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Native Plant Society of Texas

Fredericksburg Chapter

Update: How to Plant a Tree with Robert Edmonson

Robert Edmonson with the Texas A & M Forest Service spoke to the May 23 Fredericksburg chapter meeting. Sharing his  expertise about choosing trees. He began by saying “choose the right tree for the place, don’t just find a place for the tree you want to plant.  Some trees just don’t like the Edwards Plateau. And some people plant the right tree in the wrong place.”

Not to worry. There are a lot from which to choose. These are native to the Edwards Plateau and have grown up with our special climate and soils. This handout was unavailable at the time of the meeting. This is the update he promised.

Native Trees of the Edwards Plateau


Once location is decided how do you plant the tree.

Tree Planting – the 12 step program provides the step by step directions to successfully plant in your location.

How to Kill a Tree Just in case you wanted to know.

Ball Moss It doesn’t kill trees.


Tree Growing Guide by the TreeFolks and Austin Energy provides a colorful diagram with the same information. (Sometimes a picture helps the information take root.)

Edmonson in front of the largest tree in Texas, a cypress. Evidently the right tree in the right place.

About the Region

2026 Fall Symposium Logo

This low-elevations region of Texas extends inland from the barrier islands, about 60 or so miles, and stretches from Brownsville to Louisiana. In total, it covers about 9.5 million acres, with a high point of 150 feet in elevation. More than 1000 species of plants can be found in this region. On the southern end, species more common in Mexico (such as Sabal mexicana) and Central America occur.

The barrier islands provide us with dune systems, and clay flats to the inland side, which have species found in these areas alone. Many plants here, such as Ipomoea pes-caprae (beach morning glory), can be found throughout tropical regions of the globe. I’ve encountered the same species on the beaches of Guam.

Once inland, vast marshes and wet prairies occur. Occasionally, oak (Quercus fusiformis) groves can be found. Common grasses include species of Bothriochloa, Paspalum, and Sporobolus; eastern gamagrass (Tripsacum dactyloides); and switchgrass (Panicum species). Many rivers and creeks cut through the Gulf Prairies, and along these riparian areas various species of trees, Sabal minor, and other plants adapted to clay soils can be found. Due to overgrazing, farming, and fire suppression, woody species such as mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa) and huisache (Acacia farnesiana), and invasive species such as chinaberry (Melia azedarach), Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius), and Chinese tallow (Sapium sebiferum) have increased and displaced our native flora.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason