Colorado native trees for the Front Range
Quick answer
28 plants make our list of colorado native trees for the Front Range. Examples include Alder, Thinleaf/Mountain, Birch, Rocky Mountain/Water, Douglas-fir, Rocky Mountain Douglas fir, Fir, White, and Hawthorn, River/Douglas. Each is rated for Colorado Front Range conditions and drawn from the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List and regional extension references.
Native trees are adapted to Front Range soils, cold snaps, and low rainfall, and they support local wildlife. These species are Colorado natives suited to landscapes from the foothills to the plains.
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Compare these trees at a glance
| Plant | Mature height | Water | Colorado native | Hardiness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alder, Thinleaf/Mountain | 20–30 ft | medium to high water | Yes | USDA 3–7 |
| Birch, Rocky Mountain/Water | 15–25 ft | medium to high water | Yes | USDA 3–7 |
| Douglas-fir, Rocky Mountain Douglas fir | 40–80 ft | medium water | Yes | USDA 4–6 |
| Fir, White | 50–80 ft | medium water | Yes | USDA 3–7 |
| Hawthorn, River/Douglas | 20–30 ft | medium water | Yes | USDA 4–8 |
| Juniper, One: Seed | 10–20 ft | low water | Yes | USDA 3–8 |
| Juniper, Rocky Mountain | 15–30 ft | low water | Yes | USDA 3–8 |
| Maple, Bigtooth | 20–30 ft | low to medium water | Yes | USDA 4–8 |
| Maple, Boxelder 'Sensation' | 30–40 ft | low to medium water | Yes | USDA 2–9 |
| Maple, Rocky Mountain | 10–25 ft | medium to high water | Yes | USDA 4–8 |
| Oak, Gambel | 15–30 ft | low water | Yes | USDA 3–8 |
| Oak, Wavyleaf | 6–15 ft | low water | Yes | USDA 4–8 |
Ordered Colorado-native first, then alphabetically, not a quality ranking. Full list below.
All 28 plants
Alder, Thinleaf/MountainAlnus incana subsp. tenuifolia20–30 ftmedium to high waterColorado nativeUSDA 3–7
Birch, Rocky Mountain/WaterBetula occidentalis15–25 ftmedium to high waterColorado nativeUSDA 3–7
Douglas-fir, Rocky Mountain Douglas firPseudotsuga menziesii var. glauca40–80 ftmedium waterColorado nativeUSDA 4–6
Fir, WhiteAbies concolor50–80 ftmedium waterColorado nativeUSDA 3–7
Hawthorn, River/DouglasCrataegus douglasii20–30 ftmedium waterColorado nativeUSDA 4–8
Juniper, One: SeedJuniperus monosperma10–20 ftlow waterColorado nativeUSDA 3–8
Juniper, Rocky MountainJuniperus scopulorum15–30 ftlow waterColorado nativeUSDA 3–8
Maple, BigtoothAcer grandidentatum20–30 ftlow to medium waterColorado nativeUSDA 4–8
Maple, Boxelder 'Sensation'Acer negundo30–40 ftlow to medium waterColorado nativeUSDA 2–9
Maple, Rocky MountainAcer glabrum10–25 ftmedium to high waterColorado nativeUSDA 4–8
Oak, GambelQuercus gambelii15–30 ftlow waterColorado nativeUSDA 3–8
Oak, WavyleafQuercus undulata6–15 ftlow waterColorado nativeUSDA 4–8
Pine, 'Vanderwolf's Pyramid'Pinus flexilis25–30 ftlow to medium waterColorado nativeUSDA 4–7
Pine, Bristlecone(foxtail)Pinus aristata15–30 ftlow to medium waterColorado nativeUSDA 4–7- Pine, LimberPinus flexilis30–50 ftlow to medium waterColorado nativeUSDA 4–7
Pine, LodgepolePinus contorta30–50 ftlow to medium waterColorado nativeUSDA 3–7
Pine, PinyonPinus edulis15–30 ftlow to medium waterColorado nativeUSDA 4–8
Pine, PonderosaPinus ponderosa60–100 ftlow to medium waterColorado nativeUSDA 3–7
Pine, Southwestern WhitePinus strobiformis50–70 ftlow to medium waterColorado nativeUSDA 3–7
Poplar (cottonwood), HighlandPopulus x acuminata x sargentii50–70 ftmedium waterColorado nativeUSDA 3–8
Poplar (cottonwood), LanceleafPopulus x acuminata40–60 ftmedium waterColorado nativeUSDA 3–8
Poplar (cottonwood), NarrowleafPopulus angustifolia30–50 ftlow to medium waterColorado nativeUSDA 3–8
Poplar (cottonwood), Plains 'Jeronimus'Populus deltoides subsp. monilifera50–70 ftmedium waterColorado nativeUSDA 3–8
Poplar (cottonwood), Quaking AspenPopulus tremuloides20–50 ftmedium waterColorado nativeUSDA 1–6
Spruce, ColoradoPicea pungens50–75 ftmedium to high waterColorado nativeUSDA 2–7
Spruce, Colorado Blue: BABY BLUE®, Baby Blue Eyes, Bakeri, Fastigiata, Fat Albert, Hoopsi, Colorado Weeping, Sester DwarfPicea pungens glauca15–50 ftmedium to high waterColorado nativeUSDA 2–7Spruce, Engleman SprucePicea engelmannii40–60 ftmedium to high waterColorado nativeUSDA 2–6
Willow, PeachleafSalix amygdaloides25–50 ftlow to medium waterColorado nativeUSDA 3–8
Frequently asked questions
- How big do these trees get?
- Mature heights range from about 6 to 100 ft across the 28 trees on this list. Each plant's page lists its exact mature size and spread.
- Which of these are Colorado native?
- All 28 trees on this list are Colorado natives.
- How much water do these plants need?
- 15 of the 28 are rated low or low-to-medium water; the rest need moderate water. Each plant's page lists its water rating.
- How were these plants selected?
- Each of the 28 plants meets this page's criteria and is cross-referenced against the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List, CSU Extension, Denver Botanic Gardens, and USDA PLANTS. This is a reference guide, not a paid listing.
Related guides
- Low-water trees for the Colorado Front Range
- Best shade trees for the Colorado Front Range
- Small trees for Front Range yards
- Front Range plants that are toxic to dogs
- Trees to avoid on the Colorado Front Range
- Deer-resistant plants for the Front Range
- Fast-growing shade trees for the Colorado Front Range
- Best fall color trees for the Colorado Front Range
- Best pollinator trees for the Colorado Front Range
- Evergreen trees for the Colorado Front Range
- Salt-tolerant trees and shrubs for the Front Range
- Hail-tolerant trees and shrubs for the Front Range