Your Tree Choice in North Texas

NORTH TEXAS TREE GUIDE: BEST TREES FOR YOUR LANDSCAPE

TREES by Art That Grows

Choosing the right trees is one of the most important decisions in landscape design - we'll help you make the best choice.

In North Texas, trees must withstand extreme heat, clay soil, and periods of drought while still providing shade, structure, and long-term beauty.

At Art That Grows, we help homeowners select trees that thrive in local conditions and enhance the overall design of their property.

Trees to Make Their Every Use Distinctive

Best Shade Trees for North Texas

These Top 5 Selections are perfectly suited to the alkaline, heavy clay soils and extreme heat of North Texas. These trees provide long-term structure, cooling shade, and strong adaptability to Texas conditions.

Options include:

Bur Oak – A magnificent, long-lived native that produces a massive canopy
Cedar Elm – Native, highly adaptable, handles clay soil well
Chinese Pistache – A highly resilient, moderately-sized shade tree, fall color
Live Oak – Large canopy, extremely durable, iconic Texas tree
Red Oak (Shumard) – Fast-growing with excellent fall color

These trees are ideal for front yards, backyards, and large open spaces.

Bur Oak

Bur Oak: A magnificent, long-lived native that produces a massive canopy. It is extremely drought-tolerant and handles most soil types, though its large acorns can be messy in the fall. 50 to 100 feet. Growth: Slow to Moderate, 1 to 2 feet per year. Life span: can live 300 years as a heritage tree.

Evergreen Trees for Privacy & Screening

Evergreen trees provide year-round coverage and are perfect for privacy and noise reduction.

Caroline Sapphire Cypress– Excellent drought-tolerant option
Eastern Red Cedar – Native, drought-tolerant, excellent windbreak
Junipers – Wide variety, ideal for tall privacy barriers and decorative features
Nellie R. Stevens Holly – Dense, fast-growing, great for screening
Texas Wax Myrtle – Fast-growing and flexible for hedges

These are commonly used along fences, property lines, and to block unwanted views.

Caroline Sapphire Cypress

Carolina Sapphire Cypress is an excellent choice for North Texas landscapes, providing a fast-growing (2-4 ft/year), aromatic, and drought-tolerant option for privacy screens and windbreaks, typically reaching 30–40 ft in height and 15–20 ft in width. Also, with trimming, ideal as a distinctive garden feature.

Junipers

A versatile conifer available in many varieties (like the upright Blue Point or broad Wichita Blue). Junipers are extremely heat-tolerant, resilient in both alkaline and clay soils, and provide excellent textural contrast with their scale-like blue-green needles. In North Texas, junipers range from towering 40-foot trees ideal for privacy screens to dwarf groundcovers that suppress weeds.

Nellie R. Stevens Holly

Nellie R. Stevens Holly is most known for its winter color, where the rich greens are matched with ruby red berries. Prefer partial sun with some afternoon shade. Plant in well-drained, moist soil that is not overly wet. Drought-tolerant with watering.

They are fast-growing trees, which are frequently planted in rows 5 to 6 feet apart to create a dense hedge or privacy screen. When planted in this way, Nellie R. Stevens Hollies typically reach a height between 15 and 25 feet. When planted individually, this Holly Tree is likely to reach heights between 25 and 35 feet. They are fast-growing trees and can grow 3 feet a year.

Tree Planting Tips for North Texas

Proper planting is critical to long-term tree health.

Plant in fall or early spring for best root establishment
Improve clay soil with compost and soil conditioners
Ensure proper spacing to allow for mature growth
Keep the root flare visible above the soil line

Poor planting is one of the most common reasons trees fail.

Small & Ornamental Trees

Perfect for smaller yards or accent areas, these trees add color and visual interest without overwhelming the space.

Crepe Myrtle – Long-lasting summer blooms, multiple color options
Japanese Maple – Elegant structure, ideal for shaded areas
Japanese Black Pine – Unique form and texture
Oakland Holly – Beautiful, naturally pyramidal evergreen
Yaupon Holly – Extremely hardy and versatile

Ideal for entryways, patios, and focal points in landscape design.

Crepe Myrtle

Crape Myrtles are renowned for their vibrant, crinkled summer blossoms and exfoliating bark. These low-maintenance, heat-tolerant deciduous trees and shrubs are a staple in warm landscapes, offering spectacular, long-lasting color from late spring into fall.

They are frequently dubbed the "lilac of the South" and are famously known for blooming for 60 to 120 days. They are incredibly versatile. Depending on the cultivar, they can range from 2-foot-tall dwarf shrubs to 30-foot specimen trees.

