What makes Laredo hard on trees
Laredo is hot and dry. Average July and August highs run about 100°F, and the city gets roughly 20 inches of rain a year. Many yards sit on shallow, rocky or caliche soil. Trees that thrive here are drought tolerant, handle alkaline soil and reflected heat, and don't depend on regular deep watering. Trees that struggle here tend to decline slowly, drop limbs, and end up as removal jobs.
The City's own list: Appendix F-1
The City of Laredo publishes "Recommended Trees for the Laredo Region" as Appendix F-1 of the Land Development Code. Street and replacement trees required by the code must come from it. The list marks Texas natives, and also marks species that can survive on 10 inches of water a year or less. Highlights:
- Short trees: huisache, Jerusalem thorn (retama), Mexican buckeye, Wright's acacia, all marked as able to survive on 10 inches of water or less.
- Small trees: desert willow, honey mesquite, Mexican plum, Texas ebony and wild olive (anacahuite), all Texas natives, plus Eldarica pine.
- Large trees: live oak, chinquapin oak, Shumard oak, Texas red oak and bald cypress (all marked as Texas natives), plus thornless varieties of honey locust.
- Large shrubs and tree-like plants: Texas mountain laurel, Texas persimmon, Texas palmetto, possumhaw, cherry laurel, California fan palm and windmill palm.
Strong picks for Laredo yards
These trees appear on the City list and get good marks from Texas A&M sources. Comments are from the Texas A&M Forest Service Texas Tree Selector unless noted.
- Texas ebony
- An evergreen native described as "very drought tolerant," and a medium-sized tree on the Tree Selector. A solid choice for a hot, dry yard.
- Anacua
- A "drought-tolerant native with gnarled trunk and sandpapery leaves." Texas A&M AgriLife's Southwest Texas list rates it drought tolerant and best in deep soil, and notes it may re-seed aggressively.
- Wild olive (anacahuite)
- A small native with bold leaves and large white flowers. AgriLife notes it needs sun and may freeze back north of US Highway 90, which Laredo is well south of.
- Cedar elm
- "Tough, drought-tolerant shade tree, well-adapted to a variety of conditions." Don't confuse it with the undesirable Siberian elm.
- Live oak
- Long-lived and huge at maturity. AgriLife notes it is susceptible to oak wilt, so follow Texas A&M's advice to avoid pruning oaks from February through June. Give it room: it can spread wider than it is tall.
- Honey mesquite
- "Extremely drought-tolerant native." Prune it young to build a strong structure. AgriLife adds that mesquite is thorny and "competes very aggressively for soil moisture within 50'," so keep it away from lawns and gardens you water.
- Texas persimmon and Texas mountain laurel
- Small natives for tight spaces. AgriLife lists both as tolerating drought and thin soil. It also notes that mountain laurel has a poisonous red seed, so keep that in mind around kids and pets.
- Montezuma baldcypress and Berlandier ash
- Larger options listed for South Texas. The Tree Selector calls Berlandier ash a "good ash species for South Texas" and warns that overpruning can lead to decay. Montezuma baldcypress is a South Texas relative of bald cypress, which AgriLife notes needs irrigation in most landscapes.
Trees to think twice about
A Texas A&M AgriLife Extension list for Southwest Texas, Trees Not Recommended for Southwest Texas (Uvalde district, revised 2009, archived copy), names several trees still commonly planted. Other Texas A&M sources back up the main points:
- Arizona ash. AgriLife cites anthracnose, borers, iron deficiency, weak branches and a short life. Texas A&M's WaterSmart nuisance-tree list calls it "trashy," likely to damage structures and susceptible to borers. Many aging Arizona ash trees in Laredo are now removal candidates.
- Chinese tallow. Texas A&M Forest Service lists it as an invasive species. Don't plant it.
- Cottonwood and weeping willow. Both are on AgriLife's not-recommended list. WaterSmart also notes that cottonwood can damage structures.
- Sycamore, boxelder, mimosa, magnolia, pecan, bur oak and Afghan pine. All are also on AgriLife's not-recommended list for the region. The list gives the reason for each.
- Hackberry. Listed for invasive seedlings that pop up in beds and fence lines.
If you already have one of these trees and it's healthy, there's no need to panic. Watch for the problems listed, and plan a replacement before it fails. A deadwood trim buys time, and a planned removal costs far less than an emergency call.
Planting tips from the City's standards
Appendix F-2 of the LDC sets the City's planting standards. Dig the hole 2 to 5 times as wide as the root ball. Spread 3 to 4 inches of mulch. Water regularly through the first two growing seasons. It's also common sense to keep large trees well away from overhead lines and the house, and to pick from the "short" and "small" lists for spots under lines.
Free local help
The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension office for Webb County answers homeowner tree and landscape questions. The City of Laredo also holds an annual Arbor Day event. The 2026 event is set for Saturday, November 7, at Divine Mercy Park, according to the Laredo Daily News.
Need a problem tree removed, or a stump ground out before you replant? Request a free estimate and you'll be connected with a local tree crew. See also stump grinding.
Common questions
What is the best shade tree for Laredo?
Live oak and cedar elm are large shade trees on the City of Laredo's recommended list and rated drought tolerant by Texas A&M sources. For smaller yards, Texas ebony and anacua are native, drought-tolerant options.
Should I plant Arizona ash in Laredo?
Texas A&M AgriLife's list for Southwest Texas recommends against it, citing borers, anthracnose, iron deficiency, weak branches and a short life. Texas A&M's WaterSmart program also lists it as a nuisance tree.
Where can I find Laredo's official recommended tree list?
Appendix F-1, Recommended Trees for the Laredo Region, in the City of Laredo Land Development Code on Municode.
Sources
- City of Laredo LDC Appendices F-1 and F-2 (Municode)
- Texas A&M Forest Service: Texas Tree Selector
- Texas A&M AgriLife Extension: Trees Not Recommended for Southwest Texas (2009, archived)
- Texas A&M Forest Service: Chinese tallow
- Texas A&M WaterSmart: Nuisance trees
- Texas A&M AgriLife Extension: Webb County