Recommended Trees

Below is our list of recommended trees that perform best on Colorado's Front Range. Why? Colorado’s Front Range is one of the most challenging environments in the country for long-term tree health. The trees we recommend aren’t chosen for appearance alone — they’re selected because they can survive, adapt, and thrive in these tough and unpredictable conditions.

Climate Adaptation Comes First

The Front Range experiences low humidity, intense UV exposure, and wide temperature swings — sometimes in the same day.
Trees that perform best here are able to retain moisture, limit leaf and needle stress, and tolerate rapid weather changes without long-term decline.
Species that evolved in similar high-plains or mountain environments consistently outperform trees adapted to humid or coastal climates.

Drought Tolerance Is Non Negotiable

Even with irrigation, Front Range soils dry quickly due to wind, sun, and fast drainage.
Trees we recommend are physiologically adapted to periodic drought, not dependent on constant moisture.
This reduces stress, lowers water demand, and significantly improves survival during hot summers and water-restriction periods.

Compatibility With Alkaline, Compacted Soils

Much of the Front Range has alkaline soil with low organic matter, which limits nutrient availability.
The trees we recommend can function efficiently in higher-pH soils and are less prone to iron chlorosis and nutrient lock-out.
Strong root systems allow them to establish even in urban, compacted soils common in neighborhoods and developments.

Structural Strength Against Wind & Snow

Front Range storms bring heavy, wet snow and sudden wind events, often early or late in the season.
Trees best suited for this region develop strong branch attachments and balanced growth habits, reducing the risk of breakage.
This translates to fewer emergency calls, lower long-term maintenance costs, and safer landscapes.

Lower Susceptibility To Regional Pests & Diseases

Many common tree pests in Colorado target stressed or poorly adapted trees, not healthy ones.
The trees we recommend have a proven track record of resilience against common Front Range issues like borers, scale insects, and fungal diseases.
Healthy, well-matched trees are far less likely to require aggressive pest or disease intervention.

Long-Term Health Over Short-Term Appearance

Some trees look great for the first few years — then decline rapidly once environmental stress accumulates.
Our recommendations prioritize longevity, structural integrity, and sustained canopy health, not quick growth or short-term aesthetics.
The result is fewer removals, fewer replacements, and healthier landscapes over decades — not just seasons.

Designed For Front Range Realities, Not National Trends

Many trees sold locally are selected based on national availability, not regional performance.
Our recommendations are based on on-the-ground experience caring for thousands of Front Range trees, not generic planting charts.
We focus on what consistently works here — in Colorado — year after year.

Conifer Trees

Conifer trees are evergreen trees with needles or scales that are well-suited to Colorado’s Front Range because they tolerate cold winters, dry air, and intense sun while providing year-round structure and wind protection.

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Fruiting Trees

Fruiting trees are deciduous trees that perform well on the Front Range when properly selected, as they tolerate cold winters and strong sun while requiring attentive watering, pruning, and pest management.

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Ornamental Trees

Ornamental trees are smaller, decorative trees valued for flowers, foliage, or form that can thrive on the Front Range when chosen for drought tolerance, soil adaptability, and resistance to temperature swings.

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Shade Trees

Shade trees are large-canopy trees that provide cooling and long-term landscape value, performing best when selected for drought tolerance, strong structure, and resilience to wind, snow, and alkaline soils.

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