“What actually thrives here?” “What meets our needs and does well in Utah’s environment?” “How will environmental changes impact our urban canopy?” Those questions are ones we hear often at the nursery.
And, they’re good questions, important questions. They get to the root of successful landscaping in Utah’s sometimes challenging climate.
With rising temps, unpredictable rain, and long dry spells, choosing drought-tolerant trees isn’t just smart, it’s essential. Whether you’re managing a city block, an HOA community, or your own backyard, the right tree can mean the difference between years of beauty or years of battle. Let’s dig into what works.
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Why Choosing Drought-Tolerant Utah Trees is Essential for the Landscape
Residents of Utah are no strangers to droughts. Climate conditions in Utah are becoming increasingly challenging, necessitating informed and water-wise landscaping decisions. In February of this year, over 77% of the state was experiencing drought, with 42% classified as being in severe drought and 4% in extreme drought as of May 2025.
While nearly 95% of Utah’s water comes from snowmelt, snowpack has declined 16% since 1979, and peak melt now arrives about 9 days earlier each year. When paired with higher air temperatures, Utah’s dry season is lengthened, intensifying the wildfire risk, as seen in mid-summer 2024, when over 40,000 acres burned.
To safeguard landscapes and communities, and ensure long-term ecological stability, selecting drought-tolerant trees is no longer optional. As Utah Division of Water Resources Director Candice Hasenyager notes in the KUER article, “Whether we're talking about residential, commercial users, agricultural users — it's going to take all of us using less water to make us more drought resilient.”
How drought-tolerant trees help the environment:
- Promote water‑use efficiency and avoid strain during extended droughts.
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- Offer climate resilience as snowpack decreases and temperatures climb.
- Reduce maintenance and irrigation costs for homeowners, HOAs, and cities.
- Support Utah’s native ecosystems and fire‑resilient landscapes.
Planting with larger concerns in mind can help communities and landscapes thrive in the face of future climate realities.
How Choosing Native Trees Can Help with Environmental Challenges
Climate change is no longer a distant threat. In fact, it’s reshaping landscapes across the West right now. In Utah, rising temperatures, erratic weather, and intensifying drought cycles are stressing both natural ecosystems and urban landscapes.
And yet, one of the most effective and low-maintenance solutions is choosing (and planting) native trees.
Because native species have evolved to thrive in Utah’s soil, moisture levels, and climate extremes, they’re better equipped to handle many of the environmental challenges facing the region today as well as those projected for the near future.
Environmental Challenges in Utah That Native Trees Can Help Address:
- Long-term drought and low precipitation
Native trees like Juniperus osteosperma (Utah juniper) and Quercus gambelii (Gambel oak) are adapted to minimal rainfall and alkaline soils.
- Urban heat islands
Drought-tolerant native shade trees help cool paved spaces, reducing surface temperatures and energy costs in cities and suburbs. Similarly, hot, stagnant summer air increases ozone formation, and native trees not only reduce heat but also intercept ozone precursors, thereby reducing the risk of air pollution.
- Soil erosion and degraded landscapes
Many native species develop extensive root systems that stabilize slopes and loose soil, which is especially important in fire-prone or construction-heavy areas.
- Declining biodiversity
Native trees support native insects, birds, and pollinators more effectively than non-native ornamental species.
- Air quality issues
In Utah’s valley regions, prone to winter inversions where cold air traps airborne pollutants, trees play a crucial role in sequestering carbon and improving both air quality and public health.
- Water conservation mandates
As municipalities adopt more aggressive water-saving policies, native trees become a practical choice for HOAs, cities, and homeowners alike.
Choosing native trees means you're not only investing in the success of your own landscape, but you’re also actively supporting a more resilient, sustainable, and climate-ready Utah.
Selection Criteria for Drought-Tolerant Trees
Choosing the right landscaping trees for Utah’s dry and shifting climate is about more than thoughtful landscaping; it’s about essential planning for the future.
As extreme weather events and prolonged drought conditions become more common, tree survivability depends on intentional species selection. According to the National Drought Mitigation Center and recent research on urban drought resilience, Utah landscapes must shift toward low-water, climate-adaptive planting.
Criteria for Selecting Drought‑Tolerant Trees
Wondering how arborists determine which trees are best suited for regions with sustained drought conditions? We’re looking for a few critical characteristics and considerations:
- Deep-rooting habit – Trees with deep roots are better able to access moisture well below the surface.
- Native or xeric species – These trees are adapted to Utah’s alkaline soils and dry conditions.
- Verified drought and heat tolerance – Based on ecological and climate-zone data, arborists look for species known to be drought-tolerant and heat-resistant.
- Low water needs after establishment – If municipal water restrictions are in place, knowing a tree can handle low water once established is crucial.
- Resilient to urban heat islands – In urban settings, whether in parking lots, paved areas, or high-heat zones, heat resiliency is essential.
- Resistance to pests and diseases – While not necessarily drought-related, stressed trees may be more susceptible to diseases and pests. Drought tolerance can help bolster this characteristic by keeping a tree healthy in low-water situations.
- Meets functional goals – Drought-tolerance is great, but that may not be your only tree goal. If you need shade, screening, seasonal interest, or wildlife support, you’ll need options.
- Available from local nurseries – Local nurseries are your best option for trees acclimated to regional conditions. They’re far more likely to perform better, and you’ve also got local expert help on your tree selection.
