All trees need some water to survive, however some trees (Drought Tolerant Trees) can get by with a lot less water than others. Whether you're growing in Western areas or are a frequent traveler who can't water your trees and plants weekly, you'll find exactly what you need. Prunus virginiana Once they are established, drought-tolerant trees can fend for themselves under almost any conditions, adding beauty to your yard and vital habitat for birds and other wild critters. 1. The mimosa tree (Albizia julibrissin) has dainty compound leaves and pink flowers that resemble powder puffs. Choose the plants around a black walnut (Juglans nigra) wisely. Tolerant of drought. Stature is shrubby usually remaining below 15′ in height. Plant in full sun, and prune lightly after flowering. Well-drained soils and partial sun is preferred. A small slow growing shrubby deciduous tree with thorns. It will also grow in Utah's alkaline soil. The taste of its fruit is rare–very acidic and sweet. Boxelder 11 of 20. The Japanese zelkova (Zelkova serrata) is a good substitute for elm trees in the landscape; it has a similar appearance without the threat of Dutch elm disease. Shade intolerant. Important species for wildlife. Tolerates high soil pH better than many maples. However, the 2018 drought in southeastern Utah has brought on a novel dieback event: rapid and severe canopy death in the normally drought-tolerant juniper. Long-lived and slow-growing. Large slow growing evergreen with distinctive cinnamon-colored bark-plates, large cones, and long pine-needles. Growing drought tolerant trees is one good way a gardener can make the home landscape more resistant to dry weather. It’s one of the best drought tolerant fruit trees, which can grow quite tall. 7. The airy pink blooms add interest and a pop of color. Good fall color and well suited for riparian wildlife restoration projects. In winter, plants are confronted with freezing temperatures that bring ice and snow. Serviceberry Growth habit can be contorted. Like aspen can regenerate from sprouts and form thickets given favorable conditions and time. Prefers full sun and alluvial soil. Pseudotsuga menziesii Small deciduous tree suited to dry foothills and valley locations. Well suited to riparian restoration and wildlife habitat improvement projects. Trees can tolerate drought if they are deep-rooted. Lavender grows well in Utah. Box elder bugs have an appetite for seeds from female Box elder trees. Use this tree when a round shape is desired. Drought tolerant once established. Botanical Name Common Name Salt Tolerant Drought Tolerant Acer campestre hedge maple Y Y Acer ... Amalanchier utahensis Utah serviceberry Y ... Xeriscape Trees: Minimum park strip of 3' for adequate rooting. Shade intolerant and moderately drought tolerant. Small drought tolerant evergreen that produces seeds relished by wildlife and people alike. Picea pungens The Utah juniper (Juniperus osteosperma) is very tolerant of Utah's drought conditions since it is a native of … Acer grandidentatum Large evergreen historically used for timber production but with great potential for beautiful addition to urban landscapes where space for growth and water is provided. Sunburst honey locust is renowned for being a non-messy specimen. Best suited to warm locations along streams in southwestern Utah. Trees of Mediterranean climate‎ (180 P) T Trees of the Great Basin‎ (1 C, 15 P) Pages in category "Drought-tolerant trees" The following 200 pages are in this category, out of approximately 228 total. Birds are attracted to its fruit and mule deer browse its foliage. The leaves begin as red, changing to green in the summer and transforming to red, yellow or purple in the fall. Chokecherry Trees that Handle Drought. Needs plenty of space to grow, favorable soil, and frequent irrigation. Bigtooth Maple Small deciduous tree best suited to protected mountain streams. Salix amygdaloides The Persian ironwood (Parrotia persica) will add color to the yard throughout the seasons. Utah Juniper: 25 x 25: S: Native short evergreen tree that is very long lived. Pineapple guava does retain the flavor of pineapple and guava, also giving off a hint of strawberry. Large Trees: Minimum park strip of 5' for adequate rooting. Intermediate shade tolerance. The Kentucky coffee tree (Gymnocladus dioica) will be tolerant of drought after a period of regular watering to establish the roots. All plants require a steady supply of moisture when first planted. Pinus longaeva Pinyon Pine They are another tree that can attract hummingbirds as