Quick facts…
- Trees provide shade, beauty, and protection from harsh winter winds.
- Trees help moderate temperature extremes and offset poor air quality.
- Plant trees based on space available, soil conditions, proximity to irrigation lines, and water requirements.
- Plant trees that are prone to storm damage away from buildings, walks, and driveways.
Everyone enjoys the beauty a shade tree provides. Trees also reduce harsh winds, moderate temperature extremes, and offset poor air quality.
How to Select a Tree
To select a deciduous tree, consider the following factors:
Available space. The location you choose for each tree should have enough space to allow for growth without severe pruning. Check for obstructions of buildings, overhead utility lines, and tall fences. If lateral space is limited, select a tree that has a narrow, upright growth habit. The tree list in Table 1 documents height, branch spread, and shape. If overhead powerlines are a factor in the planting site, consider smaller trees.
Soil conditions. Most trees perform best in well-drained soil. Dig a saucer-shaped hole that is at least twice (preferably three times) the width of the root ball. Remove soil from the top of the root ball to expose the root flare if not visible. When planting, make sure the first root is at or one inch above the soil grade. Planting trees too deeply can lead to long-term problems.
Irrigation lines. If you have an underground irrigation system, plant trees to allow for the tree trunk and basal root flare to expand without encroaching on an irrigation pipe. Otherwise, tree roots may eventually compress the pipe and shut off the irrigation line.
Growth rates vs. brittleness. As a general rule, fast-growing trees tend to be brittle and can be damaged by wind and snow loads. Plant these trees away from buildings, sidewalks, driveways, and utility lines.
Water requirements. Trees vary in water requirements, but all newly planted trees will need regular irrigation until established. Do not plant trees that have low water needs in heavily irrigated lawn areas or at the bottom of slopes. Plant trees with high water requirements in locations where supplemental watering is possible. In dry years, fall and winter watering is critical to the health of trees. Trees under drought stress are more susceptible to insects and diseases.
Description of Tree Shapes
The following tree shapes describe the general outline of the trees in the accompanying tree list. Use figures 1-7 in combination with tree height and width to determine proper location of trees and ensure adequate clearance from obstacles.
Figure 1: Columnar. Sides more or less parallel, much taller than broad.
Figure 4: Conical. Cone-shaped. Broad at base, tapering to a narrow top.
Figure 6: Upright spreading. A narrow vase shape.
Figure 2: Weeping. Branches tend to bend downward.
Figure 5: Broad spreading. A wide vase shape.
Figure 7: Elliptical. More tall than broad, widest branching at or near the middle.
Figure 3: Round or globe. About as broad as tall.
Table 1 – Large deciduous trees for shade:
| Plant Name | Tree Shape | Growth Rate1 | Soil Moisture2 | Aesthetic Value and Cultural Hints |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acer negundo ‘Sensation’ | rounded | f | L-M | Red fall color, male Tolerant of alkaline soils and harsh sites. |
| Acer plantanoides Norway maple | rounded | m | M | Dark green, dense foliage. Yellow fall color, subject to leaf scorch in dry conditions and limited rooting situations. |
| ‘Columnare’ | columnar | m-f | M | Good for tight, narrow locations. Street tree. |
| ‘Crimson King’ | rounded | m-f | M | Maroon foliage during the summer. Good as a street tree or in a larger yard. Intolerant to urban pollution. |
| ‘Crimson Sentry’ | columnar | m | M | Compact, upright growth. Purple foliage year round. |
| ‘Deborah’ | rounded | m | M | Red foliage changes to green in summer. Straight leader. |
| EMERALD LUSTER® | rounded | m | M | Dark green foliage in summer. Tolerant of urban pollution. |
| ‘Emerald Queen’ | rounded | m | M | Dark green foliage with dense branching habit. |
| ‘Fairview’ | rounded | m | M | New leaves emerge reddish-purple, maturing dark green in summer. |
| ‘Royal Red’ | rounded | m | M | Dark, glossy red foliage all summer. Similar to Crimson King but more cold hardy. |
| Acer rubrum Red maple | conical | f | H | Red flowers in early spring. Red fall color. Avoid very alkaline soils. |
| Red Pointe® | pyramidal | m-f | H | Red flowers in early spring. Superior red fall foliage. Avoid very alkaline soils. |
| ‘Red Sunset’ | broad, conical | f | H | Red flowers in early spring. Red fall color. Avoid very alkaline soils. |
| Acer saccharum Sugar maple | oval | s | H | Red-orange fall color. Prefers improved well-drained soils. |
