Recommended Trees for

Colorado Front Range

Communities
A Guide for Selecting, Planting, and Caring For Trees
 Do Not Top Your Trees!

http://csfs.colostate.edu

www.coloradotrees.org

Trees that have been topped may become hazardous and unsightly.

Avoid topping trees. Topping leads to:

• Starvation
www.fs.fed.us • Shock
• Insects and diseases
• Weak limbs
• Rapid new growth
• Tree death
• Ugliness
Special thanks to the International Society of Arboriculture for • Increased maintenance costs
providing details and drawings for this brochure.
Eastern redcedar* (Juniperus virginiana) Tree Selection
Very hardy tree, excellent windbreak tree, green summer foliage, rusty brown in
the winter Tree selection is one of the most important investment decisions a
home owner makes when landscaping a new home or replacing a
Rocky Mountain juniper* (Juniperus scopulorum) tree lost to damage or disease. Most trees can outlive the people
Very hardy tree, excellent windbreak tree who plant them, therefore the impact of this decision is one that
can influence a lifetime. Matching the tree to the site is critical; the
following site and tree demands should be considered before
buying and planting a tree.
Trees to avoid! Site Considerations
Selecting the right tree for the right place can help reduce the potential • Available space above and below ground
for catastrophic loss of trees by insects, disease or environmental
factors. We can’t control the weather, but we can use discernment in • Water availability
selecting trees to plant. A variety of tree species should be planted so no • Drainage
single species represents more than 10-15 percent of a community’s • Soil texture and pH
total tree population. Many trees are not recommended because of • Sunlight levels/exposure
brittle wood, susceptibility to insects and diseases, or their ability to
spread in to native ecosystems and out-compete native species, while • Weather and other environmental factors
others simply do not grow well in our climate. The following is a list of
tree species NOT recommended for the Front Range of Colorado: Tree Considerations
Species NOT recommended • Growth rate of the species selected
Austree (Salix alba x matsudana) • Mature size
Aspen (Populus tremuloides) • Form
Silver maple (Acer saccharinum) • Hardiness – ability of a plant to survive low temperatures
Russian-olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) • Heat tolerance and drought tolerance
Tree-of-Heaven (Ailanthus altissima) • Pest resistance
Tamarisk (Tamarix spp.) • Maintenance issues
Willows (Salix spp.) • Native vs. non-native species
White-Barked Birches (Betula spp.)
Non-native hybrid poplars/cottonwoods (Populus spp.)
Siberian elm (Ulmus pumila)

vase full-crowned spreading globe columnar pyramidal

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 Selecting Trees at the Nursery Large Evergreens
When you buy a high-quality tree, plant it correctly, and treat it (30 - 60 feet mature height)
properly, you and your tree will benefit greatly for many years.When Do not use as street trees!
you buy a low-quality tree, you and your tree will have many costly
problems even if you take great care in planting and maintenance. Colorado blue spruce (Picea pungens)
Consider the following when selecting a tree at the nursery: State tree, sharp stiff needles, color of needles range from
bright green to silver blue
• Tree should appear healthy. No discolored bark, wilted
leaves, etc. Austrian pine* (Pinus nigra) Colorado
• Branches should be spaced evenly around the trunk Long needle pine, works well in a windbreak blue spruce
• Tree trunk should taper from a solid base, gradually
becoming more slender towards the top. Concolor (white) fir* (Abies concolor)
Long soft blue-green needles, plant in a protected
• Tree foliage and branches should be distributed on site, shade and drought tolerant
upper 2/3 of tree.
Basal
• Tree should contain a central, dominant leader. trunk
Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris)
flare Short needle pine, orange bark with age White fir
• Tree should be free from mechanical damage.
• Tree should be free from insects and diseases. Ponderosa pine* (Pinus ponderosa)
• Roots should not be girdling, circling or potbound. Long needle pine, native to Colorado, hardy tree

Southwestern white pine* (Pinus strobiformis)

Soft, dark bluish-green needles, native to Colorado
Tree Planting Tips
• Plant the top of the root ball slightly above ground level. The root Limber pine* (Pinus flexilis) Ponderosa
collar (flare) must be visible one inch above final grade. 5-needle pine with rounded top, informal habit, blue-green pine
• Set root ball on solid ground and not on loose backfill in the hole; needles with silvery bark
this will eliminate settling.
• Remove at least the top 1/2 of all wire and baskets from balled and
burlapped trees and completely remove containers from Small evergreens
containerized stock. (15 - 25 feet mature height)
• Adding peat moss or manure to soil in the planting hole is not
necessary. (Too much can cause a “potted tree” effect and Piñon* (Pinus edulis)
restrict root growth.) Backfill hole with original soil. Dense, bushy pine, short grayish-green needles, getting hit hard by Ips beetle in
parts of State
• Do not fertilize at planting time.
• Optimum planting periods are from March 15 to June 15 and from Bristlecone pine* (Pinus aristata)
September 1 to October 15. Bushy dark green needles, very slow growing

