Quick Facts…
- Consider the length of the growing season, soil characteristics and exposure before selecting trees and shrubs for specific sites.
- Plant trees in the spring.
- Plant shrubs in the spring until late summer.
- Mulch the root area to help delay freezing of the soil in the fall and to retain soil moisture.
This fact sheet discusses non-native trees and shrubs for mountain areas above 6,500 feet. For native trees and shrubs for Colorado landscapes please refer to fact sheets 7.421 and 7.422. For recommendations for lower altitudes, see fact sheets 7.418, Small Deciduous Trees; 7.419, Large Deciduous Trees; 7.414, Evergreen Shrubs; and 7.403, Evergreen Trees.
The dividing line for a wide variety of trees appears to be at or near 7,500 ft. in Colorado. Tables 1 and 2 include non-native trees and shrubs hardy for various elevations above 6,500 feet.
Selection
Use the list of shrubs and trees from the following tables as a guide to select those most adaptable to local elevation and exposure. These lists do not take into consideration the different microclimates (such as north, south, east and west facing slopes) and soil conditions possible at a
given elevation. Cultural factors to take into consideration include:
- Soil moisture and drainage. The following tables include a notation on moisture and drainage conditions for best performance and survival.
- Exposure. Some plants perform better in the shade, others in full sun. warm, south-facing microclimate may allow trees and shrubs to perform better at higher altitudes than indicated. Exposure to wind can also determine whether a tree or shrub will survive at higher elevations.
- Length of frost-free period. Some shrubs may survive at a given elevation but may not produce flowers or fruit due to a short frost-free period.
When purchasing trees from a nursery, attempt to find out where the stock was grown. Stock originating from southern and Pacific Coast sources may be less hardy even though it is sold under the same name as stock from northern or higher elevation nurseries.
