a buyer’s guide

Trees for Conservation

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Many thanks to Dennis Will, Dan Wand, Greg Morgenson, Vince Urbina, Randy Moench and Mike Way for the fine photographs in this publication.

This publication was developed by the Colorado State Forest Service, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523-5060.CSFS #115-1196

The Colorado State Forest Service tree program enables farmers, ranchers and rural landowners to obtain trees at nominal cost. The program’s aim is to encourage landowners to plant new forests; establish effective windbreaks to reduce erosion, protect homes, cropland, livestock and highways; and enhance wildlife habitat. Our trees and shrubs are grown for their conservation benefits only. Ornamental qualities such as color, degree of flowering, fruit production and others are not guaranteed.

To participate, landowners must have at least two acres of land and must agree not to use the trees for ornamental or landscaping purposes. These trees and shrubs cannot be resold as living plants (the roots must be severed). Contact your local nursery for ornamental needs.

For information on ordering trees and application forms, contact your local soil conservation district, your local Extension county office, your district Colorado State Forest Service office (page vi), or the Colorado State Forest Service nursery.

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Trees for Conservationa buyer’s guide

a catalog of conservation tree and shrub species grown at the Colorado State Forest Service Nursery

Revised October 2008

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Contents

Colorado State Forest Service Offices ...................................... vi

Caragana ..................................................................................... 1

Cotoneaster ................................................................................ 1

Chokecherry ............................................................................... 2

Lilac ............................................................................................. 2

Native plum ................................................................................ 3

Sumac (skunkbush) ................................................................... 3

Sand cherry ................................................................................. 4

Nanking cherry .......................................................................... 4

European sage............................................................................. 5

Wild rose ..................................................................................... 5

Buffaloberry ............................................................................... 6

Four-wing saltbush .................................................................... 6

Golden currant ........................................................................... 7

Serviceberry ................................................................................ 7

Mountain mahogany ................................................................. 8

Red-osier dogwood .................................................................... 8

New Mexico forestiera (privet) ................................................. 9

Snowberry .................................................................................. 9

Wax currant .............................................................................. 10

Green ash .................................................................................. 10

Siberian elm .............................................................................. 11

Hybrid cottonwood .................................................................. 11

Native willow mix .................................................................... 12

Golden willow .......................................................................... 12

Hackberry ................................................................................. 13

Honeylocust ............................................................................. 13

Lombardy poplar ..................................................................... 14

Bur oak ..................................................................................... 14

Coyote willow ........................................................................... 15

Peachleaf willow ....................................................................... 15

Prairie sky poplar ..................................................................... 16

Gambel oak .............................................................................. 16

Lanceleaf cottonwood .............................................................. 17

Aspen ........................................................................................ 17

Austrian pine ............................................................................ 18

Colorado blue spruce ............................................................... 18

Douglas-fir ............................................................................... 19

Engelmann spruce ................................................................... 19

Eastern redcedar ....................................................................... 20

Lodgepole pine ......................................................................... 20

Pinon pine ................................................................................ 21

Ponderosa pine ......................................................................... 21

Rocky Mountain juniper ......................................................... 22

Scotch pine ............................................................................... 22

White fir .................................................................................... 23

Bristlecone pine ........................................................................ 23

Narrowleaf cottonwood ........................................................... 24

Freemont cottonwood ............................................................. 24

Limber pine .............................................................................. 25

Subalpine fir ............................................................................. 25

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vi

Colorado State Forest ServiceJeff J. Jahnke, State ForesterColorado State University

Fort Collins, Colorado 80523-5060(970) 491-6303

Alamosa DistrictColorado State Forest ServiceP. O. Box 1137129A Santa FeAlamosa, CO 81101-1137(719) 587-0915

Boulder DistrictColorado State Forest Service5625 Ute HighwayLongmont, CO 80503-9130(303) 823-5774

Canon City DistrictColorado State Forest Service515 McDaniel Blvd., Industrial ParkCanon City, CO 81212-4164(719) 275-6865

Durango DistrictColorado State Forest ServiceP. O. Box 7233Fort Lewis College CampusDurango, CO 81301-3908(970) 247-5250

Fort Collins DistrictColorado State Forest ServiceBuilding #1052, Foothills CampusColorado State UniversityFort Collins, CO 80523-5060(970) 491-8660

