Download Selecting the Right Tree for Castle Pines Village


The average life of a tree in the landscape is only eight years due
to poor design and planting techniques.

The best advice for selecting trees is to intentionally plant a
diversity of species in the neighborhood and community.

Avoid frequent use of only a few tree species as this increases the
likelihood of insect and disease problems.

You may wish to provide more flexibility in species selection than
your current guidelines allow (i.e. “Plantings along public streets,
common areas and open space frontages visible to the public
must be limited to native species originally found in the existing
landscape…”).

Pay attention to problem species, and try to eliminate them from
your approved list.
A WORD ON SPECIES DIVERSITY
2004
2011
2014
• The areas
infested now
include 22 states
and portions of
Canada – 50 to
100 million trees
destroyed!
• Discovered in
Boulder, CO on
9/23/2013.
• Denver Metro
area has over
1.5 million ash
trees – close to
25% of our
urban tree
canopy!

A tree placed so people can gain the greatest enjoyment
from the color, texture, scent, or other pleasures it provides.

Specimen plants are plants grown by themselves in a lawn
or garden for ornamental effect, rather than being massed
with others as are bedding plants or edging plants.
Specimen plants can thus serve as focal points in
landscape design.

There are no rules as to the type of trees that may be used
as specimens, but they are typically selected for
outstanding qualities, such as unusual or variegated
foliage, spectacular flowering, or beautiful autumnal color.
SPECIMEN TREES DEFINED
LARGER DECIDUOUS TREES
• A small tree or large shrub, native to
streams and rivers in the west
• Flowers are catkins, appearing early
in spring before the leaves emerge
• Upright habit with unusual cones
and attractive cherry-like bark
• Moist soil, full sun to part shade
• Mature height 20’, spread 10’
NATIVE THINLEAF ALDER
Alnus incana ssp. tenuifolia
• Slender native tree with an oval
crown
• Drooping leaves, does not sucker as
much as Narrowleaf Cottonwood
• Weak-wooded, prone to breakage,
aggressive root system!
• Moist, full sun
• Mature height 50’, spread 30’
• NOT RECOMMENDED
LANCELEAF COTTONWOOD
Populus  acuminata
• Asymmetrical coarsely textured
leaves, yellow fall color
• Small edible purple berry favored
by birds
• Hackberry Nipple Gall is a minor
cosmetic issue
• Mature bark develops corky ridges
and an interesting warty texture
• Adaptable to many adverse
conditions
• Xeric, deer resistant, full sun to light
shade
• Mature height 60’, spread 40’
HACKBERRY
Celtis occidentalis
• Does well in clay soils
• Dark green leaves with silvery-white
undersides
• Reddish-bronze fall color
• Xeric, full sun to light shade
• Mature height 50’, spread 40’
SWAMP WHITE OAK
Quercus bicolor
• Tolerates a wide range of soil types
and air pollutants
• Unusual corky twigs
• Yellow-brown fall color and
distinctive acorns
• Xeric, full sun
• Mature height 70’, spread 50’
BUR OAK
Quercus macrocarpa
• Fast growing tree with broad
spreading branches and a round
crown.
• Leaves turn dark red, then ruddy
brown and orange in the fall
• May be harder to establish at
higher elevations.
• Semi-Xeric, full sun
• Mature height 50’, spread 30’
NORTHERN RED OAK
Quercus rubra
• Broad round-topped tree with
spreading branches
• Fairly rapid grower, tolerates heavy
soils; available as a columnar form
• Yellow fall color, elongated acorns
• Xeric, full sun
• Mature height 50’, spread 40’
ENGLISH OAK
Quercus robur
• Prefers the moist, well-drained and
slightly acidic soils of higher
elevations
• Prone to a large variety of insect
