Shade Trees
California White Alder — Alnus rhombifolia
Fast-growing, very tolerant of heat and wind. Dark green foliage. Prefers plenty of water. Deep watering recommended. Seeds attract birds. 50-80 ft. x 40 ft. Sunset zones 1-9, 14-21.
Italian Alder — Alnus cordata
Reaches 40-50ft. (smaller than Calif. white alder.) Four-inch dark green leaves, very attractive tree. Decorative woody cones in winter. Invasive roots, less so if deep watered. Sunset zones 8,9,14-24.
Berrinda® Ash — Fraxinus velutina 'Berrinda'
Cold hardy variety native to New Mexico. Seedless. Bright yellow fall color. Fast-growing to 50 feet, spreading to 40 feet. USDA zone 5b.
Fan Tex Ash — Fraxinus velutina 'Fan Tex'
Superior selection of Arizona ash. Large dark green leaves, symmetrical canopy, fast growing, seedless. Good tree for southwestern desert climates. Budded onto seedling Arizona ash.
Fan West Ash — Fraxinus pennsylvanica 'Fan West'
Thought to be a hybrid of Arizona ash and Texas green ash. Large olive green leaves, seedless. Upright growth habit, nicely shaped. Tolerates heat, wind. More cold hardy than Fan Tex ash.
Modesto Ash — Fraxinus velutina glabra
Beautiful deciduous shade tree for arid climates - anthracnose fungus may be a problem elsewhere. Vigorous, to 50ft. tall and 30ft. wide. Spectacular yellow fall color. Sunset zones 3-24.
Raywood Ash — Fraxinus oxycarpa 'Raywoodi'
Fast-growing, tolerates heat, cold, alkaline soil. Compact, round-headed. Small, delicate leaves, lacy appearance. Purplish-red fall color. No seeds. 25-35 ft. Sunset zones 3-9, 12-24.
Shamel Ash — Fraxinus uhdei
Evergreen in low desert, semi-deciduous in colder climates. Very attractive foliage. Fast-growing, spreading with age, may eventually reach 60ft. or more. Not hardy below 20 degrees. Deep watering recommended.
Quaking Aspen — Populus tremuloides
Very distinctive tree - light green round leaves flutter and shimmer in the slightest breeze. Fast growing to 40-60ft. Smooth bark, light grayish green to whitish. Bright yellow fall color. Sunset zones 1-7.
Crimson Frost Birch — Betula 'Crimson Frost'
Crimson leaf color in full sun throughout the summer. Exfoliating bark.
Cutleaf Birch — Betula pendula 'Laciniata'
Especially attractive tree: silvery-white bark, weeping side limbs, deeply cut leaves. Reaches 40' x 20'. Less heat tolerant than species. Needs regular water and feeding. Sunset zones 1-11, 14-24.
Dakota Pinnacle® Birch — Betula 'Dakota Pinnacle ®'
Narrowly pyramidal to columnar growth habit with slightly exfoliating bark when mature. Very tolerant of drought, heat, wind, and clay soils with high pH. Some tolerance of bronze birch borer. Retains dark green foliage throughout the summer. (Patent #2219665)
European White Birch — Betula pendula
Most popular deciduous tree in the West. 30-40 ft. high, with weeping side branches and delicate, lacy foliage. White bark. Does best with ample water and fertilizer. Sunset zones 1-11, 14-24.
Jacquemonti Birch — Betula jacquemontii
Whitest bark of all birches. Upright, narrow growth to 50'x3O'. Dark green, leathery leaves. Needs ample water, regular feeding. Sunset zones 3-11, 14-17.
Japanese Birch — Betula platyphylla japonica
Resistant to borers. Vigor and size similar to European white birch-large dark green leaf similar to paper birch. Attractive white bark. Needs ample water and fertilizer. Sunset zones 1-11, 14-24.
Young's Weeping Birch — Betula pendula 'Youngii'
Grows asymmetrically into fascinating shapes, side limbs weeping. Wider than tall, to 15'x2O'. Foliage similar to species. Less heat tolerant than species. Yellow fall color.
Flamingo Box Elder — Acer negundo 'Flamingo'
Smaller, more desirable than the species. Traditional maple-shaped canopy, sharply contrasting green and white variegated leaves tinged with pink-a striking accent tree for the landscape. Likes water, good lawn tree. Grows to 30ft. or more. Sunset zones 1-10, 12-24.
Western Catalpa — Catalpa speciosa
Widely adapted-cold or hot climates. All soils. Large, heart-shaped leaves, long seed capsules shaped like beans. White flowers in late spring and summer. Flowers & pods litter beneath tree. 40-60 ft. high.
