Welcome to the Think Trees Tour at Twin Oaks 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 Persimmon
Diospyros texana
A Texas Persimmon tree near the intersection in front of Twin Oaks Branch library.
Texas persimmon branches covered in bright, green leaves in early spring
Texas persimmon branch lines with dangling, bell-shaped flowers
Close view of developing, green persimmons on a branch with green leaves.
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.
close view of thin, flaking bark on a texas persimmon tree
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.
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.
(2) Mexican Plum
Prunus mexicana
A Mexican Plum tree near the intersection in front of Twin Oaks Branch library.
Mexican Plum flowers have five round, white petals and pistils with yellow tips
Mexican plum branch with green leaves and pale, orange fruits
Mexican Plum leaves in fall, showing red color
Mexican Plum bark flaking off in papery strips
Mexican Plum harkens spring with bright, white flowers. Rough green leaves form next. In summer, small, round fruits form that are enjoyed by people and wildlife.
Mexican Plum is a small, native fruit tree. It produces fragrant, white flowers in spring before leaves appear. The bark is dark brown or gray, with horizontal striations in lighter gray or silver. The fruits are small, ripening July through September. They are enjoyed by people and wildlife.
(3) Chitalpa
x Chitalpatashkentensis
A Chitalpa tree near the parking lot of Twin Oaks Branch library.
Chitalpa trunk showing dark, gray bark that peels away in flakes and green leaves that are long aND NARROW TAPERING TO A POINT
Chitalpa tree covered in flowers in summer
A white and pink, bell-shaped chitalpa flower with frilled edges
Newly emerging Chitalpa leaves and flower buds
Light green, narrow chitalpa leaves with tapered points on dark brown branches
Chitalpa grows large flowers through summer that can be white, pink or purple. Leaves are long, narrow, and tapered to the tip. Bark is dark brown or gray and peels away in flat flakes.
Chitalpa is a hybrid of Catalpa and Desert Willow. It shares the large, pink-to-purple flowers of Desert Willow, but the leaves are wider and larger. Flowers grow from spring through summer. It tends to form multiple stems and spread widely. It is very resistant to drought and heat. It can reach heights of 35 feet, so should not be planted within 20 feet of power lines.
(4) Live Oak
Quercus sp.
Two Live Oak trees in the courtyard in front of Twin Oaks Branch library.
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.
Starting at the corner of South Fifth Street and West Annie, we have several native Live Oaks. 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 Escarpment 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.
(5) Lacebark Elm
Ulmus parvifolia
A Lacebark Elm tree in the median of the parking lot at Twin Oaks Branch library.
Close view of lacebark elm leaves, showing th glossy, dark green surface with a lopsided base, a tapered point, and serrations along the sides
Lacebark elm leaves on a branch
a lacebark elm twig showing the backs of leaves
Lacebark elm twig showing mature, green leaves, light green samaras, and a red and black ladybug.
lacebark elm trunk showing thin, papery flakes of bark and a mottled red-orange pattern underneath
Lacebark Elm takes its name from the distinctive, orange-red pattern formed by the bark. It has small, glossy leaves with finely serrated edges. Seeds form in flat discs called samaras in autumn.
Lacebark Elm is a large shade tree native to Asia. Like Cedar Elm, Lacebark Elm grows 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 trees often have poor structure. This species is best planted away from high traffic areas and valuable property. It is very prolific and spreads rapidly.
(6) Mexican Buckeye
Ungnadia speciosa
A Mexican Buckeye tree in the field behind Twin Oaks Branch library.
a Mexican Buckeye tree covered with pink flowers and no leaves in early spring
a newly developing compound leaf on a mexican buckeye, light green tinged with red
two developing, green seed pods on a mexican buckeye next to a partial brown pod from the previous year
Two mature seed pods on a mexican buckeye branch. They are hard, brown, three-lobed capsules that are beginning to split open, revealing part of the shiny, brown seeds inside
a hand holds an open mexican buckeye pod and seven hard, irregularly shaped brown seeds
Mexican Buckeye kicks off spring with a display of bright, pink flowers. Compound leaves have narrow, tapered leaflets. Seeds form in hard, woody pods that often remain on the tree through winter.
Mexican Buckeye is a large bush or small, rangy, understory tree. It has compound leaves with pointed leaflets. It is covered with light, pink flowers in spring. Seeds form in large capsules, or pods, that turn brown and split open when ripe. Seeds are hard, brown, shiny balls that grow 3 or 4 to a capsule. The pods often remain on the tree through winter to add visual appeal.
(7) Monterrey Oak
Quercus polymorpha
A Monterrey Oak tree in the field behind Twin Oaks Branch library.
Close view of monterrey oak buds just before leaves emerge
Monterrey oak forms pollen in flowers called catkins. They are columns of tiny, yellow, ball-shaped flowers that turn brown and fall within a few weeks
Monterrey oak leaves can vary in size and shape but generally they are oval-shaped with irregular edges
Dark, green, mature monterrey oak leaves with thick clusters of numerous developing acorns art their bases
Fingers support a monterrey oak twig, showing the bases of severeal green leaves and a mature, brown acorn emerging from a brown cup that covers over half of the nut.
Monterrey oak bark forms wide, flat plates
Oak buds begin to swell in early spring. Pollen-producing catkins come before the first leaves. Monterrey Oak acorns form deep inside their cups, with only the tips protruding. Bark forms wide, thin plates.
Monterrey Oak is a medium to large tree that usually keeps its leaves all winter and drops them just before growing new leaves in spring. Acorns have a striped appearance and bulge out of shallow caps.
Also known as Mexican White Oak, this species is resistant (though not immune) to Oak Wilt disease. Its native range is south of us, so we hope it will be able to survive hotter, drier weather as our climate warms up. It can grow up to 50 feet tall, so should not be planted near utility wires.
(8) Texas Ash
Fraxinus albicans
A Texas Ash tree near the detention pond behind Twin Oaks Branch library.
a texas ash branch showing compound leaves on opposite sides of the branch with oval-shaped, pointed leaflets
texas ash leaved in fall, showing tinges of yellow and red coloration
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 trunk showing knobby bark that forms a diamond pattern
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 dangerous.
(9) Baldcypress
Taxodium distichum
A Baldcypress tree near the detention pond behind Twin Oaks Branch library.
a baldcypress branch covered with light, green, feathery foliage in spring
small, woody protrusions, called knees, emerge from the ground near a baldcypress tree
A baldcypress branch with feathery green foliage and clusters of round, green cones developing
Baldcypress branches in fall, with red-orange foliage sagging under the weight of dark green cones that are almost mature
baldcypress bark is light brown tinged with orange and peel away in thin, narrow strips
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.
(10) American Elm
Ulmus americana
An American Elm tree near the detention pond behind Twin Oaks Branch library.
American Elm stem showing an old wound with discolored bark below it due to slime flux
a cluster of seed-bearing samaras on an american elm tree
Close view of American Elm leaves, showing the uneven base and serrated edge
American Elm branches covered in glossy, green leaves
a mature american elm tree in winter without leaves, showing the branches arching outward from a central core in a vaselike form
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 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.
(11) Bur Oak
Quercus macrocarpa
A Bur Oak tree in the field behind Twin Oaks Branch library.
Close view of a bur oak trunk showing narrow, deep ribs of gray bark
Large, green bur oak leaves with deep lobes
A bur oak twig, showing the corky protrusions along the length
two bur oak leaves against a white background with a ruler for scale, showing the larger one to be over 8 inches long
two developing bur oak acorns attached at their bases to each other and a twig. the cups cover most of the acorns, with small, green tips protruding out
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.
(12) Arizona Cypress
Cupressus arizonica
A row of Arizona Cypress trees behind Twin Oaks Branch library, showing the upright, pyramidal form.
arizona cypress branch with developing, round, green cones
arizona cypress branch with an old, brown, dried-out cone from a previous season
arizona cypress twigs against a white background with a metric ruler
arizona cypress trunk and branches looking up from the ground
arizona cypress bark
Arizona cypress is a drought-tolerant, evergreen tree that grows in a pyramidal shape. Foliage is spiky scales that tend to have a silvery gray or blue color. Seeds form in round cones in fall. Bark peels away in thin, flat plates.
Arizona Cypress is a small to medium evergreen tree with silvery gray-green foliage. It naturally forms a strong pyramidal shape and is sometimes grown as a Christmas tree. Hard, round cones can remain on branches for years before eventually splitting open to release seeds. It should not be planted within 20 feet of electrical wires.
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.
