GUIDE
Leander's 10 oldest trees
In a joint partnership with The Leander Foundation, the Leander Parks and Recreation Department, Texas A&M Forest Service and Keep Leander Beautiful, the Oldest Trees in Leander project was created to nd and determine the ages of some of the oldest trees throughout the city. On Nov. 15, The Leander Foundation unveiled the rst of 10 plaques in commemoration of the oldest trees in the city. Information in this guide to the city’s 10 oldest trees was provided by The Leander Foundation founder Carlos St. James. COMPILED BY ZACHARIA WASHINGTON LEANDER'S 10 OLDEST TREES Guide
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1 Bello Oak The Bello Oak is along an old trail that became Hero Way. The tree is located near the site of the 1839 Webster Massacre, where nearly three dozen homesteaders were killed in a conict with Comanche Indians. It is also close to the Davis Cemetery historical marker. Estimated age: 250 years Circumference: 152 inches Type of tree: Texas live oak Bello Drive and Candlelight Drive, Leander 2 Leander Station Cottonwood In 1882, the city of Leander was established with a new train station. The Leander Station Cottonwood was planted near new businesses across the street from the station, which was there until the 1960s.
a community with a church and school built right next to this giant oak tree, which helped guide travelers to the area. Estimated age: 250 years Circumference: 198 inches Type of tree: Texas live oak Crystal Falls Parkway and Horizon Park The oldest recorded tree is also the one that received the rst plaque unveiling. Located north of Lakewood Park on a homeowners association property, this tree has an 80- foot canopy. Named after a Tonkawa tribe chief in Central Texas, the tree’s name means “The One That Cannot Be Killed.” Boulevard, Leander 5 Ha-shu-ka-na
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time of publication. Estimated age: 150 years Circumference: 126 inches Type of tree: Texas live oak East New Hope Drive and Lakewood Trail, Cedar Park 8 Mason Heritage Oak
identied tree. Since the founding of the city, this tree has been a landmark for the location of the town’s market.
Estimated age: 180 years Circumference: 160 inches Type of tree: Bald Cypress West Broade Street and North Brushy Street, Leander 10 Treebeard 183
This tree is located on land that belongs to the descendants of the founders of Leander. After the Civil War in 1865, Charles Mason inherited more than 300 acres of land in an area that eventually became the city. Estimated age: 250 years Circumference: 214 inches Type of tree: Texas live oak Hero Way West and Broade Way, Leander 9 Home Tree at Smooth Village Located at the Old Town Leander Farmers Market at Smooth Village, this is the tallest
Located on land owned by Texas Humane Heroes, this area was part of a large horse ranch until the 1970s. The tree is named after a Lord of the Rings character who is an ancient tree-like being that was a “shepherd of trees.”
Estimated age: 300 years Circumference: 231 inches Type of tree: Texas live oak Natural Falls Run and Cypress Gate Drive, Leander 6 The Hazelwood Oak
Estimated age: 115 years Circumference: 156 inches Type of tree: eastern cottonwood East Evans Street, Leander 3 Farmer’s Nursery Oak
Estimated age: 220 years Circumference: 153 inches Type of tree: Texas live oak East Crystal Falls Parkway and Little George Drive, Leander
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The Hazelwood Oak is located on private undeveloped land. Further information was not available at the time of publication.
Located on a farmer’s nursery lot, this tree is part of a collection of old trees near the original Leander train station.
Estimated age: 220 years Circumference: 166 inches Type of tree: Texas live oak Hazelwood Street and Horizon Park Boulevard, Leander 7 The Hope Oak
Estimated age: 200 years Circumference: 139 inches Type of tree: Texas live oak Leander Drive, Leander 4 Pleasant Hill Oak
WINTER STORM UPDATE Only a few trees in the following guide were aected by Winter Storm Mara—the Jan. 31-Feb. 2 storm that caused severe ice accumulation on trees throughout the Central Texas area. Ha-shu-ka-na suered the loss of a large branch but remains healthy and beautiful, The Leander Foundation founder Carlos St. James said. Other observed damage included fallen limbs from The Hazelwood Oak, and The Farmer’s Nursery Oak lost a fairly big branch on the front, causing it to look bare on the aected side.
The only tree on public property, this tree is located on the Pleasant Hill Elementary School campus. Founded in 1857, Pleasant Hill was
The Hope Oak is located on private property. Further information was not available at the
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Pleasant Hill Oak
Ha-shu-ka-na
Home Tree at Smooth Village
Treebeard
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