Hurricane-Resistant Trees for Houston Landscapes

Why Wind Resistance Matters in Houston

Houston sits squarely in the Gulf Coast hurricane zone. Since 2000 alone, the Houston area has been impacted by Tropical Storm Allison (2001), Hurricane Ike (2008), Hurricane Harvey (2017), and multiple other tropical systems. Each storm leaves a trail of downed trees, damaged roofs, and blocked roads. The trees that survive — and the ones that fail — tell a clear story about which species belong in Houston landscapes.

At Bill Bownds Nursery, we saw the aftermath of Ike and Harvey firsthand. We walked neighborhoods throughout Katy, Houston, Richmond, and Sugar Land assessing damage and helping customers replace lost trees. The patterns were unmistakable: certain species survived with minimal damage while others failed catastrophically. This article shares what we learned.

What Makes a Tree Hurricane-Resistant?

Tree survival in high winds depends on several structural factors:

• Root depth and spread: Trees with deep, wide root systems anchor better in saturated soil — the condition that exists during every hurricane
• Wood density and flexibility: Dense, flexible wood bends without breaking. Brittle wood snaps under wind load.
• Canopy density: Open or semi-open canopies allow wind to pass through. Dense, rigid canopies catch wind like a sail.
• Branch attachment: Trees with strong branch unions (wide angles) resist splitting. Narrow, V-shaped branch crotches are weak points.
• Leaf size and shape: Small, leathery leaves shed wind load better than large, flat leaves.

Top Hurricane-Resistant Trees for Houston

1. Live Oaks — The Gold Standard

Live Oaks are the most wind-resistant large tree species in the Houston area. Their dense wood, deep lateral root system, and wide-spreading canopy make them almost impossible to blow over when properly planted and healthy. During Hurricane Ike, Live Oaks were the last trees standing in neighborhood after neighborhood. Their semi-evergreen foliage — small, leathery leaves on flexible branches — sheds wind rather than catching it. If you are planting for hurricane resilience and have the space, a Live Oak should be your first choice.

Wind resistance rating: Excellent. Live Oaks rarely fail in hurricanes unless they have root damage from construction, soil grade changes, or disease.

2. Eagleston Holly — Evergreen and Resilient

Eagleston Holly's compact, pyramidal form and flexible branches make it surprisingly wind-resistant for an evergreen. The tree's narrow profile presents less surface area to wind than broad-canopy species. While very strong winds can strip outer leaves, the trunk and branch structure of a healthy Eagleston Holly typically survives intact. After Ike, most Eagleston Hollies in our service area were standing with minimal structural damage — they needed only cosmetic clean-up.

Wind resistance rating: Very good. Excellent choice for screening that must survive storms.

3. Bald Cypress

Bald Cypress is native to the bayous and floodplains of Southeast Texas and is engineered by nature to handle both flooding and high winds. Its buttressed trunk provides exceptional stability, and its feathery, deciduous foliage sheds wind efficiently. Bald Cypress performed remarkably well during both Ike and Harvey, surviving both wind and extended flooding. If your property has a low area that floods periodically, Bald Cypress is one of the few large trees that will thrive there.

Wind resistance rating: Excellent. Outstanding in both wind and flood conditions.

4. Crape Myrtles — Small But Tough

Crape Myrtles are smaller trees, so they are not direct comparisons to Live Oaks, but within their size class they are remarkably wind-resistant. Their flexible trunks and open, branching canopy allow wind to pass through rather than catching it. Crape Myrtles bend dramatically in high winds but rarely break. They are also fast to recover from any storm damage, pushing new growth quickly once conditions normalize.

Wind resistance rating: Very good for their size. An excellent complement to larger wind-resistant species.

5. Shumard Red Oaks and Bur Oaks

Shumard Red Oaks have strong wood and deep root systems that make them good performers in storms. They are not quite as wind-resistant as Live Oaks (they are deciduous and have a more upright canopy), but they are far superior to many common Houston landscape trees. Bur Oaks, a White Oak species, have perhaps the strongest wood of any North American oak and perform exceptionally well in high winds. Both species are native to storm-prone regions and have evolved to handle severe weather.

Wind resistance rating: Good to very good. Strong choices for storm-prone areas.

Trees to Avoid in Hurricane-Prone Areas

Some commonly planted Houston-area trees have poor wind resistance. If your property is in an exposed location or you are concerned about storm damage, think twice about:

• Bradford Pear: Notoriously weak branch structure. Splits apart in even moderate winds.
• Arizona Ash: Brittle wood, shallow roots. One of the most frequently failed trees in Houston hurricanes.
• Water Oak: Fast-growing but weak-wooded. Loses large branches in storms and is prone to heart rot.
• Chinese Tallow: Invasive species with weak wood and shallow roots. Fails regularly in storms.
• Pine trees (Loblolly Pine): Tall, narrow profile acts as a lever in high winds. Shallow root plates tip over in saturated soil.

How Proper Planting Improves Storm Survival

Even hurricane-resistant species can fail if they are planted improperly. Key factors that affect storm survival:

• Planting depth: Trees planted too deep develop girdling roots that weaken the root system. Always plant with the root flare at or above grade.
• Root space: Trees surrounded by hardscape (driveways, patios) have restricted root growth and poorer anchorage. Give trees room to develop a wide root plate.
• Soil compaction: Compacted soil prevents root penetration. For new construction, decompact the planting area before planting.
• Proper pruning: Regular structural pruning develops strong branch unions and balanced canopies that handle wind loads evenly.

Build a Storm-Resilient Landscape

The best approach is to plant a mix of hurricane-resistant species that provide both shade and screening. A combination of Live Oaks for shade, Eagleston Hollies for screening, and Crape Myrtles for color gives you a landscape that is beautiful, functional, and resilient. Visit Bill Bownds Nursery at 2110 Cedar Lane, Katy, TX 77494 or call (281) 277-2033 to discuss which species are right for your property. Browse our full tree inventory and delivery and installation services.