Vote for the 2026 Nominees
Voting is now open until October 19th, 2026
If you nominated a tree, you will find it here! Tell all your friends to vote for your tree. The tree with the most votes in each category will receive a $100 H-E-B gift card and a commemorative tree cookie!
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Get to know each of the nominated trees!
LARGE | SMALL | UNIQUE | SCHOOLYARD | STORY
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Tree descriptions and photos are transcribed directly from what the nominators provided. If experiencing technical issues, please contact us at toty@treefolks.org
LARGE TREE NOMINEES
1
Location: Fresas on 9th and Lamar
Why Is This Tree Special? This absolute monster Live Oak is along the banks of Shoal Creek hidden behind the Fresas on 9th and Lamar. Growing out of the asphalt drive through lane and dumpster enclosure, this tree has endured development and floods and still retains its sculptural branching and gigantic form.
Nominated By: Michael Tsapos
2
Location: 9th & Highland
Why Is This Tree Special? A towering pecan in old west Austin among the live and post oaks prevalent in the area. Growing near a gutter and drainage way, this pecan has carved out perfect growing conditions sandwiched between the road and an 60’s build walk-up apartment complex. Although slightly hidden behind an understory of hackberry trees, a perfect branching pattern with a single low trunk splits into three large main leaders and a canopy that towers over the entire road, creating an amazing neighborhood landmark.
Nominated By: Michael Tsapos
3
Location: 9th & Blanco
Why Is This Tree Special? This is a quintessential old west Austin tree. Growing out of the side of the road, its presence clearly caused construction workers to think twice and decide it simply had to stay. As its massive trunk emerges from the asphalt, a series of craggy, sculptural branches sprawl over the road in a way that can only be described as magical. Despite being paved over, deprived of resources, and being set up to fail, it has endured and continues to thrive. It makes you feel lucky to be on this earth at the same time!
Nominated By: Michael Tsapos
4
Location: Eastwoods Park
Why Is This Tree Special? Immense size - both height and diameter, of this live oak. It reaches for the stars and reminds us of its past.
Nominated By: Nick Wallace
5
Location: Large Bald Cypress that the Trail Conservancy recently built a trail down to along Lady Bird Lake.
Why Is This Tree Special? A beautifully large and prominent cypress that deserves attention for its size and location.
Nominated By: Travis Holler
6
Location: This massive live oak tree sits between the two buildings that make up the Rosewood Zaragosa Neighborhood Center.
Why Is This Tree Special? When viewed from the back, the form of the tree seems to be shrugging it's shoulders, wondering why us humans choose to build these restrictive walls. The tree is resigned to adapt to its given quarters regardless. There is also a lovely mural on the neighborhood center's brick wall (facing Pleasant Valley Rd.) that mirrors this tree's shape. This hidden gem is easy to miss, but is actually the heart of the neighborhood center and has two picnic table under the canopy encouraging an extended visit.
Nominated By: Martina Clifton
7
Location: Emma Long Metro Park - City Park Rd
Why Is This Tree Special? This oak reaches new heights as it’s one of the tallest in the area. Being next to the water and provided much-needed shade makes a nice welcome for anyone enjoying a day on the water.
Nominated By: Chelsie Higdon
8
Location: The tree is located in Katherine Fleischer Park in the Wells Branch community of Austin (Austin 2-Mile ETJ). It stands just off 14798 Alpha Collier Drive, near the entrance to the Wells Branch walking trail.
Why Is This Tree Special? This tree is special because it has become a familiar part of the Wells Branch community. It is a mature Eastern Cottonwood (Populus deltoides) with a massive trunk measuring more than 19 feet around, deeply textured bark, and large spreading branches that make it stand out along the Wells Branch walking trail.
For many years, this tree has greeted walkers, runners, and families as they enter Katherine Fleischer Park. We don’t know its exact age, but its size and character suggest it has been here for a very long time, providing shade and a beautiful reminder of the natural landscape that surrounds our community.
What makes this tree special to me is that it is more than just a large tree. It is a familiar landmark that people pass by every day—a quiet piece of Wells Branch history that connects our community with nature.
