Vote for the 2024 Nominees
Voting is now open until October 30th, 2024
If you nominated a tree, you will find it here! Tell all your friends to vote for your tree. The tree with the most votes in each category will receive a $100 H-E-B gift card and a commemorative tree cookie!
Get to know each of the nominated trees!
Map of Tree Nominees
LARGE | SMALL | UNIQUE | SCHOOLYARD | STORY
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Tree descriptions and photos are transcribed directly from what the nominators provided. If experiencing technical issues, please contact us at toty@treefolks.org
LARGE TREE NOMINEES
1
Location: Southland Oaks Neighborhood Park, , a lightly used, natural area with dirt trails that were originally deer trails.
Why Is This Tree Special? The giant live oak, center, has other very big companions in its motte and nearby, Ranchers and then local government went to a lot of trouble to preserve these trees. More visitors should know about this park with its nominated hidden giant --- its photo only partially shows its massive spread.
Nominated By: Steve Carrell
2
Location: Boggy Creek Greenbelt. Park at Doris Miller Auditorium in Rosewood Neighborhood Park then cross the street.
Why Is This Tree Special? Have you ever seen a more beautiful ash in Austin? Its size and condition are both impressive and it is deserving of the title.
Nominated By: Alison Baylis
3
Location: Next to the NB I35 access road near Braker intersection in the Northern Tools parking lot.
Why Is This Tree Special? This tree boasts being over 700 years old. It’s been witness to so much history and is so impressive, and doesn’t get the love it deserves because it’s in a parking lot next to an I35 access road. It has a fence around it to protect it, but the fence detracts from its true majesty.
Nominated By: Shannon Nagy
4
Location: On the east side of St. Edward's University campus along Moody Drive, behind the Alumni Gym.
Why Is This Tree Special? Nestled in a small courtyard, this tree overlooks one of the "hidden gems" on campus. While St. Edward's University has numerous trees and has been recognized for many years as a Tree Campus USA by the Arbor Day Foundation, this tree is one of the most majestic on campus. This live oak is prominently seen from South Congress Avenue and overlooks a retention pond named after Br. Daniel Lynch, who had a Ph.D in botany and was an advocate on campus and in Austin for trees and their care (he was consulted as an expert in the efforts to save the historic Treaty Oak after it was poisoned in 1989). This 80-90 year old tree sits in a small courtyard, providing shade for benches and a picnic table for those who are looking for a peaceful place to study or simply reflect on nature.
Nominated By: Jim Morris
5
Location: BookPeople, right in front of the store entrance.
Why Is This Tree Special? Book Guardian is symbolically synonymous with Austin's largest independent bookstore, BookPeople. In all pictures of the iconic storefront and artist recreations, it frames and protects this bastion to free speech, knowledge, literacy, and the threads of Austin culture. From kids about to experience the magic of their first storytime that will lead them to a life of reading to entrenched Austinites who still ritually enjoy a newly recommended book in the cafe, Austin's literary community walks under and enjoys the shade of Book Guardian to enter BookPeople's storied space.
Nominated By: Zareef Chowdhury (BookPeople)
6
Location: Eastwoods Park off Harris Park road
Why Is This Tree Special? This tree has the longest and straightest trunk I have seen on an oak. Not only that, but it is HUGE. Forgive if the numbers are slightly off, but I measured it as having a circumstance of 15.916 inches!
First time a saw this tree was at a distance and I thought my perspective was just off. As I walked closer, I could not believe what I was seeing. Maybe I'm gushing, but this tree magnificent! The pictures do not do it justice. I honestly feel something when I walk up to it!
And by the way, look at the beauty of that canopy!
Nominated By: Michael Johnson
7
Location: The largest tree in zilker - everyone knows it!
Why Is This Tree Special? Shade for many, long willowy branches, a meeting spot for all - I love this tree so very much. Being near it makes me feel alive.
Nominated By: Kaelin Rubenzer
8
Location: In Blunn Creek Preserve, just east of the creek in the south part of the park there are three live oaks in a row as you walk east on the trail after crossing the creek. The middle one is especially gorgeous.
Why Is This Tree Special? Though it's really three trees, the live oak in the middle is the one I'm nominating. These trees are gorgeous, and stumbling upon them after walking through a forest of Ligustrum and poison ivy feels especially magical. They represent why I fell in love with Texas plant life and their sprawling branches have been my screensaver on every device for over 6 years. Covered in moss, lichens, and countless insects and birds, each of the three trees is an ecosystem within an ecosystem and deserves to be celebrated. It's not an obvious choice for tree of the year until you see it, then it seems foolish to pick anything else.
