Quick Answer: Best Trees to Plant in Wyoming
The best trees to plant in Wyoming’s challenging climates are rocky mountain juniper, eastern red cedar, Norway spruce, red maple, Ohio buckeye, river birch, hackberry, hawthorne, honeylocust, Kentucky coffee tree, crabapple, chokecherry, ornamental pear, American elm, and black locust. The best time to plant these trees in the state is early springtime and fall.
This is a comprehensive guide listing the best tree options for growing in your Wyoming yards.
Let us get started!
Contents
- Quick Answer: Best Trees to Plant in Wyoming
- Best Trees to Plant in Wyoming
- What Is The Easiest Growing Tree In Wyoming?
- What Is The Best Time To Plant Trees In Wyoming?
- FAQs
- Quick Recap: Top Trees to Plant In Wyoming
- Bottom line
Best Trees to Plant in Wyoming
Wyoming has harsh climates and is a challenge to grow landscape plants. However, many trees have been successfully grown in various parts of Wyoming if their root systems are kept moist during the cold months.
Now, let us see the list of the best fifteen trees that are well-suited to Wyoming yards:
1. Rocky Mountain Juniper
Hardy And Low-Maintenance Tree For Wyoming
Rocky Mountain Juniper (Acer glabrum) is a native slow-growing conifer evergreen tree with pyramidal to rounded form and shedding bark that is adaptable to Wyoming’s climate.
Why Grow Rocky Mountain Juniper?
Rocky Mountain Juniper is hardy and thrives in Wyoming climatic conditions. It tolerates drought, salt spray, erosion, dry soil, and air pollution.
It is adaptable to various soil types and faces no significant pests or diseases.
Maintenance And Care
Rocky Mountain Juniper thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. Propagate through seed, cuttings, or grafting.
It doesn’t need extra fertilizers. Prune to maintain central leader. Watch out for blight, cedar-apple rust, and webworms.
Here is a useful video on growing rocky mountain juniper:
2. Eastern Red Cedar
Winter-hardy Tree Of Wyoming
Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana) is a small evergreen tree with a pyramid shape and coarse foliage that is grown in Wyoming as windbreaks and for ornamental value.
Why Grow Eastern Red Cedar
Eastern Red Cedar is winter-hardy and tolerates drought and salty soils in Wyoming. It’s relatively pest and disease-free, long-lived, and resistant to air pollution.
Additionally, it provides a habitat for birds and wildlife, making it an excellent choice for landscaping.
Maintenance And Care
Eastern Red Cedar prefers full sun to partial shade and well-draining soil.
It doesn’t need extra fertilizers. However, one of the significant diseases to watch out for when growing this tree is cedar apple rust.
Check out this video for details on growing eastern red cedar:
3. Norway Spruce
Norway Spruce (Picea abies) is a fast-growing evergreen tree used in Wyoming for privacy, windbreaks, and landscaping purposes.
Why Grow Norway Spruce?
Norway Spruce is relatively easy to grow and transplant, offering landscape beauty and providing habitat for numerous bird species in Wyoming.
It is hardy and requires minimal care. It is bothered by fewer pests and diseases.
Maintenance And Care
Norway Spruce prefers full sun to partial shade, moist and well-drained soil. It can be propagated from cuttings and generally doesn’t require fertilizers.
Light pruning is advised, avoiding the branch collar. Occasionally, it may be affected by cytospora, canker, or rust diseases.
The growing guide of Norway spruce is covered here:
4. Red Maple
Red Maple (Acer rubrum) is fast-growing, long-lived deciduous tree in Wyoming known for its desirable fall foliage that adds vibrant colors to the landscape.
Why Grow Red Maple?
Red Maple is a popular choice for Wyoming yards, providing vibrant color and ample shade.
It is relatively low-maintenance, making it an easy-care tree option. Its stunning fall foliage enhances the aesthetic appeal of the surroundings.
Maintenance And Care
Red Maple thrives in well-drained, moist soil and full to partial sunlight. It can be propagated through cuttings and benefits from occasional pruning to remove crowded branches.
