has thin ribs of gray bark with dark fissures between them. Leaves are glossy green and grow up to 3 to 5 inches long. Seeds form in flat samaras in spring. Sometimes wounds exude a fizzy liquid that stains the bark, but it is harmless to the tree.

American Elm branches covered in glossy, green leaves — American elm has thin ribs of gray bark with dark fissures between them. Leaves are glossy green and grow up to 3 to 5 inches long. Seeds form in flat samaras in spring. Sometimes wounds exude a fizzy liquid that stains the bark, but it is harmless to the tree.

American Elm is a large shade tree with long, arching branches growing in a vase form. It can grow up to 60 feet tall in Austin. It does best in deep soils with plenty of space to spread. It has often been used as a street tree because it naturally forms a tall archway over the road.

(10) Boxelder

Acer negundo

compound boxelder leaves with reddish petioles — Boxelder grows compound leaves in opposite arrangement. Twigs are often green and also grow in pairs on opposite sides of branches. Bark is thin and dark gray. Leaves turn yellow or orange in fall. Boxelder prefers wet soils near creaks and lakes.

green boxelder twigs growing in pairs from opposite sides of the parent branch — Boxelder grows compound leaves in opposite arrangement. Twigs are often green and also grow in pairs on opposite sides of branches. Bark is thin and dark gray. Leaves turn yellow or orange in fall. Boxelder prefers wet soils near creaks and lakes.

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. The light gray patches on the bark in the photo above are harmless lichen.

(11) Sugar Hackberry

Celtis laevigata

small, white, star-shaped flowers on a hackberry twig — 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 pronounce veins on the backs of leaves.

sugar hackberry leaves, showing an uneven base and a tapered, pointed tip — 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 pronounce 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.

(12) Cottonwood

Populus deltoides

Cottonwood branches from below — Cottonwood trees have glossy, green, heart-shaped leaves that flutter in the breeze and sound like applause. Seeds are attached to tiny threads of fluff that float on the breeze. Bark develops thick, wide ribs with deep fissures between them.

Two cottonwood leaves on a white background next to a ruler — Cottonwood trees have glossy, green, heart-shaped leaves that flutter in the breeze and sound like applause. Seeds are attached to tiny threads of fluff that float on the breeze. Bark develops thick, wide ribs with deep fissures between them.

Cottonwood is one of our largest tree species, reaching heights above 100 feet. If you are near one in the wind, the leaves flutter and sound a bit like applause. Cottonwood serves as a host for several kinds of caterpillars. The name refers to the cottony seeds that sometimes seem to carpet the area around the trees. Cottonwoods do best near a water source, like a creek or lake. In this case, it is taking advantage of the area where water collects after rain.

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.

Navigate Austin's 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 .

Collect Native Tree Seeds