Fort Morgan DistrictColorado State Forest ServiceP.O. Box 368801 East BurlingtonFort Morgan, CO 80701-3638(970) 867-5610

Franktown DistrictColorado State Forest Service2068 North State Highway 83P. O. Box 485Franktown, CO 80116-0485(303) 660-9625

Golden DistrictColorado State Forest Service1504 Quaker StreetGolden, CO 80401-2956(303) 279-9757

Granby DistrictColorado State Forest ServiceP. O. Box 69201 E JasperGranby, CO 80446-0069(970) 887-3121

Grand Junction DistrictColorado State Forest ServiceState Services Building222 South 6th Street, Room 416Grand Junction, CO 81501-2771(970) 248-7325

Gunnison DistrictColorado State Forest ServiceP. O. Box 1390Gunnison, CO 81230-1390(970) 641-6852

La Junta DistrictColorado State Forest Service208 Santa Fe Avenue, Suite 21La Junta, CO 81050-0977(719) 384-9087

La Veta DistrictColorado State Forest ServiceP. O. Box 81Moore & Poplar StreetsLa Veta, CO 81055-0081(719) 742-3588

Montrose DistrictColorado State Forest Service102 Par Place, Suite 1Montrose, CO 81401-4196(970) 249-9051

Salida DistrictColorado State Forest Service7980 West Highway 50Salida, CO 81201-9571(719) 539-2579

Steamboat Springs DistrictColorado State Forest ServiceP. O. Box 7736571475 Pine Grove Road, Suite 201ASteamboat Springs, CO 80477-3657(970) 879-0475

Woodland Park DistrictColorado State Forest ServiceP. O. Box 9024113 South BoundaryWoodland Park, CO 80866-9024(719) 687-2921

CSFS NurseryColorado State Forest ServiceBuilding 1060, Foothills CampusColorado State UniversityFort Collins, CO 80523-5060(970) 491-8429

10/08

1

CaraganaCaragana arborescens

CotoneasterCotoneaster acutifolia

Growth Form: irregular or hedgelikeCrown Density: denseSize: 8-12 feet high 5-8 foot spreadDrought Resistance: excellentCold Hardiness: excellentGrowth Rate: rapidLife Span: moderateElevational Range: to 9,500 feetSoil Conditions: good salt and alkaline tolerancePossible Insect Problems: aphids and grasshoppersPossible Disease Problems: very resistantWildlife Value: good: songbirdsSeasonal Color: yellow spring flowersMiscellany: does well in poor soils

Growth Form: ovoid to irregularCrown Density: denseSize: 6-8 feet high 3-5 foot spreadDrought Resistance: very goodCold Hardiness: excellentGrowth Rate: rapidLife Span: moderateElevational Range: to 9,500 feetSoil Conditions: good alkaline tolerancePossible Insect Problems: oyster shell scalePossible Disease Problems: fireblight; fairly resistantWildlife Value: high: song and game birdsSeasonal Color: brilliant red-orange foliageMiscellany: can be clipped to a hedge

2

ChokecherryPrunus virginiana

Growth Form: ovoid to irregularCrown Density: moderateSize: 6-20 feet high 6-20 foot spreadDrought Resistance: goodCold Hardiness: excellentGrowth Rate: rapidLife Span: moderateElevational Range: to 9,000 feetSoil Conditions: good alkaline tolerancePossible Insect Problems: borers, pear-slug sawflyPossible Disease Problems: black knot, fireblightWildlife Value: high: song and ground birds; good: small

mammals, and browse for deerSeasonal Color: golden yellow to orange fall foliageMiscellany: delicious edible fruit for jellies and pies; native;

can be poisonous to livestock

LilacSyringa spp.