and disease problems; short lived!
• Use nursery grown stock only, plant
on north or east exposures
• Moist, full sun
• Mature height 35’, spread 20’
• NOT RECOMMENDED
QUAKING ASPEN
Populus tremuloides
• Native maple of the British Isles; widely
used in Salt Lake City landscapes
• Adapts to a wide variety of soils,
including heavy clay and alkaline soils
• Tolerant of heat, drought, air pollution
and urban conditions
• Moderate moisture, full sun to light
shade
• Mature height 30’, spread 20’
HEDGE MAPLE
Acer campestre
SMALLER DECIDUOUS TREES
• Grows as a small tree or large multistem shrub
• Very hardy, reddish samaras
• Red to orange to yellow fall color
• Xeric, full sun to light shade
• Mature height 20’, spread 10’
GINNALA (AMUR) MAPLE
Acer ginnala
• Small native tree or large shrub
• Oval crown with smooth gray
branches – young twigs are red
• Fall color is a rose red with yellow
• Xeric, full sun
• Mature height 10 to 20’, spread 10’
ROCKY MOUNTAIN MAPLE
Acer glabrum
• Native maple tolerant of our poor
soils; very drought resistant
• Outstanding as a specimen tree
• Dark green leaves turn to red,
yellow and orange in the fall
• Xeric, full sun
• Mature height 25’, spread 25’
BIGTOOTH MAPLE
Acer grandidentatum
• Small tree or large shrub with
irregularly oval to rounded crown
• Shallow lobed green leaves turn to
yellow to orange-yellow in fall
• Winged seeds mature to rosy-red
• ‘Hot Wings’ is the best cultivar
• Xeric, full sun to light shade
• Mature height 20’, spread 15’
TATARIAN MAPLE
Acer tataricum
• Shrub or small tree with suckering
growth habit
• Tolerant of heavy clay soils
• Fragrant white flowers turn to
purple-black fruit
• Yellow to soft red fall color
• Xeric, full sun
• Mature height and spread 6’to 12’
SASKATOON SERVICEBERRY
Amelanchier alnifolia
• Large shrub or small tree with an
upright rounded crown
• Clusters of white fragrant flowers
mature to black fruit
• Orange, red and yellow fall color
• Xeric, full sun
• Mature height and spread 15’ to 20’
SHADBLOW SERVICEBERRY
Amelanchier canadensis
• Upright branches form a graceful vaseshaped tree
• Early spring flower clusters produce
edible berries
• Leaves emerge coppery-red turning to
green with orange to red fall color
• Xeric, full sun
• Mature height 25’, spread 20’
AUTUMN BRILLIANCE SERVICEBERRY
Amelanchier  grandiflora ‘Autumn Brilliance’
• Unusual birch with cinnamon
colored bark
• Shiny green leaves turn yellow to
orange in the fall
• Native to Colorado, more resistant
to borer
• Moist soils, part shade to full sun
• Mature height 30’, spread 25’
COLORADO RIVER BIRCH
Betula occidentalis var. fontinalis
• Thornless horizontal branches form
a small tree with a globular habit
• Glossy dark green leaves turn
yellow in fall
• Flat white flower clusters in spring
followed by dark red persistent fruit
• Xeric, deer resistant, full sun
• Mature height 20’, spread 15’
THORNLESS COCKSPUR HAWTHORN
Crataegus crus-galli var. inermis also known as
CRUSADER HAWTHORN Crataegus crus-galli var. inermis ‘Crusader’
• Thorny, dense upright growth habit
• Long lasting white flowers; scarlet
fruit with bright glossy green leaves
• Red fall color
• Xeric, deer resistant, full sun
• Mature height 20’, spread 15’
WASHINGTON HAWTHORN
Crataegus phaenopyrum
• Does well in clay and alkaline soils
• Tolerates both wet soils and
drought once established
• White flowers followed by bright red
fruit; long thorns are very sharp
• Xeric, deer resistant, full sun
• Mature height 20’, spread 15’
FLESHY (NATIVE)HAWTHORN
Crataegus succulenta
• Shiny green leaves with minimal
thorns. Excellent specimen tree
• Showy white flowers followed by
bright red fruit that persists through
the winter
