Trees anchor our landscapes both in size and scale. Landscapes without trees seem barren; even desert environments need trees. Trees stand out in the arid high desert where I live. I am especially drawn to mature trees that have stood tall and proud against the test of time.

In the Southwest, as in many regions, mature conifer and deciduous trees are losing the battle against climate change at a rapid rate. When choosing to plant new trees in your property, it makes sense to choose tough, resilient trees that can stand up to the effects of climate change.

The species and varieties featured below are ones tested by my experience of planting in the Southwest over the decades. They have been selected for their easy-care maintenance requirements, year-long interest, overall beauty, and, above all, resilience.

Summerburst^® Golden rain tree

Koelreuteria paniculata ‘JFS-Sunleaf’, Zones 5–9

Summerburst^® golden rain tree has bright yellow flowers that bloom in large clusters in midsummer, followed by yellow fall foliage. It reaches 30 feet tall and 30 feet wide at maturity with a rounded habit. This drought-tolerant tree takes full sun, requires little irrigation, and tolerates high temperatures. It’s disease resistant and pest-proof to boot. It also has tough bark, making it a good choice for parking lots and streetscapes.

‘Prairifire’ crabapple

Malus ‘Prairifire’, Zones 4–8

‘Priairifire’ crabapple is a tough tree with excellent resistance to the many diseases that plague crabapples, such as scab, fireblight, cedar-apple rust, and mildew. It also tolerates urban pollution well. This tree grows 20 feet tall and wide with an upright, rounded, spreading habit of branches. It takes medium irrigation in full sun. Flowers bloom bright pinkish-red in spring and turn into small dark red apples (which are inedible). ‘Prairifire’ has good fall color with deeply yellow leaves.

‘Winter King’ hawthorn

Crataegus viridis ‘Winter King’, Zones 4–7

This hawthorn grows 20 feet tall and 25 feet wide with branches that grow in a vase-shaped habit. White clusters of flowers bloom in spring. The silvery bark contrasts nicely with the dark green, glossy leaves, which turn yellow in fall. Additionally, the angular lines of the branching pattern give it a bold appearance in winter. ‘Winter King’ takes low water and full sun. It is one of the most disease-resistant hawthorns out there and is also resistant to pests.

Chinkapin oak

Quercus muehlenbergii, Zones 5–7

Chinkapin oak is distinguishable as having some of the best resistance to oak wilt of any oak out there, and it’s resistant to other diseases and pests as well. It has a rounded, open habit and grows 45 feet tall and wide. This oak has low water requirements and takes full sun. Fall foliage color is yellow to brown. As a bonus, this tree is tolerant of alkaline soils.

‘Frontier’ elm

Ulmus ‘Frontier’, Zones 4–9

This elm is notable for its resistant to Dutch elm disease. It features beautiful reddish-purple to burgundy fall foliage that is particularly long-lasting. ‘Frontier’ takes medium water in full sun, with a vase- or oval-shaped habit of growth. At maturity, it grows 40 feet tall and 30 feet wide.

Resilient trees typically have tough, sturdy, gnarly, thick, or curled bark to avoid sunscald. Smooth, sensitive, thin bark would necessitate wrapping trees to avoid sunscald. In a similar way to how too much sun can cause skin cancer in humans, continual or perpetual sunscald will eventually kill your trees.

Well-drained, healthy soil is always recommended when planting trees. Whenever possible, courtyard or fence protection is encouraged to mitigate exposure to winds.

For more tough, resilient plants for the Southwest, check out:

• Tough-as-Nails Shrubs for the Southwest
• Tough Plants for the Southwest

—Mark Brotton, APLD, owns and operates Living Water, Irrigation, and Landscape based in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Fine Gardening Recommended Products

The Nature of Oaks: The Rich Ecology of Our Most Essential Native Trees

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

The Nature of Oaks reveals what is going on in oak trees month by month, highlighting the seasonal cycles of life, death, and renewal. From woodpeckers who collect and store hundreds of acorns for sustenance to the beauty of jewel caterpillars, Doug Tallamy illuminates and celebrates the wonders that occur right in our own backyards. He also shares practical advice about how to plant and care for an oak, along with information about the best oak species for your area.

Buy at Amazon

Ho-Mi Digger - Korean Triangle Blade

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

Versatile Tool: The Easy Digger Korean Triangle Blade Ho Mi Ho-mi is a versatile gardening tool designed for leveling and digging in home and garden settings. Efficient Design: Its unique triangular blade shape allows for easy soil penetration and efficient leveling of garden beds or landscaping areas. Durable Construction: Crafted with sturdy materials, this tool ensures long-lasting performance and reliability. Ergonomic Handle: The comfortable handle provides a secure grip, reducing hand fatigue during extended use. Compact Size: Its compact design makes it easy to maneuver in tight spaces and store when not in use.

Buy at Amazon

Bee Watering Station with Vivid Flower Design

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

Thoughtful Combo: You will receive a bee feeder and 30 glass marbles. This thoughtful combo can provide clean water for the bees, you just need to put the marbles into the bee watering station, add water (note: the water level should not exceed the height of the marbles) and hang them in the right place. The round, colored marbles can provide a place for the bees to stand and prevent them from falling into the water, effectively keeping the bees safe. Fine Material: This exquisite bee bath is made of high quality iron material, smooth surface, rust and weather resistant, not easy to fade, sturdy and reliable. Bee cups for garden can well meet the drinking water needs of lovely bees, and it can also provide food for bees, such as sugar water, nectar, etc., attracting more bees to your outdoor area and making your garden full of vitality. Perfect Size: The butterfly watering station has an overall height of 13.4 inches, a bowl diameter of 9.4 inches, and a weight of 0.44 pounds. The bee cup serves the needs of the bees well without plunging them into dangerously deep water or taking up unnecessary space in your garden, and this compact and efficient design makes it a practical addition to any outdoor space. Elegant Design: Our bee watering cups are designed in unique flower shapes with vibrant and realistic colours to attract lovely bees to your garden and patio, bee feeders for outside are not only functional but can also be used as a landscaping element, their vibrant floral patterns enhance the beauty of your garden. Multicolored Decoration: Colorful bee water stations look like flowers in a garden, flower bed or pot and attract bees and butterflies. They can drink or bathe in bee feeders, which are highly decorative and practical.

Buy at Amazon