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You’re standing in a tree nursery, surrounded by leafy possibilities. Shade giants promise summer coolness, flowering trees show off their natural beauty, and rugged evergreens are ready to stand guard. But with so many options, how do you pick your perfect match? You’re not alone. Whether you’re dreaming of a fruit-filled backyard, a privacy screen that actually looks good, or just a tree that won’t quit in our Rocky Mountain climate, we’re ready to help you make the decisions that really matter:
- Avoid “Oops, I didn’t know it would grow that big.”
- Find trees that can handle drought and wind, and everything the Front Range throws at them.
- Create a yard that wows, regardless of the season.
Let’s take a closer look at how choosing the right landscaping trees can impact your home, business, and community.
The Role of Trees in Landscaping
Many of us have driven through a neighborhood, maybe even our own, and fallen in love with a tree's shape or flowers. But choosing the right trees for your landscape is more than just picking what looks good; it’s about finding trees that fit your needs, enhance your space, and, perhaps most importantly, thrive in your local environment.
Whether you're looking for shade, privacy, fruit, or simply a stunning focal point, understanding trees' different roles in landscaping will help you make the best decision at the tree nursery.
Get Our Tree Selection Guide Here
Trees offer beauty and function, effectively making them the foundation of any landscape. But that doesn’t mean all trees do the same thing. From the size of their canopy and growth rate to fruiting and flowering, understanding what you want and need out of your trees and their versatility can help you shape your choices and your yard.
Trees play different and potentially multiple roles in landscaping. Understanding your priorities can help you make the right selection.
Varied Roles of Landscaping Trees
Shade Trees – Perfect for cooling your home, patio, or outdoor living areas, shade trees like maples and oaks relieve summer heat while potentially reducing energy costs, especially as they mature.
Fruit Trees – From apples to cherries, fruit-bearing trees add delicious harvests to your yard while enhancing visual appeal. That said, it’s worth being mindful of fruit drop. Some trees can produce a lot of fruit at full maturity, so you’re picking from the tree or off the ground.
Ornamental Trees – Flowering varieties like dogwoods and redbuds create eye-catching displays with seasonal blooms, while trees with striking bark or foliage (such as Japanese maples) add year-round interest.
Privacy & Windbreak Trees – Evergreens like spruce and Rocky Mountain Juniper form natural screens, blocking wind, noise, and unwanted views.
Drought-tolerant and low-maintenance Trees –Trees like honey locusts or desert willows are resilient and can withstand drought while still providing beauty for landscapes.
Wildlife-Friendly Trees – Species like serviceberry and crabapple attract birds and pollinators, supporting local ecosystems and personal wildlife watching without the added work of a bird feeder.
Whether your goal is to create a shady retreat, boost curb appeal, or grow some of your own food, selecting the right trees starts with knowing what you want them to do.
Ready to find your ideal trees? Download our free Tree Selection Checklist for expert tips on picking the best varieties for your yard!
What You'll Find at a Tree Nursery: Tree Types
A well-stocked local tree nursery offers diverse trees grown to thrive in your area, each with unique characteristics to fit different landscaping goals. Whether you're looking for fast-growing shade trees, native species, or ornamental varieties, understanding the different categories will help you select the perfect tree for your yard.
Deciduous Trees
Deciduous trees shed their leaves in the fall, offering seasonal changes in color, texture, and light filtration. They’re excellent for dynamic landscapes that shift with the seasons.
Autumn Blaze Maple (Acer x freemanii) – Fast-growing with brilliant red-orange fall foliage.
Sawtooth Oak (Quercus acutissima) – A sturdy shade tree with orange and yellow autumn leaves.
Goldenrain Tree (Koelreuteria paniculata) – Drought-tolerant with clusters of vivid yellow flowers, this tree makes a striking addition.
Quaking Aspen (Populus tremuloides) – Iconic for its shimmering leaves and striking white bark.
These trees are best for seasonal interest, providing summer shade while letting light filter through in the winter.
Trees for a Manicured Look
Some trees naturally lend themselves to formal landscapes, offering clean lines, symmetrical shapes, and minimal maintenance.
Columnar Norway Hornbeam (Carpinus betulus ‘Fastigiata’) – A narrow, upright evergreen good for smaller spaces, but slightly fuller than the Spruce (below).
Columnar Norway Spruce (Picea abies 'Cupressina') – Another narrow, upright evergreen perfect for tighter spaces.
Regal Prince Oak (Quercus x warei ‘Long’)- A large columnar tree with a narrow, oval shape. While bright to dark green with a lighter green underside, in the fall, they turn yellow-brown. Also, its acorns serve as a wildlife attractor.
These trees are best for creating formal hedges, entryways, and structured designs.
Trees with Striking Bark
When deciduous trees drop their leaves in the winter, you can still create visual appeal with bark that features peeling textures or bold colors.
Sycamore Maple (Acer pseudoplatanus) – Patchy, exfoliating bark in cream and brown tones. 
Paperbark Maple (Acer griseum) – Cinnamon-colored, peeling bark for winter interest.
Quaking Aspen (Populus tremuloides) – Smooth white bark that stands out in any season.
Japanese Stewartia (Stewartia pseudocamellia) - Truly a tree for all seasons, it blooms in early summer. In the fall, the dark green leaves transition to shades of red, orange, and burgundy. Then, once the leaves fall, the trunk becomes more visible, featuring a flaky, smooth gray outer bark and patches of orange to reddish-brown inner bark.
These trees are ideal for adding texture, winter interest, and focal points to the landscape.
Fast-Growing Trees
Need quick shade, privacy, or a mature landscape look in just a few years? Fast-growing trees deliver rapid results.
