Despite the difficult soil and atmospheric conditions encountered by gardeners in Amarillo, this Texas area doesn’t lack in the number of tree species that can flourish quite well, many of which will require low maintenance.
If you just moved here and looking for the best trees to lighten up your home, this post might help. We provide a great selection of native trees for Amarillo that have been proven long term and easy to care for. Keep reading!
Native Trees For Amarillo: 6 Species Suitable For Texas Panhandle
The good thing about selecting trees that are native to the region in which they are grown is that these trees are already accustomed to the soils, temperatures, climatic conditions, etc. of the area. The best trees for Amarillo, therefore, would be:
1. Eastern Redcedar
The eastern redcedar is an evergreen tree that will do well in any Amarillo area. It can reach up to 40 feet tall and 25 feet wide, but there are dwarf varieties available that don’t grow any taller than 25 feet or wider than 10 feet. If you have a smaller yard, this would be a great tree to go for, as some shrub varieties won’t exceed 8 feet in height.
Eastern redcedars are drought-tolerant and will keep your home vibrant all year round. Come late summer, the trees bear blueish berry-like fruits that attract birds, rodents, squirrels, and other wildlife.
2. Shumard Oak
Many homeowners appreciate the Shumard oak for its stunning foliage. The tree features dark green leaves that turn brilliant red or orange in fall and winter. This would be a lovely shade tree, thanks to its broad canopy that gets wider and rounder as the tree matures. A mature Shumard oak can reach 90 feet in height and have a canopy 70 feet wide.
Shumard oaks are generally resilient trees and can withstand most of the tree diseases experienced in Texas. But they have to be trimmed regularly when young to help them develop strong branch structures. You can do all your pruning operations by yourself or hire a professional tree pruning Texas service.
3. Plains Cottonwood
Plains cottonwood aka the eastern cottonwood is a deciduous tree that grows up to 100 feet high with a crown spread of 90 to 100 feet. It is one of the best trees for Amarillo that you can add to your property for shade, requires full sun, and tolerates a huge variety of soil conditions. The tree has shiny green foliage that turns brilliant yellow in the autumn.
Plains cottonwood produces red-yellow blooms that give rise to green elliptical seed capsules, which turn brown when mature. The inner bark of the tree can be dried and grounded and used to thicken soups. The leaves have been found to contain a high percentage of amino-acids.
4. Texas Red Oak
Texas red oak is yet another shade tree you can use for landscaping in Amarillo. It is usually 50 feet tall, with a canopy that extends up to 25 feet wide at maturity. This tree has deep roots that enable it to survive extremely dry conditions. It features deep green foliage that graces your home with stunning shades of orange and vivid red.
Texas red oaks are very similar to Shumard oaks; the only difference is that acorns in red oaks are slightly smaller and the leaves often have thinner lobes.
Related Post: Texas Shade Trees
5. Redbuds
If you are looking for something that grows fast, try redbuds. There are many varieties that do well in Amarillo, all exhibiting different characteristics under different conditions. These would be an excellent option for small and medium-sized yards, as they don’t grow any taller than 30 feet nor do they spread any wider than 25 feet.
Redbuds grow fast, with height increasing up to 24 inches per year. They prefer full sun and well-drained soils. The trees produce lavender-pink flowers in spring.
Related Posts: Small Trees In Texas & Flowering Trees In Texas
6. Cedar Elm
Cedar elms have been used to adorn Amarillo homes for centuries. They have the ability to withstand the adverse conditions experienced in this area with very little care. These trees can grow up to 80 feet in height and spread up to 70 feet wide. They have stiff, dark-green leaves that turn into beautiful shades of red, yellow, and brown in fall.
The only downside is that cedar elms are susceptible to elm disease, one of the most common tree diseases in Texas. Have a professional tree service Texas company check your elms regularly to keep them healthy and prevent this deadly disease.
The Local Tree Experts Overview
Native trees for Amarillo are naturally adapted to the rough soil and climatic conditions experienced in this area. We have listed a few that can be used for both commercial and residential landscaping. Select the ones that best suit your needs and be sure to give them constant care to prevent pests and diseases.
