Tree Browser

USU’s Tree Browser is a database with photos and text descriptions of 245 tree species found in Utah and the Intermountain West. Browse through the complete tree list or narrow your search by selecting from 21 characteristics. Learn more.

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Common Name
Latin Name

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Select Tree Characteristics

General

Family

Information

Family

A group of closely related species and genera; scientific name ends in "aceae".

Cultivar

Information

Cultivar Availability

Cultivar Availability means that selected, genetically pure trees are available with known characteristics. Cultivars often prove to be more desirable than trees grown from seed or collected in the wild.

Hardiness Zone

Information

USDA Hardiness Zone

Pick a hardiness zone to show which trees are suitable.

Type

Information

Tree Type

Select Conifer for pines, firs, junipers, ginkgo, and other conifers (gymnosperms). Select Broadleaf for trees with broad, flat leaves (more or less) (angiosperms).

Utah Native

Information

Utah Native

Growth

Growth Rate

Information

Growth Rate

Growth rate refers to height growth for the first ten years after a tree is planted. Select Low for less than 12-inches/year height growth. Select Low-Medium for low or medium growth rate. Select Medium for 12- to 24-inches/year height growth. Select Medium-High for medium or high growth rate. Select High for more than 24-inches/year height growth.

Mature Height

Information

Mature Height

Mature height will vary considerably by cultivar and site and is shown here assuming adequate care. Select Low for less than 20 feet mature height. Select Low-Medium for low or medium mature height. Select Medium for 20 to 40 feet mature height. Select Medium-High for medium or high mature height. Select High for more than 40 feet mature height.

Longevity

Information

Longevity

The typical life span of a good tree in a suburban neighborhood is 30 to 50 years, while downtown trees may only last 5 to 10 years. People tend to plant fast-growing trees that often have fairly short lives. While some of this is all right, homeowners and communities should also plant trees that might grow slower (though some grow quite fast) but that are longer-lived. Select Low for less than 25 years typical life span. Select Medium for 25 to 50 years typical life span. Select High for more than 50 years typical life span.

Power Lines

Information

Powerline Suitability

Only very short trees should be planted under or directly adjacent to overhead electric lines. Medium height trees should be offset 15 to 20 feet horizontally from electric lines. Large trees should be offset 30 feet. Wider crowned trees like elms or maples should be offset more than narrower crowned trees like spruces or firs. If you suspect that you are planting in an area with underground electric lines or other buried utilities, call Blue Stakes at 1-800-662-4111 to have utilities located and marked. 'Yes' in this database means a tree is suitable for planting directly under powerlines. 'No' means it is not.

Crown Shape

Information

Crown Shapes

Crown shape varies considerably by cultivar and sometimes by site. The common crown shape for a species is shown as follows: Pyramidal, Round, Columnar, Weeping, Broad, Oval, Vase, Layered, Shrubby, and Irregular.

Ornamental

Bark

Information

Ornamental Features

Ornamental characteristics are important factors in tree selection even though they usually have little to do with whether a tree can survive and thrive on its site. Ornamental factors to consider include flower and fruit presence and appearance, foliage color and texture, bark characteristics, shade density, fall color, and winter appearance. Some trees have thorns or spines, objectionable odors, a tendency to have basal or root sprouts, or maintenance-related needs that also should be considered. 'Yes' in this database means that a species is noted for a particular ornamental feature; 'No' means it is not, though there may be exceptions depending on cultivar.

Fall Color

Information

Ornamental Features

Flowers

Information

Ornamental Features

Foliage

Information

Ornamental Features

Fruit

Information

Ornamental Features

Tolerance of...

Shade

Information

Tolerance of Shade

Shade tolerant plants often are best planted in at least partial shade, though many will do well in full sun. Shade intolerant plants usually need full sun to thrive.

Salt

Information

Tolerance of Salt

Generally means tolerance to salt on above ground plant surfaces, though may indicate some tolerance to soil salinity.

Drought

Information

Tolerance of Drought

Indicates the tree's tolerance of low soil moisture, heat and/or low humidity.

Poor Drainage

Information

Tolerance of Poor Drainage

Indicates the tree's tolerance to waterlogging, compaction, or otherwise poorly oxygenated soil.

Alkalinity

Information

Tolerance of Alkalinity

Indicates the tree's tolerance of high soil pH or soil alkalinity; soil pH above 6.5 or 7.

Transplanting

Information

Ease of Transplanting

This describes a tree's relative likelihood of transplanting success. A low ranking indicates a plant that may need extra care at planting and may do better if transplanted while fairly small. Select Low for low transplanting difficulty. Select Medium for medium transplanting difficulty. Select High for high transplanting difficulty.

With these characteristics: None

Abies lasiocarpa

Fir, Subalpine or Alpine

Pinaceae - Pine

Description

Leaves: Needles borne singly; 1" to 1-1/2" long; flattened in cross-section; evergreen; bluish-green.

Twigs/buds: Twigs similar to white fir. Buds orange-brown.

Flowers/fruit: Monoecious. Fruit a cone; 2" to 4" long; oblong; green to purple; borne upright on upper branches; scales deciduous.

Bark: Thin; smooth; gray; with resinous blisters; becoming shallowly furrowed on older trunks.

Wood: Moderate importance; similar to white fir.

General: Native to fairly high elevation, cool, moist sites from the southern Rockies to northwestern Canada, including Utah. Many native trees in Utah are dying due to insects, disease, drought, and old-age. Shade tolerant.

Landscape Use: Very narrow, spire-like canopy, often with many leaders. Seldom, if ever, planted in Utah's valleys and does not do well with heat or dry conditions. Native trees are sensitive to construction damage when present on building sites. Zones 1-5.

Cultivars: 'Compacta', 'Glauca', 'Glauca Compacta', .

Characteristics

General

Family:: Pinaceae - Pine
Cultivar Availability:: No
Hardiness Zone:: 1-5
Type:: Conifer
Utah Native:: Yes

Growth

Growth Rate:: Low
Mature Height:: High
Longevity:: High
Is Good Under Power Lines:: No
Crown Shape:: Pyramidal

Ornamental

Bark:: No
Fall Color:: No
Flowers:: No
Foliage:: Yes
Fruit:: No

Tolerance

Shade:: High
Salt:: Medium
Drought:: Low
Poor Drainage:: Low
Alkalinity:: Medium
Transplanting:: Medium