- Five Best Native Trees to Plant in Denver<\/a>
- Colorado Blue Spruce: Large and Strong<\/a><\/li>
- Gambel Oak: Small and Hardy<\/a><\/li>
- Limber Pine: Slow and Flexible<\/a><\/li>
- Wasatch Maple: Colorful and Tasty<\/a><\/li>
- Ponderosa Pine: Huge and Thick<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- When to Call a Professional: The Options<\/a><\/li>
- FAQs: The Hardiness Scale and More<\/a><\/li><\/ul> \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><\/div>
Five Best Native Trees to Plant in Denver<\/h2>
1. Colorado Blue Spruce: Large and Strong<\/h3>
![\"rsz_2015-05-18_13_01_32_blue_spruce_new_growth_along_terrace_boulevard_in_ewing_new_jersey\"](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/rsz_2015-05-18_13_01_32_blue_spruce_new_growth_along_terrace_boulevard_in_ewing_new_jersey.jpg\")
Colorado (blue) spruce.
Photo Credit: Famartin<\/a> \/ Wikimedia Commons \/ CC by SA 4.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>The Colorado blue spruce, Colorado\u2019s state tree, is a great native species to plant in the Denver metro area. It was found<\/a> growing high up in the Rocky Mountains in 1862, then spread quickly, becoming one of the most widely planted landscape trees.<\/p>
Note:<\/strong> Denver sits in the USDA hardiness zones<\/a> 5b-6a.<\/p>
Scientific name:<\/strong> Picea pungens<\/em>
Recommended altitude:<\/strong> 4,000-9,500 feet
Hardiness zones:<\/strong> 2-7a<\/a>
Sun:<\/strong> Full sun to partial shade
Soil:<\/strong> Loam or clay, high organic material, well-draining soil
Mature size:<\/strong> 30-60 feet tall; 15-25 feet wide
Moisture requirements:<\/strong> Moderate to high
Foliage:<\/strong> Evergreen (green through year with little dropoff of leaves)<\/p>Descriptions<\/h4>
- Sports stiff branches<\/strong> that grow horizontal to the ground. <\/li>
- Stiffly bristled needles<\/strong> come off the branches in all directions.<\/li>
- Its needles are<\/strong> green to blue-green to silver-blue.<\/li> <\/ul>
Concerns<\/h4>
![\"Dr.](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Dr-James-Klett-CSU-extension.png\")
Dr. James Klett<\/figcaption><\/figure> - Keep it away from power lines<\/strong>. The Colorado blue spruce may grow 30 to 60 feet tall with a crown width of 15 to 25 feet. \u201cAs homes in the metro area get smaller, many cannot accommodate these large trees,\u201d says Dr. James Klett of Colorado State University\u2019s Extension office.<\/li>
- It prefers moist areas<\/strong>. \u201cThe Colorado spruce also needs a little more moisture than other native trees,\u201d Klett says. However, the state tree is the most tolerant to drought<\/a> of the spruces. <\/li>
- Burns fast<\/strong> when used as firewood, but is good for kindling<\/li> <\/ul>
Advantages<\/h4>
- Some drought tolerance<\/strong> after establishment.<\/li>
- Can resist strong winds<\/strong> during our rough winters. <\/li>
- Grows in a variety of soil types <\/strong>including acidic, loamy, moist, sandy, well-drained and clay soils.<\/li> <\/ul>
2. Gambel Oak: Small and Hardy<\/h3>
![\"Gambel](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/rsz_quercus_gambelii_gambel_oak_warner_point_trail_black_canyon_of_the_gunnison_national_park_colorado_usa_3_19686233959-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: James St. <\/a>John<\/a> \/ Wikimedia Commons \/ CC BY 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> The Gambel Oak, also known as the Scrub Oak, is moving into urban areas as a popular tree for yards and parks<\/a>, especially if electrical lines are a concern. \u201cThough it\u2019s a small tree, it\u2019s a good choice for privacy and can withstand cold and drought,\u201d Klett says.<\/p>
Scientific name:<\/strong> Quercus gambelii<\/em>
Recommended altitude:<\/strong> 4,000 \u2013 8,500 feet
Hardiness zones:<\/strong> 3-9<\/a>
Sun:<\/strong> Full sun
Soil:<\/strong> Tolerates rocky, alkaline soil
Mature size:<\/strong> 20-30 feet tall; 15 feet wide
Moisture requirements:<\/strong> Low to moderate
Foliage:<\/strong> Deciduous tree (color changes with the seasons and leaves fall off)<\/p>Descriptions<\/h4>
- Smaller than other oaks<\/strong>, peaking at 15 feet in height. A slow to moderate growth rate.<\/li>