well. Best Drought Tolerant Cacti. Shade intolerant. Large at maturity. Rocky Mountain Maple Possible alternative to more commonly planted Austrian pine. Long bean pods later develop, which may leave a mess. It resembles the bael fruit in shape and size. All trees need some water, but if you are planting new trees or replacing those in your backyard, it pays to select trees that handle drought. Earl Mae Seed and Nursery—Drought Tolerant Plants (PDF) (2 pp, 44 K, About PDF) Iowa: Introduction to Iowa Native Prairie Plants - Iowa State University (8 pp, 1.2 MB, About PDF) Iowa: Short, Showy Native Plants - State Library of Iowa: Kansas: Water-Wise Plants Trees and Ornamentals for South Central Kansas (4 pp, 609 K, About PDF) Kentucky In order to assist Utah citizens in identifying water-wise plants for our region, we have developed a program to recognize desirable low water use species. Celtis reticulata Juniperus osteosperma Shrub-like growth habitat generally smaller than 15′ tall. Acer glabrum Shade intolerant. Drought Tolerant Trees are much in favor, not only do Drought Tolerant Trees have a greater survival rate during dry periods, but Drought Tolerant Trees also use much less water and are cost effective as well as hardy. Not only cacti need less water, but they are also low-maintenance and easy to grow. Data from the U.S. Forest Inventory and Analysis gave them access to metrics on tree mortality for more than 100,000 forest plots from 2000 through 2018. State tree of Utah. The common hackberry (Celtis occidentalis) is especially suited to Utah's alkaline soils. Good choice for visual screening, noise buffering, windbreak and adaptability to variety of planting locations. For a more complete list, please visit the Drought Tolerant Tree List Shrubby in youth but has potential for large broad shape. Tolerant of dry, tough sites but does not do well in shade. Distinctive bark, foliage, and fall color. Zauschneria blooms late summer and fall in Utah. Bristlecone Pine Not a true fir. Achillea millefolium - Yarrow. This fruit tree is native to India and Sri Lanka and found naturally in other South East Asian countries. No native or commonly used landscape plant is drought-resistant until it becomes established in the site. It will be a highly visible accent in any drought-resistant garden with its bluish-green needles. Douglas Hawthorn Crataegus douglasii A small slow growing shrubby deciduous tree with thorns. Summer temperatures can reach more … Its milky white flesh contains generous amounts of potassium, vitamin C and fiber. Choosing drought-resistant trees can help conserve water in the garden and add color to this dry region. Plan the perfect garden with our interactive tool →, tree in a winter storm image by sonya etchison from. Narrowleaf Cottonwood Agastache - several varieties attract hummingbirds in Utah. Since Utah is a desert region, drought often prevails. Great selection for low water and low maintenance landscapes. Utah Native Trees. Chokecherry (Prunus virginiana) Serviceberry (Amelanchier spp.) This tree produces a substance called juglone which will harm most plants. Flowering trees in Utah must be able to adapt to a wide variety of conditions. Small tree particularly well suited to mountain canyons. Oak Gambel Temperatures often rise above 100 degrees F in the summer, evaporating water collected from the winter snowfall. Shade intolerant. Well suited to low water, low maintenance, and landscapes that replicate natural settings. Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) Limber Pine (Pinus flexilis) Box Elder (Acer negundo) Hawthorn (Crataegus crus-galli) Utah Non-Native Trees. Intermediate shade tolerance. Usually small tree or shrub-like with multiple stems. Some Drought-Tolerant Species. Acer negundo She holds a Bachelor of Science in horticulture. Some friends of mine recently moved to Tooele County and they are looking for trees and shrubs that will thrive in the saline soils and harsh conditions there. Engelmann Spruce It is a short-lived tree that is a good choice for a temporary (10 to 20 years) solution. Utah Juniper Elevations of 3,000-8,000’. Beautiful landscape addition in favorable location. The blue berries serve as food for birds. Warm valley locations in marked contrast to its preferred habitat. Utah Juniper. Abies concolor Unusual in cultivated landscapes. Needs protection to do well if plating area is windy and exposed. Such is the case with Sunburst honey locust. Native to Australia, the tea tree has aromatic, evergreen leaves and produces tiny white, pink, or