CORVALLIS, Ore. — Even if you've decided to reduce water use in your garden or yard, it's still possible to find the right tree for nearly any location.
Oregon’s climate can be stressful for trees that haven’t developed and adapted to its conditions, said Steve Renquist, a retired horticulturist with the Oregon State University Extension Service.
“On the west side of the mountains, we have six months or more with saturated soils followed by five months of bone-dry soils,” Renquist said. “The combination of too wet and too dry is not easy for most trees.”
Native trees, however, are already adapted to these conditions, while many non-native trees may not be. Trees under stress are more vulnerable to disease and poor growth. Many of Western Oregon’s native hardwood trees are drought tolerant and perform well in urban landscapes, Renquist said.
Top-performing native hardwoods for waterwise gardening
- Bigleaf maple (Acer macrophyllum): A fast-growing shade tree that produces greenish-yellow flowers in early spring and large, bright green leaves by June.
- Oregon white oak (Quercus garryana), also known as Garry oak: A slow-growing tree with dark green foliage. Its twisting limbs often collect moss and lichen, providing winter interest in the landscape.
- Tanbark-oak (Notholithocarpus densiflorus): Though not a true oak, this smaller, shade-tolerant evergreen has oval, dark green leaves. It produces acorns in the fall.
- Vine maple (Acer circinatum): A good choice for moderately drought-hardy planting. While it can suffer in dry, sunny sites, it tolerates drought better when planted in the shade.
- Pacific madrone (Arbutus menziesii): Known for its striking dark evergreen leaves and reddish, peeling bark, this iconic Pacific Northwest tree is challenging to transplant and prone to constant leaf shedding. It may not be the best option for gardeners who prefer tidy landscapes.
- Chinquapin (Chrysolepis chrysophylla): A relative of chestnuts and oaks, this evergreen tree resembles madrone in appearance and makes a strong visual statement.
Waterwise native conifers for both sides of the Cascades
- Ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa): Tall and straight, this conifer is drought tolerant and relatively fast growing, often reaching heights of 100 feet.
- Shore pine (Pinus contorta): A smaller relative of the Ponderosa pine, it grows to about 35 feet and shares its drought tolerance.
- Incense cedar (Calocedrus decurrens): Noted for its narrow conical shape and fragrant foliage, incense cedar can grow to around 90 feet. Its dense, dark green foliage also makes it a good choice for use as a screen when planted in rows.
“There are also many non-native trees that work well for homeowners as drought-tolerant options,” Renquist said. “A homeowner doesn’t have to give up anything – size, flowers, bark beauty, shade – to plant waterwise trees.”
Previously titled Many waterwise trees are available for home gardens
