Arboretum San Antonio

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Arboretum San Antonio

Join us in building Arboretum San Antonio - a long-term investment for our community that will take significant vision, time, and resources.

We cannot wait to welcome you to our tree sanctuary - open to all.

08/22/2026

🌳 I'M STUMPED - REVEAL! 🌳

Excellent! You identified TEXAS PERSIMMON (Diospyros texana), a stunning Texas native with one of the most beautiful bark patterns in our region! 🎉

ABOUT TEXAS PERSIMMON:
🌳 Distinctive Exfoliating Bark - Texas Persimmon's most striking feature is its smooth bark that naturally exfoliates in irregular patches, revealing beautiful reddish, gray, and cream-colored wood underneath.
🫐 Tiny Black Persimmons - Unlike the larger Asian persimmons, Texas Persimmon produces small, black fruits about the size of a pea to a marble. While tiny, they're absolutely delicious, sweet, and rich when fully ripe!
🦅 Wildlife Paradise - Birds LOVE Texas Persimmon fruits. Cedar waxwings, mockingbirds, thrushes, and other wildlife flock to the trees when fruits ripen. It's an excellent food source for wildlife during late summer and fall.
💪 Incredibly Hard Wood - Texas Persimmon wood is extremely dense and hard; it's actually used to make golf club heads. This hardness makes the wood durable and valuable, though it's not commonly used in landscaping.
🌍 South & Central Texas Native - Texas Persimmon is native to the Edwards Plateau, South Texas Plains, and surrounding regions. It thrives in rocky, limestone-rich soils and is perfectly adapted to our climate.
🏜️ Drought Tolerant Survivor - Once established, Texas Persimmon is incredibly drought-tolerant and low-maintenance.
🌿 Ebony Family Member - Texas Persimmon belongs to the Ebonaceae (Ebony) family, making it a relative of true ebony and other valuable hardwood species.

Come discover Texas Persimmon at Arboretum San Antonio and appreciate one of South Texas' most underappreciated native treasures. The combination of beautiful form, stunning bark, and wildlife benefits makes this tree a perfect addition to any landscape.

08/21/2026

I'M STUMPED! 🌳

Can you identify this Texas native tree?

Drop your guess in the comments below! 👇

08/19/2026

🌳 LOOK AT THESE AMAZING VOLUNTEERS! 🌳

Huge thank you to everyone who participated in Saturday's invasive species removal event! It is always a good day when you are removing invasive Chinaberries and restoring native habitat. We had a lot of fun working with volunteers from the Alamo Area Texas Master Naturalists, Guadalupe Chapter - Texas Master Naturalist Program, and the San Antonio Chapter - Native Plant Society of Texas.

Want to join the next removal day?

Our monthly Invasive Species Removal Days continue on the third Saturday of the month through November.

📅 Saturday, September 19 | 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
📅 Saturday, October 17 | 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
📅 Saturday, November 21 | 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Register: https://www.arboretumsa.org/event-details-registration/volunteer-opportunity-invasive-species-removal-2026-09-19-09-00

08/15/2026

🌳 I'M STUMPED - REVEAL! 🌳

Excellent! You identified OSAGE ORANGE (Maclura pomifera), also known as Bois d'Arc, Hedge Apple, or Bodark! 🎉

ABOUT OSAGE ORANGE:
🧠 Distinctive Fruit - Those massive, bumpy, brain-like fruits are IMPOSSIBLE to miss! Growing up to 5 inches in diameter, they're among the largest fruits produced by any Texas native tree.
🍊 Not Actually an Orange - Despite the name, Osage Orange isn't related to citrus. The "orange" refers to the color and shape, not the family. The fruit is actually inedible for most purposes (though some wildlife will nibble on it).
🏹 Indigenous Use - Native peoples, especially the Osage Nation (for whom the tree is named), valued this wood highly for making bows because of its strength, flexibility, and durability. These were superior hunting tools (hence "Bois d'Arc"—"wood of the bow").
🌿 Thorny Defender - The branches are covered with sharp thorns, making the tree nearly impenetrable. This natural defense mechanism protected livestock and property for centuries.
🌼 Yellow Spring Flowers - Before the spectacular fruits appear, Osage Orange produces small, greenish-yellow flowers in spring. Male and female flowers are on separate trees.
📏 Large Stature - Osage Orange grows into a substantial tree, typically 30-50 feet tall with a broad, spreading crown. The tree's form is naturally attractive, with gnarled branches adding character.
🏜️ Edwards Plateau Native - Osage Orange is native to a small area of Texas and Oklahoma but has naturalized throughout much of the country. It thrives in rocky, well-drained soils and is incredibly drought-tolerant once established.

Come see the magnificent Osage Orange at Arboretum San Antonio, and prepare to be amazed by those enormous, unforgettable fruits. 🌳💚

08/14/2026

🌳 I'M STUMPED! 🌳

Can you identify this Texas native by its MASSIVE, bumpy, brain-like fruit?