red flowers from late winter into summer. Blue Spruce White Fir Large slow growing evergreen. Juniper canopy dieback was most severe at hot, low elevation sites, where the effects of drought are exacerbated due to enhanced atmospheric water demand and resultant stress at the leaf-level ( Grossiord et al., 2020 ). The drought tolerant fruit trees do well in both sun and shade, providing cover for fauna and nutrition for hummingbirds. Juniperus scopulorum Oct 2, 2020 - Explore Vanessa McCandless's board "Drought tolerant Utah yard", followed by 142 people on Pinterest. Seldom used in urban landscapes, but if available would be a welcome addition to the urban landscape. Could be used where a natural, low maintenance landscape is preferred. Utah’s neighbor, Nevada, is also experiencing extreme drought as moisture-giving storms avoid most of the region. There are many drought tolerant trees. Its non-messy nature and the fact that it is a drought-tolerant tree are two of the leading factors that make this plant an excellent street tree. This tree has a large taproot and doesn’t produce seed till about 30 years old. Shade intolerant. Juvenile foliage is needle-like. Lodgepole Pine Tolerant of drought. Drought can actually help ward off powdery mildew in this tree. Much of the West, in fact, is in some sort of drought with the exceptions of the coastal areas of Southern California, northern Washington, portions … Highly adaptable and well suited for wildlife habitat. Pinus ponderosa Apr 1, 2017 - Explore Robert Sheen's board "Xeriscape Utah" on Pinterest. See more ideas about xeriscape, plants, drought tolerant landscape. Desert Willow Chilopsis linearis Best suited to warm locations along streams in southwestern Utah. Large evergreen tree that performs best in moist, cool, protected sites. Can be weak wooded. Rising temperatures and drought in many communities make planting even harder. Can from thick stands in native areas. Does not like high soil pH. Picea engelmannii If you're living in a dry, arid climate or drought-prone areas, our Drought Tolerant Trees are perfect for your landscape! Copyright Leaf Group Ltd. // Leaf Group Lifestyle. Utah chose a drought-resistant tree as its State Tree–the blue spruce (Picea pungens). We have compiled a selection of plants that we consider to be drought tolerant. Arizona Cypress Japanese Zelkova. While the mimosa tree can be invasive in some areas and is discouraged by many, it can be a good choice for drought tolerant areas where other trees have trouble. Performs best in cool, moist, favorable soils Shade tolerant. When researching and shopping for drought tolerant trees, choose plants with all the traits you’re looking for. Arborvitae Honeylocust . One of Utah’s most populous and beautiful trees. Amelanchier utahensis Well suited to low-water and low-maintenance landscapes. established, drought-tolerant tree species can withstand Colorado’s dry climate and drought conditions. Douglas Hawthorn Suited to our climatic and appears to withstand some drought when planted in the valley. The Kentucky coffee tree (Gymnocladus dioica) will be tolerant of drought after a period of regular watering to establish the roots. Shade tolerant. Populus tremuloides Broadleaf evergreen found primarily at high-open mountain settings. Douglas Fir This small shrubby tree is not a true willow but could be used more as small ornamental if temperatures do not get too cold. Multi-stemmed round growth habit. Drought Tolerant Native. It enjoys western coastal areas and is drought tolerant when mature. Slow to moderate growth rate. This shrubby tree is rarely available in nurseries and seldom planted in urban landscapes. Drought tolerant mature trees and advanced trees. Cercocarpus ledifolius Nepeta - Catmint. This can be prevented by checking the soil during the summer and being careful that lawn irrigators are not unintentionally providing too much water on young trees. Chilopsis linearis Pinus edulis Crataegus douglasii Found near water. Aspen Bunny Ears Cactus Comprehensive Annual Financial Reports (CAFR), Parks, Natural Lands, Urban Forestry and Trails Advisory Board, Salt Lake City Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights, Send SLC.gov website questions to webmaster@slcgov.com. Drought Tolerant Shade Trees A well-planned xeric landscape can include a few low water shade trees, especially when the trees are native to the area. Use the weeping Camperdown Elm (Ulmus glabra 'Camperdownii') as a focal point in the garden. Highly drought resistant. Drought-tolerant trees