Applying a general-purpose fertilizer in spring helps its growth. However, it can be prone to potential diseases such as verticillium wilt, anthracnose, leaf spot, and powdery mildew.
Check out this video for tips on caring for red maple:
5. Ohio Buckeye
Ohio Buckeye (Aesculus glabra) is an attractive tree in Wyoming, known for its ornamental features, including scarlet red flowers and shiny green leaves.
Why Grow Ohio Buckeye?
Ohio Buckeye is well-suited to the Wyoming climate. It is a low-maintenance tree that doesn’t face fatal diseases or invasive predators commonly found in the region.
It adds beauty to Wyoming landscapes.
Maintenance And Care
Ohio Buckeye thrives in slightly acidic, moist, and well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade locations. Maintain a 2-3 inch layer of mulch around the trees.
Annual spring application of all-purpose fertilizer is beneficial. Pay close attention to brown spots and leaf beetles.
Click this video for details on growing Ohio buckeye:
6. River Birch
River Birch (Betula nigra) is a fast-growing, water-loving deciduous shade tree in Wyoming, known for its attractive bark.
Why Grow River Birch?
River Birch is long-lived and an excellent choice as a specimen tree in Wyoming.
It can be easily transplanted and requires minimal care. It is relatively trouble-free, with no major pest or disease issues.
Maintenance And Care
River Birch thrives in moist, acidic, well-drained soil and prefers full sun to partial shade. It can be propagated through seeds and cuttings.
Fertilization is rarely necessary unless the tree shows signs of distress. Keep an eye out for potential pests like birch leaf miners and bronze birch borers.
The complete growing guide of river birch is covered here:
7. Hackberry
Hackberry (Celtis occidentalis) is a hardy native species with ridged, corky bark often used as a shade or boulevard tree in Wyoming.
Why Grow Hackberry?
Hackberry thrives in Wyoming, offering year-round interest. It tolerates diverse climates and soil conditions.
It adapts well to urban landscapes, enduring spray, drought, ice, and flooding. Additionally, its fruit is popular among birds.
Maintenance And Care
Hackberry prefers full sun to partial shade and moist, well-drained soil. It can be propagated through stem cuttings, grafting, budding, and layering.
Fertilization is rarely necessary. Occasional pruning helps maintain shape and structure. One of the significant pests affecting the trees is witches brooms.
Check out this video for tips on growing hackberry from seeds:
8. Hawthorne
Hawthorn (Crataegus spp.) is an ornamental tree with an attractive shape, white blossoms, and red fruits in fall and winter that is well-suited for Wyoming yards.
Why Grow Hawthorne?
Hawthorne is a hardy tree for Wyoming, serving as an excellent screen or specimen tree. It is well-suited for small gardens.
It is known for its resistance to diseases and pests. It can thrive in a variety of soil types.
Maintenance And Care
Hawthorne prefers moist, well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade. An annual feeding with a balanced fertilizer promotes healthy growth.
Minimal pruning is needed to remove suckers. However, it can be troubled by apple scab, fire blight, and rust.
Click this video for tips on growing hawthorne from seeds:
9. Honeylocust
Honeylocust (Gleditsia triacanthos) is a fast-growing deciduous tree with lacy foliage and well-suited for Wyoming landscapes.
Why Grow Honeylocust?
Honeylocust is commonly grown in Wyoming for shade and landscape purposes. It excels in challenging urban conditions, tolerating drought, pollution, salt, compacted soil, and heat.
It is adaptable to various soil types, making it suitable for different areas within Wyoming.
Maintenance And Care
Honeylocust thrives in full sun and loamy soils. Applying a ring of mulch, like shredded wood or bark chips, helps retain moisture. Older trees usually do not require fertilizers.
Minimal pruning is necessary to remove dead or diseased branches. It can be troubled by issues, including mites and webworms.
If interested, you may watch this video for growing hackberry from seeds:
10. Kentucky Coffeetree
Kentucky Coffeetree (Gymnocladus dioicus) is an ornamental or street tree with furrowed bark and open growth habit widely used in Wyoming.