Emerald Queen Norway Maple (Acer platanoides ‘Emerald Queen) – Besides being a fast grower, this tree is a jack of all trades, offering year-round beauty with spring flowers and vibrant fall colors.
Northern Catalpa (Catalpa speciosa) – Another versatile tree that provides ornamental value and an attractive canopy. The trunk also adds interest with its gray color and flaky, brittle wood.
Tulip Tree (Liriodendron tulipifera)- A fast grower that becomes even more impressive once it reaches maturity (12 years) and starts flowering. It features medium-sized tulip-shaped flowers that bloom after the bright green leaves emerge. The flowers are stunners with yellow-green petals and an orange base.
Cottonwood 600E - (Populus) Significant to natives and pioneers alike, this Cottonwood has been propagated by the SuperTrees team. Like its family, it’s known as an adaptable, fast grower.
These trees are ideal for new properties, providing quick coverage and protection in areas prone to erosion.
Native & Drought-Tolerant Trees
Native trees are best adapted to local conditions, and drought-tolerant trees require less water and care once established.
Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) – The most common Christmas tree can live another life as a beautiful addition to your landscaping. These large evergreens can provide a natural screen, whether in clusters or as a standalone.
Kentucky Coffeetree (Gymnocladus dioica) – This tough and adaptable tree is both drought and pollution-tolerant. It is growing more popular as an ornamental tree around cities for its tolerance of urban conditions and attractive appearance.
Hackberry (Celtis occidentalis)- When we think of climate adaptability and versatility, the Hackberry is among the first to come to mind. Whether looking for a great shade provider in a yard or park, is an excellent choice as a tree for a park or big yard as a shade tree. Its rough and corky bark provides some winter appeal, and small purple fruit appears in the fall, attracting birds.
These trees are best for those seeking sustainable landscaping and low-water yards.
Ornamental & Flowering Trees
While most trees pull double duty, ornamental and flowering trees add color, fragrance, and elegance if you're looking to beautify outdoor spaces.
Spring Snow Fruitless Flowering Crabapple- sproutfree™(Malus 'Spring Snow' sproutfree™) – A fast grower, this tree features light pink buds which open up as fragrant, pure white flowers mid-spring.
Akebono Flowering Cherry (Prunus x yedoensis ‘Akebono’) – This tree is known for its abundance of flowers in mid-spring, with large, semi-double, light pink flowers emerging and covering the bare branches.
Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis) – A popular tree known for its early spring flowers. Usually in April, rose-pink/purple flowers emerge on the tree, creating a welcome display of color after the winter months.
These trees are best if you’re trying to add curb appeal, accent smaller gardens, or create pollinator support.
Evergreens and Conifers
Looking for year-round greenery, windbreaks, and privacy screens? Evergreens and conifers are the best option.
Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) – The most common Christmas tree can live another life as a beautiful addition to your landscaping. These large evergreens can provide a natural screen, whether in clusters or as a standalone.
Vanderwolf Pyramid Limber Pine (Pinus flexilis ‘Vanderwolf Pyramid’)– Smaller and dense, which makes it a superb choice as a windbreak option, and it does well in western soils.
Baby Blue Eyes Colorado Spruce- (Picea pungens ‘Baby Blue Eyes’) – An ornamental evergreen, this spruce is small and dense. It provides a pretty foliage color, making it an excellent choice for gardens, small landscapes, or confined spaces.
Hazel Smith Blue Giant Sequoia (Sequoiradendron giganteum ‘Hazel Smith’)- A fast grower with beautiful, aromatic blue-gray needles that keep their color through the winter. The red-brown spongy bark is gorgeous as well.
Evergreens and conifers make excellent natural privacy screens, offering wind protection and winter interest.
This is just a small selection of what’s available at local nurseries. Choosing the right tree often involves multiple factors, and fortunately, there are many options.
What to Ask at the Tree Nursery
Trees are an investment, and you want them to help meet your property goals. Working with the right nursery, one that provides healthy trees, is a great place to start. But, before buying, here are a few key questions to ensure you choose the right tree:
- Is this tree native or well-adapted to our area? (Ensures drought/cold tolerance)
- How large will it get at maturity? (Avoids overcrowding)
- Does it have any pest/disease vulnerabilities? (Prevents future problems)
- What’s the best planting/care routine? (Sets your tree up for success and helps you understand tree service and maintenance needs)
- Do you guarantee your trees? (Many nurseries offer 1-year warranties)
If you want more help on what to ask and what to know, get our Tree Selection Checklist here!
How a Local Tree Nursery Can Help You Meet Tree Goals
Partnering with a local tree nursery ensures your landscaping vision thrives.
In fact, your local nursery is one of your best resources for tree knowledge and support. They can offer you:
- Regional Expertise – They can recommend trees that grow well in Colorado, Utah, or the Pacific Northwest climate, soil, and elevation*.
- Healthy, Climate-Acclimated Stock – Get trees adapted to local conditions, reducing transplant shock.
- Sustainable Choices – Local nurseries prioritize native and drought-tolerant species to conserve water and support ecosystems.
- Tailored Advice – You can get personalized care tips for your site (sun exposure, space constraints, etc.).
- Long-Term Support – From planting to pruning, a local nursery can help you nurture your trees year-round. They can help you identify and resolve issues as they arise.
- Community Focus – Supporting local nurseries keeps dollars in your community and preserves regional green spaces.
Whether you’re a landscaping company, HOA manager planning a communal landscape, or a homeowner creating a backyard oasis, the SuperTrees team can provide the knowledge, quality, and service to ensure your trees survive and thrive.
If you’re ready to plan or plant, reach out to our team today, explore our trees, or visit our Riverton, Utah nursery. We’re here to help and pride ourselves on providing healthy air-pruned stock that helps with tree establishment and puts them on a path to long, healthy lives.