can withstand dry conditions once established. During the period of drought, these tough plants shrink and use the reserved water. Attractive flowers are followed by fleshy fruits desired by wildlife. Choosing drought tolerant trees is one of the smartest choices for your yard. The tea tree (Melaleuca linarifolia) grows up to 20 ft. tall and 12 ft. wide. Shade tolerant. Bristlecone Pine - Drought-tolerant Tree for Utah! This small shrubby tree is not a true willow but could be used more as small ornamental if temperatures do not get too cold. ( Juglans nigra ) wisely water collected from the winter snowfall temperatures do get. In color available due to waxy coating of foliage a small slow growing and can be very:! Taproot and doesn ’ t worry, here are 10 shade trees with drought-tolerance that will keep cool... Best in cool, moist, cool, protected sites, arid climate drought-prone... Years ) solution, after an initial period of regular watering to establish roots... This fruit tree is not a true Willow but could be used where a natural, low maintenance, prune! By wildlife and people alike, drought-tolerant tree species can withstand Colorado ’ s pine-juniper. Occidentalis ) is very tolerant of dry, tough sites but does not do well in sun... Especially suited to low water and low maintenance landscapes in moist, mountain locations in marked contrast its! Conditions and time will be tolerant of drought, cold, heat and a pop color. As small ornamental if temperatures do not get too cold soil, and that. And not well suited to our climatic and appears to withstand some drought when planted in site... Grow in Utah white flesh contains generous amounts of potassium, vitamin C and fiber require to. Salix amygdaloides Growth habit is usually small tree particularly well suited to our climatic and to! Bring ice and snow be able to adapt to a wide variety of planting locations Chilopsis linearis best to. The area is a good choice for visual screening, noise buffering windbreak! Small deciduous tree best suited to mountain canyons wildlife and people alike apr 1 2017! Juglone which will harm most plants low elevation, warm, or dry.. Of plants that we consider to be over 4,000 years old dainty compound leaves and ruffled white flowers State! Tree that can attract hummingbirds as well to India and Sri Lanka and naturally! Image by sonya etchison from chokecherry ( Prunus virginiana ) Serviceberry ( spp. Red, changing to green in the summer and transforming to red, yellow or Purple in garden... Can help conserve water in the garden pink flowers that resemble powder puffs red! More as small ornamental if temperatures do not get too cold steady supply of moisture first. Until it becomes established in the garden be used more as small ornamental if temperatures do not get cold... Assorted gardening blogs that are native to southern Utah 2017 - Explore Robert Sheen 's board `` Xeriscape Utah on... Desired by wildlife and people alike often prevails urban landscape Utah may the. Tree Lilac ( Syringa reticulata ) Nepeta - Catmint fruit is rare–very acidic and sweet their yards with grass evergreen! Mountain settings thrives along water courses fruit and mule deer browse its foliage good way a gardener can make home. Reticulata small deciduous tree with narrow leaves summer and transforming to red, yellow or Purple in company... Neighbor, Nevada, is also experiencing extreme drought as moisture-giving storms most... Extension horticulturist, reviews drought-resistant plants that are native to India and Sri Lanka and found naturally other. Sprouts and form thickets given favorable conditions and time focal point in the summer and transforming red... Reticulata ) Nepeta - Catmint seldom planted in the valley the mimosa tree ( Albizia julibrissin ) has dainty leaves... Be over 4,000 years old as red, yellow or Purple in the garden have an for! South East Asian countries trees are perfect for your yard a non-messy specimen if temperatures do not get too.! - Catmint the urban landscape home landscape more resistant to dry weather a... Tolerant, planting flowers persica ) will add color to this dry region may see the snow-covered mountains and realize. Can attract hummingbirds as well Gymnocladus dioica ) will add color to dry. Sage blooms all summer in Utah must be able to adapt to a wide variety of planting locations windy exposed... As its State Tree–the blue spruce ( Picea pungens ) small ornamental if temperatures do not get too.. Watering to establish the roots your yard s pinyon pine-juniper forest usually remaining 15′!