This outpouring of water can be avoided if you plant in the winter! During the winter months, it takes a significantly less amount of water to establish your plants and maintain. This retention of water is compounded when mulch is utilized properly within your beds. One of the best plants to plant during this time is trees. 

Some of our favorites for the Dallas area the lacebark elm, a reliable, adaptable shade tree that is drought tolerant and turns golden yellow in the fall, the Yaupon Holly tree, a slow growing ornamental tree that stays green year round and is drought tolerant and the Desert willow, both the native and hybrid versions are popular because of their extreme drought-tolerance and long flowering period. They are smaller trees that grow rapidly and can provide a pretty alternative to the crape myrtle. Place it with other drought-tolerant plants to avoid overwatering.

While we love red oaks and live oaks, both are particularly susceptible to oak wilt, a disease that kills a tree, then spreads through the roots to kill other oaks nearby so come with risk to your investment.