Growth Form: round to irregularCrown Density: denseSize: 8-12 feet high 8-12 foot spreadDrought Resistance: very goodCold Hardiness: excellentGrowth Rate: rapidLife Span: moderateElevational Range: to 8,000 feetSoil Conditions: good alkaline tolerancePossible Insect Problems: lilac borer, leaf miners, oyster

shell scalePossible Disease Problems: lilac leaf blotch, powdery

mildew, some leaf spotsWildlife Value: moderately high: songbirds; cover valueSeasonal Color: fragrant purple or white spring flowersMiscellany: develops into a dense barrier

var. villosa lilac

common lilac

3

Native plumPrunus americana

Growth Form: irregularCrown Density: openSize: to 8 feet high to 8 foot spreadDrought Resistance: goodCold Hardiness: excellentGrowth Rate: rapidLife Span: moderateElevational Range: to 8,000 feetSoil Conditions: good alkaline tolerancePossible Insect Problems: pear-slug sawflyPossible Disease Problems: fireblight, powdery mildewWildlife Value: excellent: hoofed browsers; nesting cover and

food valueSeasonal Color: large white flowers in MayMiscellany: native; delicious edible fruit for jellies and

canning; forms a thicket

Sumac (skunkbush)Rhus trilobata

Growth Form: irregularCrown Density: denseSize: to 4 feet high to 8 foot spreadDrought Resistance: excellentCold Hardiness: excellentGrowth Rate: rapid to moderateLife Span: moderateElevational Range: to 8,000 feetSoil Conditions: excellent alkaline tolerancePossible Insect Problems: fairly resistantPossible Disease Problems: Fusarium wiltWildlife Value: excellent: many birdsSeasonal Color: red-orange fall foliageMiscellany: native; berries have slight lemon taste when

rolled under tongue

4

Sand cherryPrunus besseyi

Growth Form: spreadingCrown Density: moderateSize: 3 feet high 4 foot spreadDrought Resistance: goodCold Hardiness: goodGrowth Rate: rapidLife Span: shortElevational Range: to 7,500 feetSoil Conditions: best on sandy to loamy soilsPossible Insect Problems: pear slug; fall web wormPossible Disease Problems: powdery mildewWildlife Value: excellent: browse and food valueSeasonal Color: pink flowers Miscellany: native; edible fruit

Nanking cherryPrunus tomentosa

Growth Form: round to irregularCrown Density: moderateSize: to 8 feet high to 8 foot spreadDrought Resistance: goodCold Hardiness: excellentGrowth Rate: rapidLife Span: moderateElevational Range: to 8,000 feetSoil Conditions: good alkaline tolerancePossible Insect Problems: tent caterpillars, bark beetlesPossible Disease Problems: shot-hole leaf spot, black knotWildlife Value: high: song and game birdsSeasonal Color: white flowers in springMiscellany: delicious edible fruit for jellies; blooms early

5

European sageArtemesia abrotanum

Growth Form: round to irregularCrown Density: openSize: to 8 feet high to 8 foot spreadDrought Resistance: very goodCold Hardiness: goodGrowth Rate: rapidLife Span: moderateElevational Range: to 6,000 feetSoil Conditions: good alkaline tolerancePossible Insect Problems: fairly resistantPossible Disease Problems: fairly resistantWildlife Value: fair; cover and browse value

Wild roseRosa spp.

Growth Form: irregularCrown Density: openSize: 4 feet high, spreadingDrought Resistance: goodCold Hardiness: excellentGrowth Rate: rapidLife Span: moderateElevational Range: to 10,000 feetSoil Conditions: moistPossible Insect Problems: leaf cutter beesWildlife Value: excellent: big game browse and food value;

relished by grouse, turkey and pheasantSeasonal Color: not conspicuousMiscellany: native; showy flowers; suckers and spreads

6

BuffaloberryShepherdia argentea

Growth Form: round to irregularCrown Density: denseSize: 10 feet high; spreadingDrought Resistance: goodCold Hardiness: excellentGrowth Rate: moderateLife Span: longElevational Range: to 7,500 feetSoil Conditions: tolerates alkalinePossible Insect Problems: unimportantPossible Disease Problems: unimportantWildlife Value: good: food value; excellent: cover for small

game and songbird nestingSeasonal Color: not conspicuousMiscellany: native; edible fruit for jellies; forms thickets

Four-wing saltbush Atriplex canascens

Growth Form: round to irregularCrown Density: moderateSize: 3 feet high 5 foot spreadDrought Resistance: excellentCold Hardiness: goodGrowth Rate: moderateLife Span: longElevational Range: to 8,500 feetSoil Conditions: excellent alkali and salt tolerancePossible Insect Problems: grasshoppersWildlife Value: good: forage valueSeasonal Color: mature seed makes fine contrastMiscellany: native

