Forest Trees of Texas: How to Know Them

Eighth Edition Ninth Printing October, 1990
TEXAS FOREST SERVICE A PART OF THE TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY SYSTEM COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS
BULLETIN 20 APRIL, 1963
Tree increases each year in height and spread of branches by adding on new growth of twigs
Air supplies carbon the principal food of the tree taken in on under surface of leaves.
Leaves prepare the food obtained from air and soil and give off moisture by transpiration. Light and heat are necessary for the chemical changes
The breathing pores of the entire tree,—on leaves, twigs, branches, trunk and roots take in oxygen. Flooding, poisonous gases, or smoke may kill a tree
Root tips or root hairs take up water containing small quantity of minerals in solution
The eighth edition was revised and edited by John A. Haislet to conform with the nomenclature in Check List of Native and Naturalized Trees of the United States (Including Alaska) , Agriculture Handbook No. 41, prepared under the direction of the United States Forest Service Tree and Range Plant Committee. D. A. Anderson’s “A Guide to the Identification of the Principal Trees and Shrubs of Texas” was revised and incorporated in the eighth edition to give it greater utility to the non-technical student of trees.
Trees have held an important place in man’s way of life since he has been on the earth. Trees provided early man with weapons to defend himself and helped provide him with food, shelter and fuel.
Trees have played an important role in the history of the United States. Timber was our nation’s first export. The forest also provided our forefathers with their homes, farm implements, rifle stocks and wagons. The forest, by furnishing ties and utility poles, made possible the expansion of railroad systems, electric power and telephone networks. Every industry depends upon forest products in one way or another.
Trees are more important today than ever before. More than 10,000 products are reportedly made from trees. Through chemistry, the humble woodpile is yielding chemicals, plastics and fabrics that were beyond comprehension when an axe first felled a Texas tree.