GUIDE: Learn the history of Leander's 10 oldest trees

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.