• Red to orange fall color
• Xeric, full sun to light shade, deer
resistant
• Mature height 30’, spread 20’
WINTER KING HAWTHORN
Crataegus viridis ‘Winter King’
• Small shrubby tree with horizontal
branches and thin thorns
• White flowers turn to persistent red
fruit; yellowish bark
• Bright orange to red fall color
• Xeric, full sun to light shade, deer
resistant
• Mature height 15’, spread 15’
RUSSIAN HAWTHORN
Crataegus ambigua
• Large shrub or small tree – remove
suckers to prevent unwanted
spread
• Unpleasantly aromatic white
flowers followed by edible round
red plums
• Yellow fall color
• Xeric, full sun to light shade
• Mature height 15’, spread 10’
AMERICAN PLUM
Prunus americana
• Large oval-rounded shrub or small
tree that suckers freely
• Green summer foliage with yellow
to orange-red fall color; white
spring flowers
• Small purple fruit great for jellies,
jams, pies and sauces
• Moderate moisture, full sun to light
shade
• Mature height 25’, spread 20’
NATIVE CHOKECHERRY
Prunus virginiana
• Small to medium sized tree with an
irregular branching habit
• Shiny dark green leaves
• Yellow to orange, red and bronze
fall color
• Xeric, full sun, deer resistant
• Mature height 15’, spread 12’
GAMBEL OAK
Quercus gambelii
EVERGREEN TREES
• Grows poorly in clay soils
• Soft, flattened pale blue-green
needles
• Cones are upright, yellow-green,
maturing to brown or purple
• Full sun, moderate moisture, deer
resistant
• Mature height 50’, spread 25’
WHITE FIR
Abies concolor
• Does well in dry, sandy soils.
Intolerant of wet soils
• Light blue-green to dark green
scale like foliage, blue berries
• Available cultivars – Cologreen,
Moonglow, Wichita Blue
• Xeric, full sun, deer resistant
• Mature height 50’, spread 20’
ROCKY MOUNTAIN JUNIPER
Juniperus scopulorum
• Waxy grey-green needles, can vary
from green to intense silver-blue
• Susceptible to Spruce Gall Adelgid,
Tussock Moth, Spruce Ips Beetle,
Pine Needle Scale
• Xeric, full sun to light shade, deer
resistant
• Mature height 60’, spread 25’
COLORADO SPRUCE
Picea pungens
• Hardy, very drought tolerant native
pine. Also known as Foxtail Pine
• Buy nursery grown stock only!
• White speckles on the needles are
a secreted resin
• Xeric, full sun, deer resistant
• Mature height 30’, spread 15’
BRISTLECONE PINE
Pinus aristata
• Native pine that is slow growing. Do
not plant in lawn areas!
• Nursery grown stock is preferable.
Current recommendation is to plant
trees that are 6’ tall or less in height
• Xeric, full sun, deer resistant
• Mature height 30’, spread 20’
PINYON PINE
Pinus cembroides edulis
• Native pine grows from 5,000 to
12,000 ft. elevation
• Branches can be bent double
without breaking – withstands
heavy snows and wind
• Xeric, full sun to light shade
• Common cultivar – Vanderwolf’s
Pyramid (20’ X 10’). Great
specimen tree
• Mature height 40’, spread 30’
LIMBER PINE
Pinus flexilis
• Dark green long needles, tolerates
heat and cold
• Withstands overwatering, transplanting
and planting in sodded areas better
than Ponderosa Pine
• Xeric, full sun to light shade
• Mature height 50’, spread 20’
• Much overused – USE SPARINGLY
AUSTRIAN PINE
Pinus nigra
• Native to southwestern Colorado
and the mountains of Arizona, west
Texas and into central Mexico
• Soft dark bluish-green needles and
large ornamental cones
• Xeric to low moisture, full sun to light
shade
• Mature height 50’, spread 30’
SOUTHWESTERN WHITE PINE
Pinus strobiformis
• Native pine with a medium rate of
growth. Difficult to transplant
• Nursery grown stock is preferable.
Current recommendation is to plant
trees that are 6’ tall or less in height
• Xeric, full sun, deer resistant
• Many problems with engraver
