The Best Trees to Plant in Texas: A Humorous Guide
Texas, with its vast landscapes and diverse climates, offers a plethora of options for tree lovers. Whether you're looking for shade, beauty, or a delicious harvest, there's a tree out there that's perfect for your Lone Star State garden. But with so many choices, how do you know which one to pick? Fear not, fellow Texan, for we've compiled a humorous guide to the best trees to plant in the Lone Star State.
Shade Trees
The Live Oak: This majestic tree is a Texas icon, known for its sprawling branches and evergreen leaves. It's the perfect choice for providing ample shade on hot summer days. Just be prepared to mow around a lot of leaves.
The Pecan Tree: Not only does this tree provide delicious nuts, but it also offers excellent shade. Just be careful where you plant it, as the branches can be quite large and messy.
The Chinese Pistache: This beautiful tree offers a stunning display of fall colors, from fiery red to golden yellow. It's also a great choice for providing shade, although it can be a bit messy during leaf drop.
Flowering Trees
The Crape Myrtle: This versatile tree comes in a variety of colors, from pink and purple to white and red. It's a great choice for adding a pop of color to your landscape. Just be sure to prune it regularly to keep it looking its best.
The Texas Ranger: This native tree is known for its fragrant white flowers and attractive foliage. It's a great choice for attracting pollinators to your garden.
The Indian Laurel: This evergreen tree offers a beautiful display of yellow flowers in the spring. It's also a great choice for providing privacy and screening.
Fruit Trees
The Orange Tree: If you're looking for a sweet and juicy treat, the orange tree is a great option. Just be prepared to protect it from cold weather.
The Fig Tree: This delicious fruit tree is easy to grow and produces abundant harvests. Just be sure to harvest the figs before they ripen too much.
The Avocado Tree: This exotic fruit tree is becoming increasingly popular in Texas. It's a great choice for adding a touch of the tropics to your landscape. Just be prepared to wait a few years for it to start producing fruit.
Other Trees to Consider
- The Mexican Plum: This native tree offers a delicious and tart fruit that can be used in jams, jellies, and pies.
- The Texas Mulberry: This native tree produces abundant crops of sweet and juicy berries.
- The Chinese Elm: This fast-growing tree is a great choice for providing shade and screening.
A Few Tips for Planting Trees in Texas
- Choose the right location: Consider the size of the tree when mature, as well as the amount of sunlight and water it needs.
- Plant at the right time: The best time to plant trees in Texas is in the spring or fall.
- Water regularly: Trees need plenty of water, especially during the first few years after planting.
- Fertilize annually: Fertilizing your trees will help them grow healthy and strong.
- Prune regularly: Pruning will help your trees maintain their shape and size, as well as remove dead or diseased branches.
Conclusion
With so many great trees to choose from, you're sure to find the perfect one for your Texas garden. Whether you're looking for shade, beauty, or a delicious harvest, there's a tree out there that's perfect for you. So get out there and start planting!
And remember, if all else fails, you can always just plant a cactus.