Native Trees are part of a Healthy Landscape

A healthy landscape includes a diversity of trees, shrubs and grasses. And while the majestic Live Oaks are synonymous with the Texas Hill Country, monocultures promote diseases and insect pests which can wipe out the entire species of trees that attract them.

Live Oaks and Red Oaks are especially vulnerable to oak wilt, a fungal disease called Ceratocystis fagacearum.  Oak wilt is major disease threat to Live and Red oak trees in our area.  A short drive to Kerrville and Fredricksburg will reveal large acres of dead and dying live oaks affected by oak wilt.

Before you take down any more understory small trees or shrubs, or plant only Live Oak or Red Oak trees, check in with your local county extension office and your local chapter of the Native Plant Society (NPSOT) and use this list to add some healthy diversity to your yard.  The trees, birds, and other wildlife will thank you.

Native Plant Society of Texas: HomeNative Plant Society of Texashttps://npsot.org

https://kendall.agrilife.org  Kendall County Extension office

https://comal.agrilife.org  Comal County Extension office

Trees to Plant: And what a Variety it is! A quick search on internet and you will see how beautiful these trees are!

Texas Red Bud

Mexican Plum

Texas Buckeye

Possum Haw

Mexican Buckeye

Carolina Buckthorn

Walnut

Rusty Blackhaw Viburnum

Flameleaf Sumac

Evergreen Sumac

Eve’s necklace

Goldenball lead tree

Mexican Plum

Lacey Oak

Burr Oak

Chinquapin Oak

Live Oak

Red Oak

Shin Oak

Post Oak

Shumard Oak

Pecan

Spring and Fall Planting:

Texas Red Bud

Mexican Plum

Texas Buckeye

Possum Haw

Mexican Buckeye

Carolina Buckthorn

Walnut

Rusty Blackhaw Viburnum

Pecan

Live Oak

Chinquapin Oak

Burr Oak

Best Month to Plant  it in:

September – Red Oak, Shin Oak, Post Oak, Shumard Oak, Lacey Oak

October – Flameleaf Sumac

November – Evergreen Sumac

December – Eve’s necklace

January – Goldenball lead tree

February – Mexican Plum

The list of trees provided by our Comal County friends and Texas Master Naturalists, Veronica Hawk and Lea Anzalotta.