Pink Dawn Chitalpa — X Chitalpa tashkentensis 'Pink Dawn' (Catalpa x Chilopsis)
Very fast-growing, relatively small single or multi-trunked tree, reaches approximately 20x20ft. Very drought tolerant. Large clusters of trumpet-shaped flowers in summer are pale purplish-pink with pale yellow throat. Long, narrow, attractive, glossy green leaves. Hybridized in Russia. Adapted to Southern Calif. and low desert climates of the southwestern U.S.
Cottonless Cottonwood — Populus candicans, P. balsamifera 'Balm of Gilead'
Broad-topped tree to 60ft. Noted for distinctive, shimmering leaves. Widely adapted, including desert. Very fast growing. Invasive roots. All zones.
Western Cottonwood (Cottonless) — Populus fremonti
Fast-growing to 60 ft. or more, by 30ft. wide. Shimmering leaves are especially distinctive, ornamental. Widely adapted, including desert. Yellow fall color. Invasive roots. Sunset Zones 7-24.
Drake Evergreen (Chinese) Elm — Ulmus parvifolia 'Drake'
Deciduous in cold climates, evergreen elsewhere. Very fast growth to 50 ft. Long arching/weeping limbs, tree wider than tall. Virtually pest/disease-free. Sunset zones 8-9, 12-24.
Golden Chain — Laburnum vossii
Small tree to 30ft. Green bark, clover-like bright green leaves. Yellow flowers in long, wisteria-like clusters. Prefers neutral to acidic soil, not tolerant of extreme heat. Relatively pest-free. Sunset zones 1-10, 14-17.
Golden Rain Tree —Koelreuteria paniculata
Slowly reaches 30x30 ft. Open habit, gives light shade. Compound leaves, yellow flower clusters, ornamental seed pods. Tolerates heat, wind, drought, cold, alkaline soil. Sunset zones 2-21.
Chinese Hackberry — Celtis sinensis
Deciduous shade tree, similar to Elm, but smaller. Glossy, scallop-toothed, dark green leaves. Deep-rooted, tolerates heat, wind, drought, alkaline soil. 30-40 ft., spreading growth habit. Sunset zones 8-16, 18-20.
Paul's Scarlet Hawthorne — Crataegus laevigata 'Paul's Scarlet'
The showiest hawthome. Profuse, double scarlet flowers. Toothed, lobed leaves. Thorny branches. Grows to 20-25ft. x 15-20ft. Tends toward rank growth if given too much water. Sunset zones 1-11, 14-17.
Washington Hawthorn — Crataegus phaenopyrum
Glossy green foliage, large clusters of small white flowers late spring/early summer. Red and orange fall color. Showy, bright red fruit in fall and winter. Less susceptible to fireblight than other hawthorns. Open growth habit to 25ft. high, 20ft. wide. Sunset zones 1-11, 14-17.
Golden Honeylocust — Gleditsia tri. inermis 'Aurea'
Deciduous shade or accent tree with yellow new foliage. Distinctive small leaflets, long seed pods. Tolerates heat, cold, wind, drought, alkaline soil. 40-50 ft. Sunset zones 1-16, 18-20.
Shademaster Honeylocust — Gleditsia tri. inermis 'Shademaster'™
Very fast-growing, deciduous. Tolerates heat, cold, wind, drought, alkaline soil. Distinctive small leaflets, long seed pods. 50-60 ft. Sunset zones 1-16, 18-20.
Idaho Locust — Robinia idahoensis
Shapely deciduous shade tree to 40ft. Tolerates heat/cold/poor soil/drought. Distinctive small leaflets. Large, bright pink, showy flowers (spring/early summer.) Deep watering recommended. All zones.
Purple Robe Locust — Robinia idahoensis 'Purple Robe'
Shapely deciduous tree to 40ft. Tolerates heat/cold/poor soil/drought. Small leaflets, reddish new growth. Large, purplish-pink showy flowers, prolonged bloom. Deep watering recommended. All zones.
Bloodgood London Plane — Platanus acerfolia 'Bloodgood'
Fast-growing deciduous tree to 80 ft. Large maplelike leaves, distinctive patchy bark pattern. Resists anthracnose, tolerates smog. Very desirable for street, park, and lawn plantings. Sunset zones 2-24.
Autumn Blaze ® Maple — Acer freemani
New hybrid of red maple and silver maple. Dense oval shaped canopy with brilliant orange-to-red fall color. Has character and fall color similar to Red Maple with adaptability similar to Silver Maple. Drought tolerant. Sunset zones 1-9, 14-24.
Autumn Fantasy Maple — Acer freemani
New hybrid of red maple and silver maple. Bright red fall color, even in warm climates. Fast-growing, strong-limbed, tolerates alkaline soil, Drought tolerant. Sunset zones 1-9, 14-24.
