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 conflict 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.
Estimated age: 115 years
Circumference: 156 inches
Type of tree: eastern cottonwood
East Evans Street, Leander
3. Farmer’s Nursery Oak
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: 200 years
Circumference: 139 inches
Type of tree: Texas live oak
Leander Drive, Leander
4. Pleasant Hill Oak
The only tree on public property, this tree is located on the Pleasant Hill Elementary School campus. Founded in 1857, Pleasant Hill was 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 Boulevard, Leander
5. Ha-shu-ka-na
The oldest recorded tree is also the one that received the first 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.”
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
The Hazelwood Oak is located on private undeveloped land. Further information was not available at the time of publication.
Estimated age: 220 years
Circumference: 166 inches
Type of tree: Texas live oak
Hazelwood Street and Horizon Park Boulevard, Leander
7. The Hope Oak
The Hope Oak is located on private property. Further information was not available at the 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
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 identified 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
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: 220 years
Circumference: 153 inches
Type of tree: Texas live oak
East Crystal Falls Parkway and Little George Drive, Leander
Winter storm update
Only a few trees in the following guide were affected 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 suffered 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 affected side.