Nominated By: Randy Baker
9
Location: Richard Moya Park
Why Is This Tree Special? This tree is special to me because it is the largest of several that create this wonderfully serene area in Richard Moya Park. While some of the trail loops can be hot and lack shade, this area at the western end of the park, past the baseball fields, feels like your own nature preserve. This large tree and its neighbors create beautiful canopy coverage and has become one of my favorite places in the city to spend time with my dogs, read a book, or listen to the sounds of nature.
Nominated By: Erika Alam
10
Location: ACC Highland
Why Is This Tree Special? Este árbol tiene una vista hermosa, colores radiantes que sin duda llena de alegría el camino y te recuerda que estación del año es.
This tree is a beautiful sight, it has radiant colors that without a doubt fill its path with joy and remind you which season of the year it is.
Nominated By: Estefania Hernandez Luna
11
Location: Shoal Creek greenbelt, next to the rock hop across from the gazebo near St Andrew’s.
Why Is This Tree Special? She’s just so big and anchors her lot which was previously undeveloped and now a small micro-neighborhood.
Nominated By: Maria Darr
12
Location: Seiders Springs Park, located on the west side of Shoal Creek near the park’s low water crossing and picnic table.
Why Is This Tree Special? This beautiful, massive and highly visible oak is sure to be instantly recognizable to many. Its branches shade a large area, sitting spaces and the Shoal Creek Trail. I have walked and sat under it many times, and it always impresses me with its size and beauty.
Nominated By: Ivey Kaiser
13
Location: Dottie Jordan Park/Pool, in the back corner of the lot
Why Is This Tree Special? This tree is a hybrid with a very uniform crown, and geometric branches.
Nominated By: Pablo O
14
Location: Vinaigrette restaurant
Why Is This Tree Special? This majestic 500-year-old oak tree provides shade to diners in the back garden. It is beautiful to look up at and sit near. The photo provided is from the Vinaigrette website and was taken by Gail Moore.
Nominated By: Karen Blizzard
15
Location: Enormous tree at the intersection of Mason Ave and Lott Ave. It must be hundreds of years old and has survived recent development all around. Hoping it can survive several more hundred years with proper care and recognition.
Why Is This Tree Special? She’s just so big and anchors her lot which was previously undeveloped and now a small micro-neighborhood.
Nominated By: Julia Robinson
SMALL TREE NOMINEES
1
Location: It is growing (still growing :) in Yellow Bike's front yard (accessible to the public)
Why Is This Tree Special? Baby Quercus Stellata (Baby Post Oak, Iron Oak, Cross Oak)
Post Oaks: you can't grow them in a nursery. Even in the wild, they're tricky to get started. They have deep roots that don't like being moved, and they rely on the soil around them - way more than other trees. This one is growing right now in Yellow Bike's front yard - how amazing is that! It's still very small, but it's got a good spot and is surrounded by love. Big shoutout to the G.O.A.T. Collective for caring for this baby over the last few months, and to the Urban Forest Grant for providing much-needed landscaping materials around Yellow Bike.
With some time and care, we hope this little tree will grow into a big one, and become a place where people and animals can find rest, and the whole neighborhood can thrive.
Nominated By: Marcelina Gray
UNIQUE TREE NOMINEES
1
Location: Spicewood Valley Trail
Why Is This Tree Special? This uniquely shaped tree on the Spicewood Valley Trail holds a treehouse built to its shape that serves as a lovely resting place to see magnificent views of the surrounding forest, wildlife watch, and take a moment to quiet the mind. Spicewood Valley Trail historically served as a Native American trail. My belief is that this tree, due to its bent curvature, is a trail marker tree that Native Americans designated for navigating the trail and pointing towards fresh water sources.
Its spirit continues to remind me to acknowledge and give gratitude for the land I walk on and speaks of this inner knowing that we are all connected by the root of our human spirits, just like how the mycelium connect the trees to each other.
Nominated By: Brianna Bernhardt
2
Location: Its in Bauerle Ranch Park off of Brodie Ln. There are many ways to get to this tree. Onslow Drive has a trailhead that makes this a short walk. Walk northeast on that trail and you will see it!