Norway Maple — Acer platanoides
Round-headed tree, densely foliated, grows at moderately fast rate to 60-70ft. Leaves are large, dark green, 5-lobed. Bright yellow fall color in cold climates. Ample soil moisture required. Sunset zones 1-9, 14-17.
Red Maple — Acer rubrum
A favorite deciduous shade tree. Grows to 40x20ft. Prefers ample water and feeding. Brilliant red fall color in cold climates. Sunset zones 1-7, 14-17.
October Glory® Maple - Acer rubrum 'October Glory®'
Nearly round canopy, glossy, dark-green foliage. Better suited to mild winter/hot summer climates than other red maples. Showy red fall color. Ample soil moisture required. Reaches 40x35 ft. Sunset zones 1-9, 14-17.
Red Sunset Maple — Acer rubrum 'Red Sunset'®
Upright growth to 40 ft., oval-shaped canopy. Glossy, dark green leaves. Bright red or orange-red fall color. Ample soil moisture required. Sunset zones 1-9, 14-17.
Silver Maple — Acer saccharinum
40-100 ft. tall, equal spread. Attractive, open form. Red, orange & yellow fall colors in cold climate. Main limbs are strongest if wide angled. Not tolerant of alkaline soil, drought. Sunset zones 1-9, 14-24.
Sugar Maple — Acer saccharum
Spectacular fall colors in cold climates: shades of red, orange, yellow. Tolerates fairly hot summer with ample water. Large 5-lobed leaves. Fibrous root system. Grows moderately to 50-60 ft. Sunset zones 1-10, 14-20.
Legacy Sugar Maple — Acer saccharum 'Legacy'
Glossy dark green foliage holds up well, resisting leaf tatter and drought. Dense, uniform oval crown. 50'x35' or larger. Brilliant red and orange fall colors in cold areas. Sunset zones 1-10, 14-20. Pat. No. 4979.
Mimosa (Silk Tree) — Albizzia julibrissin
Rapid growth to 35ft. high x 50ft. wide. Fern-like branches, pink pom-pom flowers. Tolerates hot summer, desert conditions. Drought tolerant, but best with ample water. Sunset zones 2-23.
European Mountain Ash — Sorbus aucuparia
Showy bright orange-red fruit in fall. Upright growth, oval to rounded, reaching 35x25ft. White flower clusters, dark green fernlike leaflets. Tolerates heat, cold, wind. Fall colors vary. Sunset zones 1-10, 14-17.
Fruitless Mulberry — Morus alba 'Fruitless'
Very fast growing, to 40x50 ft., dense shade. Tolerates summer heat, alkaline soil. Drought tolerant, but best with ample water and feeding. Not necessary to pollard each winter. All zones.
Black Oak — Quercus kelloggii
Dark, rugged, striking bark. Bright green foliage, yellow fall color. Moderately fast growing, size varies from 30ft. to 70ft. or more. Common in Yosemite Valley. Sunset zones: 7,15,16,18-21.
Pin Oak — Quercus palustris
Young trees narrow and pyramidal, older trees spreading and rounded, to 80ft. or more. Lower branches droop. Glossy dark green leaves, deeply cut lobes. Requires ample water, good lawn tree. Brown leaves hang on tree through winter. All zones.
Red Oak — Quercus rubra
Large, slow-growing, round-topped tree to 90 feet. Deciduous. Large leaves, fall color is red to reddish-brown or brown, sometimes orange. Needs fertile soil and ample water. Deep root system. Sunset zones 1-12, 14-24.
Shumard Red Oa — Quercus shumardii
Closely resembles Scarlet Oak. Open growth habit, grows moderately fast in good soil to 60 ft. or more. Deeply cut lobed leaves. Yellow and red fall colors. Tolerant of acidic and poorly drained soils. Sunset zones 4-9, 12, 14-17.
Valley Oak (California White Oak) — Quercus lobata
Native to California's inland valleys and foothills. Massive trunk and limbs twist into unique shapes. Trees reach 70ft. or more, equal spread. Dark green, deeply cut lobed leaves, dark gray checked bark. Prefers deep soil, tolerates alkaline soil. Sunset zones 1-3, 6-16, 18-21.
Japanese Pagoda Tree — Sophora japonica
Attractive, trouble-free, deciduous. Oak-like bark, dark green leaflets. Interesting flower clusters and seed pods in late summer. Rapid growth when young, then more slowly to 40'x4O'. Resists oak root fungus. All soils, all zones.
Regent Pagoda Tree — Sophora japonica 'Regent'
Very fast-growing, large glossy leaves, virtually pest free. Uniform growth, reaching 50x45 ft. Oak-like bark, dark green leaflets. Interesting flower clusters and seed pods in late summer. Yellow fall color. All zones.
