Houston Miyawaki Forest
75 species selected for Houston's climate, soils, and ecology — organized across the four layers of a Miyawaki forest.
Layer 1 of 4 · 60–120 ft
The tallest trees, forming the forest's primary structure and maximum carbon storage. These canopy giants anchor every Miyawaki planting.
Taxodium distichum
Iconic wetland giant; extreme flood tolerance; cinnamon fall color.
Quercus macrocarpa
Massive canopy; drought and pollution tolerant; long-lived.
Quercus virginiana
Evergreen Texas icon; sprawling form; exceptional wildlife value.
Pinus taeda
Fast-growing native pine; evergreen structure; East Texas native.
Quercus texana
Bottomland oak; excellent flood tolerance; strong acorn producer.
Carya illinoinensis
Texas state tree; large nut producer; long-lived shade giant.
Quercus shumardii
Preferred red oak for Houston; brilliant fall color; rapid growth.
Quercus michauxii
Bottomland specialist; large sweet acorns; flood tolerant.
Liquidambar styraciflua
Star-shaped leaves; multicolor fall display; bayou-corridor native.
Quercus nigra
Fast canopy closure; adaptable; strong wildlife value.
Quercus phellos
Fine-textured leaves; pollution tolerant; graceful form.
Platanus occidentalis
Massive bottomland tree; distinctive mottled bark; fast growth.
Populus deltoides
Extremely fast-growing; riparian specialist; large shade canopy.
Carya ovata
Distinctive peeling bark; valuable nut crop; slow but long-lived.
Salix nigra
Streamside native; rapid growth; erosion control on wet banks.
Carya aquatica
Bottomland clay specialist; exceptional flood tolerance.
Quercus alba
Highest wildlife value of all oaks; requires acid soils; long-lived.
Carya texana
Drought-tolerant upland hickory; valuable nut producer.
Ulmus crassifolia
Quintessential Houston street tree; thrives in clay; tolerant of extremes.
Layer 2 of 4 · 20–50 ft
Smaller trees that thrive beneath the emergent layer, creating shade, moisture regulation, and primary wildlife habitat for birds and insects.
Ilex opaca
Evergreen understory tree; red winter berries; deep shade tolerant.
Diospyros virginiana
Sweet fall fruit; wildlife magnet; adaptable to many soils.
Prunus serotina
Fast-growing; white spring blooms; major Lepidoptera host.
Frangula caroliniana
Glossy leaves; red-to-black berries; fills gap to canopy.
Prunus caroliniana
Evergreen screening tree; fragrant white blooms; fast growth.
Juniperus virginiana
Evergreen year-round structure; extreme heat tolerance.
Cercis canadensis
Spectacular spring color; compact form; heat tolerant.
Rhus lanceolata
Brilliant fall color; pollution tolerant; spreads naturally.
Sideroxylon lanuginosum
Thorny native; drought tolerant; supports native bees.
Ungnadia speciosa
Stunning spring bloom; compact canopy; drought tolerant.
Prunus mexicana
Early spring white blooms; edible fruit; wildlife value.
Ilex decidua
Brilliant red winter berries; deciduous holly; critical bird food.
Aesculus pavia
Vivid red spring flowers; hummingbird magnet; understory specialist.
Morus rubra
Fast-growing; abundant fruit for birds; adaptable understory tree.
Cornus drummondii
Dense thicket-forming; white berries; excellent noise buffer.
Celtis laevigata
Highly adaptable; persistent winter berries; essential wildlife corridor tree.
Magnolia virginiana
Fragrant flowers; semi-evergreen; pollinator favorite.
Morella cerifera
Evergreen screening shrub-tree; nitrogen-fixing; fast growth.
Rhododendron canescens
Showy pink spring blooms; understory specialist; pollinator value.
Zanthoxylum clava-herculis
Host plant for giant swallowtail; thorny trunk; aromatic leaves.
Quercus marilandica
Drought-tolerant upland oak; tolerates poor soils.
Layer 3 of 4 · 3–15 ft
Dense native shrubs that stabilize the forest floor, support pollinators, and provide critical wildlife food and cover.
Mahonia trifoliolata
Thorny security barrier; spring flowers; drought tolerant.
Callicarpa americana
Iridescent purple berry clusters; beloved by 40+ bird species.
Cephalanthus occidentalis
Wetland-edge specialist; spherical white blooms; pollinator magnet.
Symphoricarpos orbiculatus
Dense thicket-forming; exceptional pollinator and erosion value.
Forestiera pubescens
Early spring bloomer; tough and adaptable; wildlife cover.
Sambucus nigra
Fast-growing; abundant berries; classic native hedgerow species.
Rhus aromatica
Aggressive spreader; erosion control; aromatic foliage.
Crataegus marshallii
Delicate lacy foliage; white spring blooms; small red fruit.
Lantana urticoides
Long bloom season; butterfly magnet; heat and drought tolerant.
Itea virginica
Showy white flower spikes; brilliant fall color; wet-tolerant.
Ilex vomitoria
Houston's most versatile native shrub; evergreen; bird habitat.
Layer 4 of 4 · 0–3 ft
Grasses, wildflowers, and low perennials that complete the forest floor — stabilizing soil, supporting pollinators, and hosting specialist insects.
Carex cherokeensis
Shade-tolerant clumping sedge; excellent erosion control.
Glandularia bipinnatifida
Low-growing purple bloomer; drought tolerant; pollinator friendly.
Phlox drummondii
Vivid spring annual; reseeds readily; classic Texas wildflower.
Amsonia tabernaemontana
Soft blue spring blooms; golden fall color; tough perennial.
Tripsacum dactyloides
Robust native grass; excellent forage and erosion control.
Gaillardia pulchella
Iconic red-and-yellow Texas wildflower; long bloom season.
Rudbeckia maxima
Towering yellow blooms; goldfinch favorite; striking foliage.
Rudbeckia laciniata
Tall native perennial; late-summer pollinator support.
Muhlenbergia capillaris var. filipes
Spectacular pink-purple fall haze; drought tolerant once established.
Chasmanthium latifolium
Graceful shade grass; stabilizes soil; hosts specialist insects.
Vernonia missurica
Vibrant purple blooms; top monarch butterfly plant.
Coreopsis lanceolata
Bright yellow spring bloomer; easy-care native perennial.
Salvia lyrata
Shade-tolerant groundcover; early spring blue blooms.
Salvia farinacea
Long-blooming blue spikes; pollinator favorite; heat tolerant.
Thalictrum dasycarpum
Delicate airy foliage; shade tolerant; subtle late-spring blooms.
Zephyranthes drummondii
Surprise white blooms after rain; naturalizes readily.
Eryngium yuccifolium
Architectural foliage; globe-shaped blooms; pollinator magnet.
Salvia coccinea
Bright red spikes; hummingbird favorite; long bloom season.
Penstemon oklahomensis
Native penstemon; spring blooms; pollinator value.
Tradescantia virginiana
Purple-blue spring blooms; shade tolerant; spreads naturally.
Ipomopsis rubra
Tall red spike blooms; hummingbird magnet; biennial.
Asclepias incarnata
Wetland-edge monarch host plant; pink summer blooms.
Panicum virgatum
Robust native bunchgrass; erosion control; wildlife cover.
Asclepias oenotheroides
Native monarch host; drought tolerant; low-growing.
Full Reference
Download the complete Native Species Guide — detailed specs, site restrictions, and planting notes for every species.