Great Small Trees for Houston - Buffalo Bayou Partnership

Eastern RedbudCercis canadensisLight: sun to part shadeSoil: sands, loams and clayMoisture: well drained, moderate moisture, will needsupplemental water during severe droughtBayou site: top bankGrowth Habit: deciduous, fast growthFlower: March – pink flowers about ½ inch long, inclusters along branches before leaves appearFruit: seed podsSize: 10 to 20 ft.Form: small tree, spreading, flat or slightly rounded crown, usually single trunkSpecial Interest: one of our prettiest flowering trees; leaves are source offood for butterfly larvae; flowers are nectar source for butterflies, moths, andbees; seeds are eaten by birdsIronwoodCarpinuscarolinianaLight: sun to partial shadeSoil: loam, clayMoisture: well drainedBayou Site: upper slope, top bankGrowth Habit: deciduous, slow growingFlower: male and female flowers form in fall, persistthrough winter, and open in springFruit: nutlets in 2 inch clustersSize: 15 – 30 ft., 20-25 ft. wideForm: open crown with drooping thin branchesSpecial Interest: yellow, orange, and red fall color; heartwood is very strong -, once used by Indians for bows; flowers and seeds enjoyed by many birds; alsocalled American Hornbeam or Musclewood due to smooth, sinewy trunk,Mexican PlumPrunus mexicanaLight: full sun to partial shadeSoil: sandy, loam, clayMoisture: dry to moist, well drained, drought tolerant,tough treeBayou Site: slopes or top bankGrowth Habit: deciduous, moderate to fast growthin right locationFlower: fragrant, showy white flowers before leavesappearFruit: small round fruit, green turns purpleSize: 15 to 30 ft. tall to 25 ft. wideForm: single trunk, blue-gray bark with dark horizontal striations, broad crownSpecial Interest: fruit enjoyed by birds and mammals; larval host for TigerSwallowtail butterfly and Cecropia moth larvae; fragrant flowers attract beesand butterfliesLight: sun to partial shade, prefers dappled shadeMoisture: prefers moist site but is adaptable, willneed supplemental water during severe droughtSoil: moist, fertile, acid soil, sandy loamBayou site: along upper slope or top bankGrowth Habit: deciduousFlower: March - fragrant, 5-10 inch white panicles,drooping in clustersFruit: August - October on female plants, dark blue topurple drupesFringe TreeChionanthus Size: 15 to 20 ft.virginicus Form: slender trunk or often multi-trunked, withirregular, rounded crownSpecial Interest: fruit loved by birds; also known as Grancy Gray Beard