7

Golden currantRibes aureum

Growth Form: round to irregularCrown Density: moderateSize: 7 feet high 3 foot spreadDrought Resistance: goodCold Hardiness: goodGrowth Rate: rapidLife Span: moderateElevational Range: to 8,000 feetSoil Conditions: moistPossible Insect Problems: imported currant worm, oyster

shell scalePossible Disease Problems: blister rustWildlife Value: good: food and browse value; nesting coverSeasonal Color: red to orange fall color; showy yellow flowersMiscellany: native; edible fruit

ServiceberryAmelanchier spp.

Growth Form: ovoid to irregularCrown Density: moderateSize: 6 feet high 5 foot spreadDrought Resistance: fairCold Hardiness: excellentGrowth Rate: moderateLife Span: longElevational Range: to 9,000 feetSoil Conditions: moistPossible Insect Problems: pear slugPossible Disease Problems: leaf spots and rustWildlife Value: excellent: big game browse; food value for

upland gameSeasonal Color: showy white flowersMiscellany: native; edible fruit; showy flowers

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Mountain mahoganyCercocarpus montanus

Growth Form: irregularCrown Density: denseSize: 6 feet high 5 foot spreadDrought Resistance: excellentCold Hardiness: goodGrowth Rate: moderateLife Span: moderateElevational Range: to 9,000 feetSoil Conditions: tolerates alkaline; well-drained Possible Insect Problems: tent caterpillarsPossible Disease Problems: unimportantWildlife Value: high: big game browse; cover for small game

birds and mammalsSeasonal Color: not conspicuousMiscellany: native; seed showy in fall

Red-osier dogwoodCornus serica

Growth Form: irregularCrown Density: openSize: to 8 feet high to 6 foot spreadDrought Resistance: fairCold Hardiness: excellentGrowth Rate: rapidLife Span: moderateElevational Range: to 11,000 feetSoil Conditions: not suited for dense claysPossible Insect Problems: dogwood sawfly, polyphemus

moth, oystershell scalePossible Disease Problems: cytospora cankerWildlife Value: excellent: grouse, pheasant, turkey, grosbeak,

robin, cedar waxwingSeasonal Color: vivid red fall foliage and stems. Showy white

flowers and berriesMiscellany: for moist sites such as streamside riparian areas

Dogwood close-up courtesy Natural Resources Conservation Service

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New Mexico forestiera (privet)Forestiera neomexicana

Growth Form: irregularCrown Density: denseSize: 10 feet highDrought Resistance: excellentCold Hardiness: goodGrowth Rate: moderateLife Span: longElevational Range: to 7,500 feetSoil Conditions: moist; alkaline tolerancePossible Insect Problems: unimportantPossible Disease Problems: unimportantWildlife Value: good; fruit valuable to quail, songbirds;

excellent: coverSeasonal Color: not conspicuousMiscellany: native; bluish-black fruit; yellow flowers

SnowberrySymphoricarpos spp.

Growth Form: irregularCrown Density: openSize: 3 feet highDrought Resistance: fairCold Hardiness: excellentGrowth Rate: moderateLife Span: moderateElevational Range: to 9,500 feetSoil Conditions: good alkaline tolerancePossible Insect Problems: aphidsPossible Disease Problems: leaf spot, anthracnose, rust,

powdery mildewWildlife Value: good: food and cover for turkey, grouse, and

other small gameSeasonal Color: white fruitMiscellany: native

10

Green ashFraxinus pennsylvanica

Growth Form: irregular to ellipticalCrown Density: moderateSize: 35-75 feet high 15-35 foot spreadDrought Resistance: excellentCold Hardiness: excellentGrowth Rate: rapidLife Span: longElevational Range: to 6,000 feetSoil Conditions: good alkaline tolerancePossible Insect Problems: ash borer, oyster shell scale, ash

sawflyPossible Disease Problems: occasional powdery mildewWildlife Value: fair: game and songbirdsSeasonal Color: golden-yellow fall foliageMiscellany: native; does best in sandy, loam soils