Drop your guess in the comments below! 👇

BONUS CHALLENGE: What do you think those unforgettable fruits are really for?

08/07/2026

💚 THANK YOU, WESTSIDE LIONS CLUB! 💚
We are deeply grateful for the San Antonio West Side Lions Club's generous donation to Arboretum San Antonio!

Not only did you show up with your hearts and your support, but you also gave back through volunteer work with us this past spring. Thank you for believing in our mission of conservation, education, and creating green spaces where all San Antonians can gather and connect with nature.

We're honored to work alongside you. Thank you for your generosity, your volunteer spirit, and your partnership!

08/04/2026

🌳 INVASIVE SPECIES REMOVAL: THIRD SATURDAY OF THE MONTH! 🌳

Our next volunteer day is coming soon, and we need YOU!
👉 Complete the RSVP and Liability Form: https://www.arboretumsa.org/event-details-registration/volunteer-opportunity-invasive-species-removal-2026-08-15-09-00

📅 Saturday, August 15, 2026 | 9 - 11:00 a.m.
📍 Arboretum San Antonio | 4226 SE Military Dr

This month, we're continuing our mission to remove invasive plants that threaten native ecosystem health. Work alongside expert naturalists, fellow conservation-minded volunteers, and be part of real, tangible environmental impact!

What You'll Do:
✓ Remove invasive plants
✓ Learn about native vs. invasive species
✓ Support habitat restoration
✓ Connect with amazing people

Bring closed-toe shoes, work gloves, and your enthusiasm! Tools and water provided.

Optional: Stay after 11 a.m. for a 2.5-mile nature walk & survey!

In partnership with Alamo Area Texas Master Naturalists, Guadalupe Chapter - Texas Master Naturalist Program, San Antonio Chapter - Native Plant Society of Texas.

08/01/2026

🌳 I'M STUMPED - REVEAL! 🌳

Perfect! You identified DAYFLOWER (Commelina erecta), a charming Texas native with a fascinating floral strategy! 🎉

ABOUT DAYFLOWER:
💙 Named for Its Fleeting Blooms - Dayflowers get their common name because the delicate blue flowers open in the morning and close (or wilt) by afternoon! This bloom strategy is one of nature's most clever adaptations. The flowers literally don't waste energy staying open all day—they open when pollinators are most active, then close when they're done.
💧 Water Conservation - In Texas heat, keeping flowers open all day would require tremendous water loss through the delicate petals. By closing them mid-day, Dayflower conserves precious water while still achieving pollination.
🌸 Stunning Blue Petals - Those brilliant blue flowers are absolutely stunning, even though they don't last long! The color is vibrant and eye-catching—perfect for attracting pollinators during their limited window of operation.
🐝 Pollinator Magnet - Despite (or because of!) their brief appearance, Dayflowers attract native bees and other pollinators. The concentrated blooming period creates intense pollinator activity!
🏜️ Texas Native Range - Commelina erecta is native to Texas and much of the eastern United States, thriving in prairies, open woodlands, and disturbed areas. It loves our Edwards Plateau and Post Oak Savanna regions!

Come discover this clever, delicate Texas native at Arboretum San Antonio and appreciate how even the briefest blooms can be profoundly beautiful! 💙💚

07/31/2026

🌳 I'M STUMPED! 🌳

Can you identify this delicate Texas native by its brilliant blue flowers? 💙

Drop your guess in the comments below! 👇

07/25/2026

🌳 I'M STUMPED - REVEAL! 🌳
Excellent! You identified SNAKE APPLE (Ibervillea lindheimeri), also known as Balsam Gourd! 🎉 This quirky Texas native is a delightfully odd plant.

ABOUT SNAKE APPLE:
🍎 Named for Its Unusual Fruit - Those adorable little apple-like pods are EXACTLY why this plant got its common name! At first glance, you'd swear they're tiny apples, but they're actually the fruit of a gourd vine.
🍈 Gourd/Squash Family Member - Snake Apple belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family (gourds and squashes), making it a distant relative of pumpkins, melons, and cucumbers.
🌿 Climbing Vine Structure - Ibervillea is a vining plant that climbs using tendrils, just like other gourd family members.
🌸 Delicate Yellow Flowers - Before the fruits appear, Snake Apple produces small, delicate yellow flowers. These blooms are relatively inconspicuous.
🏜️ South Texas Native - Snake Apple is native to South Texas and the Edwards Plateau region—exactly where Arboretum San Antonio is located. It thrives in rocky, calcareous soils and can handle our heat and occasional drought.
💪 Tough & Adaptable - Once established, Snake Apple is drought-tolerant and low-maintenance. It asks very little and rewards you with fascinating, conversation-starting fruits!

Come see Snake Apple (Balsam Gourd) at Arboretum San Antonio—and prepare to be charmed by this delightfully weird Texas native! 🍎💚

Address

4226 SE Military Drive
San Antonio, TX
78222

Website

http://arboretumsa.org/

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