- Fall color is notable. <\/strong>Even one or two in a garden<\/a> can splash red, orange, yellow and brown come the changing of the season.<\/li>
- A deep, extensive root system<\/strong>, it rarely reproduces from acorns, instead generating sprouts from that root system. <\/li>
- Fuzzy trichome hairs on the underside of its leaves<\/strong> enable the scrub oak to withstand<\/a> intense sunlight and drought.<\/li> <\/ul>
Concerns<\/h4>
- Scrub oaks send out prolific runners<\/strong> from lignotubers<\/a>, which is why some homeowners have mixed opinions about planting them.<\/li>
- Freezing can make the scrub oak toxic<\/strong>. Young foliage that has turned black during freezing can be extremely toxic. <\/li>
- Consistent pruning<\/strong> is needed to keep the scrub oak from crowding other plants.<\/li> <\/ul>
Advantages<\/h4>
- An excellent windbreak<\/strong> when aligned in a row. <\/li>
- Resprouts after a fire <\/strong>or any other event that kills the parts that are above ground<\/a>, something that not all tree species can do.<\/li>
- A major food source<\/strong> for the Colorado hairstreak butterfly. <\/li>
- The acorns are eaten<\/strong> by livestock and wildlife.
<\/li> <\/ul>3. Limber Pine: Slow and Flexible<\/h3>
![\"Limber](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/limber-pine-pinus-flexilis-matt-lavin-ccsa20.jpg\")
Limber pine.
Photo Credit: Matt Lavin<\/a> \/ Flickr \/ CC BY-SA 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>The limber pine is a slow-growing, medium-sized evergreen tree. This Colorado native is found throughout the West, spanning from southern Alberta and British Columbia to New Mexico. <\/p>
Scientific name:<\/strong> Pinus flexilis<\/em>
Recommended altitude:<\/strong> 4,000 \u2013 10,00 feet
Hardiness zones:<\/strong> 4-7<\/a>
Sun:<\/strong> Full sun
Soil:<\/strong> Tolerates a range of soils, from moist and well-draining to dry and rocky
Mature size:<\/strong> 30-50 feet tall; 25-40 feet wide
Moisture requirements:<\/strong> Low to moderate
Foliage:<\/strong> Evergreen (green through year with little dropoff of leaves)<\/p>Descriptions<\/h4>
- Also known as <\/strong>the Colorado white pine. An ornamental tree.<\/li>
- Gets its name <\/strong>from the flexible branches found on juvenile trees.<\/li>
- Soft, blue-green needles<\/strong> grow to 3.5 inches long and in bundles of five.<\/li>
- Will reach 30- to 50-feet tall<\/strong>. Its crown is pyramid-shaped when young, eventually becoming flat-topped. A hardy tree.<\/li> <\/ul>
Concerns<\/h4>
- Slow growth rate. <\/strong>Grows slower than many other evergreens.<\/li>
- White pine blister rust <\/strong>is starting to spread through limber pine populations. It causes cankers that spread (sporulate) and will kill the tree. An outbreak in northwestern Montana<\/a> left one-third of limber pine stands dead with 75% of the other trees infected.<\/li>
- Air circulation around its canopy<\/strong> helps, so it should not be<\/a> planted in tight groups.<\/li> <\/ul>
Advantages<\/h4>
- Withstands salt and winterburn<\/strong> better than other evergreens, not losing as much of its moisture to the material used to de-ice roads or to the winter sun and winds<\/a>.<\/li>
- Drought-tolerant<\/strong> to a degree, especially after it has been established.<\/li>
- Excellent windbreaks<\/strong>. Homeowners find the flexible branches can withstand high winds in summer and heavy snowfall in the winter.<\/li>
- A food source<\/strong> for a variety of birds and squirrels. Seeds buried for later but forgotten become seedlings far from the parent tree<\/li> <\/ul>
4. Wasatch Maple: Colorful and Tasty<\/h3>
![\"Wasatch](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/rsz_bigtoothmaple0309210085.jpg\")
Wasatch Maple
Photo Credit: Scott Catron<\/a> \/ Wikimedia Commons \/ CC BY-SA 3.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>If you\u2019re looking for some fall color in your yard, the Wasatch maple is an excellent choice. Also known as the canyon maple or the bigtooth maple, this tree produces foliage<\/a> that rivals a sugar maple. In addition to its fall beauty, it\u2019s tolerant of the cold, can handle a drought, and can even be tapped for sugar production.<\/p>