Nominated By: Eve Dean
9
Location: Exiting Mopac to Cesar Chavez on the left. It’s the only one in the field.
Why Is This Tree Special? Just look at her and you’ll see. Better yet, go talk to her. She greets everyone coming into town from Lake Austin Blvd & Cesar Chavez. She’s ancient and wise. Not to mention beautiful.
Nominated By: Sarita Boban
10
Location: Mckinney Falls State Park. Take trail south from upper falls past picnic table and primitive camping. Between Cactus and Onion Creek Trail
Why Is This Tree Special? This tree boasts being over 700 years old. It’s been witness to so much history and is so impressive, and doesn’t get the love it deserves because it’s in a parking lot next to an I35 access road. It has a fence around it to protect it, but the fence detracts from its true majesty.
Nominated By: Mariya Prytula
11
Location: This is in Shipe Park. It's a big, majestic oak near the "cabin bathrooms," the playground, and the pool, shading a park bench that has a nice view of the meadow, the bridge, and the stand of trees that surround the creek.
Why Is This Tree Special? This is a true Tree of Life. So many times, I've sat under its shade, contemplating past, present, and future. It's a great spot to view the happenings in the meadow - people picnicking, the dogs playing with their owners, even the brass band practicing here once a week. Because its limbs lean low, children climb and play on it as an extension of the playground.
Large, shade-giving, draping boughs, beautiful shape - A+++ majesty.
Nominated By: Angela Greco
SMALL TREE NOMINEES
1
Location: Located at Mills Pond park in Wells Branch
Why Is This Tree Special? It took me 10 years to bring a beaver felled tree back to one central trunk. It was originally planted with a reforestation grant funded partially by proceeds from recycling the community mixed solid waste.
Nominated By: Bill Glass
2
Location: Dr. Beck Memorial Tree, Equity Courtyard, St. Edward's University.
Why Is This Tree Special? This cedar elm tree was planted in 2023 in memory of Dr. Peter Beck, a long-time professor of Environmental Science and Policy (ENSP) at St. Edward's University. Dr. Beck was one of the key faculty who helped develop the university's ENSP program, taught many classes in the program, and mentored numerous students. Cedar elms were one of his favorite trees. He was also an active birder, and sponsored the club dedicated to it on campus. Ironically enough, upon procuring this tree from a local vendor, there was a bird nest already in it. The location is in the courtyard just outside the offices of ENSP faculty, and its scenic setting includes an outdoor study area, a coffee shop, and a Monarch garden that is sponsored by the university's Students for Sustainability and College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP) student organization. This is truly a special area on campus and this tree is dedicated to an important member of the campus community who recently passed away.
Nominated By: Angela Greco
3
Location: Flame Thrower Redbud tree. It grows 15-20 ft tall.
Why Is This Tree Special? This tree was planted in March. It's one of the most beautiful trees I have ever seen. After the pink flowers from Spring faded away, it has put out an ever changing display of colorful foliage. The leaves changed from burgundy to gold and yellow, and now they are mostly light green. I hear so many compliments on this tree from passersby. Plus, it does well in the Texas heat, is relatively pest resistant, and needs very little pruning. It's a great specimen tree for anybody's landscape here in Central Texas as well as other parts of Texas.
Nominated By: Valerie Mitchell
4
Location: Allandale Shoal Creek Greenbelt. Tree is to the right of the park bench.
Why Is This Tree Special? This little Lacey oak—planted in spring 2020—survived La Niña in 2020, winter storm Uri in 2021, Austin's largest 24-hour temperature drop in recorded history in 2022, a tree-killing freezing rainstorm, & Austin's hottest summer in 2023. ¡Viva quercus laceyi!
Nominated By: Kata Carbone
5
Location: Front left corner of lot, 6810 Miranda Dr
Why Is This Tree Special? A large desert willow with interesting form
Nominated By: Keith Babberney
6
Location: Cottonwoods planted in a park.
Why Is This Tree Special? Resilience! They are the only ones here
Nominated By: Carly Vinkavich
7
Location: Town Lake. Off the Pleasant Valley Trail.
Why Is This Tree Special? Cause it's a willow.
Nominated By: Bear
8
Location: The far west end of Zilker Park, at the corner of Stratford Drive and Barton Springs Road. There is also a picnic table underneath this tree.
Why Is This Tree Special? This small tree may not be the largest in Zilker, but it may just have one of the best views of the city skyline. This tree comes with a picnic table buddy, and together, they make the cutest pair.