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Hawthorn species* (Crataegus spp.) • Use mulch 3–4 inches deep, pull back 6 inches from the trunk of
Flowers in the spring, small fruit produced, most varieties contain small thorns the tree, and extend the mulch ring one foot beyond the root ball.
This will protect roots, hold soil moisture, reduce weed growth, and
Crabapple species* (Malus spp.) provide a protective strip to eliminate mechanical damage from
Flowers in the spring, most varieties produce fruit, select a variety that has a
high resistance to fire blight
lawnmowers and weedeaters. Porous landscape cloth may be
placed between the soil and the mulch. Do not use plastic. Keep
Amur maple* (Acer ginnala) grass and weeds out of mulched area as they compete for the same
Yellow- white flowers, abundant seed, orange to red fall color, does better in resources as your new tree.
lower pH soils
• If necessary, stake tree properly to keep root ball from shifting.
Main tree stem must be able to sway slightly; if it is too rigid, root
Tatarian maple* (Acer tataricum)
Winged seeds good for birds, fall color orange-red, hardy tree growth, diameter of stem, and height growth will be adversely
affected.
Serviceberry (Amelanchier spp.) • Use wide straps for tying trees to stakes. Do not use wire, string,
Small trees or large shrubs with showy white flowers and edible fruits rope, or rubber hose around tree.
Gambel (scrub) oak* (Quercus gambelii) • Remove stakes and straps after roots are established, usually one or
Native acorn-producing oak with great variability in size and shape two growing seasons.
• Keep soil moist but not
Japanese tree lilac (Syringa reticulata) saturated.
Creamy, white flower clusters with showy, dark bark

Callery pear* (Pyrus calleryana)

Brilliant display of showy, white flowers in spring, glossy green leaves that
change to red in fall, many varieties to choose from but avoid Bradford

Redbud (Cercis canadensis) Use two opposing

Early spring magenta-colored flowers followed by heart-shaped leaves, plant
flexible ties when
only northern strains in protected locations
staking is necessary

European mountain-ash (Sorbus aucuparia) Keep mulch 6" Gently pack back-fill using
Dark green, pinnately compound leaves with silvery undersides, creamy white back from trunk Trunk water to settle soil around
flowers followed by clusters of orange-red fruit flare root ball
3-4" layer
of mulch

Cut burlap and rope

Set ball on firmly
away from top half
packed soil to
of root ball
prevent settling
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 Tree Watering Japanese pagodatree* (Sophora japonica)
Rounded crown, olive green bark, abundant white flowers
The correct amount of water is the most important factor in ensuring
proper tree establishment. Too much water can be as damaging to a Ohio buckeye* (Aesculus glabra)
newly planted tree as too little water, so be sure to periodically check Very similar to horsechestnut with a bit smaller leaves
soil moisture by examining the soil in the area of the roots. Follow these that can occasionally scorch
recommendations to help your tree establish in the landscape: Ohio buckeye
Amur corktree* (Phellodendron amurense)
• Water deeply and slowly. Apply water so it moistens the critical Round broad spreading tree, bark is cork like, leaves dark green on top and
root zone (from near the trunk of the tree to the dripline) to a depth light green on bottom
of twelve inches. Methods for watering include a deep root fork or
needle, soaker hose or soft spray wand. Apply water to many Turkish filbert* (Corylus colurna)
locations under the dripline. If a deep root fork or needle is used, Tolerant of a wide variety of soil conditions, dark green leaves turn yellow in
fall, may produce small nuts in fall
insert the device no deeper than eight inches into the soil.
• Consistent moisture is essential. Maintaining consistent soil Thinleaf alder (Alnus tenuifolia)
moisture allows for better root water absorption. Drought Native tree with medium green leaves turning yellow in fall giving way to
stressed or over-watered trees are more vulnerable to disease cone-like fruits in winter
and insect infestations, as well as branch dieback.
• When should I water? Generally, water a newly planted tree
every 3-5 days during the growing season, depending on
weather and soil conditions. Remember that newly planted
Small Ornamental Trees
trees need water during dry periods in the winter months as (<25 feet mature height)
well. Try to water at least once a month in the dormant season. Canada red cherry* (Prunus virginiana ‘Shubert’)
• How much water should I apply? Utilize the following “rule of White flowers, small fruit, new growth on plant is bright
thumb” for watering: apply 10 gallons of water per inch of tree green and turns maroon, can sucker profusely
diameter, for instance a 1 inch tree will require 10 gallons of water
each time it is watered. For mature trees 10 inches in diameter or Mayday tree (Prunus padus)
White flowers, black drupe fruit, yellow to orange fall color
more, apply 15 gallons of water per inch of tree diameter. Use a
ruler to measure your tree’s diameter.
Ussurian pear* (Pyrus ussuriensis) Ussurian
• Mulch helps conserve soil moisture. Mulch is critical to con- White flowers, small fruit, red wine fall color pear
serve soil moisture. Apply organic mulch within the dripline, at a
depth of three to four inches. It’s best to eliminate turf prior to Canyon maple* (Acer grandidentatum)
adding mulch. Leave a six-inch space between the mulch and trunk Slow growing, Rocky Mountain native, shades of yellow, orange and red in fall
of trees. Mulch materials may include wood chips, bark, leaves and
evergreen needles. Golden raintree* (Koelreuteria paniculata)
Yellow flowers in summer, papery pods, leaves red and turn green