Why Is This Tree Special? It has a huge gnarled twisted trunk, and massive branching "arms" to climb on, over, and around. It must have weathered a lot in its life to have come out looking so sprawling, and yet so strong. It is an amazing spot for a picnic or to sit and quietly enjoy the fact that such a thing exists.
Nominated By: Chelsea Miller
3
Location: Shoal Creek Greenbelt just north of Pease Park. It’s south of 24th Street just south of another iconic large live oak they fenced off the trail around it
Why Is This Tree Special? Live oaks tend to be really iconic in general. The way the Spanish moss drapes like a curtain over the shoal creek Greenbelt is really unique. It feels like you are entering a magical cave as you go south on the trail. Also loves that it has a metal ID tag and is near a cute bird house on another tree. The other large live oaks nearby are also really unique and beautiful. It could also be in the large tree category.
Nominated By: Elliott Bucknall
4
Location: At Commons Ford Ranch Park as you walk down the trail towards the big park grass area right next to the little wooden bridge that crossing the creek is this amazing pecan tree.
Why Is This Tree Special? It showcases resilience. This tree, despite all odds, is still hanging on. It is growing horizontal on the bank. its truck even dips into the stream when the water is high enough. I have been coming to this tree since I was a kid often climbing it and walking its horizontal trunk. Today I admire it every time I pass, reminded of the joy it brought me over the years. It serves as a reminder to never give up no mater what life throws your way and who knows maybe that struggle will blossom into something unique and beautiful like this Pecan.
Nominated By: Will Comer
5
Location: Along Bouldin Creek, visible from patio behind Preacher Gallery
Why Is This Tree Special? I'm a self-proclaimed "indoor cat," though I've always appreciated nature from the comfort of an air-conditioned space! I began working for TreeFolks in 2024, where, as the Grants Manager, I have developed an even deeper appreciation for trees. I find myself spending more time in outdoor spaces and often catch myself noticing trees I never would have otherwise spotted.
That was the case this past weekend, as I was visiting Preacher Gallery on Riverside for the opening of the PeeWee Herman exhibit. I was hanging out on the gallery's beautiful patio, enjoying a complimentary cocktail, when I looked over to the lush Bouldin Creek greenbelt space adjacent to the patio, and I could not help but notice this interesting, twisty, spooky-looking tree that seemed to be growing straight out of the water! The photo speaks for itself, but it's even more unique in person. I see this tree as a symbol of how simply stepping outside your comfort zone can open a unique, twisty world of beauty and art.
Nominated By: Traci Mondragon
6
Location: Barton Creek Greenbelt, close to the Flats. Enter at from the Barton Hills-Homedale entrance, walk to the trail, take a left. It's hanging out right down by the creek.
Why Is This Tree Special? Is it one tree? Is it two? We may never know. But this Cedar Elm(s?) creates a portal, a peep-hole, a frame to the beauty of Barton Creek, all while it's strong roots hold the bank in place.
Nominated By: Marina Weikel Ramirez
7
Location: 700 block on Theresa Ave in Old West Austin
Why Is This Tree Special? Provides excellent shade for walkers and dogs. And our neighbor just keeps adapting his wall and curb to accommodate growth!
Nominated By: Christian Remington
8
Location: Near 40th and Bailey Ln by The Triangle
Why Is This Tree Special? This nomination is one among countless. I am a certified arborist with a humble 12 years of experience and have witnessed significant canopy loss across Austin and Central Texas. Pioneer trees are the first to colonize disturbed land, surviving harsh conditions and preparing the way for future forests.
I expand that idea to include the countless volunteer trees emerging in yards, alleys, fence lines, creek corridors, vacant lots, and forgotten corners. Their uniqueness lies not in rarity, but in ubiquity: they are nature’s quiet offering toward canopy restoration. Not every volunteer tree should remain, but each deserves consideration before removal. The first question should be: Can this tree live where it is? Sometimes canopy restoration begins not with planting, but with noticing. My representative pioneer tree is a young pecan retained after a neighbor lost a mature magnolia; it now stands where that canopy can begin again.