Nominated By: Joelle Jung
UNIQUE TREE NOMINEES
1
Location: The tree is located in the backyard of Better Half Coffee and Cocktails.
Why Is This Tree Special? This tree is a wonderful example of the interactions of trees and people in Austin.
People clearly enjoy hanging out under its shade (I often do!) and I can feel that the tree enjoys having people around....The tree is old and fragile, and people have built several steel structures over the years to help the tree stand up. One of the main limbs is hollow and it is a miracle that life still runs through it and the tree is green...it is like and old person with physical limitations but looking forward to another day, another opportunity to enjoy spending time with the people they love.
Nominated By: Juan Miró
2
Location: Our old pecan tree is located at the center of Austin’s historical Eastwoods Park (3001 Harris Park Avenue).
Why Is This Tree Special? How old the tree, which we fondly call our T’ai Chi Chih tree, is, we do not know. But it is our friend, and it is a survivor. Seeking shade, we started our Saturday morning practice under it some ten years ago, and with time have observed the gradual leaning of the trunk. Concerned, we improvised a brace (quickly removed), and in 2021 we were assured, after a sonic tomography of the trunk, that “the amount of sound wood in the trunk is currently adequate to allow the tree to remain for the time being,” and that no prop or brace were needed. Consider: while ten years ago we could stand under the tree, our arms raised high, the trunk is now only 23” from the ground. Measuring the leaning is now part of our practice routine, but we are not concerned about it anymore—we know that our tree will continue moving, taking its own time, toward the ground, until it leans comfortably against it. Alive and well, it is a constant reminder that old age and infirmity do not measure up to resilience.
Nominated By: Angela Greco
3
Location: Near where Garrick Creek Trail and Coyote Run Trail intersect in Bauerle Ranch Park
Why Is This Tree Special? It's a magnificent, large oak with a bench to sit under. Everyone who hikes and bikes through these trails knows and loves this tree. It's the most beautiful spot in the park!
Nominated By: Amber A.
4
Location: RAC Courtyard Live Oak, Recreation and Athletic Center Courtyard, St. Edward's University. Located behind the Recreation and Athletic Center at St. Edward's University.
Why Is This Tree Special? The RAC Courtyard Live Oak sits in the courtyard behind the Recreation and Athletic Center (RAC) on the St. Edward's University campus, next to Parking Lot H and behind the main section of the RAC. This tree has spectacular horizontal branching and is a wonderful showcase of the unique "elbowing" of live oaks, such as what is seen on the Treaty Oak and other popular examples of this species. Estimated to be just over 100 years old, this live oak fills the space in the courtyard that is used for tailgating and other events on campus. In 2023, the Student Government Association and University Operations added supplemental lighting in the courtyard to help increase the vibrancy and use of this space, with this tree as a central feature. On a campus that has many spectacular trees on it, this specimen is one of the magnificent examples of the species, the history, the uniqueness of these oaks, and the importance of trees in our urban environment.
Nominated By: Jim Morris
5
Location: The larger Durand oak tree in Palm Park, 200 N I-35 Service Rd. It is near the creek and walking path.
Why Is This Tree Special? Not only are Durand oaks not very common in Austin, but this one’s trunk is covered in odd burls. It gives it great character and makes it very unique.
Nominated By: Lara Schuman
6
Location: Dottie Jordan Neighborhood Park. Start on trail by the basketball court, with Little ,Walnut Creek to the left. Head west on the trail past the pool on the right. Tree is about 20 feet from the trail on the left.
Why Is This Tree Special? Knobby trunk caught my grandchild's attention.
Nominated By: Kenneth Kuhr
7
Location: In the Mueller neighborhood, start at the corner of Camacho Street and Threadgill Street.
Why Is This Tree Special? For your consideration: the Sycamore trees that line both sides of Threadgill Street in Mueller. It feels absolutely sensational to walk under these gorgeous sentries of calm. I don’t live in Mueller, but I found them in April and love their magic. Photos don’t do them justice - go experience them!
Nominated By: Victoria Rios
8
Location: This tree is located right off the trail in Bauerle Ranch Park, close to where Garrick Creek Trail and Whistling Duck Trail intersect. There is a bench in front of this tree.
Why Is This Tree Special? It's so interesting and quirky and magnificent and beautiful. I love that there is a bench in front of it to sit and wander at its majesty. I think it is iconic for this park and I have enjoyed seeing it every time I have traveled those trails in the 14 years I have lived in a nearby neighborhood.