Lombardy Poplar — Populus nigra 'Italica'
Rapid growth to 40-100 ft. Columnar form, used for quick screen or wind break. Yellow fall color. Shimmering leaves are especially distinctive, ornamental. Invasive roots. All zones.
Mojave Hybrid Poplar — Populus candicans 'Mojave Hybrid'
Broad-topped, fast growing tree to 50-60ft. Shimmering leaves are especially distinctive, ornamental. Bark nearly white. Widely adapted, including desert. Invasive roots.
Silver Leaf Poplar — Populus alba
Very distinctive shimmering foliage, leaves dark green on top, whitish underneath. Fast-growing, spreading tree to 50ft. or more. Widely adapted, including desert. Invasive roots.
Theves Poplar — Populus nigra 'Thevestina'
Fast-growing to 80ft. or more, attractive white bark. Distinctive, shimmering leaves. Columnar form, used for quick screen or windbreak. Uniform yellow fall color. Invasive roots. All zones.
Eastern Redbud — Cercis canadensis
Round-headed tree to 25-35 ft. Large, bright green leaves. Spectacular display of purplish-pink flowers in spring. Fall color in colder climates. Average water. Sunset zones 1-3, 7-20.
Western Redbud — Cercis occidentalis
Multi-trunked tree to15'x15'. Spectacular bright purplish-pink sweet-pea-shaped flowers. Yellow to red fall color. Drought tolerant, resistant to oak root fungus. Sunset zones 2-24.
Purple Smoke Tree — Cotinus coggygria 'atropurpurea'
Purple foliage, rich purple "smoke": hazy-appearing clusters of fuzzy, purple flower stalks. Multi-trunked shrub or small tree to 20x20ft. Likes cold, needs good drainage, resists oak root fungus. All zones.
California Sycamore — Platanus racemosa
Large tree to 80-100 ft. Large, light green leaves, lobed like maple. Mottled, multi-colored trunks due to bark shedding in patches. Tolerates heat, wind, likes deep watering in summer. Sunset zones 4-24.
Columbia Sycamore — Platanus occidentalis x Platanus orientalis
Similar to European Sycamore (p. acerfolia), but having greater resistance to anthracnose. Fast-growing to 80 ft. Large maple-like leaves, distinctive patchy bark pattern. Very desirable for street, park, and lawn plantings. Sunset zones 2-24.
Texas Umbrella — Melia azedarach
Dense, dome-shaped canopy, dark forest-green leaves. Very tolerant of heat, wind, drought, alkaline soil. Brittle wood, some limb breakage in windy areas. 30x30ft. Sunset zones 6, 8-24.
Fan Giant Blue Willow — Salix blanda 'Fan Giant'™
Reported to he less susceptible to borers than Salix babylonica. Very vigorous. Leaves bluish green, broader than S. babylonica, growth habit somewhat less weeping. 40-50 ft., wider than tall. All zones.
Corkscrew Willow — Salix matsudana 'Tortuosa'
Remarkable growth pattern of twisted, spiralling branches. Less dependent on high soil moisture than other willows - good choice for high desert. Grows to 30x20 ft. All zones.
Globe Willow — Salix matsudana 'Umbraculifera'
Fast growing to 35' x 35'. Round (umbrella) shaped canopy, long narrow leaves. Short dormant period. Drought tolerant, adapted to most zones including high desert.
Golden Weeping Willow — Salix alba tristis (S. babylonica aurea)
Fast-growing, cold hardy, short dormant period. Distinctive ornamental: yellow new growth against green older foliage and branches. Grows to 80x80ft. or more (much larger than S. babylonica). Invasive roots. All zones, but best where winters are cold.
Navajo Globe Willow — Salix matsudana 'Navajo'
Large round-headed tree to 50 ft. x 50 ft. or more. Very hardy, adapted to high desert climates. S. matsudana varieties require less water than other willows. Very fast-growing. Any soil. All zones.
Weeping Willow — Salix babylonica
Fast-growing, cold hardy, short dormant period. Long narrow leaves, pronounced weeping growth habit. Needs plenty of water. Stake high to develop usable area underneath. 30x30ft. or larger.
Sawleaf Zelkova — Zelkova serrata
Moderately fast growing to 60x60ft., suggested as substitute for elm. Dark green elm-like leaves with sawtooth edges. Smooth gray bark, similar to beech. Widely adapted, virtually pest-free. Fall colors vary. Sunset zones 3-21.
Village Green Zelkova — Zelkova serrata 'Village Green'
Fast growing to 40-50ft., vase shaped, more upright than Z. serrata. Dark green elm-like leaves with sawtooth edges. Smooth gray bark like beech. Widely adapted, few problems. Fall color varies. Sunset zones 3-21.
