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It is important to know where underground utilities are located before planting a tree, shrub, or garden plant. The Texas One Call Law requires anyone in Texas planning to dig or disturb the ground to first notify a certified one-call center to mark underground utility infrastructure.

Either call 8-1-1 or visit https://texas811.org at least 2 business days in advance of any planned ground disturbance.

Trees are Resources

Trees are resources integral to our quality of life, but they can interfere with another crucial resource we all depend on – electricity. During severe weather events, tree limbs can fall on power lines and cause outages. When trees and power lines connect, there are serious safety risks:

  • Branches that fail can cause high voltage power lines to fall to the ground creating an electrocution hazard to anyone in the area
  • Trees that grow near power lines can make it all too easy for a child climbing the tree to come in contact with power lines

At TNMP, we strive to balance our commitment to environmental stewardship, with our responsibility to provide a safe, reliable source of power for our customers around Texas.

You can help by making sure any new trees that you plant will not interfere with any power lines or utilities on your property. The following information is intended as a guide to help you plan and plant trees that will be beautiful, healthy, and safe from seed to shade, Selecting the Right Tree for the Right Location

TNMP recognizes that trees are a valuable part of our ecosystems and supports various tree planting efforts throughout the communities we serve. While planting trees is critical to maintaining vibrant urban and community forest resources, it is important to select the right tree for the desired location.

Selecting the Right Tree for the Right Location

TNMP recognizes that trees are a valuable part of our ecosystems and supports various tree planting efforts throughout the communities we serve. While planting trees is critical to maintaining vibrant urban and community forest resources, it is important to select the right tree for the desired location.

There are a few simple rules to follow when deciding where and what to plant:

  • Know the mature height and spread of the tree species you want to plant
  • Pay attention to overhead electric lines and other potential conflicts (underground utilities, streetlights, traffic signs, buildings, sidewalks, etc.)
  • Consider the potential energy saving benefits of maximizing shade coverage based on the location of the sun throughout the day and the sun’s movement during various times of the year
graphic for Tree Planting Guide

Tree Species Considerations

In addition to selecting the right tree based on mature size and potential physical limitations and site conflicts, it is important to consider environmental suitability and appropriateness. Key factors include:

  • General Characteristics – the tree you choose should match your expectations and work within your landscape; see tree selection guide for more information regarding shape, size, branching structure, flowering, fruit production, preferred sun exposure, drought tolerance, cold hardiness, etc.
  • Water Use – water conservation is important in Texas and selecting trees with lower water requirements and high drought tolerance is a good measure of environmental awareness; however, if you have a site that is prone to flooding it is important to also consider a tree’s tolerance for periodic saturation.
  • Climate Tolerance – consider Texas’ seasons, drought conditions, and abundant sunshine when you select a tree.

Invasive Species

Certain non-native tree species should be avoided because they are aggressive and have become invasive. This means they outcompete other species, often reducing biodiversity and altering habitats. The following table lists species by region that are considered invasive by the Texas A&M Forest Service. For more information, please visit: Invasive Plants & Trees - Texas A&M Forest Service.

Plant Name

Texas Regions

Common

Latin

North

Central

South

West

Tree-of-Heaven

Ailanthus altissima

I

I

I

I

Mimosa

Albizia julibrissin

I

I

Paper Mulberry

Broussonetia papyrifera

I

I

Camphor Tree

Cinnamomum camphora

I

Russian Olive

Elaeagnus angustifolia

I

Chinese Parasoltree

Frimiana simplex

I

I

Leadtree

Leucaena leucoephala

I

Privets

Ligustrum spp

I

I

I

Chinaberry

Melia azedarach

I

I

I

White Mulberry

Morus alba

I

Princes Tree

Paulownia tomentosa

I

Chinese Pistache

Pistacia chinensis

I

Callery Pear

Pyrus calleryana

I

Brazilian Peppertree

Schinus terebinthifolius

I

Saltcedar

Tamarix spp

I

I

I

Chinese Tallow

Triadica sebifera

I

I

Siberian Elm

Ulmus pumila

I

Vitex

Vitex agnus-castus

I

Trees to Avoid Planting in Texas

Professional arborists do not recommend planting the following trees in Texas. They have negative characteristics including excessive water usage, weak structures, and disease susceptibility.

Tree Selection
Characteristics

Ailanthus

prolific seed and root sprouts which take over landscape, Emerald Ash Borer

All N. American Ash

weak-wooded, insect and disease problems, defenseless against Emerald Ash Borer

Birch

weak structure, insect, and disease problems

Black Locust

prolific root sprouts

Boxelder

weak structure, insect problems

Bradford Pear

weak structure, prone to storm damage

Chinese Tallow

weak-wooded, insect and disease problems, short-lived

Hackberry

weak-wooded, short-lived

Mimosa

weak-wooded, short-lived

All Poplars

weak structure, short-lived, susceptible to storm and ice damage, attracts borers

Russian Olive

fast grower that uses lots of water, short-lived, disease problems

Salt Cedar

fast grower that chokes out waterways and desirable vegetation

Tree Selection Guide

The following is a list of recommended tree species for planting in Texas.

Tree Selection
Hardiness Zone
Mature Size
Water Usage

Afghan pine – Pinus eldarica

6 to 9

30 – 50'

High

American elm – Ulmus americana

2 to 9

60 – 90'

Medium

American plum – Prunus americana

5 to 9

12 – 20'

Medium

Apples & crabapples – Malus spp.