Nominated By: Amber Andel
9
Location: 8th & Colorado. 1.5 blocks south of the Governor’s Mansion.
Why Is This Tree Special? It is THE BIGGEST Crepe myrtle i have ever seen in Texas.
Nominated By: Cage
10
Location: Shipe Neighborhood Park. This tree is just north of the old log cabin
Why Is This Tree Special? This tree has some funky branches that hang low to the ground
Nominated By: Annie Burke
11
Location: Roy G Guerrero Park. When you enter the park, you park at the lot directly on the left and you’ll see there is a trail head heading south of that parking lot. Follow the trail for <1 mile and there she is!
Why Is This Tree Special? These are a pair of oak trees, one believed to be a marker tree that points to downtown where you get a beautiful view of the city!
Nominated By: Elizabeth Dorantes
SCHOOLYARD TREE NOMINEES
1
Location: The tree is in the front of the school on the right hand side of the sidewalk when you are looking at it.
Why Is This Tree Special? This tree is special because it welcomes all students to school in the morning and keeps them cool on the way out in the afternoon. Now it has to do it on it's own! It had a friend until this Spring. When the district arbourist realized that the friend was unsafe and had to be cut down over the weekend right after Track and Field Day. The track and field day results were read out-loud in front of the whole school to it and then we said good bye by singing the school song. It was a really touching and memorable event. We are even more grateful for the remaining tree.
Nominated By: Faye Holland
2
Location: City School. Inside the gates to the playground, right in the middle of the playground area.
Why Is This Tree Special? This tree is beautiful and always catches my eye when I'm at City School. I love that it is a hackberry tree because most people don't think they are pretty trees but this one has great structure and is majestic to me. Hope we can give hackberry trees a better reputation with this nomination!
Nominated By: Layla Prestwood
3
Location: Rodolfo Mendez Recreation Center. Big American oak tree near the splash pad
Why Is This Tree Special? Perfectly round! Excellent shade
Nominated By: Carly Vinkavich
4
Location: Maplewood Elementary School grounds. The tree is located on the southwest corner of the blacktop. The blacktop is located along 38th 1/2 street.
Why Is This Tree Special? This tree is a hangout for all the students at Maplewood Elementary School. They climb all over it and sit under it for shade. Everyone is drawn to the tree. The branches grow low to the ground and I assume this has to do with the students climbing on it for years, which make it a giving tree.
Nominated By: Billie Jo Elbom
5
Location: Hyde Park Middle School gym. This magnolia sits on the corner of 40th & Avenue F, just outside the Hyde Park Middle School gym.
Why Is This Tree Special? The tree provides shade and a gathering spot for students before & after school.
Nominated By: Annie Burke
6
Location: Highland Park Elementary School by the bus drop off on Fairfield.
Why Is This Tree Special? It is a Huge , beautiful, glorious Bur Oak that provides so much shade to kids and parents during drop off and pick up.
Nominated By: Cassie Gowan
7
Location: St. Elmo School. St. Elmo & 1st: nearing intersection. The tree is in the school’s courtyard.
Why Is This Tree Special? The courtyard is empty, but my heart is full as I sniff and wag my way through the abandoned scents of story time & daydreams. I may delight in the rare delicacy of a sacrificial hot dog. (Or 2) Indubitably, the most poignant feature of this majestic specimen is ……. (*squirrel!!) 😂🐿️🐕 - Sunny D.
Nominated By: Sunny Dixon Stiles
STORY TREE NOMINEES
1
Location: Pease Park Live Oak Meadow, between the creek and the path, overhanging the path.
Why Is This Tree Special? This is Austin's Kissing Tree! https://peasepark.org/news/whats-going-on-with-that-tree
Nominated By: Kat Cantrell
2
Location: Bartholomew Park - live oak near Greenbrook Parkway and Berkman, and also near the splash pad area, shading the bench at the end of the in-park walkway nearest to the two streets.
Why Is This Tree Special? This tree is both a functional and beautiful part of a much-loved destination park. The nearby neighborhood association (Windsor Park NA) worked with the parks department to establish a children’s play area, including a “splash pad” and solar sail, that would provide relief from the summer heat - and the nearby majestic live oak that predated the park itself was one of the favorite features retained.
The in-park walkway surrounding the play area extends under the tree’s shade; a bench at the end of the walkway provides a cozy resting spot. On a recent July morning visit, a gentleman was reclining on the bench reading his phone in the relaxing shade. The tree itself is beautifully trimmed, and provides a lovely picture approaching the park as well as a place to absorb the atmosphere of the splash pad without intruding on it.
