1. American sycamore
Platanus occidentalis

Sycamores can reach ages of 500 to 600 years. The bark shedding is distinct — it exfoliates in sheets. The tree can photosynthesize even without leaves.

Courtesy of Getty Images | kiruk
2. Texas live oak
Quercus virginiana

Live oaks thrive in the sun and have a high heat tolerance. The trees are a strong source of tannins, which can be used to cure leather hides.

Courtesy of Getty Images | Irina Lev

3. Possumhaw holly
Ilex decidua

Possumhaw holly trees are named for the opossums that love to climb them. The Celts hung the holly in their doorways to ward off evil.

Courtesy of Rob Routledge, Sault College, Bugwood.org

4. Texas mountain laurel
Sophora secundiflora

The Texas mountain laurel’s purple flowers are known to smell like grape soda. However, its bright red seeds are poisonous.

Courtesy of Getty Images | JennyPPhoto

5. Desert willow
Chilopsis linearis

The wood from desert willows was used by Native Americans to create hunting bows. Dried flowers from the tree can be used to make tea.

Photo by Trisha Spence

6. Cedar elm
Ulmus crassifolia

The cedar elm is the most widespread native elm in Texas. The tree’s leaves compost and enrich soil.

Courtesy of AdobeStock Stock | trongnguyen

7. Chaste tree
Vitex

Monks used to eat the berries from chaste trees to help keep their vows of chastity.

Courtesy of Getty Images | undefined

8. Chinkapin oak
Quercus muehlenbergii

This type of oak tree produces acorns often eaten by deer and squirrels. Chinkapin oak is also used in construction.

Courtesy of Vojtěch Zavadil, CC BY-SA 3.0

9. Caddo maple (Florida maple)
Acer barbatum (saccharum) var. Caddo

Caddo maples are planted in parks throughout the southeastern United States.

Courtesy of AdobeStockstock: Ben

10. Pecan
Carya illinoinensis

The state tree of Texas is the pecan. Thomas Jefferson planted pecan trees and introduced them to George Washington, who also planted them and called pecans “Illinois nuts.”

Courtesy of Getty Images | Christine_Kohler

11. Crape myrtle
Lagerstroemia indica

Crape myrtles can produce vibrant white, pink and purple flowers. These trees were originally imported from Asia.

Courtesy of Getty Images | ablokhin

12. Chinese pistache
Pistacia chinensis

This species of pistache tree is closely related to poison ivy and can irritate skin. Companies in China use the oil from the seeds to produce biodiesel.

Courtesy of Getty Images | Cebolla4

13. Lacebark elm
Ulmus parvifolia

The lacebark elm was named for its decorative bark. This sturdy tree is often planted along parking lots.

Courtesy of Ronnie Nijboer, CC0

14. Yaupon
Ilex vomitoria

The twigs of yaupon trees are often eaten by white-tailed deer. The Algonquin Native American tribe used leaves from the tree to brew tea.

Courtesy of Nhlord, CC BY-SA 4.0