| GREEN MOUNTAIN® | oval | s-m | H | Thick waxy leaves resist scorch and retain summer color. Tolerates dry soils. Red-orange fall color. |
| LEGACY® | oval | s-m | H | Dark-green glossy leaves; fall color can be red, orange, and yellow. |
| FALL FIESTA® | rounded | m | H | Fast growing, more heat tolerant. Red-orange fall color. |
| ‘John Pair’ | rounded | s | L-M | More tolerant of alkaline soil. Excellent fall color. |
| ‘Autumn Splendor’ | rounded | s | L-M | Good heat and drought resistance; green summer foliage turns yellow, orange, and red in fall. |
| FLASHFIRE® | rounded | s | L-M | Dark green summer foliage, with brilliant red, early fall color. |
| Aesculus glabra Ohio buckeye | broad, rounded | m | M | Red-orange-yellow fall color. Cream colored flowers in terminal clusters in spring. Nut-like fruit. |
| Aesculus hippocastanum Horsechestnut | broad, conical | s | M | Large clusters of white flowers in late spring. Spiny fruit. Best used in large open lawn areas. |
| Betula pendula ‘Gracilis’ Cutleaf weeping birch | elliptical | m | H | Yellow fall color. Plant where soil stays cool and moist. Avoid south and west exposures. White bark. Fall and winter watering important. |
| Betula nigra Heritage® | rounded | m | H | Exfoliating bark, yellow fall color. Fall and winter watering important. |
| Carpinus betulus ‘Fastigiata’ | narrow, columnar | s | H | Dark green foliage much like elm. Plant where soil stays cool. Avoid south or west exposures. Muscle-like trunk. Air pollution tolerant. |
| European hornbeam ‘Frans Fontaine’ | narrow, columnar | s | H | Narrow form maintained into maturity. |
| Catalpa speciosa Northern catalpa | narrow, upright | s | M | Showy, white, orchid-like flowers in early summer. Bean-like pods often remain on trees all winter. Large heart-shaped leaves. |
| HEARTLAND® | narrow, upright | s | M | Upright growth habit; more suitable for landscape and street uses. |
| Celtis occidentalis Common hackberry | broad, spreading | m | L | Adapts to most soils. Yellow fall color. Warty bark. Drought and wind tolerant. Small red to purple fruit. |
| PRAIRIE SENTINEL® | columnar | m | L | A good choice for narrow spots, including city streets; adaptable to heat, drought, and cold. |
| Cladrastris kentukea American yellowwood | round | m | M | Fragrant white flowers in late spring followed by 4 inch seed pods. Tolerant of most soils. |
| Gleditsia triacanthos inermis Thornless honeylocust | variable | m | M | Seedling selection. Not always thornless. |
| IMPERIAL® | rounded | m | M | Foliage is fern-like and bright green. Thornless. May produce pods. |
| NORTHERN ACCLAIM® | rounded | m | M | Podless and thornless; minimal fall leaf litter and tolerant of urban landscapes. |
| SHADEMASTER® | broad, spreading | m | M | Dark green, ferny foliage. Podless and thornless. Upright branches. |
| SKYLINE® | broad, conical | m | M | Dark green foliage. Uniform upright branching. Thornless and essentially podless. |
| SUNBURST® | variable | m | M | Yellow-tipped foliage. May be more prone to diseases. Podless and thornless. |
| Gymnocladus dioicus Kentucky Coffeetree | variable | s | L | May be male or female. Female has leathery seed pods. Interesting winter form. Yellow fall color. |
| DECAF® | variable | m | L | Podless male cultivar with better branching. |
| ESPRESSO® | variable | m | L | Podless male cultivar. |
| SKINNY LATTETM | columnar | m | L | Podless with a columnar shape. |
| PRAIRIE TITANTM | variable | m | L | Podless and late to leaf out in the spring; tolerant of urban soils and pollution. |
| Phellodendron amurense Amur corktree | rounded | m | M | Corky fissured bark. Male trees avoid fruit odor. Tolerates pollution and drought. |
| Populus x acuminata Lanceleaf cottonwood | elliptical | f | H | Yellow fall color. Shiny, spear-shaped leaves. |
| Populus angustifolia Narrowleaf cottonwood | columnar | f | H | Yellow fall color. Root suckers, thus should be used where it can spread in groves. |
| Populus deltoides subsp. monilifera Plains ‘Jeronimus’ Cottonwood | elliptical | f | H | Cottonless. Easily transplanted. |
| Populus tremula ‘Erecta’ Upright European aspen | upright | f | H | Use as screen planting. More disease resistant and long-lived than Lombardy. Yellow/orange-red fall color. |
| Quercus bicolor Swamp white oak | upright, spreading | m | M | Adapts to clay soils and irrigated lawns. Fall color usually yellow. |
| Quercus buckleyi Texas Red Oak | conical | m | L | Red fall color, tolerates alkaline soils. Need cold-hardy seed source. |
| Quercus alba x robur CRIMSON SPIRE® Oak | columnar | m | M | Narrow form adapted to tight spaces. Red fall color. |
| STREETSPIRE® | columnar | m | M | Columnar; dark green leaves turn red in fall; foliage does not hold in winter. |
