San Antonio Tree Selection: Choosing the Best Trees for Your Yard

Windbreaks, Shades and Canopies That Love Central Texas

Planting a new tree in the yard yields instant green thumb gratification. Even the smallest sapling stands up straight with a promise of easy care and future shade. The mild San Antonio climate is very forgiving about your choice in timber, but some trees love the area more than others.

From Understories to Canopies

Trees don’t have to grow tall to be beautiful, and some of our loveliest local choices are the understory species. Mexican buckeyes and Texas redbuds mature at 10 feet, so enjoy these smaller plantings as windbreaks that offer natural landscaping privacy. Taller maples, walnuts and Mexican plums reach ideal heights for keeping your great outdoors shady and comfortable. Count on live oaks, cedar elms and Sabal palms for magnificent, towering canopies that spread over the house, block the sizzling sun and help hold down summer cooling costs.

Fabulous Flowers and Delectable Fruits

The charms of flowering trees are easier to cultivate than you might think. Texas mountain laurels burst into spring with beautiful purple flowers that fill the air with sweet fragrance. Our setting is ideal for desert willows with pretty pink blossoms that turn landscapes into hummingbird havens. Red buds, retamas and orchid tress grace area yards with colorful blooms from spring through fall. Yes, you really can nurture fruit trees at home. Peaches, pears and plums thrive in San Antonio backyards and produce delectable bounty destined for delicious pies, jellies and jams.

Plan Before You Plant

Every tree has its place according to size and root structure. Understories do well in groupings that create focal interest and define property lines. Taller trees need room to spread, so install hardy ground covers around their bases. Canopies safely reach grand heights away from roof lines and utility structures, and they don’t like crowding against home foundations or driveways. Summer heat is hard on young saplings, so schedule your installations during friendlier months from November through March. With a little landscape planning, your newly planted trees will mature into a healthy, beautiful woodland that you’ll enjoy for years to come.

Planting a tree feels like welcoming a new member to the family, so dig in and enjoy your landscaping adventures. Here at ABC Home & Commercial Services, we understand all the trees that love living in the Hill Country. If you need pointers on tending the home forest, our certified arborists are always happy to help.