Why Grow Kentucky Coffeetree?
Kentucky Coffee Tree creates an attractive landscape in Wyoming yards. It is hardy, easy to grow, and tolerates drought and pollution, making it suitable for urban environments.
It adapts well to various soil conditions and is generally free from significant pest or insect problems.
Maintenance And Care
Kentucky Coffee Tree grows well in full sun and sandy loam soil. It can be propagated through cuttings. Fertilization encourages strong, woody growth.
Prune when young to establish a sturdy structure. One of the significant issues with these trees is leaf litter.
Click this link for additional information on growing Kentucky coffee tree:
11. Crabapple
Crabapples (Malus spp.) is a small to medium-sized trees that serve as excellent ornamentals and produce edible fruits in Wyoming landscapes.
Why Grow Crabapple?
Crabapples are well-suited to the Wyoming climate, especially at lower altitudes. Once established, they display good drought resistance.
These trees are adaptable and can fit into small spaces. It requires little maintenance once established.
Maintenance And Care
Crabapples thrive in full sun and rich, well-drained soil with a slightly acidic pH. Adding a layer of mulch around the tree helps retain moisture.
It requires a small amount of compost around the trees. Regular pruning promotes healthy growth. It is prone to fire blight, apple scab, and powdery mildew.
Check out this video for tips on growing crabapples:
12. Chokecherry
Chokecherry (Prunus virginiana) is a native, deciduous small tree in Wyoming with white flowers and purple-black berries loved by humans and wildlife.
Why Grow Chokecherry?
Chokecherry is commonly grown in Wyoming as a windbreak tree. It is hardy and easy to grow, providing a valuable source of food for wildlife.
It is drought-tolerant, resistant to wind and cold, and adaptable to various soil conditions. It is a versatile and low-maintenance tree option for Wyoming landscapes.
Maintenance And Care
Chokecherry thrives in full sun and sandy, loamy, well-drained soil. It can be propagated through seeds and cuttings.
Apply an all-purpose fertilizer in the spring. It may be affected by aphids, tent caterpillars, and black knots.
Here is a useful video on growing and caring chokecherry:
13. Chanticleer Ornamental Pear
Chanticleer ornamental Pear (Pyrus calleryana) is a slender pyramid-shaped tree with showy flowers in spring and vibrant fall colors well-suited to the Wyoming climate.
Why Grow Chanticleer Ornamental Pear?
Chanticleer ornamental Pear is a stunning addition to Wyoming landscapes, adding beauty. It is thornless, making them more user-friendly.
These trees are undemanding when it comes to soil types and display resistance to pollution and fire blight.
Maintenance And Care
Ornamental Pear thrives in full sun and loamy sandy clay soil with adequate moisture. Apply a balanced fertilizer annually in spring.
Pruning while the tree is dormant to manage woody growth. It is prone to pear midge and pear blister mites.
Check out this video for additional information on growing ornamental pears:
14. American Elm
American Elm (Ulmus Americana) is an adaptable deciduous tree with a rounded or vase-shaped crown, suitable for Wyoming landscapes.
Why Grow American Elm?
American Elm is a hardy tree, making it well-suited for Wyoming. It provides shade and enhances the beauty of yards.
It is also known for its ability to tolerate urban conditions, making them a popular choice for urban landscapes.
Maintenance And Care
American Elm prefers full sun or partial shade and thrives in moist, well-drained, fertile soil. Add a light mulch layer of shredded leaves or pine needles.
Fertilize annually in spring with a complete and balanced fertilizer. While susceptible to Dutch elm disease, newer varieties offer resistance to this devastating condition.
If interested, check out this video for tips on growing American elm:
15. Black Locust
Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) is a popular ornamental tree with fragrant flowers and deeply furrowed bark well-suited to the climatic conditions and soil types of Wyoming.
Why Grow Black Locust?
Black Locust is an easy-to-grow tree that thrives in Wyoming and adds ornamental foliage. It tolerates drought, salt, and poor soil conditions.
