Ecosystem Services of the Top 10 Trees

Discover how the top 10 trees contribute to healthier ecosystems, cleaner air, improved water management, wildlife habitats, and stronger environmental sustainability. This guide highlights the vital role trees play in supporting both natural landscapes and local communities.

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The 12 Super Trees of the Houston Region

A Super Tree is one that has a high rate of carbon absorption, flood mitigation, and greenhouse gas absorption ability.

When ranking Houston-Region native trees in each of these categories, the first 10 species fall in the top 26 for all three categories (data recorded for 10 year old trees).

(*) Indicates tree species that do well in wet areas.

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1) Live Oak

  • CO2 Sequestered per year (lbs.): 1,023
  • Flood Mitigation per year (gals.): 3,542
  • GHG Absorption per year (Ibs.): 2
  • Flower: N/A
  • Height at Maturity: 60-80 ft
  • Canopy Width: 60-120 ft
  • Soil Tolerance: Acidic, Alkaline, Ciay
  • Light: Full-Partial Sun
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2) Boxelder

  • CO2 Sequestered per year (lbs.): 899
  • Flood Mitigation per year (gals.): 3,569
  • GHG Absorption per year (lbs.): 2
  • Flower: Yellowish Green to Reddish Orange
  • Height at Maturity: 30-50 ft
  • Canopy Width: 30-50 ft
  • Soil Tolerance: Alkaline, Clay, Acidic
  • Light: Full-Partial Sun
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3) *Laurel Oak

  • CO2 Sequestered per year (lbs.): 875
  • Flood Mitigation per year (gals.): 3,611
  • GHG Absorption per year (lbs.): 2
  • Flower: White
  • Height at Maturity: 60-70 ft
  • Canopy Width: 35-45 ft
  • Soil Tolerance: Acidic, (slightly) Alkaline, Clay
  • Light: Full-Partial Sun
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4) Red Maple

  • CO2 Sequestered per year (lbs.): 859
  • Flood Mitigation per year (gals.): 4,549
  • GHG Absorption per year (Ibs.): 2
  • Flower: Red
  • Height at Maturity: 40-60 ft
  • Canopy Width: 35-45 ft
  • Soil Toferance: Acidic (prefers), Alkaline, Clay
  • Light: Full-Partial Sun
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5) *Willow Oak

  • CO2 Sequestered per year (Ibs.): 738
  • Flood Mitigation per year (gals.): 3,237
  • GHG Absorption per year (Ibs.): 2
  • Flower: N/A
  • Height at Maturity: 40-60 ft
  • CanopyWidth: 30-40 ft
  • Soil Tolerance: Acidic, Clay
  • Light: Full Sun
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6) American Elm

  • CO2 Sequestered per year (lbs.): 999
  • Flood Mitigation per year (gals.): 5,095
  • GHG Absorption per year (Ibs.): 2
  • Flower: Reddish Green
  • Height at Maturity: 70-90 ft
  • Canopy Width: 50-70 ft
  • Soil Tolerance: Alkaline, Clay
  • Light: Full Sun
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7) Slippery Elm

  • CO2 Sequestered per year (Ibs.): 669
  • Flood Mitigation per year (gals.): 3,783
  • GHG Absorption per year (lbs.):2
  • Flower: Reddish Orange
  • Height at Maturity: 40-60 ft
  • Canopy Width: 30-50 ft
  • Soil Tolerance: Alkaline, Acidic, Clay
  • Light: Full-Partial Sun
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8) Tuliptree

  • CO2 Sequestered per year (Ibs.): 659
  • Flood Mitigation per year (gals.): 3,754
  • GHG Absorption per year (Ibs.): 2
  • Flower: Yellow-orange
  • Height at Maturity: 70-90 ft
  • Canopy Width: 40 ft
  • Soil Tolerance: Acidic, Clay
  • Light: Full Sun
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9) American Sycamore

  • CO2 Sequestered per year (lbs.): 652
  • Flood Mitigation per year (gals.): 4,313
  • GHG Absorption per year (Ibs.): 2
  • Flower: Green to Greenish Red
  • Height at Maturity: 75-100 ft
  • Canopy Width: 50-70 ft
  • Soil Tolerance: Alkaline (prefers), Acidic, Clay
  • Light: Full-Partial Sun
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10) Green Ash

  • CO2 Sequestered per year (lbs.): 624
  • Flood Mitigation per year (gals.): 3,706
  • GHG Absorption per year (lbs.): 3
  • Flower: Greenish yellow
  • Height at Maturity: 50-60 ft
  • Canopy Width: 25-40 ft
  • Soil Tolerance: Alkaline, Clay, Acidic
  • Light: Full Sun

A Super Carbon Tree is one that has a high carbon absorption ability (ranked in the top 20), but ranks below
the top 20 in flood mitigation and greenhouse gas absorption ability.
Two that are native to the Houston Region are listed below.

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11) Loblolly Pine

  • CO2 Sequesteres per year (lbs.): 479
  • Flood Mitigation per year (gals.): 1,752
  • GHG Absorption per year (Ibs.):1
  • Flower: Yellowish Green
  • Height at Maturity: 60-90 ft
  • Canopy Width: 25-35 ft
  • Soil Tolerance: Acidic, Clay
  • Light: Full Sun
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12) White Ash

  • CO2 Sequesteres per year (lbs.): 447
  • Flood Mitigation per year (gals.): 2,719
  • GHG Absorption per year (lbs.): 1
  • Flower: White
  • Height at Maturity: 50-80 ft
  • Canopy Width: 40-50 ft
  • Soil Tolerance: Acidic, Alkaline
  • Light: Full-Partial Sun