The Texas Hill Country is brimming with nature’s beauty all around. From rivers to rocks, hills to trees, the Hill Country contains a plentiful bounty of Mother Earth’s biggest treasures. In this article, we’ll focus on the great trees of the Texas Hill Country. There are so many!
Nature
11 Notable Trees in the Texas Hill Country
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1. Treaty Oak in Austin
Photo: static.panoramio.com
A beauty located on Baylor Street in Austin, Texas is 500 years old. This long-lasting tree, known as the Treaty Oak, is the remaining one from a group of 14 oaks known as the Council Oaks.
Development dictated the demise of the other 13 trees, and they were removed in 1927. The surviving grand dame was purchased in 1937 when the City of Austin managed to find $1,000 to purchase the site from the landowner—mostly to save the tree.
The tree endured a poison attempt, and the culprit spent nine years in prison for the deed. After much tender loving care, the tree eventually generated acorns and this majestic lady produced 1000 offspring.
2. The Kyle Auction Oak
Photo: jilllear.com
When the township of Kyle was formed some 23 miles south of downtown Austin, this tree provided the location for the sale of land lots in 1880. The tree is privately owned and maintained in the present day. Another famous tree lives near Kyle and earns the distinction of the Kyle Hanging Tree.
3. The Kyle Hanging Tree
Photo: livingwitness.net
As you visit the city of Kyle, go another 10 miles and check out this infamous tree. Cowboys found a dead man hanging from a branch and buried him close by. Who hung the man? Why did he meet his untimely death? The tree is the only one who can tell story, and the tree isn’t talking.
4. The Baptist Oak in Goliad
Photo: Wikipedia
Don’t you just love the names of these famous Texas trees? A Baptist minister arrived in Goliad in 1847 two years later, with the help of other Baptists, he organized the First Baptist Church to be located west of the Guadalupe River. The organizational meeting took place under the branches of this gorgeous Live Oak. Oh, the sermons this tree could repeat.
5. The Kissing Oak
Photo: mikkisenkarik.files.wordpress.com
On the west bank of the San Marcos River, you’ll find a tree where Sam Houston kissed the ladies. He campaigned for an unsuccessful gubernatorial race in 1857. While at this setting, several excited ladies presented him with a flag. He showed his appreciation to each of them with a kiss. How about it ladies? Would you have allowed Sam to kiss you? Sam got around to a lot of trees in Texas and several bear his mark. The Sam Houston Oak is another one.
6. The Sam Houston Oak
Photo: commons.wikimedia.org
The Sam Houston Oak lives in Gonzales, Texas. Sam Houston, that famous Texan, who kissed the ladies under another oak, made camp for his troops beneath this old tree. While here, Houston sent scouts seventy-six miles to San Antonio to see how the defenders of the Alamo fared. These scouts soon learned that all had died in that tragic battle. Sam led citizens of Gonzales eastward out of range of the Mexican army. Santa Anna’s army burned Gonzales. Although Houston didn’t headquarters long at this oak, the tree bears a centennial marker for its contribution.
7. Jumbo Hollis Pecan
Photo: beneficialfarmscsa.files.wordpress.com
A massive pecan tree located on private land in San Saba country is not the largest pecan tree in Texas, but it was once featured in Ripley’s “Believe It or Not” column. At the time, most native Texas pecan weighed 70 to 80 nuts per pound, but Jumbo’s came in at a huge 33 per pound. Candy anyone?
8. Heart O’ Texas Oak
Photo: skywarn.org
Where is the geographical center of the state of Texas you ask? You’ll find it near the town of Mercury in McCulloch County. On a Texas map, McCulloch and San Saba are dead center in the state. According to the U.S. Geodetic Survey published in 1922, a grand old Oak tree marks the central spot. The tree grows on private property now but lives with the distinction of being in the heart of Texas.
9. Whipping Oak in Seguin
Photo: Flickr/courthouselover
Don’t overlook the whipping Oak in Seguin. This tree, along with several of her sisters, stands across from the Guadalupe County Courthouse. At least one, if not all these trees, were the location where thieves received a lashing. Prisoners were ties to a 3-inch iron ring embedded into the tree so they could receive their punishment. This tree must weep internally due to the sights it has seen.
10. Cabinet Oak
Photo: leapatshsu.wordpress.com
This beautiful tree is on the LBJ Ranch, the home of the 36th President of the United States of America, Lyndon B. Johnson. During the Johnson years, the ranch became known as the Texas White House. Johnson enjoyed staff meetings under the branches of this mighty tree.
Many stories are told around a tree or about a tree. Some of the stories live on, but the tree doesn’t. Such is the case with the Rough Rider Pecan in San Antonio.
11. Rough Riders Pecans
Photo: coololdphotos.com
This famous tree no longer lives to tell the story, but during its day, the Theodore Roosevelt drilled the Rough Riders near the tree until they became a fighting unit. Near San Antonio, this tree provided shade to the men from the east and west. The men were not accustomed to heat and humidity, and the tree delivered respite. Alas, it no longer survives, but many trees in San Antonio do. They have their own stories to tell—and they also would enjoy telling you about Teddy and the Rough Riders.
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