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Texas Arboretum

The Wildflower Center’s Garden Master Plan features The Mollie Steves Zachry Texas Arboretum located in an area of deeper soils suitable for growing a large number of tree species. Developed as a classic arboretum, this will be an interpreted systematic collection where visitors can learn about the diversity of Texas trees in a relatively compact area. The ground plane will be maintained in simple sweeps of native grasses and wildflowers, and pathways will connect different groupings of trees. A major emphasis will be placed on Texas oaks, but many other woody species will also be included. The arboretum will serve as a resource for tree-identification, field trips, and outdoor classes, and will be the centerpiece for the Wildflower Center’s tree-related educational programs and events. Read Press Release

Opens Spring 2012

This page is here to share information about development of the Mollie Steves Zachry Texas Arboretum. The Arboretum is not scheduled to open to the public until Spring 2012.

Video

Arboretum News

Firefighter Memorial Tree Planting - September 10, 2011 Event

Treaty Oak Clone in Center Arboretum - February 15, 2011 Press Release

Texas Arboretum: A True Community Project - April, 2011 Web Feature

$1.4 Million to Create Texas Arboretum - August 17, 2010 Press Release

Plan for Mollie Steves Zachry Texas Arboretum at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

 Features of the Mollie Steves Zachry Texas Arboretum 

  • A central meadow of native grasses dotted with wildflowers and surrounded by several hundred Texas trees
  • A display of all 53 species of oak trees native to Texas
  • Specimen trees, including: black walnut, bald cypress, pecan and sycamores
  • Informal gathering areas, such as groves for picnicking that have wind chimes in trees
  • A "Hall of Texas Heroes" including descendants of Texas historical trees such as Austin's Treaty Oak, the Alamo Live Oak and the Sam Houston Kissing Bur Oak.
  • Formal demonstration areas, such as a collection of plants acclimated to drier conditions and one that demonstrates trees for use under utility lines.

Adopt a Tree Program

This is an open invitation to ISA Certified Arborists to showcase their skill in the Mollie Steves Zachry Texas Arboretum. We are seeking highly trained arborists with an interest in supporting this project to provide professional tree care service. All arborists  must be licensed and insured and must complete an application form to participate. Preference will be given to arborists with Texas Oak Wilt Certification. For more information about the arboretum or to submit an application, please contact Joe Marcus at 512-232-0108.

Tree Adopters
  • They Might Be Monkeys! (Nevic Donnelly and Keith Babberney)
  • The Davey Tree Expert Company (Dave Madden)
  • Sunrise Tree Services (Miles J. Lefler)
  • Austin, TX Tree Care & Natural Gardening (Bo Masters)
  • University of Texas at Austin Landcape Services (Larry Maginnis) 

Species Lists

  • Oak Collection - 53 native oak species will comprise the Oak Collection. Did you know that 74% of all oak species in the United States occur in Texas?
  • Specimen Trees - A special collection of large and iconic trees like pecan, American elm and sycamore. 
  • Trees for Utility Lines - Low-growing trees that can be planted near power lines. As a rule, trees planted near power lines should have a mature height of less than 25 feet.

Image Gallery

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 Supporters of the Mollie Steves Zachry Texas Arboretum 

  • San Antonio Area Foundation at the request of Mollie Steves Zachry ($1.4 M)
  • Melissa Jones of Austin (Donation of Kawasaki mule)
  • We Love Trees (Discount on oak wilt trenching)
  • Texas Chapter of the International Society for Arboriculture ($10,000 for tree purchase)
  • Betsy Rogers and the C.L. Browning Ranch (Donation of equipment and brush clearing)
  • University of Texas at Austin's Landscape Services (Donation of brush clearing)
  • Susan Vaughan Foundation (Donation of tree Shears for tractor)
  • NRG Energy Inc. (Volunteer brush clearing)
  • Entercom Austin (Volunteer brush clearing)
  • Sul Ross State University (Donation of West Texas oaks)
  • San Antonio Area Foundation at the request of Mollie Steves Zachry ($20,000 for landscape design)
  • John Michael Reyes raised $4,000 and contributed 400 hours to create a picnic area, purchasing and preparing and installing picnic benches for his Eagle Scout project.
  • Whole Foods (Volunteer Workday 02/23/2011, 03/10/2011)
  • Pedernales Electric Cooperative (In kind electrical service for power line feature)
  • Austin Energy (Donation of trees for power line feature)
  • Texas Forest Service (Donation of Treaty Oak grafted clone)
  • G4 Spatial Technologies (Donation of training and technical expertise on the use of electronic mapping equipment.)