Wax CurrantRibes cereum

Growth Form: irregularCrown Density: moderateSize: 3 feet high 3-5 foot spreadDrought Resistance: very goodCold Hardiness: very goodGrowth Rate: rapidLife Span: moderateElevational Range: 4000-11000 feetSoil Conditions: coarse and medium textured soilsPossible Insect Problems:Possible Disease Problems: alternate host for white pine

blister rustWildlife Value: highSeasonal Color: attractive red fruitMiscellany: native, edible fruit

11

Siberian elmUlmus pumila

Growth Form: irregularCrown Density: moderateSize: to 40 feet high 30-40 foot spreadDrought Resistance: excellentCold Hardiness: excellentGrowth Rate: rapidLife Span: moderateElevational Range: to 8,000 feetSoil Conditions: tolerates alkaline well Possible Insect Problems: elm leaf beetlePossible Disease Problems: bacterial wetwoodWildlife Value: moderate: song and game birds (seeds

and buds)Seasonal Color: not conspicuousMiscellany: hardiest of all elms; can be weedy

Growth Form: globular to irregularCrown Density: moderateSize: 75-100 feet high 50-75 foot spreadDrought Resistance: poorCold Hardiness: excellentGrowth Rate: rapidLife Span: moderateElevational Range: to 6,500 feetPossible Insect Problems: leaf miners, fall webworm, poplar

borers, oyster shell scalePossible Disease Problems: cytospora canker; bacterial

wetwood, Marssonina leaf blightWildlife Value: fair: nesting and roosting coverMiscellany: “Norway” male clone, will produce male flowers.

No guarantee on degree of “cotton” production

Hybrid cottonwood (poplar)Populus spp.

12

Growth Form: globular to spreadingCrown Density: moderateSize: to 35 feet high to 35 foot spreadDrought Resistance: poorCold Hardiness: excellentGrowth Rate: rapidLife Span: moderateElevational Range: to 8,000 feetSoil Conditions: tolerates alkaline and salts well Possible Insect Problems: aphidsPossible Disease Problems: cytospora canker; bacterial

wetwoodWildlife Value: moderate: song and game birds; food value

for buds and twigsSeasonal Color: orange-yellow bark on young growth

in winterMiscellany: requires moist soil

Golden willowSalix alba vitellina

Native willow mixSalix spp.

Growth Form: irregularCrown Density: denseSize: to 12 feet high; spreadingDrought Resistance: poorCold Hardiness: excellentGrowth Rate: rapidLife Span: moderateElevational range: to 9,500 feetSoil Conditions: moistPossible Insect Problems: willow and poplar borers;

sawfly gallsPossible Disease Problems: leaf rustWildlife Value: high: food and cover for birds, browse value

for deer, elk and mooseSeasonal Color: not conspicuousMiscellany: a mix of whiplash (Pacific), strapleaf, and coyote

willows, native, suckers and spreads, species mix may vary from year to year

13

HoneylocustGleditsia triacanthos inermis

Growth Form: irregular, spreadingCrown Density: open, fine-texturedSize: 35-75 feet high 15-50 foot spreadDrought Resistance: very goodCold Hardiness: very goodGrowth Rate: rapidLife Span: moderate to longElevational Range: to 7,500 feetPossible Insect Problems: pod gall midge; scale insectsPossible Disease Problems: thyronectria canker; sunscald;

cytospora cankerWildlife Value: lowMiscellany: usually thornless

HackberryCeltis occidentalis

Growth Form: globularCrown Density: moderateSize: 40-60 feet high 40-60 foot spreadDrought Resistance: very goodCold Hardiness: very goodGrowth Rate: rapid to moderateLife Span: longElevational Range: to 7,000 feetSoil Conditions: tolerates alkaline well; moderately

salt tolerant Possible Insect Problems: leaf gall psyllids; spiny elm

caterpillar; nipple gall always presentPossible Disease Problems: hackberry witches’ broomWildlife Value: high: songbirds and small mammalsSeasonal Color: pale lemon-yellow foliage in fallMiscellany: native; wood of commercial value

14

Lombardy poplarPopulus nigra ‘Italica’

