Ask Mr. Smarty Plants

This is a fairly common question, as witness the fact that we answered an almost identical one, also from Austin, just a few weeks ago. To keep our lazy fingers from repeating themselves, please read this previous answer. We say it has become a common question because some years ago the Arizona Ash became quite popular with builders, landscapers and homeowners because it grew quickly, was a nicely shaped tree and easily obtainable. From that answer:

"The Arizona Ash is often victim to borers and verticillium wilt, resulting in being somewhat short-lived."

Now, may we address the other trees you mention? When we start searching on a plant's common name or trade name, we often find ourselves directed to nursery advertisers who will, of course, have nothing but good to say about the plant. Searching on the scientific name, as Acer truncatum, Shantung Maple, we get a little bit more objective view. This tree is native to Northern China, Manchuria and Korea and therefore falls out of the realm of expertise for the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. We recommend only plants native not only to North America but to the areas in which those plants grow naturally. One article we read said: "Care: Not adapted to far West Texas. Wrap trunk the first three years to prevent sunscald."  During this continuing trend toward hot and dry weather in Central Texas, we are not sure we would care to risk the expenses or resources to grow a tree native to a far different environment. 

Read this article on Central Texas Invasive Plants to know why we are glad you are not considering Chinese Pistache. You might also be interested in this Dave's Garden Forum on Chinese Pistache.

Koelreuteria paniculata, Golden Rain Tree is another on our list of non-native "don't do its."  Dave's Garden site on this tree from eastern Asia, China and Korea,with 12 negative comments.

Get some facts about Gingko Biloba, Maidenhair Tree from this North Carolina State University factsheet. Again, non-native and, as you say, not well adapted to Central Texas.

Moving on to more positive information, we are going to go to our Native Plant Database, and, using Combination Search, select on Texas, tree for "Habit," dry for "Soil Moisture," and 36 to 72 ft. for height. You can also make selections for amount of sun needed, but we didn't know what your sun situation would be. From these characteristics, we made a list of 6 trees shown in USDA Plant Profile maps as growing natively in or near Travis County.

Crataegus mollis (Downy hawthorn)

Diospyros virginiana (Common persimmon)

Ehretia anacua (Anacua)

Quercus macrocarpa (Bur oak) - we know you said you didn't care for oaks, but this is a great tree, with huge acorns, big easily-raked leaves and is resistant to Oak Wilt

Sapindus saponaria var. drummondii (Western soapberry)

Cercis canadensis var. texensis (Texas redbud) - this is smaller than your specifications, but has a lovely early pink bloom and big heart-shaped leaves.

Follow the plant links above to our webpage on each individual plant to learn more about their growing conditions and water requirements. Or, you can go back to the "Combination Search" in our Native Plant Database and make some selections of your own.