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North Texas Tree Owner’s Guide

While North Texas does not feature the dense green forests of other parts of the state, there are numerous native and nativized tree species that grow in our urban forest. Unlike in their natural habitat, however, most urban trees need outside help to thrive. By providing the proper care at each phase in the life cycle, tree owners can greatly increase the chances that their yards will showcase the full beauty of North Texas trees.

Why Do Urban Trees Need More Care?

Trees are naturally adapted to certain environments. Different species of tree do best in different environments; light, air, moisture, and surrounding plant and animal life all have an effect on a tree’s health. In an urban forest, there is a mix of many different species of trees, very few of which are adapted to typical city and suburb conditions. Urban trees face reduced resources, increased competition, and a challenging environment. While urban trees may have access to the basics to grow, their environment is extremely different from the environment trees grew in and became adapted to in the past.

Tree Selection | Tree Planting | Tree Care | Common Issues | How to Get Help

Tree Selection

  • Considerations

    • Location

      • The location a tree will be planted determines how big the tree can get, what its surroundings will be, soil composition and drainage, light availability, and many other key factors in a tree’s ability to become established.
      • Take into account potential obstacles to growth, such as
        • Overhead utility lines
        • Structures
        • Underground irrigation or utility placement
        • Sidewalks, driveways, or other surface features
        • Pools, septic tanks, or other in-ground features
        • Planned construction or renovation
      • Certain neighborhoods may have restrictions on tree placement

    • Growth speed

      • Different tree species grow at different rates
        • Faster isn’t always better
      • Growth speed can be related to age at planting as well as environment

    • Maximum size

      • While it may vary, a certain species of tree usually has a maximum and minimum expected height, as well as expected canopy spread.
      • Consider nearby buildings, signage, and aesthetics.
        • It can be difficult and dangerous for the tree and for people to try to reduce the size of an already-mature tree.

    • Critical root zone

      • Related to the canopy spread, the critical root zone is the area around the base of a tree where vital underground roots are present
        • Both large, stabilizing roots and smaller feeder roots must be considered.
      • Restricted root space or regular ground disturbance can stress a tree and cause premature failure

    • Soil

      • Soil acidity, moisture, and compostion determine what species can grow and thrive
        • Much of North Texas is dense, alkaline clay
      • Trees that are not suited to the soil will not be able to get the required nutrients

    • Light and shade

      • Some trees are well-suited to the understory (beneath the top canopy), while other need full, all-day sun
      • Keep in mind that sunlight intensity and direction changes through the seasons, and can be affected by the growth of nearby plants, as well

    • Water

      • Newly-planted trees need careful watering, but even established trees have a preferred level of soil moisture
      • Excessive soil moisture can help some species thrive, but contribute to disease in others
      • Consider where water pools during heavy rains, and where runoff goes

    • Surrounding plants

      • Turf grass, other ground cover, and other plants contribute to the competition for water and nutrients in the soil
      • As a tree grows, it may cast different shade or cause surface distortions that affect surrounding plants

    • Evergreen vs deciduous

      • Deciduous trees that drop leaves every fall can feature fall color, but often create more leaf litter
      • Evergreen trees, whether broad-leafed or needle bearing do not drop all their leaves at once, but are generally the same shade of green throughout the year

    • Flower, fruit, seed production

      • Spring blooms and seasonal fruit can attract birds and pollinators, contributing to the landscape’s beauty
      • Some types of flowers and fruit can cause concrete staining or be hazardous to pets

    • Native vs. nativized

      • Native species generally do better than imported species, but are limited
      • Imported species can be adapted to climate and soil, and give a variety of size and foliage options, but may become invasive

    • Source/stock

      • Nursery stock from one tree farm or source can be prone to particular structural issues and diseases
        • If not cared for properly at the nursery, trees may need a long period of rehabilitation after planting

    • Planting bigger is not always better!

  • Recommendations

  • Resources

Tree Planting

  • Location

    • Choose the right tree for your site, and the right site for your tree!
    • Avoid planting close to other trees, overhead or underground utilities, buildings, or other obstacles that may prevent your new tree from thriving.

  • Timing

    • Winter and early spring are the best times to plant new trees.
      • When temperatures are cooler, trees are less active and can handle the stress of planting better.
      • Planting before the growing season gives new trees an opportunity to become established before the stress of summer heat

  • Site prep

    • Before digging, especially if planting a larger tree, locate any underground irrigation or utility lines so that they will not be damaged.
    • Remove turf grass or other ground cover before digging
    • Dig the right-sized hole for the tree you are planting
      • In general, the hole should be three times the diameter of the container or roots of the tree to be planted

  • Planting

  • Initial care

    • Water

      • Plan to water your new tree at least once a week in the spring, fall, and winter, and twice a week in the summer.
      • Tree Watering Guide

    • Mulch

      • Maintain a proper mulch radius (3″-4″ deep, two to three feet from the trunk) around your new tree, adding more mulch as needed and as the tree grows

    • Trimming

      • Young trees do not need to be trimmed for several years, but may benefit from structural pruning.

  • Common planting issues

    • Root ball

      • Container-grown trees are very prone to developing girldling roots running around the root ball instead of away from the trunk.
      • Remove as many girdling roots as possible before planting.

    • Depth

      • Trees should be planted with the top of the root ball, or the beginning of the root flare at the base of the trunk, at ground level

    • Over-/Underwatering

      • While young trees need a lot of water, it is important not to water so that water pools around the trunk or so that the tree is unstable
      • Following proper watering techniques can help maintain ideal soil moisture

  • Resources

Tree Care

  • Watering

    • With our hot, dry summers, and tendency for drought conditions, proper watering is the best thing tree owners can do to help their trees.