| Quercus robur x bicolor REGAL PRINCE® Oak | columnar | m | M | Narrow form adapted to tight spaces. Dark glossy green leaf, yellow fall color. |
| KINDRED SPIRIT® | columnar | m | M | Very narrow form; a selection from Regal Prince® with green leaves |
| Quercus macrocarpa Bur oak | broad, spreading | s | L | Tolerates alkaline soils and drought. Flaky bark. Corky ridged twigs. Fringed cap on acorn. |
| ‘Urban Pinnacle’ | columnar | s | L | Smaller acorns; better suited for street plantings and landscapes. |
| Quercus muehlenbergii Chinkapin oak | broad, spreading | m | L | Alkaline soil tolerant. Sharp-toothed leaves that are green above and white below. |
| Quercus robur English oak | rounded | m | M | Broad, stout, spreading branches. Glossy, dark green, leaves that turn brown and persist into winter. |
| ‘Columnaris’ | columnar | m | M | Narrow form for small spaces. Brown fall color. |
| Quercus rubra Red oak | broad | m | M | Often broader than tall. Fall color usually maroon-red. Avoid very alkaline soils. |
| Quercus shumardii Shumard oak | rounded spreading | m | M | Red fall color. Need more cold-hardy seed source. Avoid very alkaline soils. |
| Salix alba ‘Tristis‘ Niobe weeping willow | rounded, weeping | f | H | Yellow fall color, brittle twigs. Best sited near water. |
| Salix alba ‘Vitellina’ Russian golden willow | rounded | f | H | Yellow twigs, yellow fall color, brittle twigs. |
| Styphnolobium (Sophora) japonicum Japanese pagodatree MillstoneTM | rounded | m | M | Creamy flowers in midsummer. Pinched, pea-like pods in fall. Olive green twigs. |
| Tilla americana American linden | broad, conical | m | M | Large heart-shaped leaves. Fragrant flowers in early summer. Yellow fall color. May sucker near base. Susceptible to Japanese beetle damage. |
| American SentryTM Linden | conical | m | M | Narrow, straight trunked form for small spaces. Full sun. Susceptible to Japanese beetle damage. |
| ‘Redmond’ Redmond linden | conical | m-f | M | Striking reddish buds/twigs in winter. Susceptible to Japanese beetle damage. |
| Tilla cordata Littleleaf linden | conical | m-f | M | Dense foliage. May sucker near base. Creamy-yellow fragrant flowers. Attracts bees. Susceptible to Japanese beetle damage. |
| GREENSPIRE® | conical to oval | m | M | Neat formal appearance. Glossy, dark green leaves. Cinnamon colored bark. Yellow fall color. Susceptible to Japanese beetle damage. |
| Tilia x flavescens ‘Glenleven’ | open conical | m | M | Vigorous, open habit. Susceptible to Japanese beetle damage. |
| Tilia tomentosa ‘Sterling Silver’ linden | conical | m | M | Dark green leaves with silver undersides, creamy yellow fragrant flowers. attracts bees. Potentially less desirable to Japanese beetles. |
| Ulmus Americana American Elm | upright spreading | m | M | Yellow fall color, vase-shaped, susceptible to Dutch elm disease. |
| ‘New Harmony’ | upright spreading | m | M | Classic vase shape of an American elm; resistant to Dutch elm disease. |
| ‘Princeton’ | upright spreading | m | M | Exhibits good resistance to Dutch elm disease and good resistance to elm beetles. |
| ‘Valley Forge’ | upright spreading | m | M | Yellow fall color. Dutch elm disease resistant. |
| Ulmus davidiana David elm | upright spreading | m | M | Excellent cold-hardiness and drought tolerance; resistant to Dutch elm disease, elm yellows, and elm leaf beetle; vase-shaped growth habit. |
| GREENSTONE® | upright spreading | m | M | Native to China; strong branches develop into an upright vase shape. Tolerant of Dutch elm disease. |
| CHOICE CITYTM | upright spreading | m | M | Asiatic elm that is resistant to Dutch elm disease, European elm scale and elm yellows. Tolerant of urban conditions. |
| Ulmus davidiana var. japonica ‘Morton’ ACCOLADE® | upright spreading | m | M | Very good resistance to Dutch elm disease and elm leaf beetle; useful as a street or shade tree. Glossy green leaves. |
| Ulmus davidiana var. japonica ‘Prospector’ | upright spreading | m | M | Vase-shaped crown at an early age; Tolerant of Dutch elm disease and resistant to elm leaf beetle. |
| Ulmus minor x U. parvifolia ‘Frontier’ Frontier Elm | elliptical | m | M | Small stature with red fall color. Dutch elm disease tolerant. |
| Ulmus x ‘’Morton Glossy’ TRIUMPH® Elm | elliptical | m | M | Glossy, dark green leaves have yellow fall color. |
1 Growth rate:
s = slow
m = moderate
f = fast
2 Soil moisture:
H = heavy water needs; more than normal lawn watering.
M = moderate water needs; normal lawn watering.
L = low-water needs; can withstand drought.
*Emerald Ash Borer was discovered in September 2013 in Colorado. Colorado State University Extension currently does not recommend planting any ash (Fraxinus sp.) trees along Colorado’s Front Range.
Reference: CSU Fact Sheet 7.419