Japanese Maple

Japanese Maples are elegant, slow-growing deciduous trees or shrubs. Prized for their delicate foliage and vibrant seasonal colors, they typically reach 15–25 feet in maturity and are perfect as focal points, container plants, or in Asian-inspired gardens.

Japanese maples can thrive in North Texas, but they require specific care to manage the region's intense summer heat, alkaline clay soil, and dry spells. They are winter-hardy. Light: Morning sun with full afternoon shade is essential to prevent leaf scorch. The intense afternoon sun from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. can "fry" the leaves. Soil: Must have well-draining soil. Because of the heavy clay in DFW, planting in raised beds or mounds is often necessary.

Japanese Black Pine

Japanese black pine is highly adaptable to North Texas heat and can thrive if provided with full sun and well-drained soil. They require at least 6 hours of direct, full sunlight daily and tolerate the extreme summer heat well. Cultivars like the Thunderhead Japanese Black Pine are frequently used in Texas. It is a dense, multi-stemmed evergreen that reaches about 10 feet tall, making it excellent for screening or as a garden centerpiece. Standard size: 15 to 25 feet tall and 6 to 15 feet wide. Growth: moderate rate of 12 to 24 inches per year.

Soil & Watering Requirements: This is the most critical factor for success in Texas. They need loose, draining soil (such as expanded shale, pumice, or a dedicated bonsai conifer mix). Young trees need consistent watering, but established trees have excellent drought tolerance. Proper drainage is vital to prevent root rot.

Oakland Holly

Oakland Holly is an excellent choice for North Texas, often considered one of the best, low-maintenance, upright evergreen shrubs for privacy screens in the region. They are particularly valued for their dense, pyramidal shape and ability to thrive in the area's challenging clay soils and Texas heat. Typically reaching 12–18 feet tall and 6–8 feet wide. Can be size and shape-controlled with clipping.

Yaupon Holly

Yaupon Holly is a highly adaptable, drought-resistant evergreen native to the north Texas climate, thriving in both full sun and shade. It is highly prized in North Texas landscapes for being evergreen, drought-tolerant, and providing red berries in the winter. It features small, spineless, glossy leaves and smooth gray bark. Female plants produce dense clusters of bright red berries that provide brilliant winter color.

Standard yaupon grows 10 to 20 feet tall and 8 to 12 feet wide, with a moderate to fast growth rate of 1 to 3 feet per year. Dwarf varieties stay much smaller, growing 2 to 5 feet tall with a slower rate of 6 to 12 inches per year.

Watering & Establishment

New trees require consistent care during the first 1–2 years.

Water deeply, not frequently
Avoid overwatering in clay soil
Use mulch to retain moisture and regulate temperature

Once established, many North Texas trees become highly drought tolerant.

Tree Maintenance & Care

Routine care keeps trees healthy and attractive.

Prune during dormant seasons
Remove dead or damaged branches
Monitor for pests and disease
Fertilize as needed based on soil conditions

For more information see: North Texas Tree Care

Related Services

Discover more about how Trees integrate into your overall landscape design.

Landscape creation & Care

Your Tree Choice in North Texas

NORTH TEXAS TREE GUIDE: BEST TREES FOR YOUR LANDSCAPE

TREES by Art That Grows

Choosing the right trees is one of the most important decisions in landscape design - we'll help you make the best choice.

Trees to Make Their Every Use Distinctive

Best Shade Trees for North Texas

Evergreen Trees for Privacy & Screening

Tree Planting Tips for North Texas

Small & Ornamental Trees

Watering & Establishment

Tree Maintenance & Care

Related Services

Get Started with Trees for Your Landscaping

Let's discuss your ideas for Trees with
Art That Grows
214-987-0006

I'm interested, Tell Me More

Landscape creation & Care

Your Tree Choice in North Texas

NORTH TEXAS TREE GUIDE: BEST TREES FOR YOUR LANDSCAPE

TREES by Art That Grows

Choosing the right trees is one of the most important decisions in landscape design - we'll help you make the best choice.

Trees to Make Their Every Use Distinctive

Best Shade Trees for North Texas

Evergreen Trees for Privacy & Screening

Tree Planting Tips for North Texas

Small & Ornamental Trees

Watering & Establishment

Tree Maintenance & Care

Related Services

Get Started with Trees for Your Landscaping

Let's discuss your ideas for Trees with Art That Grows 214-987-0006

I'm interested, Tell Me More

Let's discuss your ideas for Trees with
Art That Grows
214-987-0006