How to Plant Trees in Houston: Tips and Rules to Know

Are you thinking about planting new trees in your Houston home?

Everybody desires something unique from their trees. But there are certain overarching tendencies in regards to the best trees to plant in Houston.

Trees may brighten your yard, attract wildlife, provide shade, and even produce flowers and/or fruit.

It would help if you took a few precautions to ensure you select the best trees in Houston.

Be careful, even though you’ll undoubtedly be delighted with any of Houston’s preferred trees for planting. Keep reading to learn the tips on how to plant trees in Houston, Texas.

Select Suitable Trees in Houston

Before you plant any tree, ensure they meet your needs. Would you prefer a fast-growing tree to a slow-growing tree or a flowering tree than a fruit tree? Would you also prefer a deciduous tree to an evergreen tree or a small tree than a huge tree?

The following are some of the best most common trees in Houston to consider:

Nuttall Oak

If you’re looking for a big tree, the Nuttall oak is the best deal. It is a red oak native to the Houston area. The Nuttall oak is one of the finest large shade trees that grow in Houston.

Redbud

The redbud tree is a nice small flowering tree. It has pink flower clusters that bloom in early spring like the azaleas. It is adaptable to most types of soil and drought-tolerant. It is one of the small trees that offer beautiful fall color with pretty yellow shades in autumn.

Mandarin Orange

If you want a good fruit tree to plant in your compound, this is the tree to consider. The tree can withstand both occasional cold spells and Houston soil.

Drake Elm

Drake elm is the best shade providing and fast-growing tree you can plant in Houston. It has a distinguishable bark feature that flakes off in orange and gray colors.

Southern Magnolia

This is an evergreen tree. Every spring, it produces beautiful fragrant white flowers. Its leaves are dark and dense, good for privacy.

But you should avoid planting this tree in your front yard. This is because it can obstruct the view of your home.

Provide Appropriate Maintenance

After planting a shade tree, don’t fertilize until late spring of the second year. Fertilizers can stimulate crown growth faster than the roots can provide water or “burn” roots.

It would be best if you used stakes and guy wires to support trees when necessary.

Apply organic mulches like pine needles or wood chips for aeration and better soil structure as they decompose. Avoid using limestone rock.

It would help if you inspected the trees to see what need pruning. Inappropriate pruning methods can result in costly problems.

Landscape Regulations

The Tree and Shrub Ordinance of the City of Houston protect Houston’s greenery. This is by providing incentives to property owners who maintain and care for existing trees on their private land.

Also, lots that are less than 5,000 sq. ft. should have at least one tree. More than that will require at least two trees, new or conserved.

When to Contact Landscaping Professional

Of course, you could go to your garden and do your own tree planting. But if you’re not a professional, a licensed arborist or landscape architect can assist you.

They’ll inspect your yard, assess your tree-planting ideas, and help you get the best trees in Houston.

If you are in Houston and need help in planting or maintaining trees, we got you covered.