Nominated By: Brian LeMaster
9
Location: This Durand Oak is located along Waterloo Greenway, at Palm Park and the trail of the newly opened Phase II: The Confluence, along the banks of Waller Creek
Why Is This Tree Special? Situated along the banks of Waller Creek, one of the largest measured Durand Oaks in Texas overlooks Waterloo Greenway at Palm Park and along the trail of the newly opened Phase II: The Confluence. This tree is a true living landmark, measuring an astonishing 68 inches in diameter, with sprawling limbs that have weathered an estimated 200+ years.
Having witnessed centuries of Austin's history unfold along the creek, this oak must hold a million stories in its leaves, branches, bark, trunk, and roots. It was named the 2014 State Champion for its species and has been admired by many generations of visitors. A storyteller in its own right, its burly trunk and time-worn form are a testament to resilience and endurance. Visitors can stand beneath its canopy, embrace its shade, and feel inspired by this unique and wonderful character in our midst!
Nominated By: Emily Erickson
10
Location: Search for St. Edward's University in Austin, TX at 3001 South Congress Ave, 78704. When you arrive on campus go to the NE corner of Premont Hall, which is on the NW corner of the campus. For even easier directions, just look up "Premont Hall" on your navigation app on your phone.
Why Is This Tree Special? At 35.5" in diameter, this amazing tree is just shy of being a heritage tree and one might think "large" tree is a better category. But, I suggest you look at this beauty and ask yourself if this tree isn't much more fitting to be described as "unique". The seeming will to grow several feet vertically, as trees do, before growing parallel to the ground for another 6 feet, followed by a u-bend before it finally decides to (as Woody would say) reach for the sky. This tree is a monument to phototropism!
Nominated By: Roy Johnson
11
Location: 14538 Hunters Pass, 78734. Near Lakeway, off 620, go east on Debba Dr, left on to Running Deer, follow road to open left onto Hunters Pass. Second house on left. Oak Mott located at far end of parking area.
Why Is This Tree Special? There are many reasons that make this tree special. With a lot of runoff in the area on a downhill street, there’s a possibility that over the years an original trunk was covered up in debris these trees grew out of it. It’s six or seven trunks that live in cooperation and they provide a beautiful, beautiful canopy as well as a beautiful space underneath Note to mention a valuable resource for local wildlife. The other reason I find these trees really important is that developers want to build homes on this property and I don’t want the trees to be destroyed so I hope someone will appreciate them as much as I do and help find a way to preserve this ecology.
Nominated By: Tucker Bradley
SCHOOLYARD TREE NOMINEES
1
Location: Our tree is located in our beautiful outdoor learning circle.
Why Is This Tree Special? This tree was planted in the early years of Walnut Creek back in the 1970s. It has grown into a beautiful large tree that we learn under every week for our outdoor science lessons with PEAS. It has lovely branches that hang near the ground and large enough for you to perch yourself atop them while learning. It houses many native birds and helps us learn about the nature that surrounds us. It provides us shade as the sun illuminates our class and it's leaves rustle gently in the wind - it's so large it is like sitting underneath a natural roof. You could stare at this tree for so long and find many things that spark joy from the interesting clumps of ball moss to the expansive canopy.
Nominated By: Rachel Sauceda
2
Location: The live oak tree is on the back playground of Becker Elementary on Bouldin Avenue between Milton and Monroe St in the Bouldin neighborhood/78704.
Why Is This Tree Special? The great live oak on Becker Elementary’s playground is more than a tree. For generations, it has shaded children as they played, learned, made friends, and grew. It has witnessed first days of school, recess laughter, scraped knees, whispered secrets, and final goodbyes.
Now, as Becker Elementary prepares to close, this tree carries even greater meaning. Becker is one of many schools facing closure, but the memories made beneath its branches will remain. This oak has watched teachers nurture young minds, families build community, and children leave a little older, wiser, and more confident than when they arrived.
Long after the classrooms grow quiet, the tree will still stand, holding decades of laughter, learning, and love in its branches. It is a living symbol of Becker’s history and the lasting impact of a school on its community.
