Overview
Texas is so large that its trees range from eastern pine forest to Hill Country oak-juniper to West Texas desert. That variety means a handful of leaf, bark, and shape clues go a long way toward naming what you find.
This guide covers common and iconic Texas trees — how to tell them apart by leaf, bark, and habit. Pair it with a photo of the leaf or bark and the app to confirm any tree you find.
Key Species to Know
Southern Live Oak
Quercus virginiana
A massive, spreading evergreen oak with small, leathery oval leaves and wide, low limbs. A defining shade tree of Texas towns and the coastal plain.
Pecan
Carya illinoinensis
The Texas state tree — a tall hickory with long compound leaves and thin husked nuts. Native along rivers and widely planted for shade and its crop.
Bald Cypress
Taxodium distichum
A deciduous conifer of southern rivers with feathery needles that turn rusty in fall and distinctive "knees" rising around its buttressed base.
Honey Mesquite
Prosopis glandulosa
A small, thorny tree with lacy, twice-divided leaves and long seed pods, casting light shade over dry rangeland. Deep-rooted and drought-hardy.
Shumard Oak
Quercus shumardii
A large red oak with deeply lobed, bristle-tipped leaves that turn red in fall. A common shade and street tree across central and eastern Texas.
Eastern Redbud
Cercis canadensis
A small tree with heart-shaped leaves that bursts into rosy-pink pea flowers directly on bare branches in early spring, before leafing out.
Seasonal Guide
- Spring: redbud flowers on bare branches — the easiest time to spot it.
- Summer: evergreen live oak stands out darker against deciduous greens.
- Fall: bald cypress and Shumard oak turn rusty and red along the rivers.
Safety Reminder
This is an identification guide only — it does not cover edibility or foraging. Observe trees without damaging bark or breaking limbs, and watch for thorns on mesquite and other brush-country species.
Identify it instantly
Found something and not sure what it is? Point your camera with Spotter and get a species identification in seconds — with detailed reference info and species notes.