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Native Plant Society of Texas

Collin County Chapter

Celebrate Texas Arbor Day on November 7th – Plant a Native Tree!

Texas celebrates our own Arbor Day, this year on November 7th (first Friday of November), because early November is a better time to plant trees in Texas than the national date in late April. Planting in fall gives trees a head start to establish strong root systems before the stress of our Texas summers.

Resources for Choosing Native North Texas Trees

Planting trees native to North Texas is one of the wisest activities you can take for your landscape and the benefit of our local ecosystem. Native trees are perfectly adapted to our soil and climate, and they provide essential habitat and food for local birds, pollinators, and other wildlife.

To help you decide on the right native tree for your landscape and practical tree planting guidance, below are some helpful links.

Photo courtesy of the Wildflower Center; Western Soapberry (Sapindus saponaria var drummondii)

About the Region

Fall Symposium 2025 Logo - Teach for the Future

Salado, the location of our Fall 2025 Symposium, lies at the intersection of two ecoregions: the Edwards Plateau (Limestone Cut Plain) and Blackland Prairie (Northern Blackland Prairie).

The Edwards Plateau area is also called the Hill Country; however, this general term covers a much larger area extending farther north. Spring-fed creeks are found throughout the region; deep limestone canyons, rivers, and lakes (reservoirs) are common. Ashe juniper is perhaps the most common woody species found throughout the region. Additional woody species include various species of oak, with live oak (Quercus fusiformis) being the most common. Sycamores (Platanus occidentalis) and bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) border waterways. This area is well known for its spring wildflower displays, though they may be viewed in spring, late summer, and fall, as well. According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, average annual rainfall in the Edwards Plateau ranges from 15 to 34 inches.

The Blackland Prairie extends from the Red River south to San Antonio, bordered on the west by the Edwards Plateau and the Cross Timbers, and on the east by the Post Oak Savannah. Annual rainfall averages 30 to 40 inches, with higher averages to the east. This region is dominated by prairie species. The most common grass species include little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans) in the uplands and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) in the riparian areas and drainages. Common herbaceous flowering plants include salvias, penstemons, and silphiums. This area has suffered greatly from overgrazing and agricultural use. Few intact areas remain, though many of the plants can be found along county roadsides throughout the region.

Our fall Symposium host chapter, the Tonkawa Chapter, includes both of these ecoregions.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason