_edited.png)
Best Trees for the Texas Panhandle
- audreyjanecreative
- Sep 20
- 3 min read
Discover Trees Professionally Selected by Custom Gardens that Thrive in West Texas
Choosing the best trees for your Texas Panhandle landscape means understanding what works in the Texas Panhandle’s unique environment. At Custom Gardens, we specialize in carrying trees that are both beautiful and built to thrive in these conditions. Every tree we carry is selected with the Panhandle’s soil, climate, and wind in mind so you don’t waste time or money on trees that won’t last.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the top-performing trees we offer—from shade trees and ornamentals to windbreak evergreens and hardy flowering shrubs.
Deciduous Shade Trees
Cedar Elm: A rugged, long-lived Texas native that handles wind, drought, and clay soil with ease. Cedar Elms reach up to 80 feet tall and provide filtered shade with dark green leaves that turn yellow to red in fall. Watch for elm leaf beetles—usually cosmetic—and plant in well-drained areas.
Bur Oak: Massive in size and equally tough, Bur Oaks feature large leaves and oversized acorns. Ideal for big spaces, they’re drought- and soil-tolerant but grow slowly.
Lacebark Elm: Wind- and disease-resistant, this fast-growing elm features exfoliating bark and a wide, elegant canopy. Excellent for nearly any soil type.
Hackberry: A hardy Texas native for wind protection and shade. Large, durable, moderately drought-tolerant, and well-suited to clay soils.
Honeylocust: A soft-canopied, fast-growing tree ideal for filtered shade. Most varieties are thornless and fruitless, and they perform well in Amarillo’s alkaline soil.
'Canada Red' Chokecherry: A 20-foot ornamental tree with spring flowers and burgundy foliage through fall. Heat-, cold-, and wind-tolerant. Monitor for borers.
Shumard Oak: Known for its stunning fall color and long life, Shumard Oak is a great choice for large properties. It’s tolerant of clay and alkaline soil when sourced from Texas-grown stock. Trees grown from eastern seed may develop iron chlorosis in high pH soils.
Custom Gardens carries Shumard Oaks selected specifically for success in West Texas, helping you avoid the issues commonly seen in non-native stock.
Bald Cypress: A unique, feathery tree that thrives in wet or clay-heavy soils. Great for low spots or fescue lawns, with fall color ranging from copper to red. Surface roots can become visible with age.
Chinese Pistache: Excellent for urban settings, this tree thrives in heat and wind. It features brilliant fall foliage and needs little care once established.
Redbuds (Texas, Oklahoma, Mexican, Eastern): All redbuds offer vibrant spring blooms, but Texas, Oklahoma, and Mexican varieties are better adapted to Amarillo’s heat and drought. Compact in size (under 30 feet), they’re great for smaller spaces or accent planting.
"We carry trees selected for success in Amarillo’s climate."
Flowering Shrubs & Small Trees
New Mexico Privet: A fast-growing shrub or small tree with ornamental bark and yellow fall color. Performs well in alkaline soil and attracts birds with its berries.
Rose of Sharon (Althea): This hibiscus-like shrub blooms throughout the summer and can be shaped into a small tree. It loves heat and well-drained soil.
Evergreens & Windbreak Trees
Junipers: Classic West Texas evergreen. Use for windbreaks, screening, or as stand-alone features. Drought-tolerant and low-maintenance.
Pinyon Pine: Ideal for dry, sloped, or rocky areas with good drainage. Pinyon Pines are tough evergreens with blue-green needles.
Austrian Pine: Heat-tolerant and adaptable with rich green foliage. Great for background planting or wind protection.
Arizona Cypress ‘Blue Ice’: This blue-green evergreen grows to about 25 feet and adds year-round color and form. Drought-tolerant once established.
Eldarica Pine: Hardy, medium-sized tree (20–40') ideal for semi-arid landscapes. With high drought tolerance and the ability to grow in poor soils, it offers low-maintenance beauty while attracting birds and wildlife.
Nellie R. Stevens Holly: Fast-growing evergreen with glossy leaves and red berries. Best in good soil with regular care; moderate drought tolerance.
Find the Right Tree at Custom Gardens
At Custom Gardens, every tree we carry has been tested and proven for Panhandle conditions. When you buy from us, you know you’re planting a tree that’s been chosen to thrive in our soil, our wind, and our weather.
Want to learn more?
This blog is based on an article written by Custom Gardens President, Brooke Furrh: “Trees for Amarillo That Custom Gardens Carries.” You can read the full article here: https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:VA6C2:8146633a-d617-4c76-a240-6e6fcea91889
Contact us or see our tree nursery online to pick out the perfect tree for your yard and have it professionally installed.