Drought tolerant trees are popular to use in landscaping. They require less water and are easy to maintain. There are several things to look for when choosing the right tree for your yard. A native tree species will be able to adapt to extreme environmental conditions easier. Trees with small leaves use water more efficiently than those with larger leaves. Trees with deep, upright crowns use water more effectively than trees with flat, wide-spreading crowns. It is better to choose trees with multilayered crowns with many leaf layers which makes them more water efficient than trees with leaves in single layers along the outer edge of the crown. Here are some examples of drought tolerant trees.
Southern Magnolias
- Native to southeastern United States from North Carolina to Texas.
- Grow in full sun to part-shade.
- Have a sweet scent from their cup shaped flowers with six thick white petals and a light-yellow center.
- Evergreen with broad leaves with a shiny green top and a rough, brown bottom which allows it to retain water.
- Grows to a height of 60-80 feet with a 40-foot crown spread.
Eastern Red Cedar
- Dense evergreen conifer that resists drought.
- Pyramidal structure with dark green and blue needles.
- Groups of them can be planted as windbreaks or privacy screens.
- Attract beautiful songbirds, butterflies, and bees.
- Require full sun, partial shade.
- Grow to be 30-40 feet tall and 10-20 feet wide.
Maidenhair tree (Ginkgo biloba)
- Oldest surviving tree species on the planet (over 200 million years old).
- Tolerant of drought, car exhaust, smog, and disease resistant.
- Fan-shaped leaves that turn gold in the fall.
- Require full sun and grow to be 40-80 feet tall and 30-40 feet wide.
Common Hackberry
- Fast growing, large deciduous tree with a vase-like shape and rounded top.
- Requires full sun, partial shade.
- High tolerance for heat, wind, and ice.
- Produces deep purple fruits in the fall that attract squirrels and birds.
- Leaves turn a bright yellow in the fall.
- Grows 50-70 feet tall and 30-50 feet wide.
These are a few of the most popular drought tolerant trees. It is important that you water them slowly in drought conditions to ensure the water gets to the tree roots. Call the professionals at Integrity Tree Care with any questions about a drought tolerant landscape.