Temple Trees

Temple is a Tree City, and in the Parks and Recreation, we take that classification very seriously. That's why we are committed to planting, preserving, and protecting Temple's trees.

We accomplish this with active tree maintenance programs in our City parks and right-of-ways, our annual Arbor Day Celebration, and by offering great programs like A Tree for Me, Legacy Trees, and Memorial Trees.

Please browse the side menu to find all the tools and information you need to select, plant, and take care of trees of your own.

MORE INFORMATION

• Planting Instructions (PDF)

HERITAGE TREE

• Trunk at least 8 inches in diameter
• 50 years or older
• Connection to a significant historic event, building, district
• Planted by a historically significant individual
• Unique or special in size and/or form

LANDMARK TREE

• Striking or unusual trees with high aesthetic value
• Large for the particular species
• Special or unusual form
• Interesting flowers or branching patterns
• Species rare to their location

PARKWAY RESOURCE TREE

• Groups of trees in public right-of-ways, public parking lots or trails
• Consistent design themes with similar sizes, shapes, health, and forms
• Create a canopy over a public right-of-way

PRESERVATION GROVE

• 6 or more trees with trunks within 100 feet
• Same or similar species and forms
• Native, naturalized, or surviving without intervention

CHAMPION TREE

• Largest living tree of its species located within the city limits of Temple
• ** We need Champion tree nominations for these common trees: Texas Ash, Green Ash, Crapemyrtle, Cedar Elm, Ash Juniper, Arizona Cypress, Sycamore, Mesquite, Hackberry, Bradford Pear, Red Oak, Red Bud, Lilac Chaste, Catalpa, Lacebark Elm**

HOW TO NOMINATE A TREE:
Anyone may nominate a tree for Legacy Tree status, as long as the property owner gives approval for the nomination.

The Temple Tree Farm (2515 East Avenue H) was established in 2005 as part of a grant from the Texas Forestry Service to help plant trees across the City of Temple. 

Trees from the Tree Farm are planted throughout the city and given away to residents each year through the A Tree for Me program. Since 2008, an estimated 1,000 trees have been given away or planted from the Tree Farm.

Only native species or species that are adapted to grow in our area are grown at the farm. Some of the varieties include Live Oak, Red Oak, Bur Oak, Chinese Pistache, Chinquapin Oak, Crepe Myrtle, Vitex, and Red Bud. The different trees allows the Temple Parks and Leisure Services Department to plant the best tree for each situation.

Trees are bought young at a very low cost and grown for approximately three years then planted throughout the city. Also, since the Tree Farm is located adjacent to the Doshier Farms Waste Water Treatment Plant, the effluent water from the plant is used to irrigate the trees for virtually no cost.