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Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) Tree Pruning
Few insect and disease problems, pretty fall color,
distinctive leaf shape Limit pruning of newly planted trees to corrective pruning. Remove torn
or broken branches (save other pruning measures for the second or
American linden (Tilia americana) third year). Once the tree has established
Excellent street tree, dark green leaves, yellow-green a good root system after planting (usually
fall color within 1 to 3 years), proper pruning is
Black walnut essential in developing a tree with a strong
Black walnut (Juglans nigra) structure and desirable form. Trees that
Edible nuts, great for squirrels and birds, receive the appropriate pruning measures
nuts may create a mess
while they are young will require little
Northern catalpa* (Catalpa speciosa) corrective pruning when they mature.
Fragrant white flowers, pencil sized seedpods, Location of a pruning cut is critical to
large heart shaped leaves Northern catalpa a tree’s response in growth and wound
closure. Pruning cuts should be made Branch Collar
Norway maple (Acer platanoides) pruning cuts should be made
just outside the branch collar. Since the
Shapely tree, leaf color varies with variety, just outside the branch collar
protect from sun scald branch collar contains trunk or parent
branch tissues, the tree will be damaged unnecessarily if you remove or
Sugar maple (Acer saccharum) damage it. In fact, if the cut is large, the tree may suffer permanent
Does better in lower pH soils, glossy dark green leaves internal decay from an improper pruning cut.
turn to reds, oranges and yellows in fall
Norway maple For most young trees, maintain a single dominant leader. Do not prune
back the tip of this leader. Do not allow secondary branches to outgrow
Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis)
the leader. Sometimes a tree will develop double leaders known as co-
Fast growing and long-lived, distinctive mottled brown,
green, tan and white bark, prefers floodplain type soils dominant stems. These can lead to structural weaknesses, so it is best
to remove one while the tree is young. A good structure of primary
Horsechestnut* (Aesculus hippocastanum) scaffold branches should be established while the tree is young. The
Greenish-yellow flowers, prickly seed pod, scaffold branches provide the framework of the mature tree. Properly
yellow to orange fall color trained young trees will develop a strong structure that will require less
Horsechestnut
corrective pruning as they mature. The goal in training young trees is to
establish a strong trunk with sturdy well-spaced branches.

Medium Shade Trees

(30 - 45 feet mature height)

Littleleaf linden (Tilia cordata)

Yellow flower clusters, pea sized fruit, formal pyramidal
form, excellent street tree
Littleleaf
linden
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 Need Help? Recommended Trees for Colorado Front
This booklet does not provide all information, on all trees, for all Range Communities
locations. Each tree species has its own particular needs. The Colorado *Signifies trees that can withstand drier conditions
Tree Coalition strongly urges you to contact your local tree expert for
more information, please call your:
Large Shade Trees
• Community tree board (>50 feet mature height)
• City Forester
• City’s Parks Department English oak (Quercus robur)
Produces acorns, rounded crown, dark green leaves turn
• Arborist brown and remain on tree through winter
• Forestry Consultant
Hackberry* (Celtis occidentalis)
• Tree Nursery Very hardy, can be susceptible to nipple gall, a cosmetic
• Colorado State University Cooperative Extension injury, reddish purple cherry like berries
• Colorado State Forest Service District Office Hackberry
Chinkapin oak* (Quercus muehlenbergii)
Produces acorns, tolerant of alkaline soils, attractive glossy
leaves

Bur oak* (Quercus macrocarpa)

Produces acorns, fall color yellow to brown and
occasionally red, very hardy and long lived

Swamp white oak (Quercus bicolor)

Produces acorns, deep green leaves white underneath, not
Honeylocust
tolerant of high pH soils

Shumard oak (Quercus shumardii)

Produces acorns, fall color yellow, brown to red

Honeylocust* (Gleditsia triacanthos inermis)

Hardy trees, dark green, fern-like leaves, yellow fall color

Kentucky coffeetree* (Gymnocladus dioica)

Fragrant white flowers, persistent seed pods can be produced,
large shade tree, no known pest problems Kentucky
coffeetree
American elm (Ulmus americana)
Disease-resistant cultivars can be very hardy, broad shaped
crown, excellent street tree
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