Colorado native trees for the Front Range
Quick answer
28 plants make our list of colorado native trees for the Front Range. Examples include 'Vanderwolf's Pyramid' Pine, Bigtooth Maple (species), Boxelder 'Sensation' Maple, Bristlecone(foxtail) Pine, and Colorado Blue Spruce. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 'Vanderwolf's Pyramid' Pine | 25–30 ft | low to medium water | Yes | USDA 4–7 |
| Bigtooth Maple (species) | 20–30 ft | low to medium water | Yes | USDA 4–8 |
| Boxelder 'Sensation' Maple | 30–40 ft | low to medium water | Yes | USDA 2–9 |
| Bristlecone(foxtail) Pine | 15–30 ft | low to medium water | Yes | USDA 4–7 |
| Colorado Blue Spruce | 15–50 ft | medium to high water | Yes | USDA 2–7 |
| Colorado Spruce | 50–75 ft | medium to high water | Yes | USDA 2–7 |
| Engleman Spruce | 40–60 ft | medium to high water | Yes | USDA 2–6 |
| Gambel Oak | 15–30 ft | low water | Yes | USDA 3–8 |
| Highland Poplar (cottonwood) | 50–70 ft | medium water | Yes | USDA 3–8 |
| Lanceleaf Poplar (cottonwood) | 40–60 ft | medium water | Yes | USDA 3–8 |
| Limber Pine | 30–50 ft | low to medium water | Yes | USDA 4–7 |
| Lodgepole Pine | 30–50 ft | low to medium water | Yes | USDA 3–7 |
Ordered Colorado-native first, then alphabetically, not a quality ranking. Full list below.
All 28 plants
'Vanderwolf's Pyramid' PinePinus flexilis25–30 ftlow to medium waterColorado nativeUSDA 4–7
Bigtooth Maple (species)Acer grandidentatum20–30 ftlow to medium waterColorado nativeUSDA 4–8
Boxelder 'Sensation' MapleAcer negundo30–40 ftlow to medium waterColorado nativeUSDA 2–9
Bristlecone(foxtail) PinePinus aristata15–30 ftlow to medium waterColorado nativeUSDA 4–7
Colorado Blue SprucePicea pungens glauca15–50 ftmedium to high waterColorado nativeUSDA 2–7
Colorado SprucePicea pungens50–75 ftmedium to high waterColorado nativeUSDA 2–7Engleman SprucePicea engelmannii40–60 ftmedium to high waterColorado nativeUSDA 2–6
Gambel OakQuercus gambelii15–30 ftlow waterColorado nativeUSDA 3–8
Highland Poplar (cottonwood)Populus x acuminata x sargentii50–70 ftmedium waterColorado nativeUSDA 3–8
Lanceleaf Poplar (cottonwood)Populus x acuminata40–60 ftmedium waterColorado nativeUSDA 3–8- Limber PinePinus flexilis30–50 ftlow to medium waterColorado nativeUSDA 4–7
Lodgepole PinePinus contorta30–50 ftlow to medium waterColorado nativeUSDA 3–7
Narrowleaf Poplar (cottonwood)Populus angustifolia30–50 ftlow to medium waterColorado nativeUSDA 3–8
One JuniperJuniperus monosperma10–20 ftlow waterColorado nativeUSDA 3–8
Peachleaf WillowSalix amygdaloides25–50 ftlow to medium waterColorado nativeUSDA 3–8
Pinyon PinePinus edulis15–30 ftlow to medium waterColorado nativeUSDA 4–8
Plains 'Jeronimus' Poplar (cottonwood)Populus deltoides subsp. monilifera50–70 ftmedium waterColorado nativeUSDA 3–8
Ponderosa PinePinus ponderosa60–100 ftlow to medium waterColorado nativeUSDA 3–7
Quaking Aspen Poplar (cottonwood)Populus tremuloides20–50 ftmedium waterColorado nativeUSDA 1–6
River/Douglas HawthornCrataegus douglasii20–30 ftmedium waterColorado nativeUSDA 4–8
Rocky Mountain Douglas firPseudotsuga menziesii var. glauca40–80 ftmedium waterColorado nativeUSDA 4–6
Rocky Mountain Juniper (species)Juniperus scopulorum15–30 ftlow waterColorado nativeUSDA 3–8
Rocky Mountain MapleAcer glabrum10–25 ftmedium to high waterColorado nativeUSDA 4–8
Rocky Mountain/Water BirchBetula occidentalis15–25 ftmedium to high waterColorado nativeUSDA 3–7
Southwestern White PinePinus strobiformis50–70 ftlow to medium waterColorado nativeUSDA 3–7
Thinleaf/Mountain AlderAlnus incana subsp. tenuifolia20–30 ftmedium to high waterColorado nativeUSDA 3–7
Wavyleaf OakQuercus undulata6–15 ftlow waterColorado nativeUSDA 4–8
White FirAbies concolor50–80 ftmedium waterColorado nativeUSDA 3–7
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