beetles (Pine Ips, MPBB)
• Mature height 50’, spread 25’
PONDEROSA PINE
Pinus ponderosa
• Fast growing, very hardy and wind
resistant; commonly grown as
Christmas trees
• Light to medium green needles with
reddish bark and cones
• Full sun to light shade
• Mature height 50’, spread 40’
SCOTCH PINE
Pinus sylvestris
• One of the primary forest trees in
Colorado – LIMITED AVAILABILITY
• Soft medium green needles
• Distinctive cones (the "tails" give the
appearance of a rat running under
a shingle)
• Full sun and slightly moist, well
drained soils are preferred
• Mature height 60’, spread 25’
DOUGLAS FIR
Psuedotsuga menziesii
 To
give the “instant tree” appearance, larger-caliper trees are often
the choice for homeowners. However, the root systems of larger trees
also take longer to redevelop in the establishment phase of the life
cycle before the trees shift into the growth phase.
 During
the establishment phase canopy growth will be minimal. For
this reason, smaller trees
are recommended on
sites where less than ideal
growing conditions exist.
BEST SIZE TO PLANT?
 In
Hardiness Zones 4 and 5 with good planting techniques and good
soil conditions, it typically takes one growing season per inch of trunk
caliper (measured at 6 inches above soil line) for roots to establish
following transplanting. That is, a one-inch caliper tree will take one
season for the roots to establish, while a three-inch caliper tree will
take three seasons. In cooler regions with shorter growing seasons it
will take longer.
 On
sites with poor soils and poor planting
techniques, the establishment phase may
be longer, and trees must live off
carbohydrate reserves until roots become
established.
BEST SIZE TO PLANT?
 Deciduous
 Evergreen
– 1” to 1 ½” caliper
– 6’
BEST SIZE TO PLANT?
 It
is common to see trees planted with poor planting techniques that
never establish, but rather decline over a period of time.
 In
recent years poor planting techniques have killed more trees than
any insect or disease outbreak!
BEST WAY TO PLANT?
•
Excavate planting holes with sloping sides.
•
Do not disturb soil at bottom of planting holes, but do score the sides of the
planting hole.
•
Make excavations at least three times as wide as the root ball diameter and less
(one to three inches) than the distance from the top most root in the root ball
and the bottom of the root ball.
•
The planting area shall be loosened and aerated at least three to five times the
diameter of the root ball.
•
Backfill shall consist of existing on site soil – no amendments shall be used unless
otherwise specified.
•
Trees shall be planted with the root collar/flare visible above grade and two or
more structural roots located within the top 1” to 2” of the root ball/finished
grade measured 3” to 4” from the trunk. This includes trees that are set on
slopes. Cut off bottom 1/3 of wire basket before placing tree in hole, cut off
remainder of basket after tree is set in hole, remove basket completely where
possible. Remove all nylon ties, twine, rope and burlap as possible. Remove
unnecessary packing material.
•
Form soil into a 3” to 5” tall watering ring (saucer) around planting area. This is
not necessary in irrigated turf areas.
•
Apply 2” to 4” depth of specified mulch inside watering ring.
•
Staking and guying of trees is optional in most planting situations. In areas of
extreme winds, or on steep slopes, staking may be necessary to stabilize trees.
Staking and guying must be removed within 1 year or less of planting date.
•
Tree wrap shall not to be used on any new plantings.
•
Set root ball on undisturbed soil.
•
Trees where the trunk flare is not visible shall be rejected. Do not cover the root
ball with soil.