Native Plants
![](../_images/smarty_plants.gif)
Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
![](../_images/mr_smarty_plants_logo_web_200w.jpg)
rate this answer
![](../_images/star_00.gif)
Sunday - September 28, 2014
From: Hutto, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Plant Lists, Trees
Title: Tree Recommendations for Hutto, TX
Answered by: Larry Larson
QUESTION:
I live in Hutto, TX. I want shade trees in my back yard. I would like a fast growing tree as well as a slower growing tree. What trees are recommended for my area?ANSWER:
The Wildflower Center keeps collections of plants that are native to various regions. In general, Hutto is in the Blackland Prairie Ecoregion. This link is to the Wildflower Center special collection for the Blackland Prairie Ecoregion.
These special collections can be sorted for several different characteristics. After selecting “Trees” there are still 50 candidates to review for your request! Speed of growth of these trees is a bit harder to determine; it is sometimes mentioned in the body of the record, both in the NPIN record and more often by the USDA. After reviewing these, here are those that explicitly fit your request for Slow growing or fast growing trees:
Slow growing:
Carya illinoinensis (Pecan)
Diospyros virginiana (Common persimmon)
Ilex opaca (American holly)
Ilex vomitoria (Yaupon)
Quercus macrocarpa (Bur oak)
Fast Growing:
Acer negundo (Ash-leaf maple)
Fraxinus pennsylvanica (Green ash
Gleditsia triacanthos (Honey locust)
Juglans nigra (Black walnut)
Liquidambar styraciflua (Sweetgum)
Platanus occidentalis (American sycamore)
Populus deltoides (Eastern cottonwood)
Prunus serotina (Black cherry)
Prunus virginiana (Chokecherry
Quercus virginiana (Coastal live oak)
Taxodium distichum (Bald cypress)
The pictures below are in rough order of mature height
From the Image Gallery
More Trees Questions
Need an inexpensive blooming tree in Venus, TX
May 02, 2015 - I need a non expensive booming tree for our yard.
view the full question and answer
Shade trees for Spring TX
August 17, 2011 - Dear Mr.Pants, our west-facing backyard in Spring, Tx, is unbearable in this Summer's heat. Neither us nor the neighbors has any backyard trees established yet, as the subdivision is pretty new. C...
view the full question and answer
Is oak leucanium an invasive species in Texas from Laredo TX
April 02, 2013 - Is Parthenolecanium quercifex considered an invasive species in Texas? Does this insect attach itself to redbuds? I spotted and removed from my small 5ft Texas Redbud last year. It seems that it has ...
view the full question and answer
Disease or insect damage on a Mexican plum
September 08, 2013 - Help,
Our Mexican plum tree is about 13-14 years old. Earlier this year we noticed the trunk is oozing black stuff and whole branches are dying off. We have watched as our beloved tree has lost most ...
view the full question and answer
Suggestions for native perennials in Staten Island, NY
April 03, 2008 -
My back yard garden has a good base of evergreen shrubs and perennials all doing well in clayish soil and I am ready now to add color and texture in an area with partial sun. Can you suggest hardy...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |