Tag Bur Oak

The Best North Texas Trees

by Texas Tree Surgeons Resources, Tree Recommendations

The urban forest in North Texas has taken quite a beating over the past few years. From high winds and tornadoes in 2019 to freezes in 2021 and 2022, to varying drought conditions throughout, many trees have been damaged beyond saving. Now is the perfect time to start reforesting our community by planting hardy, long-lived trees that can thrive in our environment. Choosing the right tree to plant can be challenging, though. Many of the trees planted in recent decades are not well-suited or ideal for North Texas, and have had issues with diseases or pests, or have simply not lived as long as was hoped. Luckily, there are several types of trees in a range of sizes that can thrive here and provide years of beauty and enjoyment.

Small and Ornamental Trees

Smaller, decorative species may not be what first comes to mind when one thinks of trees, but there are several tree species that can do well in smaller yards or as part of more developed landscaping. Whether native or nativized, the trees on this list generally do not get bigger than about 25 feet and are a perfect choice when there is not a lot of room to spare. To see our previous list of top ten ornamental trees, visit this post.

Medium-Sized Trees

If you have a little more room, but don’t want to plant a full-size canopy tree, there are several medium-sized options that can provide more shade and structure than smaller trees while still staying manageable when mature.

  • Prairie (“Flameleaf”) Sumac
    • The prairie sumac is known for its brilliant red fall color and is a great native ornamental.
  • Pistache
  • Goldenrain Tree
    • Heat-, drought-, and poor soil tolerant, the goldenrain tree is not native to Texas, but can grow in a wide range of urban conditions.
  • Yaupon
    • Sometimes seen as manicured hedges, the yaupon can naturally grow into a single- or multi-stemmed tree.

Large Trees

When most people think of a tree, this is what they picture. Growing to several stories high with a large canopy, full-size trees provide the most shade and structure and, if properly cared for, can live for decades. Large trees need a lot of room to grow, and are perfect for open yards.

  • Pecan
    • The pecan is the state tree of Texas and thrives in our area. If you want to consume the nuts, be sure to keep an eye out for pecan phylloxera.
  • Oak
    • While live oaks and red oaks are the most common species in North Texas, varieties like the bur oak and chinkapin are easy to find and can do very well in urban environments.
  • Cedar elm
    • Cedar elm is the most common elm tree in Texas, and can be found all over the state. Cedar elms are known for their verticality and narrow canopy.
  • Tulip tree
    • While tulip trees are not as common in Texas as other magnolias, they are heat- and soli-tolerant as well as pest-resistant.

Trees to Avoid in North Texas

Not all species of tree are well-suited to our local environment. While some of the trees listed below were popular in the past, they are not recommended if you are looking for a new tree to plant.

  • Palm
    • Common in the southern and coastal parts of Texas, palms are not suited to North Texas soil or temperature swings.
  • River birch
    • The river birch is not drought-tolerant, and most urban areas do not have high enough soil moisture for river birches to thrive.
  • Bradford pear
    • The Bradford pear was once a very common landscape tree in North Texas, but many Bradford pears in the area are reaching the end of their 30-year life span, and starting to fail. Additionally, Bradford pears are prone to poor, overcrowded limb structure, which makes them more likely to split.

Whatever trees you choose, it is critical to plant at the right time and in the right way. The winter and early spring are the best times to plant, as the stress of summer heat can hit new trees hard. Proper watering is key to helping a newly-planted tree get established. Using mulch around the root zone is the best way to control soil moisture and temperature and provide organic material for soil health. In some cases, fertilization and soil amendments can be beneficial, but it is important to avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers that can stimulate unsustainable new growth.

At Texas Tree Surgeons, we love trees and we love our community! While we don’t sell or plant trees ourselves, our ISA Certified Arborists and ISA Board Certified Master Arborists are happy to provide consultations for tree selection, placement, planting and care, and even to accompany you to a nursery to find the best stock! Contact us today to find out more!

Tree inside of container with a person in the background digging a hole.

[UPDATED] Free Trees in North Texas 2021!

by Texas Tree Surgeons Events

With the devastating weather events we have had in recent years, trees in North Texas are struggling. Here are a few opportunities to get a free tree for your yard and help our urban forest recover!

The City of Dallas is running its Branch Out Dallas program again this year! Dallas residents can register for one of six different tree species during September for pickup in early November.

The free trees available for 2021 are:

  • Bur Oak
  • Chinquapin Oak
  • Sycamore
  • American Elm
  • Mexican Plum
  • Baldcypress

Visit the Branch Out Dallas page to sign up!

The Texas Trees Foundation is committed to the planting of trees in areas that need them the most. As part of their work, the Foundation is creating green spaces at North Texas school campuses and the neighborhoods around them.

Currently, the Texas Trees Foundation is offering free trees to residents of the areas around four Dallas elementary schools:

If you live within a one-mile radius of any of these campuses, you can sign up to receive one or two free trees to plant in the right-of-way between the sidewalk and street in front of your house!

For more information about the trees being offered and to sign up, visit the Texas Trees Foundation Neighborwoods page.

If you need some ideas on trees to look for, check out our list of the Top Ornamental Trees for North Texas!

Are Your Oaks Looking Bad? They are Still Recovering from the Freeze!

by Texas Tree Surgeons Events, Extreme Weather, Resources, Tree Health Care

The unprecedented winter weather in February 2021 will have a lasting effect on North Texas. Many trees and plants have already failed to come back from the freezing temperatures and had to be removed. Others may be showing signs of new growth, but are still struggling. The Texas A&M Forest Service and other experts have reiterated the need to care for freeze-damaged and stressed trees to give them the best chance of recovering.

WHAT CAN YOU DO? KEEP WAITING!

Freeze-stressed trees, especially oaks, may be putting out some new leaves, but are much less vigorous than in previous years.

  • Continue to monitor them, and do what you can to alleviate stress.
  • Water your stressed trees properly, and make sure not to flood the roots with overwatering.
  • Avoid preventative insecticide or fungicide treatments; treat only those pests that are currently active in the tree.

Texas live oak tree showing signs of freeze damage and related stress

Live oak showing signs of freeze-related stress

Texas red oak tree showing signs of freeze damage and related stress.

Red oak affected by the freeze in Februrary 2021

RECOVERY WILL TAKE A LONG TIME

Whatever the progress of your tree’s recovery, it will take months and possibly years to regain the health it had before the winter storms.

  • If a tree has shown no signs of new growth by July, it will likely never recover.
  • Trees with sparse growth may be able to leaf out normally in a year or two, so consider waiting to remove.
  • As always, contact an ISA Certified Arborist to evaluate your trees’ progress and make recommendations for care.

At Texas Tree Surgeons, we love trees and we love our community! We are constantly in discussion with experts in the fields of arboriculture and horticulture throughout Texas as we try to manage the effects of February’s freeze. Our ISA Certified Arborists are happy to assess your trees and help you provide the best care during this period of residual stress. As we move into the heat of the summer, potential for heat-related stress increases, so contact an arborist today!

The Tornado Took All the Leaves Off My Tree; What Can I Do About It?

by Texas Tree Surgeons Extreme Weather, Resources

After a devastating weather event like the tornadoes on October 20, 2019, the damage can be hard to assess, let alone start to repair. While damage to homes and other structures is of utmost importance to the community, addressing the damage to our urban forest, and determining what can be saved, is a key component of recovering after destruction.

Cleaning up downed trees is the first priority in an emergency situation. Fallen trees can prevent first responders and repair crews from accessing damaged utility lines and dangerous structures. Once the trees on the ground have been addressed, however, we must think about those left standing. After a high-wind event like a tornado, the trees left standing often have severe limb breakage and defoliation, or loss of leaves. Both of these issues have short- and long-term consequences, that must be understood.