Growth Form: columnar to ovoidCrown Density: moderateSize: to 40 feet high 10-15 foot spreadDrought Resistance: poorCold Hardiness: excellentGrowth Rate: rapidLife Span: shortElevational Range: to 8,000 feetPossible Insect Problems: fall webwormPossible Disease Problems: bacterial wetwood; cytospora

cankerWildlife Value: lowMiscellany: best for temporary protection only

Bur oakQuercus macrocarpa

Growth Form: globularCrown Density: moderateSize: to 75 feet high Drought Resistance: excellentCold Hardiness: excellentGrowth Rate: slowLife Span: very longElevational Range: to 7,000 feetSoil Conditions: tolerates alkaline well Possible Insect Problems: scales, gall waspsWildlife Value: excellent: acorn food value for birds and

mammalsSeasonal Color: not conspicuousMiscellany: can live more than 200 years

15

Coyote willowSalix exigua

Growth Form: irregularCrown Density: denseSize: to 10 feet high; spreading Drought Resistance: poorCold Hardiness: excellentGrowth Rate: rapidLife Span: shortElevational Range: to 9,500 feetSoil Conditions: moistPossible Insect Problems: willow and poplar borers; sawfly

gallsPossible Disease Problems: leaf rustWildlife Value: high: food and cover for birds; browse value

for deer, elk and mooseSeasonal Color: not conspicuousMiscellany: native; suckers and spreads

Peachleaf willowSalix amygdaloides

Growth Form: irregularCrown Density: openSize: to 40 feet highDrought Resistance: poorCold Hardiness: excellentGrowth Rate: rapidLife Span: moderateElevational range: to 9,500 feetSoil Conditions: moistPossible Insect Problems: willow and poplar borersPossible Disease Problems: cytospora canker, leaf rustWildlife Value: high: food and cover for birds, browse value

for deer, elk & mooseSeasonal Color: not conspicuousMiscellany: native

16

Prairie Sky CottonwoodPopulus x canadensis ‘Prairie Sky’

Growth Form: columnarCrown Density: moderateSize: 50 feet high 10 foot spreadDrought Resistance: lowCold Hardiness: excellentGrowth Rate: rapidLife Span: moderateElevational Range: to 8,000Soil Conditions: Adapted to coarse and medium textured

soilsPossible Insect Problems: Cottonwood leaf beetlePossible Disease Problems: Good canker resistanceWildlife Value: lowSeasonal Color: not conspicuousMiscellany: usually cottonless

Gambel OakQuercus gambelii

Growth Form: irregularCrown Density: moderateSize: 4 to 15 feet high Spread variableDrought Resistance: LowCold Hardiness: GoodGrowth Rate: SlowLife Span: Long Elevational Range: 4100 to 9000Soil Conditions: Adapted to coarse and medium textured

soilsPossible Insect Problems: gall waspsPossible Disease Problems: anthracnoseWildlife Value: HighSeasonal Color: not conspicuousMiscellany: native though can be regarded as weedy in

some areas

17

AspenPopulus tremuloides

Growth Form: ovoid to columnarCrown Density: openSize: 35-50 feet high 20-35 foot spreadDrought Resistance: poorCold Hardiness: excellentGrowth Rate: rapidLife Span: moderateElevational Range: to 11,000 feetPossible Insect Problems: poplar borer, scale, tent caterpillar,

twig gall flyPossible Disease Problems: cytospora canker, leaf spotWildlife Value: high: buds and catkins for food value for

grouse and browsersSeasonal Color: yellow fall colorMiscellany: native

Lanceleaf CottonwoodPopulus x acuminata

Growth Form: irregularCrown Density: moderateSize: 40 to 60 feet high 25 foot spreadDrought Resistance: lowCold Hardiness: goodGrowth Rate: rapidLife Span: moderateElevational Range: 4000 to 8500Soil Conditions: adapted to coarse soilsPossible Insect Problems: borersPossible Disease Problems: cankersWildlife Value: LowSeasonal Color: Can have attractive yellow leaves in fallMiscellany: male flowers