Need more help with tree selection? Get our checklist here!
Top Drought-Tolerant Utah Trees
Utah’s unique climate—low annual rainfall, hot summers, and cold winters—demands trees that are both resilient and resource-efficient. But when you’re shopping for a tree, those may not be the first two things on your list.
Thankfully, there are native trees that will not only meet environmental demands but will also provide other benefits for your property, community, or cityscape. Whether you’re looking for shade, screening, beauty, or even a backyard harvest, there are drought-tolerant options that thrive in Utah’s landscape.
Fast‑Growing Drought-Tolerant Shade Trees
These trees offer quick canopy coverage and relief from Utah’s intense summer sun—without guzzling water.
- Sunburst® Honeylocust (Gleditsia triacanthos inermis 'Suncole') – A tough, adaptable tree with fine-textured foliage that casts light shade and tolerates drought, alkaline soils, and urban conditions.
- Northern Catalpa (Catalpa speciosa) – Large heart-shaped leaves and dramatic summer flowers, fast-growing and tolerant of heat and moderate drought.
- Kentucky Coffeetree (Gymnocladus dioicus) – A rugged, fast-growing shade tree that thrives in Utah’s tough soils and dry climate. It offers dappled shade with its fern-like leaves, has excellent drought tolerance once established, and is highly resistant to pests and diseases. Its striking winter silhouette adds year-round interest.
Drought-Tolerant Evergreen Screening Trees
For year-round privacy, wind protection, or visual structure, these evergreens deliver without heavy watering demands.
- Baby Blue Eyes Colorado Spruce (Picea pungens 'Baby Blue Eyes') – A compact, silvery-blue spruce ideal for smaller screens or clustered plantings. Well-suited for dry, sunny spots, it offers elegant color and low-maintenance coverage.
- Ponderosa Pine (Pinus ponderosa)- Deep roots mean this tree is able to withstand high winds, and its thick bark protects it from fire. This makes it exceptionally well-suited for Utah's climate.
- Austrian Pine (Pinus nigra) – Tolerates urban pollution and drought with dense, dark green needles and a strong form.
Drought-Tolerant Ornamental Trees
Add color, shape, and seasonal interest to the landscape with these hardy beauties.
- Robinia Purple Robe (Robinia pseudoacacia ‘Purple Robe’) – A fast-growing, ornamental shade tree featuring rose-purple, wisteria-like flower clusters in late spring to early summer.
- Bigtooth Maple (Acer grandidentatum)- Sometimes called the western Sugar Maple, this is a small- to medium-sized native tree that in the fall, offers leaves which turn a dashing red-to-yellow.
- Goldenrain Tree (Koelreuteria paniculata) – Blooms with bright yellow flowers in summer and thrives in a variety of soils with minimal water.
- Autumn Brilliance Serviceberry (Amelanchier x grandiflora 'Autumn Brilliance') – Offers spring flowers, edible berries, and fall color; native and highly adaptable.
Drought-Tolerant Fruit Trees
Fruit trees may not have been on your list, as Utah isn’t exactly known as America’s fruit basket, but yes, you can have fruit trees in a dry climate! These varieties are better suited to Utah’s water-wise landscape.
- Redhaven Peach (*Prunus persica* 'Redhaven') – A compact, fast-growing peach tree featuring fragrant spring blossoms and flavorful summer fruit. Prefers full sun and well-drained soil, and demonstrates surprising drought tolerance once established. Great for small spaces or orchard edges.
- Anjou Pear (*Pyrus communis* 'Anjou') – A cold-hardy, oval‑crowned pear tree known for its sweet, buttery fruit. Requires minimal water once planted and tolerates urban pollution and alkaline soils—ideal for Utah’s environment.
Planting and Care Tips for Utah Landscapes
It’s important not to assume that drought-tolerant means no (or in some cases low) maintenance. Even the most drought-tolerant trees need the right start to thrive, especially in Utah’s high-desert climate. That starts at the nursery, of course, and techniques like air pruning help trees grow healthy, dense root balls that pay off once they’re in the ground.
And still, proper planting and early care are essential to long-term success.
Quick Tree Planting and Care Tips:
- Plant in early spring or fall when temperatures are milder and natural moisture is more likely.
- Dig wide, not deep. Make your hole 2–3x wider than the root ball to encourage lateral root spread.
- Amend only if necessary. Most native and drought-tolerant trees prefer well-drained, unamended soils.
- Mulch mindfully. Apply 2–4" of mulch around the base. Keep mulch away from the trunk– this helps retain moisture and regulate temperature.
- Stake only when needed. In windy areas or with top-heavy young trees, use flexible ties and remove after one growing season.
- Monitor for pests and stress. Utah summers can bring insect pressure and sun scald, so keep a close eye on your trees and take action early.
At SuperTrees Nursery, we grow every tree with Utah’s climate and conditions in mind. We start with healthy root systems developed in Air-Pot® containers which promote faster establishment, healthier roots, and ultimately better long-term survivability.
Whether you’re a homeowner, HOA manager, or city planner, our team of ISA Certified Arborists is ready to help you choose the right trees for your goals. Whether it’s shade, screening, biodiversity, or beautification, the SuperTrees team is ready to match your site, soil, and water conditions to trees that will thrive for decades.
Reach out to our arborists and nursery team today, and let’s get started planning for fall planting!