3 to 8

10 – 20'

Med – High

Atlas cedar – Cedrus atlantica

7 to 10

50'

Medium

Bur oak – Quercus macrocarpa

3 to 8

50 – 80'

Medium

Carolina buckthorn – Rhamnus caroliniana

6 to 9

10 – 30'

Low – Med

Catalpa – Catalpa bignonioides

6 to 10

30 – 40'

Medium

Cedar elm – Ulmus crassifolia

6 to 9

80'

Medium

Chinquapin oak – Quercus muhlenbergii

5 to 9

40 – 60'

Medium

Chitalpa – Chitalpa tashkentensis

8 to 11

30'

Low – Med

Deodar cedar – Cedrus deodar

7 to 10

50'

Medium

Desert willow – Chilopsis linearis

7 to 10

20'

Low

Eastern cottonwood – Populus deltoides

2 to 9

75 – 100'

Med – High

Eastern redcedar – Juniperus virginiana

2 to 9

30 – 40'

Low

Eastern redbud – Cercis canadensis

4 to 9

25'

Low – Med

Fringetree – Chionanthus virginicus

6 to 9

15 – 30'

Medium

Gambel oak – Quercus gambelii

4 to 8

15 – 20'

Low

Ginko (male) – Ginko biloba

3 to 8

70'

Low – Med

Goldenrain tree – Koelreuteria paniculata

5 to 9

30 – 40'

Low

Hawthorn – Crataegus spp.

4 to 8

25'

Low – Med

Honeylocust – Gleditsia triacanthos

4 to 9

50'

Low – Med

Horsechestnut – Aesculus hippocastanum

4 to 7

50'

High

Incense cedar – Calocedrus decurrens

5 to 8

30 – 70'

Low – Med

Japanese pagoda – Sophora japonica

4 to 8

25'

Low

Kentucky coffee tree – Gymnocladus dioicus

3 to 8

50'

Low

Lacebark elm – Ulmus parviflora

4 to 9

40 – 50'

Medium

Littleleaf linden – Tilia cordata

3 to 7

60'

Medium

Live oak – Quercus virginiana

7 to 10

40–80'

Medium

London planetree – Platanus x acerifolia

5 to 9

75 – 100'

Medium

Loquat – Eriobotrya japonica

7 to 10

10 – 20'

Medium

Magnolia – Magnolia spp.

3 to 10

15 – 80'

Low – Med

Mexican buckeye – Ungnadia speciosa

8 to 10

10 – 20'

Low – Med

Mexican elder – Sambucus mexicana

7 to 10

15 – 25'

Medium

Mexican plum – Prunus mexicana

6 to 9

15 – 25'

Low – Med

Newport plum – Prunus cerasifera 'Newport'

4 to 9

15 – 25'

Medium

Peach – Prunus persica

5 to 8

15 – 25'

Medium

Pecan – Carya illinoiensis

5 to 9

70'

Medium

Pink flowering locust – Robinia x ambigua

4 to 8

25 – 40'

Low

Piñon pine – Pinus edulis

6 to 8

10 – 20'

Low

Possumhaw holly – Ilex decidua

6 to 9

15 – 20'

Medium

Purple-leaf plum – Prunus cerasifera

5 to 8

15 – 20'

Low

River birch – Betula nigra

4 to 9

40'

High

Roughleaf dogwood – Cornus drummondii

5 to 9

15 – 30'

Medium

Rusty blackhaw – Viburnum rufidulum

5 to 9

20'

Low

Saucer magnolia – Magnolia x soulangiana

8 to 9

20 – 25'

Medium

Scotch pine – Pinus sylvestris

3 to 7

50'

Low

Shumard oak – Quercus shumardii

7 to 10

75'

Low – Med

Silver maple – Acer saccharinum

4 to 8

60 – 80'

Med – High

Sumac – Rhus spp.

4 to 10

10 – 20'

Low

Texas live oak – Quercus fusiformis

7 to 10

20 – 50'

Low

Texas madrone – Arbutus texana

7 to 10

20 – 30'

Low

Texas mountain laurel – Sophora secundiflora

8 to 9

5 – 20'

Low – Med

Texas red oak – Quercus buckleyi

5 to 9

30'

Low

Umbrella catalpa – Catalpa bungei

4 to 8

50'

Low

Wax myrtle – Myrica spp.

7 to 10

5 – 20'

Low

Weeping willow – Salix babylonica

4 to 9

50'

High

Western catalpa – Catalpa speciosa

4 to 8

50'

Low

Yaupon holly – Ilex vomitoria

7 to 9

10 – 20'

Low – Med

USDA Hardiness Zone

Below is a state map identifying the hardiness zone(s) and average annual minimum temperature range(s) for each county.

map of Texas plant hardiness zones

How to Find a Professional Arborist

An arborist is a tree care specialist. Hiring an arborist to help maintain your trees is an investment that can result in attractive, healthy trees. How do you choose an arborist?

  • Ask friends and neighbors for recommendations
  • Call tree care companies and learn about their pruning and maintenance techniques
  • Check to see if an individual is a Certified Arborist through the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) – ISA does not certify companies, only individuals
  • Ask companies for local references
  • Request proof of insurance from any company you hire
  • Get a contract stating the project scope and the price
  • NEVER attempt to trim trees near power lines

Find a Certified Arborist

The ISA maintains a database of Certified Arborists: www.treesaregood.com

Learn More About Trees

Below are links to relevant industry resources:

Public Utility Commission of Texas

https://ftp.puc.texas.gov/public/puct-info/consumer/facts/factsheets/elecfacts/trees.pdf

https://ftp.puc.texas.gov/public/puct-info/agency/rulesnlaws/subrules/electric/25.96/25.96.pdf

Texas A&M Forest Service

https://tfsweb.tamu.edu/trees/

The National Arbor Day Foundation

https://www.arborday.org/planning-selection-location

https://www.arborday.org/planting-your-tree

https://www.arborday.org/tree-care-maintenance

https://shop.arborday.org/nursery-zone