18

Colorado blue sprucePicea pungens

Growth Form: conicalCrown Density: denseSize: 60-100 feet high 15-35 foot spreadDrought Resistance: fairCold Hardiness: excellentGrowth Rate: slowLife Span: longElevational Range: to 9,500 feetSoil Conditions: fair alkaline tolerancePossible Insect Problems: pine needle scale, tussock moth,

terminal weevil, gall aphidsPossible Disease Problems: Valsa canker, spruce witches’

broomWildlife Value: high: song and ground birds and grouse;

hoofed and small browsersSeasonal Color: bluish evergreenMiscellany: native; Colorado’s state tree; high ornamental

value

Austrian pinePinus nigra

Growth Form: pyramidalCrown Density openSize: to 40 feet high to 30 foot spreadDrought Resistance: excellentCold Hardiness: fairGrowth Rate: slowLife Span: longElevational Range: to 7,000 feetSoil Conditions: tolerates alkaline well Possible Insect Problems: pine tip mothPossible Disease Problems: fairly resistantWildlife Value: high: song and ground birds, food value from

seedsSeasonal Color: evergreenMiscellany: forms a good screen

19

Douglas-firPseudotsuga menziesii

Growth Form: conical to pyramidalCrown Density: denseSize: 70-100 feet high 20-35 foot spreadDrought Resistance: goodCold Hardiness: excellentGrowth Rate: slowLife Span: longElevational Range: 6,000 to 9,000 feetPossible Insect Problems: spruce budwormPossible Disease Problems: shoestring root rot; Douglas-fir

mistletoe, bacterial gallWildlife Value: high: food value for grouse, songbirds and

small mammals; browse for deer and elkSeasonal Color: evergreenMiscellany: native

Growth Form: conical to spirelikeCrown Density: denseSize: 70-90 feet high 15-30 foot spreadDrought Resistance: very goodCold Hardiness: excellentGrowth Rate: slowLife Span: longElevational Range: 8,000 to 11,000 feetPossible Insect Problems: spruce bark beetle, spruce

budwormPossible Disease Problems: root rot, spruce broom rustWildlife Value: high: food value for grouse and songbirds;

browse for deer and elkSeasonal Color: evergreenMiscellany: native; intolerant of direct sun, requires shade

Engelmann sprucePicea engelmannii

20

Lodgepole pinePinus contorta

Growth Form: conical to spirelikeCrown Density: openSize: 35-70 feet high 15-30 foot spreadDrought Resistance: excellentCold Hardiness: excellentGrowth Rate: slowLife Span: longElevational Range: 6,000 to 11,000 feetPossible Insect Problems: mountain pine beetlePossible Disease Problems: mistletoe, western gall rustWildlife Value: high: food value from seeds for upland game

and songbirdsSeasonal Color: evergreenMiscellany: native; good conifer for high altitude

windbreaks

Eastern redcedarJuniperus virginiana

Growth Form: pyramidal to irregularCrown Density: denseSize: 15-20 feet high 10-20 foot spreadDrought Resistance: excellentCold Hardiness: excellentGrowth Rate: slowLife Span: longElevational Range: to 7,500 feetSoil Conditions: tolerates alkaline and salts well Possible Insect Problems: spider mitesPossible Disease Problems: rustWildlife Value: high: song and game birds; hoofed browsers,

good coverSeasonal Color: rusty redMiscellany: very adaptable to site conditions

21

Pinon pinePinus edulis

Growth Form: rounded to irregularCrown Density: denseSize: 15-30 feet high 15-30 foot spreadDrought Resistance: excellentCold Hardiness: excellentGrowth Rate: slowLife Span longElevational Range: to 7,500 feetPossible Insect Problems: pinon pitch borer, ips, spindle gall

midgePossible Disease Problems: black stain root disease,

mistletoeWildlife Value: high: food value from seeds for upland game

and songbirdsSeasonal Color: evergreenMiscellany: native

Ponderosa pinePinus ponderosa

Growth Form: conical to ovoidCrown Density: moderately denseSize: 40-100 feet high 15-60 foot spreadDrought Resistance: excellentCold Hardiness: excellentGrowth Rate: rapid to moderateLife Span: longElevational Range: to 9,000 feetSoil Conditions: tolerates alkaline well Possible Insect Problems: sawflies, bark beetle, tip mothPossible Disease Problems: western gall rust; dwarf

mistletoe, shoestring root rotWildlife Value: high: song and ground birds, small mammals,