As a long-lived tree, unlike the others in this corner of the park, the Splash Pad Oak connects the natural history the area to the growing human community.
Nominated By: Windsor Park Neighborhood Association (WPNA)
3
Location: BookPeople, third-floor events space. If you attend one of our (many) big author events, you will likely be spending time on our third floor for the signing! Our beautiful tree makes an excellent photo-bomber :)
Why Is This Tree Special? This tree is true to its name! Every holiday season, our Giving Tree makes an appearance in the BookKids section on our second floor in support of a local non-profit organization.
Nominated By: Lindsey Moore
4
Location: Dove springs parque 78744 centro recreaciones
Why Is This Tree Special? Porque este Árbol 🌲 casa que yo solía caminar en las mañanas lo abrazaba y agradecía por esa hermosa sombra esas hojas verdes que daban una hermosa 🤩 vista que me hacía sentir muy mimada y movía sus ramas tal cual me escuchaba decirle cuán agradecida estaba por el y todo los demás árboles 🌳 me sentía muy feliz en paz muy contenta feliz agradecida relajada en mis embarazo solía decirle pronto vendré con mi bebé y le contaré que eres mi favorito aquí por q me das esa sombra esa paz ese fresco y me iva muy agradecida con ese Árbol 🌲
Amo los árboles y las plantas 🪴 la naturaleza 🍂 es vida.
[Translation] I used to go walking in the mornings and hug this tree. I was grateful for the beautiful shade its green leaves provided. This view made me feel cared for and it moved its branches when I was showing my gratitude. This made me feel very relaxed during my pregnancy. I used to tell the tree how I would come with my baby and I would tell them how this was my favorite tree. I love all plants and nature.
Nominated By: Mirna Rodríguez
5
Location: The tree is within Circle Acres Nature Preserve/ Roy G Guerrero Park.
Why Is This Tree Special? It’s a beautiful huge tree that you can comfortably rest on. You can see the city skyline from the tree!
The tree is also at the site of what used to be a dump. Ecology Action has been working to restore the area and remediate some of the damage that was done.
Nominated By: Rocio Villalobos
6
Location: Roy Guerrero Park. This tree is on the first walking trail on the north side of Grove Boulevard, just past the ACC Riverside Campus. Through the woods, above the creek, you will find the great double Grandmother Oak.
Why Is This Tree Special? A massive, double-trunked ancient live oak, located on the old W.D. Miller Spring Wood Homestead, from the 1857 deed, with an estimated age of several hundred years, is tree likely saw many generations of Native Americans, and, perched above a ravine, boer witness to all of Austin's growth.
Nominated By: Amy Annelle Dziewanna
7
Location: Traffic Island at 32nd Street and Beverly Street. Going east on W. 35th Street, turn right onto Oakmont and left at 32nd Street. The tree is one block east.
Why Is This Tree Special? Over the years, this magnificent live oak has been called "the tree", "the fortress", "the base" by generations of children who have played under its branches. The shape of its trunk inspired children's imaginations. Adults sat nearby and visited. Neighbors all know and love this special tree.
Nominated By: Irene Pickhardt/ Brykerwoods Neighborhood Association
9
Location: 8100 S. Congress Ave
Why Is This Tree Special? Five or more heritage oak trees were nourished for many months to be able to safely relocate them to provide shade to surrounding H-E-B before the store was completed in June 2020.
Nominated By: Tamra Jones
10
Location: Parking lot on 27th St Drive.
Why Is This Tree Special? I love that they designed their parking lot around these trees so they could keep them.
Nominated By: Grantham
11
Location: Barton Springs Pool. If you're entering from the Barton Springs Pool North Entrance, then walk around to the other side of the pool (southeast side). If you're entering from the South entrance, then walk down the hill.
Why Is This Tree Special? This evergreen tree has been one of our favorite trees to admire every Friday morning when we cap off our early AM group runs with a dip into Barton Springs Pool (no matter the season). We highly suggest you also experience the Barton magic of this tree during a golden hour sunrise (or sunset).
Nominated By: Joelle Jung & Leanna Rinaldi.
12
Location: 8407 Beckett Rd, 78749 (southbound)
Why Is This Tree Special? This TORTURED Monterrey Oak was planted TOO LOW in 2015-ish :(
Then it was VOLCANO MULCHED and staked by professional landscapers until Jan 2023!
Then it was rescued in Jan 2023 by a ROOT COLLAR EXCAVATION and the GIRDLING ROOTS were removed (as best as can).
NOW, this tree is flourishing!
Nominated By: The Feral Landscaper.