Scientific name:<\/strong> Acer grandidentatum<\/em>
Recommended altitude:<\/strong> 4,500 \u2013 7,000 feet
Hardiness zones:<\/strong> 5-8<\/a>
Sun:<\/strong> Full sun to partial shade
Soil: <\/strong>Silty loams are most common; textures range from medium to rocky
Mature size:<\/strong> 30-40 feet tall; 20-30 feet wide
Moisture requirements:<\/strong> Low to moderate
Foliage:<\/strong> Deciduous tree (color changes with the seasons and leaves fall off)<\/p>Descriptions<\/h4>
- Also known as<\/strong> the canyon maple or the bigtooth maple.<\/li>
- Adapts well <\/strong>to different types of soil and moisture. <\/li>
- Tooth-like leaves<\/strong> are dark green in the summer, changing in the fall to vivid yellow to red. <\/li>
- Can provide a backdrop<\/strong> in a garden, especially one that is the subject to design and layout. Fall color is excellent.<\/li> <\/ul>
Concerns<\/h4>
- A fairly slow growth rate.<\/strong> But mature trees will reach 30 to 40 feet tall and 10 inches in trunk diameter. <\/li>
- Hard to find.<\/strong> The Wasatch maple is inconsistent at germination and is slow growing, so growers tend not to develop it.<\/li>
- Vulnerable to dieback<\/strong> when transplanted, especially to urban areas.<\/li> <\/ul>
Advantages<\/h4>
- Tolerant of the cold<\/strong>, the Wasatch maple is a hardy tree down to -30 degrees Fahrenheit. <\/li>
- Can grow in semi-shade <\/strong>or no shade. It provides shade<\/a> underneath, too. An ornamental tree.<\/li>
- Will withstand a drought<\/strong>, let alone water restrictions.<\/li>
- The sap is rich in sugar <\/strong>and can be made into a drink or concentrated into a syrup by boiling off the water. It is closely related to the sugar maple.<\/li> <\/ul>
5. Ponderosa Pine: Huge and Thick<\/h3>
![\"Pinus](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/rsz_25571166908_2eace3d34b_k.jpg\")
Ponderosa Pine
Photo Credit: James St. John<\/a> \/ Flickr \/ CC BY 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>The ponderosa pine is one of the most widely distributed tree species in the West due to its high drought tolerance. Historically, Native Americans used the bark and resin for food and medicinal purposes. Today, ponderosa pine<\/a> forests are valued for their role in livestock grazing, timber production, and as habitat for deer and wild animals.<\/p>
- Can grow in semi-shade <\/strong>or no shade. It provides shade<\/a> underneath, too. An ornamental tree.<\/li>
- Hard to find.<\/strong> The Wasatch maple is inconsistent at germination and is slow growing, so growers tend not to develop it.<\/li>
- Adapts well <\/strong>to different types of soil and moisture. <\/li>
- Drought-tolerant<\/strong> to a degree, especially after it has been established.<\/li>
- White pine blister rust <\/strong>is starting to spread through limber pine populations. It causes cankers that spread (sporulate) and will kill the tree. An outbreak in northwestern Montana<\/a> left one-third of limber pine stands dead with 75% of the other trees infected.<\/li>
- Gets its name <\/strong>from the flexible branches found on juvenile trees.<\/li>
- Resprouts after a fire <\/strong>or any other event that kills the parts that are above ground<\/a>, something that not all tree species can do.<\/li>
- Freezing can make the scrub oak toxic<\/strong>. Young foliage that has turned black during freezing can be extremely toxic. <\/li>
- Fall color is notable. <\/strong>Even one or two in a garden<\/a> can splash red, orange, yellow and brown come the changing of the season.<\/li>
- Can resist strong winds<\/strong> during our rough winters. <\/li>
- It prefers moist areas<\/strong>. \u201cThe Colorado spruce also needs a little more moisture than other native trees,\u201d Klett says. However, the state tree is the most tolerant to drought<\/a> of the spruces. <\/li>
- Stiffly bristled needles<\/strong> come off the branches in all directions.<\/li>
- Gambel Oak: Small and Hardy<\/a><\/li>
- Colorado Blue Spruce: Large and Strong<\/a><\/li>
![John<\/a> \/ Wikimedia Commons \/](\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Quercus_gambelii_%28Gambel_oak%29_%28Warner_Point_Trail,_Black_Canyon_of_the_Gunnison_National_Park,_Colorado,_USA%29_3_%2819686233959%29.jpg\"){kind=link}