  • Mulching

    • The importance of mulching is often overlooked, especially when trees are planted in an area covered with turf grass, but mulch is an easy way to manage soil moisture, temperature, and contribute nutirents to less-than-ideal soils.

  • Fertilization and soil amendments

    • Fertilization can be a touchy subject; most readily-available fertilizers are not designed to improve soil and feed trees in the long term. Some products, like “weed and feed” treatments, can actually harm trees. For sustainable, long-term improvement, a balanced mix of organic and inorganic fertilizers and soil additives yield the best results.

  • Trimming

    • Timing

    • Maintenance trimming

    • Specialized trimming

      • Structural pruning
        • Generally performed on young trees, structural pruning helps to establish balanced, healthy growth.
      • Restoration pruning
        • When a tree has been topped, or has sustained other physical damage, restoration pruning can be used to guide it back to a natural shape.
      • Retrenchment pruning
        • Older trees have less vigor and ability to sustain new growth and can often benefit from directed trimming that reduces overall size and weight while maintaining health.

  • Plant health care

    • At all stages of life, trees can suffer from stress, damage, pests, and diseases. “Plant health care” refers to the use of organic and inorganic chemical application to address a health issue or bolster a tree’s ability to cope with a stressor. Plant health care needs are determined by a certifed arborist and treatments are performed by specilized technicians.
    • Common types of plant health care include
      • Fertilization
      • Soil amendment
      • Pesticide application
      • Disease management
      • Chemical growth regulation

  • Resources

Common Tree Issues

  • Structural

    • Trees may have natural structural issues or may develop them in response to stress or other factors.
    • Aside from breaking and falling limbs, trees can also develop instabilities in the root system

  • Physical damage

    • Everything from nearby landcape maintenance to reckless driving can be a source of physical damage to a tree.
      • Generally, the more damage is done to the bark and the layers just underneath it, the more impact damage will have on a tree’s health.
    • While trees cannot “heal” in the same way that animals can, there are ways that trees respond to wounds and can minimize the internal damage.
      • A tree’s wound response does not usually need human intervention, and applying wraps or compounds is not usually necessary or advised.

  • Weather/environment

  • Insects/pests

  • Diseases/fungi

  • Cycle of decline

    • No matter the particular type, all trees suffer from stress, pest activity, and potential for diseases. The factors contributing to a tree’s ability to recover from stress, damage, or infection range from the weather at a given moment to the genetic makeup of the particular tree.
      • Trees with certain underlying predispositions may react very differently to stress when compared to trees without those underlying factors.
      • Trees that have suffered recent damage may be less able to fight off an infection.
    • When considering the health of a tree, it is important to keep in mind the “cycle of decline,” the recurrent effect of internal and external factors have on a tree’s ability to maintain vigor and health.
      • Physical damage or poor soil conditions do not only have an immediate effect on a tree’s health, but factor in whenever a new stressor presents itself.
      • Failure to address these factors can hasten tree decline and death.

  • Resources

Getting Help with Your Trees

  • Tree owners in North Texas have a wealth of resources to help them give their trees the best care possible.

  • Arborists and tree care companies

    • From routine trimming to diagnosis and plant health care, commercial tree companies provide the tree owner with both advice and convenience.

    • ISA Certified Arborists

      • The International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) is the premier, international credentialing organization for tree care professionals. The ISA offers different levels and specializations of credential, but the most important to a tree owner are the Certified Arborist and Board Certified Master Arborist, which indicate that an individual has the training and experience to care for trees properly.
      • ISA Tree Risk Assesment Qualification
        • Arborists who are certified by the ISA can complete further training in evaluating risk in trees and preparing reports of potential hazards.
      • Texas Oak Wilt Qualification
        • In Texas, ISA Certified Arborists can also attain a credential in the prevention, diagnosis, and management of the oak wilt disease, a serious threat to Texas trees.
      • What is a Certified Arborist?
      • Is There a “Tree Doctor?”
      • How Does an Arborist Diagnose My Trees?
      • What is a Tree Surgeon?
      • How Much Does Tree Care Cost?

    • Consulting Arborists

      • In addition to the ISA, there are other organizations that offer training and certification for different tree care specializations. The American Society of Consulting Arborists offers the Registered Consulting Arborist (RCA) credential.
        • RCAs are experts in the field of arboriculture and are often called upon for tree valuations, complex care consultations, or to give legal testimony.
      • What is a Consulting Arborist?

  • Organizations

    • Municipal arborists

      • Municipal arborists are city employees responsible for the urban forest, and coordinate with residents to care for publicly-owned trees (such those between the sidewalk and street).

    • Texas A&M AgriLife Extension

      • The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension service helps Texas residents care for plants, trees, crops, and livestock. Each county has an Agrilife Extension office.

    • Texas Plant Disease Diagnostic Lab

    • International Society of Arboriculture

      • The ISA maitains a website specifically for tree owners to give help and guidance for tree care as well assistance in locating ISA Certified Arborists.

At Texas Tree Surgeons, we love trees and we love our community! Whether you are planting, having tree health issues, or just want to provide the best care for your trees, our team of ISA Certified Arborists, ISA Board Certified Master Arborists, Registered Consulting Arborists, and Plant Health Care Technicians are ready to help! Contact us today to get a tree assessment!