browsersSeasonal Color: evergreenMiscellany: native; needs well-drained soils

22

Scotch pinePinus sylvestris

Growth Form: pyramidal to ovoidCrown Density: openSize: 40-65 feet high 20-40 foot spreadDrought Resistance: very goodCold Hardiness: very goodGrowth Rate: rapidLife Span: longElevational Range: to 7,000 feetSoil Conditions: tolerates alkaline Possible Insect Problems: tip moths, ips beetlesPossible Disease Problems: fairly resistantWildlife Value: high: food value for upland game and song

birdsSeasonal Color: evergreenMiscellany: makes an excellent Christmas tree

Rocky Mountain juniperJuniperus scopulorum

Growth Form: pyramidal to irregularCrown Density: denseSize: 15-50 feet high 10-35 foot spreadDrought Resistance: excellentCold Hardiness: excellentGrowth Rate: slowLife Span: longElevational Range: to 9,000 feetSoil Conditions: excellent alkaline tolerance Possible Insect Problems: spider mites, bark beetlesPossible Disease Problems: juniper broom rust, juniper gall

rusts, juniper true mistletoeWildlife Value: high: song and ground birds, large browsing

mammalsSeasonal Color: evergreenMiscellany: native

23

White firAbies concolor

Growth Form: conicalCrown Density: denseSize: 60-100 feet high 20-35 foot spreadDrought Resistance: very goodCold Hardiness: excellentGrowth Rate: slowLife Span: longElevational Range: 6,000 to 9,000 feetPossible Insect Problems: spruce budworm, Douglas-fir

tussock mothPossible Disease Problems: needlecast, root rotWildlife Value: moderate: food source and winter cover for

grouse and songbirdsSeasonal Color: bluish evergreenMiscellany: native

Bristlecone pinePinus aristata

Growth Form: irregularCrown Density: openSize: 20-40 feet high Drought Resistance: fairCold Hardiness: excellentGrowth Rate: slowLife Span: longElevational Range: to 11,000 feetPossible Insect Problems: bark beetlesPossible Disease Problems: white pine blister rustWildlife Value: high: food value from seeds for upland game

and songbirdsSeasonal Color: evergreenMiscellany: native

24

Narrowleaf cottonwoodPopulus angustifolia

Growth Form: ovoid to irregularCrown Density: moderateSize: to 50 feet high to 30 foot spreadDrought Resistance: fairCold Hardiness: excellentGrowth Rate: rapidLife Span: moderateElevational Range: 5,000 to 9,500 feetSoil Conditions: tolerates alkaline well Possible Insect Problems: blotchmine beetlePossible Disease Problems: cytospora canker; bacterial

wetwoodWildlife Value: moderate: nesting and roosting cover; buds

catkins and twigs for food valueSeasonal Color: yellowMiscellany: native; very weak wood

Fremont CottonwoodPopulus fremontii

Growth Form: spreadingCrown Density: moderateSize: 50-90 feet high 35 foot spreadDrought Resistance: MediumCold Hardiness: FairGrowth Rate: RapidLife Span: ModerateElevational Range: 4000 to 7000 feetSoil Conditions: adapted to a variety of soil typesPossible Insect Problems: cottonwood leaf beetlePossible Disease Problems: mistletoeWildlife Value: lowSeasonal Color: attractive yellowMiscellany: native of Western Colorado, not cottonless

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Limber pinePinus flexilis

Growth Form: conical to ovoidCrown Density: openSize: to 35 feet high Drought Resistance: goodCold Hardiness: excellentGrowth Rate: slowLife Span: longElevational Range: to 11,000 feetSoil Conditions: well-drainedPossible Insect Problems: bark beetlesPossible Disease Problems: mistletoeWildlife Value: high: food value from seeds for upland game

and songbirdsSeasonal Color: evergreenMiscellany: native

Subalpine firAbies lasiocarpa

Growth Form: conical to spire-likeCrown Density: moderateSize: 60-100 feet high 10 to 20 foot spreadDrought Resistance: poorCold Hardiness: excellentGrowth Rate: slowLife Span: longElevational Range: 8,000 to 11,000 feetPossible Insect Problems: balsam bark beetle, western spruce

budworm, fir engraverPossible Disease Problems: armillaria root disease,

annosus root rotWildlife Value: fair: grouse, nutcracker, sapsucker, deer, elk,

mooseSeasonal Color: distinctive black/purple conesMiscellany: native, not suited to lower elevations, requires

shade

Photos courtesy Forest Service Canada