Plant It Right: The 10 Best Trees for North Texas

North Texas is famous for its crazy temperature swings. It’s always hot or cold, so even the strongest residents never know where they stand with the weather. Of course, greenery suffers from these constant fluctuations. Therefore, proper tree selection becomes a must rather than a well-kept secret. Otherwise, you’d be dealing with broken branches, pests, leaning trunks, and dying trees every season.

That’s where Alvarado Tree Trimming and Care comes in. We have already compiled the top plants to grow in Central Texas, and now we’re sharing the 10 best trees for North Texas’ environment. Whether you’re greening up a starter home in Weatherford or carving out a shady retreat in Fort Worth’s suburbs, choosing any of the species we mention below will be the smartest step toward a low-maintenance landscape that thrives for decades.

Why Planting Native Trees Matters for Your Yard

Choosing the right tree species for your landscape is, quite frankly, the easiest way toward a thriving ecosystem. Why? While there’s nothing wrong with planting exotic greenery, opting for native and regionally adapted trees means spending more time relaxing under your canopy and fewer moments battling chlorosis, scale insects, and winter dieback.

That’s because native greenery is already “programmed” for North Texas’ alkaline soils, searing sun, and unpredictable rainfall. Moreover, they require less watering once established, resist local pests, and provide food and shelter for local birds and pollinators.

Small Trees for Your Yard

1. Red Bud

Texas redbud (scientific name: Cercis canadensis var. texensis) turns into a superstar in spring. This ornamental tree sports magenta-pink blooms as early as February, lighting up neighborhoods from Aledo to Denton. Its compact size (tops out around 20 feet) allows it to fit neatly under power lines and in small patios. Once summer passes, the heart-shaped leaves provide a buttery yellow fall color, making it a highlight in any landscape.

2. Desert Willow

Technically, it’s not a true willow. However, its long, narrow leaves and orchid-like flowers give a tropical vibe without the water bill. It reaches 15–25 feet and thrives even during droughts. Yes, indeed, desert willow (scientific name: Chilopsis linearis) loves full sun and attracts hummingbirds all summer long. You can also prune lightly for a multi-trunk look or train a single leader for a small shade accent near the driveway.

Shade Trees for Your Landscape

3. Shumard Red Oak

If “small” isn’t in your vocabulary and you want a showstopping, large tree, Shumard red oak (scientific name: Quercus shumardii) is a great choice. It grows up to 60–80 feet and spreads wide enough to shade a two-car driveway. Its deep root system anchors well in North Texas clay soils, and the moderate growth means strong branch unions (therefore, less storm damage during those spring gusts rolling across the prairie).

4. Live Oak

Live oak (scientific name: Quercus virginiana) is an icon of the Hill Country, but also one of the best trees to plant in North Texas. This evergreen tree offers dense, year-round shade, dropping leaves briefly right before new growth emerges in March. The sprawling limbs create natural climbing gyms for kids (a core memory for many residents) that may last for centuries. Just plant it at least 15 feet from foundations.

5. Cedar Elm

Cedar elm (scientific name: Ulmus crassifolia) is the unsung hero of the metroplex neighborhoods. It adapts to both bottomland and droughty uplands easily, reaches 50–70 feet, and delivers the golden North Texas fall foliage that residents rave about (and those leaves decompose quickly, so there’s less raking for you). Finally, it’s resistant to our prevalent Dutch elm disease, making it a safe bet for long-term canopy.

Flowering Trees for Your Lawn

6. Little Gem Magnolia

Love the Southern magnolia’s glossy leaves, but lack acreage? Little Gem (scientific name: Magnolia grandiflora ‘Little Gem’) tops out around 25 feet yet delivers the same fragrant, dinner-plate-sized blooms. It appreciates slightly acidic soil (best to incorporate compost and iron-rich amendments at planting), and you’ll enjoy evergreen screening and head-turning flowers from May through August.

7. Natchez Crape Myrtle

Natchez (scientific name: Lagerstroemia indica x fauriei ‘Natchez’) produces panicles of white petals that burst through brutal July heat when most plants are wilting. It also grows to 20–30 feet tall, with striking cinnamon-colored bark in winter. We recommend giving it full sun and avoiding heavy nitrogen fertilization, as excessive nitrogen can encourage mildew and lanky growth.

8. Spring Snow Crabapple

Crabapples are, generally, good trees for North Texas. In this case, we highlight Spring Snow (scientific name: Malus ‘Spring Snow’) for its virtually fruitless characteristic (yes, you read it right, no messy cleanup) that still rewards you with clouds of fragrant white flowers each March. It prefers well-drained soil and tops out at a modest 25 feet, making it perfect for accenting entryways or anchoring mixed shrub borders.

Honorable Mentions

9. Bald Cypress

Bald cypress (scientific name: Taxodium distichum) is one of the most common trees in North Texas, especially along riverbanks or near lakes. Therefore, if your property backs onto a stock pond or seasonal creek, this deciduous tree is a natural fit. Despite its ability to handle standing water, it is also perfectly capable of surviving drought once established.

10. Lacey Oak

A drought-tough cousin of the live oak, Lacey oak (scientific name: Quercus laceyi) stays on the smaller side, around 30–40 feet, and flaunts blue-green leaves that shift to peachy pink in autumn. Its compact stature and superior tolerance of alkaline soils make it a rising star in new Fort Worth subdivisions.

Other Trees You Can Plant

If you’re after even more variety (or if a nursery is sold out of your first choice), here are other tree recommendations from our arborists:

• Mexican Plum (Prunus mexicana): A 25-foot spring showstopper with fragrant white blossoms, excellent for wildlife and tolerant of thin, rocky soils west of Fort Worth.
• Texas Mountain Laurel (Dermatophyllum secundiflorum): An evergreen beauty that tops out around 15–20 feet, sporting purple flower clusters each March. It thrives in hot, dry conditions and alkaline soils.
• Chinquapin Oak (Quercus muehlenbergii): Faster growing than live oak yet still long-lived; its sweet acorns attract songbirds, and its lighter bark adds winter interest.

The Best Time to Plant Trees in North Texas

North Texas enjoys two prime planting windows: mid-October through early December, and late February through March. Cooler air temperatures reduce transplant shock, while still-warm soil encourages rapid root growth. If you must plant in summer, we suggest watering deeply every 5–7 days for the first year and mulching a three-foot ring to keep roots cool.