Trees

[lostman]

Won 3 45 gallon trees in a silent auction - now to decide which ones. Two will go in our front yard, replacing a dying, awful looking pine. (Lost many branches in a ice storm a few years back and never recovered)

My choices are live oak, monterey oak, red oak, water oak, or east polaka holly right now. We are in Houston (far west). I am doing my homework reading up on them, but thought maybe one of you all had some first hand opinions. Thoughts?

 

[OldHippie]

Oak wilt, especially in the central Texas area, is a real problem. I would hesitate to plant live oak or red oak for that reason. There are oak wilt resistant oaks such as bur oak and chinkapin oak. Here is a link

 

[NickDanger]

I have been pleased with Monterreys in the Hill Country 25-30' in 8 years. One died.. the other 5 are thriving. Post Oaks would be my guess for best in Houston, but I am really talking out of my ***. Red Oak and Live Oak have not done so well west of you recently. No idea what a water oak oak or a polish sausage holly fern oak is.

 

[grinder]

How much room do you have, and where is your front yard relative to the house (e.g. south, north, etc.)? If south, you'll want trees that drop their leaves in the fall and allow sunlight through in the winter; if north, the live oak is best because they are leafy year-round and will be a windblock during the winter. The white oaks are also better because they are oak-wilt resistant.

This site is a very good reference, click on 'more info' to look up the specific trees you are able to pick from:The Link