Trees of Texas Wikia

## **Welcome!**

You are invited to discover interesting facts about trees of Texas. Soar trough this page and enjoy learning about trees' qualities and how they play an important role to conserve our planet. I hope you enjoy it!

## History of a Tree

Trees are the biggest and oldest plants on earth. They continue to grow as long as they live, which can be for hundreds or thousands of years. Tree growth depends on water, temperature, and location of the plant. Forest trees grow in both height and diameter. The growth of a tree is influenced by its environment. When thinking in planting trees in the region of Texas we should consider if such tree will tolerate the local soil and a wide range of weather conditions. For instance, it is important to keep in mind that the weather in Houston does not fallow a specific pattern. Especially in the last few years, we have experienced very high temperatures leading to droughts and some heavy rainfall which have led to flood.

Texas has a great variety of trees. It is suggested that land owners know about native and non-native trees that would be more appropriate for their properties in order to preserve a fertile soil as well as to contribute to the aesthetics of their properties.

### **The State Tree of Texas**

   In 1919, the pecan tree was selected to be the official state tree of Texas. There is evidence that this tree has been in Texas for thousands of years, before humans arrived to the region. Native Americans relied on pecan’s fruit for survival.

### **The Oldest Tree in Texas**

    Some people think that the **“Big Tree”** is over 1,500 years old. Others estimate that it is 2,000 years old! Texas is privileged to have one of the oldest trees of the nation. The “Big Tree” is located at Goose Island Park near Rockport.
    The **big live oak** tree is a native tree of Texas. It measures more than 35 feet around its trunk. Many visitors take their time to admire it when they go to the Goose Island park.
### **Tree Population Characteristics**

The total population of trees in the Houston area in 2002 was estimated to be 663 million trees of roughly 135 trees per person. Most (71%) are located in Forest areas. However, urban areas contribute an important 84 million trees, roughly 13% of the region’s tree population.

### **Native and Non-Native Trees**

    Species native to the Houston region make up the majority of trees (76 %). Besides the oaks and pines, other common native trees include cedar elm, sweetgum, sugarberry, American elm, bald cypress, and green ash. Native trees are adapted to the region’s climate, geography and ecosystems, and generally require less maintenance, water, and artificial fertilizes. They are also critical components of native ecosystems that provide habitat and food for birds, butterflies and mammals. Non-native trees, such as Chinese tallow, are a significant component of the region’s tree population. Other trees that have been introduced into the area include Chinese elm, camphor-tree, crape myrtle, chinaberry and silver maple. Most of these species remain where they are planted, but some non-natives become invasive, overtaking disturbed areas such as abandoned agricultural and urban lands, coastal prairies, and forests, crowding out native plants.

## Sources

http://txforestservice.tamu.edu/default.aspx

http://texastreeid.tamu.edu/

http://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/goose-island/the-big-tree

http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/texas/article/Texas-to-give-one-of-nation-s-oldest-trees-new-5068989.php#photo-1979490

http://www.greenhoustontx.gov/tree.html#native

http://www.houstonregionalforest.org/Report/Page05

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