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Landscape Architecture Insights

The 12 Super Trees of Houston

May 20, 2023
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Here at KW Landscape Architects, we have experienced landscape architects who are able to assist our clients in selecting the right trees/plants for any project type. Utilizing Super Trees in landscape design aides in improving climate and health initiatives.

What is a Super Tree?

A Super Tree is one that has a high rate of carbon absorption, flood mitigation, and greenhouse gas absorption ability. When ranking Houston-Region native trees in each of these categories, the first 10 species fall in the top 26 for all three categories (date recorded for 10-year-old trees). (*) Indicates tree species that will do well in wet areas.

Super Tree

Live Oak

Quercus virginiana

CO2 Sequestered per year (lbs.): 268 (annual); 1,028 (10 yr.)
Flood Mitigation per year (gals.): 2,656
GHG Absorption per year (lbs.): 2
Flower: N/A
Height at Maturity: 60-80 ft.
Canopy Width: 60-120 ft.
Soil Tolerance: Acidic, Alkaline, Clay
Light: Full-Partial Sun

Super Tree

Boxelder Maple

Acer Negundo

CO2 Sequestered per year (lbs.): 159 (annual); 899 (10 yr.)
Flood Mitigation per year (gals.): 2,051
GHG Absorption per year (lbs.): 1.3
Flower: Yellowish Green to Reddish Orange
Height at Maturity: 30-50 ft.
Canopy Width: 30-50 ft.
Soil Tolerance: Alkaline, Clay, Acidic
Light: Full-Partial Sun

Super Tree

Laurel Oak

Quercus Laurifolia

CO2 Sequestered per year (lbs.): 194 (annual); 875 (10 yr.)
Flood Mitigation per year (gals.): 2,518
GHG Absorption per year (lbs.): 1.3
Flower: White
Height at Maturity: 60-70 ft.
Canopy Width: 35-45 ft.
Soil Tolerance: Acidic (prefers), Alkaline, Clay
Light: Full-Partial Sun

Super Tree

Red Maple

Acer Rubrum

CO2 Sequestered per year (lbs.): 139 (annual); 859 (10 yr.)
Flood Mitigation per year (gals.): 2,592
GHG Absorption per year (lbs.): 2
Flower: Red
Height at Maturity: 40-60 ft.
Canopy Width: 35-45 ft.
Soil Tolerance: Acidic (prefers), Alkaline, Clay
Light: Full-Partial Sun

Super Tree

River Birch

Betula Nigra

CO2 Sequestered per year (lbs.): 215 (annual); 925 (10 yr.)
Flood Mitigation per year (gals.): 2,646
GHG Absorption per year (lbs.): 1.3
Flower: Reddish Green
Height at Maturity: 40-70 ft.
Canopy Width: 40-60 ft.
Soil Tolerance: Acidic, Loamy
Light: Full-Partial Sun

Super Tree

American Elm

Ulmus Americana

CO2 Sequestered per year (lbs.): 114 (annual); 669 (10 yr.)
Flood Mitigation per year (gals.): 2,364
GHG Absorption per year (lbs.): 1.4
Flower: Reddish Green
Height at Maturity: 70-90 ft.
Canopy Width: 50-70 ft.
Soil Tolerance: Alkaline, Clay
Light: Full

Tree

Slippery Elm

Ulmus Rubra

CO2 Sequestered per year (lbs.): 197 (annual); 669 (10 yr.)
Flood Mitigation per year (gals.): 2,199
GHG Absorption per year (lbs.): 2
Flower: Reddish Orange
Height at Maturity: 40-60 ft.
Canopy Width: 30-50 ft.
Soil Tolerance: Alkaline, Acidic, Clay
Light: Full-Partial Sun

Super Tree

Tulip Tree

Liriodendron Tulipifera

CO2 Sequestered per year (lbs.): 81 (annual); 659 (10 yr.)
Flood Mitigation per year (gals.): 3,006
GHG Absorption per year (lbs.): 2
Flower: Yellow Orange
Height at Maturity: 70-90 ft.
Canopy Width: 40 ft.
Soil Tolerance: Acidic, Clay
Light: Full Sun

Super Tree

American Sycamore

Platanus Occidentalis

CO2 Sequestered per year (lbs.): 111 (annual); 652 (10 yr.)
Flood Mitigation per year (gals.): 2,747
GHG Absorption per year (lbs.): 2
Flower: Green to Greenish Red
Height at Maturity: 75-100 ft.
Canopy Width: 50-70 ft.
Soil Tolerance: Alkaline (prefers), Acidic, Clay
Light: Full-Partial Sun

Super Tree

Green Ash

Fraxinus pennsylvanica

CO2 Sequestered per year (lbs.): 200 (annual); 624 (10 yr.)
Flood Mitigation per year (gals.): 1,977
GHG Absorption per year (lbs.): 1.3
Flower: Greenish Yellow
Height at Maturity: 50-60 ft.
Canopy Width: 25-40 ft.
Soil Tolerance: Alkaline, Clay, Acidic
Light: Full Sun

What is a Super Carbon Tree?

A Super Carbon Tree is one that has a high carbon absorption ability (ranked in the top 20) but ranks below the top 20 in flood mitigation and greenhouse gas absorption ability. Two that are native to the Houston Region are listed below.

Super Tree

Loblolly Pine

Pinus Taeda

CO2 Sequestered per year (lbs.): 106 (annual); 479 (10 yr.)
Flood Mitigation per year (gals.): 1,480
GHG Absorption per year (lbs.): 1.1
Flower: Yellowish Green
Height at Maturity: 60-90 ft.
Canopy Width: 25-35 ft.
Soil Tolerance: Acidic, Clay
Light: Full Sun

Super Tree

White Ash

Fraxinus Americana

CO2 Sequestered per year (lbs.): 118 (annual); 447 (10 yr.)
Flood Mitigation per year (gals.): 1,839
GHG Absorption per year (lbs.): 1.3
Flower: White
Height at Maturity: 50-80 ft.
Canopy Width: 40-50 ft.
Soil Tolerance: Acidic, Alkaline
Light: Full-Partial Sun