Tree Safety Is Key

As soon as possible after a storm, owners of damaged trees should take a few steps to ensure there is no further damage to people or property:

  • Clear the area around any damaged trees of vehicles and valuables and take steps to prevent access to the area.
    • If possible, cordon off the entire dripline area (from the trunk to the tips of the branches).
    • If there is a tree that could fall on your home, consider staying out of that part of the house until the tree can be assessed.
  • Once the area has been secured, contact a certified arborist to assess the damage to your trees.
  • Trees that are stable, but have lost a great amount of the canopy will probably need fertilization or other plant health care measures to recover.

Will My Trees Survive Tornado Damage?

Ultimately, the prognosis for a storm-damaged tree depends on several factors, including the species, location, soil condition, and underlying health of the tree. Based on our experience, however, certain North Texas trees should fare better than others.

  • Live Oaks, Cedar Elms, Pecans, Bur Oaks – Uncertain/Wait and See

    • While these species are resilient, we are assessing them on a case-by-case basis.
    • If the tree is stable, we recommend waiting until the spring to see if new growth appears.

  • Red Oaks, Maples – High Risk for Sun Damage

    • Both types of trees are susceptible to sunburn, which dries out the bark, causing it to peel off,  and exposing the sapwood underneath to damage.
    • Even if the tree is stable, the risk of stress and dieback from the winter sun is great.
    • Maples and red oaks that have lost their leaves have little protection from sun exposure.

  • Crape Myrtles – High Chance of Survival

    • As long as the crape myrtles remained in the ground, they should survive.
    • Damage to limbs and safety pruning may alter the shape of the tree, but should not cause any major issues.
    • If increased insect activity is observed, consider using insecticidal soap in the winter or pesticides in the spring.

  • Mulberries – Uncertain/Wait and See

    • Mulberries are fairly hardy, and may survive, but may suffer from dangerous instability.
    • Once tree is stabilized, wait to reassess during the next growing season.

  • Hackberries – Uncertain

    • Have the root area examined by a certified arborist for signs of root rot or kretzschmaria.
    • Even if the tree appears undamaged, the hackberry’s tendency to develop root instability issues may make it a fall risk in the future.

  • Magnolias – Unlikely to Survive

    • Extensive defoliation will likely stress the tree past the point of survival, and prevent recovery from any damage.
      • As evergreens, magnolias depend on their leaves year-round.

  • Ornamentals – Likely to Survive/May Want to Replace

    • Smaller trees and ornamentals seem to fare better in high winds, as they are able to flex with the pressure.
      • One risk to smaller trees is being damaged by falling debris from larger trees or structures. If there is no physical damage, the tree is probably stable.
    • Many smaller ornamentals are understory trees, used to shade from larger species.
      • As with red oaks, risk of subsequent damage from sun exposure is high.
    • Even if the tree survives, it may not be as well-suited for its space after the damage, and owners may prefer to replace it.
      • Defoliation or wind damage may have irreparably altered the shape.

What Should I Do Now?

Whatever kind of tree you have, and however it has been damaged, contact a certified arborist to determine the best steps to take. We highly recommend fertilization for all trees impacted by storms, especially in our urban soils. If your trees are going to recover, they will need all the nutrients they can get. If your landscaping has been disturbed by the tornado, now might be a good time to adjust your mulching practices to help enrich the soil going forward. If you need guidance, we are always here to help.

At Texas Tree Surgeons, we love trees and we love our customers. We are shocked and saddened to see the widespread damage and devastation after the recent tornadoes, and our hearts go out to all those who have lost their homes. So much of our beautiful urban forest seems to have been uprooted or destroyed, and we want to do what we can to preserve what remains. We hope this overview has been helpful, and we are always available to come out to assess your specific trees for damage, stability issues, health issues, or to give you our recommendations for post-storm care. Don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions you may have.