Additionally, it is adaptable to various soil types.
Maintenance And Care
Black Locust prefers loose, moist, well-drained soil and thrives in full sun to light shade. It can be propagated through seeds or root cuttings.
Nitrogen fertilizer is rarely needed. However, pay attention to common pests such as locust borers and leaf miners.
Here is a video for tips on growing black locust from seeds:
What Is The Easiest Growing Tree In Wyoming?
The easiest-growing tree in Wyoming is the rocky mountain juniper.
It is a native evergreen tree that is well-suited to the climatic conditions of Wyoming. It can tolerate different soil types and drought.
It is hardy and adaptable to different urban conditions, including pollution, salt spray, and dry soils. It is relatively trouble-free and not bothered by many pests and diseases.
The other tree options that can be grown easily in Wyoming are eastern red cedar and Norway spruce.
What Is The Best Time To Plant Trees In Wyoming?
The best time to plant trees in Wyoming is the early springtime and fall.
It gives the time for trees, shrubs, and perennials to recover from the transplant shock before the hot summer months and establish new roots.
Plant the trees at the same depth they were at a nursery. The planting hole should be at the same depth and the width should be three times the diameter of a root ball. Plant 15-20 feet away from structures.
FAQs
Yes, cold-hardy apples can grow in Wyoming- But, it will take three to five years after planting to pick the fruits. Freezing temperatures during the blooming period may cause partial or complete loss of fruits. It needs cross-pollination and annual pruning.
The different fruits that thrive in Wyoming are black chokecherry, American plum, serviceberry, woods’rose, buffaloberry, wild currants, and gooseberry. These fruits are harvested and used for making jam, jellies, and pie.
Yes, Japanese tree lilac makes an excellent accent tree near the patio. Its creamy white flower clusters add landscape beauty. The young branches have a cinnamon-brown bark that peels in thin layers. It can tolerate drought once established.
Quick Recap: Top Trees to Plant In Wyoming
Here is a quick recap of the top trees that can adapt to Wyoming’s home gardens:
| Trees | Why Grow? |
|---|---|
| Rocky mountain juniper | 1. Adaptable to different soil types 2. Tolerates urban growing conditions, including drought, pollution, and salt spray |
| Eastern red cedar | 1. Winter hardy and tolerates air pollution 2. Both landscaping and as windbreaks |
| Norway spruce | 1. Hardy and bothered by fewer pests and diseased 2. Protects other birds and requires minimal care |
| Red maple | 1. Popular for its fall color and shade 2. Low-maintenance and adaptable |
| Ohio buckeye | 1. Well-suited to Wyoming’s climate and requires low-maintenance 2. Not bothered by many pests and diseases |
| River birch | 1. Specimen tree that provides shade 2. Long-lived and requires little care with no major pest or disease issue |
| Hackberry | 1. Tolerates urban growing conditions, including drought, spray, ice, and flooding 2. Provides all-year-round interest to your Wyoming yards |
| Hawthorne | 1. Requires little care and maintenance 2. Hardy and well-suited for small gardens |
| Honeylocust | 1. Popular for providing shade and landscape beauty 2. Tolerant to urban growing conditions |
| Kentucky coffee tree | 1. Resistant to most pests and diseases 2. Easy to grow and requires little maintenance |
| Crabapple | 1. Fit into small spaces 2. Both ornamental and provides edible fruits |
| Chokecherry | 1. Drought-tolerant and adaptable to different soil conditions 2. Low-maintenance and easy to grow in Wyoming climate |
| Ornamental pear | 1. Thornless variety and adaptable to different soil types 2. Resistant to pollution and fire blight |
| American elm | 1. Tolerant to urban growing conditions 2. Provides shade and enhances landscape beauty |
| Black locust | 1. Easy to grow and tolerates drought and pollution 2. Adaptable to different soil types |
Bottom line
I am hopeful, this guide has provided you with insights to help you select the trees suitable for your Wyoming landscape!
Do share the guide with your friends and family!