The acclaimed River Walk, rich colonial heritage, and transitional climate with mild winters are what San Antonio is known for. But, after seeing San Antonio trees, you will see why everyone is envious of having such a variety of great trees in their yard. Since there are many different varieties, it can be really hard to determine what are the best trees to plant in San Antonio.
But, with help from a professional Texas tree service, you will surely manage to pick the right type of tree for you. We tried to put together a list containing evergreens, hardy deciduous, and flowering ornamental trees. Keep reading to find out more!
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Best Trees to Plant in San Antonio – Common Varieties
American Smoketree
Even though this tree has many attributes worth adding it to your yard, it is still considered an under-planted variety. American smoketree is a member of the Sumac family and is known for its stunning fall color and showy appearance. When present in crowded clusters, hairlike petioles look like smoke, which is where the name originated from. These petioles can be purple or red. When the fall comes, leaves turn reddish-purple, orange, and yellow, making the tree look even more beautiful for a couple of weeks.
Escarpment Live Oak
Escarpment live oak is one of the best trees to plant in San Antonio according to San Antionio tree services in the area. It spans an impressive 75 feet in width and can reach up to 40 feet in height. These evergreen trees can live more than 100 years under the right conditions. The ability of these trees to remain “live” and green throughout winter is where the name “live oak” originates from. Go for this tree if you have a challenging landscape. They thrive even in poor soil and are incredibly tolerant of heat and drought.
Cedar Elm
If you are looking for a great street or shade tree, consider cedar elm as one of your best options. It reaches mature heights of up to 70 feet and is considered a low maintenance tree. In addition, this tree tolerates a range of soil conditions and is generally very hardy. The leaves can be up to 2 inches long and have a rough texture combined with a dark-green color. There’s no need to rake them when they drop in the fall; they usually compost nicely, which is a great thing for the soil in your yard.
Eastern Red Cedar
One of the most common conifers grown in the United States is definitely the Eastern red cedar. Texas homeowners love this tree because it is extremely tolerant of heat and drought. Female plants produce pale blue berries that are frequently used in homeopathic treatment. Woodworkers also love this type of tree duo to its aromatic wood is frequently used for carvings, cabinets, and chests.
Yaupon Holly
Trees that can add year-round color to your yard are always a good choice. This evergreen shrub is fantastic for that purpose. Small white flowers of this tree attract pollinations like bees and butterflies. Birds and other wildlife also love yaupon holly for its yellow, orange, and red berries. If this tree is planted in its native habitat, it will have no problems with diseases, insects, or drought.
Black Cherry
Cherry trees are probably one of the more popular San Antonio trees, and black cherry is the largest and the most important in this group. The wood has a dark red tint to it, making it look very luxurious and valuable for scientific and professional instruments, furniture, and toys. In the early spring, this tree produces snowy white flowers that form clusters. They later turn to pea-sized dark berries in August and September. These fruits are used in cooking and beverages and can be almost completely black.
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Desert Willow
Surprisingly, this native tree is not related to the willow at all. Still, it is very similar to it in its appearance and can withstand drought fairly easily. These small-growing trees may span 10 feet across and grow up to 25 feet in height. Desert willow has showy, pink flowers during midsummer that look almost tropical. The tree requires almost no maintenance and can withstand a variety of soil types.
American Elm
The American elm is probably one of the iconic tree species that’s showing up in urban landscapes more often these days. This beautiful tree has a vase-like shape and was historically planted along city streets because of this. It can reach up to 100 feet in height, making it a good option if you have a big back yard. Still, Dutch elm disease has wiped out much of the original population, but the researchers are working on resistant cultivars to help with the long-term recovery of this beautiful tree.
Magnolia
There’s a good reason why magnolia is a mainstay tree across the South. This tree displays intoxicatingly fragrant blooms and glossy green leaves. It grows up to 70 feet in height and is one of the first trees to bloom in the spring. The beautiful blooms usually last throughout the entire summer, which is why magnolia is so popular.
FAQ
Q: What trees grow in San Antonio?
A: Usually, people in San Antonio are planting shade trees. Some of the more popular varieties are live oak, American smoke tree, eastern red cedar, and American elm trees. Usually, people plant trees that can withstand drought and heat, but also provide good shades, good looking flowers, and tasty fruit.
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Tree Service Removal Overview
Hopefully, this article will help you if you are wondering what are the best trees to plant in San Antonio. Basically, what you want to aim for is a type of tree that can provide enough shade while withstanding heat and drought of the South. Good-looking blooms and tasty fruit are always a bonus, but consider that this will attract wildlife and insects. Don’t hesitate to ask for professional help when deciding what San Antonio trees you should plant!
