How to Identify Native Texas Trees

The diverse climate and soils in Texas allow hundreds of native trees to flourish. Native Texas trees have adapted to the conditions and elevations of the vegetative zones, which include forests in East Texas, prairies in the south, mountains and desert in the west and grassy plains in the north. Learning to identify trees that are native to Texas can help in planning what to plant around your home or become a new hobby.

Things You'll Need

• Digital camera
• Spiral notebook
• Texas plant identification books

Instructions

1. Write down the habitat surrounding the tree. Include information such as whether the tree is in the mountains, near the coast or on grassy plains. Note your location, whether you're in central, east, west, north or south Texas.

2. Take a picture of the whole tree from a distance, then take close-ups of the bark, leaves and any flowers, fruit, nuts or seeds.

3. Look at the height, branch pattern and shape of the tree. Estimate the height and study the tree shape, which may be rounded, pyramid or columnar.

4. Study the tree bark, noting the patterns, texture, thickness and color of the bark. It may be smooth, ridged, fissured, peeling or have deep furrows.

5. Examine the shape, arrangement, size, number, texture and color of the leaves, or the needles if it's a conifer. Native Texas trees may have star-shaped, oval, elliptical or heart-shaped leaves.

6. Look at the edges of each leaf. Write down whether the edges are smooth, wavy, toothed or lobed and if it's attached directly to the branch or with a short stem (called a petiole).

7. Describe the characteristics of the branches or twigs if it's winter. Look at the texture, size, shape and color and how they are arranged. The branches on native Texas trees may be alternate, whorled or opposite.

8. Buy books on native Texas plants or borrow them from the library. You can also search native Texas tree databases online such as DFW Tree ID Guide, the list of trees at Texas Forest Service and the Texas Tree Planting Guide. Compare the descriptions and pictures with the photos and notes you took to arrive at the proper name for the tree you found.

Tips & Warnings

• The time of year is a factor in identifying native Texas trees. Jot down if it's spring, summer, fall or winter.

• Write the photo number beside the description for each tree characteristic.

• Be descriptive when noting the color of bark, flowers, branches and fruit. Write down whether the color is bright, dull, shiny, a solid color, a mix or a certain shade.

• Counting the number of needles in each cluster can help to identify which native Texas conifer it is.

• Using a magnifying glass can help you to see small details on leaves.

• A measuring tape allows you to record the exact dimensions of leaves, flowers and fruit growing on trees.

• During the winter when deciduous native Texas trees have lost their leaves, look for buds on the branch or on the tip to determine the leaves' arrangement. Lateral buds are found along the length of the branch and terminal buds are on the tip.

References

• Texas Forest Service: How to ID
• "Landscaping with Native Plants of Texas"; George Oxford Miller; 2006
• "The Nature Handbook: A Guide to Observing the Great Outdoors"; Ernest Herbert Williams; 2005

Resources

• Texas Forest Service: Texas Eco-Regions
• Texas Forest Service: List of Trees
• Texas Tree Trails: DFW Tree ID Guide
• The Texas A&M University System: Texas Tree Planting Guide
• Texas Parks and Wildlife: Tree Bark