Texas’ Top 9 Most Historic Trees Revealed

Some background on these historic Texas trees:

Certainly one of most famous trees in Texas is “Alamo tree,” a Live Oak located at the Alamo in San Antonio, Texas. Known for its historical significance and impressive size, it is scientifically named Quercus virginiana.

It is a symbol of resilience and has been a part of the Alamo’s history since it was transplanted there in 1912.

Monte the Montezuma Cypress – Mission, TX: 900 year old cypress tree located in the Rio Grande floodplain. It’s actually on the other side of the border wall but still is on Texas soil.

The Big Tree – Goose Island State Park: Formerly the largest tree in Texas. Believed to be over 1,000 years old. Sacred meeting place of the Karankawa.

Whipping Oak – Seguin, TX: In Seguin’s early days after Texas independence, the courthouse across the street would administer lashings as punishment. So they would tie people to the ring on this tree to whip them.

Old Baldy – McKinney Falls State Park: 500 – 600 year old bald cypress tree. It was noted in reports by the Spanish in the early 1700’s.

Sam Houston Oak – Gonzales, TX: General Sam Houston and about 400 Texans camped under this tree on March 13th, 1836 at the start of their retreat from the Mexican Army during the Texas Revolution.

Rio Frio Landmark Oak – Rio, Frio, TX: Believed to be between 1,000 – 2,000 years old and one of the largest live oaks in the state. Served as a key reference point when the town of Rio Frio was platted in the 1860’s.

La Bahia Pecan – Washington-on-the-Brazos: 200 year old pecan tree at the site of the signing of the Texas Declaration of Independence in 1836. It’s DNA links its origins to pecans from Tamaulipas, Mexico meaning it was likely brought here by traders at some point.

Treaty Oak – Austin, TX: Last surviving member of the Council Oaks, which was a grove of 14 oak trees that served as a meeting place for Comanche and Tonkawa tribes going back 500 years.