What’s not to love about fall? Cooler temperatures, backyard bonfires, and changing leaves get all of us at KDB excited for our largest tree giveaway event. This year, KDB’s annual Community Tree Giveaway is in its 21st season, and the tree selections will not disappoint! We have carefully chosen eight different native and adapted species with Denton’s soil and climate in mind. Check out the species below and find your favorite!
Registration for the 650 available trees opens to the general public Tuesday, Oct. 1. But wait! – there is a way to ensure you get your preferred tree. KDB Members get access to registration an entire month prior to public registration. Become a member today to get access as early as Sept. 24! Memberships range from $10-$75 and help to support KDB’s programs.
Once you have found your favorite species, take a peek this quick guide we have created to ensure that tree is just what you are looking for and perfect for your yard. We look forward to sharing these trees for planting just in time for Texas Arbor Day!
Autumn Blaze Maple (Acer freemanii ‘Jeffsred’)
This tree is a hybrid of silver and red maples making it adaptable to climate and soil types. The Autumn Blaze Maple provides beautiful color all year with bright green foliage in the spring turning into a vibrant red in fall. If heartiness and bold color is not enough, this maple does not drop seed pods!
Mature Autumn Blaze Maple with Fall Foliage; photo by ostvigtree.com
Bald Cypress (Taxodium distichum)
This tree is often identified by its stately pyramid shape. It prefers moister soils, and the leaves turn a beautiful rust color in the late summer/early fall.
Mature Bald Cypress; photo by Treeseeds.com
Little Gem Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora ‘Little Gem’)
The Little Gem Magnolia grows at a slow rate, but blooms at an earlier maturity than most magnolias. Cup-shaped flowers reach 4 inches in size offer a pleasing scent, and its fruits attract many species of birds. This ornamental tree will thrive in well-drained, slightly acidic soil.
Little Gem Magnolia; photo by thetreecenter.com
Loblolly Pine (Pinus taeda)
This quickly growing tree can tower up to 100 feet. The Loblolly features long, blue-green needles, and springtime brings bright green clusters of needles to the ends its branches. As the tree ages, it loses lower hanging branches making it an outstanding shade tree.
Loblolly Pine; photo by coniferousforest.com
Mexican Plum (Prunus mexicana)
This tree might smaller than our other species, but it packs a punch in its beauty! Their showy white blooms in the spring smell of honey, which attracts lots of helpful pollinators to your garden. This tree can produce edible plums, hence the name. This one is an excellent choice if you want something a bit different.
Mexican Plum; photo by Neil Sperry, www.neilsperry.com
Mexican White Oak (Quercus polymorpha)
This semi-evergreen can grow up to 4 feet in one year quickly reaching its mature height of 40 feet. While some fast-growing trees are more susceptible to disease or have shorter lifespans, the Mexican White Oak is resistant to oak wilt and will provide shade for generations to come with a lifespan of 100 years.
Mexican White Oak; photo by Howard Garrett, dallasnews.com
Native Pecan (Carya illinoinensis)
As the Texas State Tree, the Pecan can be found across the state. Known for their delicious nuts, Pecan trees may live and produce nuts for 300 years. The species attracts a variety of animals from deer to blue jays. When selecting a Pecan for your yard be mindful of its size, this tree is large and can grow anywhere from 65-130 feet.
Native Pecan with fall foliage; photo by Howard Garrett, dirtdoctor.com
Vitex/Chaste Tree (Vitex agnus-castus)
This flowering tree is a great ornamental addition to any North Texas yard. Adapted to the area, the Vitex is heat and drought tolerant and pest resistant. Purple flowers bloom in early summer and continue to flower into the fall attracting butterflies and hummingbirds.
Vitex/Chaste Tree; photo by tree-land.com