Nominated By: Justinia Gardiner
3
Location: St. Elmo Elementary School
Why Is This Tree Special? This Flame Sumac stands at the entrance of St. Elmo Elementary School, watching over and greeting the students and families that make up the school community. Its broad canopy provides lush shade to the cafeteria in the spring, summer, and early fall. In late fall, it lives up to its name and lights the school yard up with its vibrant red canopy. Positioned at the front of the school, this tree is a beloved landmark, with students posing for annual pictures that mark their growth along with the tree’s.
Nominated By: Hannah Thornton
4
Location: James Bowie High School
Why Is This Tree Special? The tree is special because it is located in the center of the school and thousands of kids pass by it everyday. Students meet here at the beginning of the year for meet at the tree to find their new schedules and reconnect with friends and they eat lunch under it’s branches every day at lunch.
Nominated By: Ella Kuhn
STORY TREE NOMINEES
1
Location: From the 360 and Mopac greenbelt parking area, walk towards Twin Falls. After passing Twin Falls, but before Sculpture Falls, this tree will be on your right. You will see the rock with graffiti in front of it
Why Is This Tree Special? The rest of this trail is very closed-in, but this tree has a huge open space around it, as it has dominated its local environment. There are often people stopping to climb it and take pictures on and around it. It is a very noticeable landmark and great place to stop and take a rest while hiking. One can admire its peacefulness as well as its tenacity, and contemplate how long it has been there, and what changes it has seen.
Nominated By: Chelsea Miller
2
Location: This tree lives in the back yard of Epoch coffee, next to a pond.
Why Is This Tree Special? This tree is special to my friends and I because we have shared and planned many special moments of our lives together under its shade.
It is beautiful, has a glorious trunk, keeps us cool in the summer, houses many birds, and was home to a small green worm that greeted us as we sipped coffee this spring. Wormy swung down from his tree on his silky string and kept us company as we read poetry to him. Then he was promptly eaten by a blue bird mid-air. We gasped. His sudden departure was surprising, but a prompt reminder of the circle of life. We still laugh about that day while enjoying the shade of the tree and toasting to his memory. RIP green wormy.
Nominated By: Kassandra
3
Location: The little live oak tree right in front of the pavilion at Shipe Park
Why Is This Tree Special? My best friend, Erin, passed away in 2023 from cancer. Her dying request was to have a tree plant in every city that meant a lot to her. We planted the tree in her compost (she opted to be composted when she passed away) in 2024 as a memorial. Fun stories have grown out of this tree - at the memorial service we learned that 3 of her best friends had special memories in the park where the tree is located! Her bff Dani had her first kiss here, her bff Hollie and her bff Daniel BOTH had their first dates here. It felt so fated that the tree ended up being planted here (we had to go on a wait list for a tree to pass away so we could plant it on an irrigation line - it was just fate it was this spot!!!).
Nominated By: Hollie Granato
4
Location: Zilker Park / Ann & Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail. If you turn onto Lou Neff Road from Riverside and head east. Drive until you have almost reached the Zilker sand volleyball courts; walk back to the east and get onto the Trail for .9 miles. You will come to a new raw steel retaining wall and stone steps that lead down to the water's edge and Big Cy. If looking on a map, the tree is directly across Lady Bird Lake from the "Austin High Boat Ramp".
Why Is This Tree Special? I am a Bald Cypress tree (Taxodium distichum) with a101-inch trunk diameter, lovingly known by some as "Big Cy". I’m likely a couple hundred years old, standing on a special section of the Lady Bird Lake shoreline that was spared from clear-cutting long ago. Today, I play an important role in our ecosystem—providing flood control, critical wildlife habitat, and natural erosion defense. If I could talk, the stories I could tell! I was here in the 1800s when the Butler brick company mined clay from Zilker Park and transported it to kilns at the location of Austin High. I saw the twinkling lights go up in 1965 for Yule Fest—the beginning of today's Trail of Lights. In the 1970s, I watched Lady Bird Johnson and Ann Butler walk together, envisioning the trail and planting trees for future generations and I witnessed the very first Austin City Limits Music Festival in 2022. Over the decades, countless visitors have sat beneath my branches to rest, share secrets, laugh, cry, and connect.
Nominated By: Charlotte Tonsor
