Low-water trees for Fort Collins
Last updated 2026-09-17
Quick answer
10 low-water trees for Fort Collins are ranked here for Fort Collins's specific conditions, drawn from the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List and regional extension sources, then ordered for Fort Collins's local hazards. Compare them below.
Fort Collins is the driest of the major north Front Range cities, with only about 15 inches of precipitation a year at roughly 5,000 feet, so a low-water tree isn't just thrifty here, it's the kind that actually thrives once established. The local soil makes the case stronger: heavy, compacted alkaline clay, the reason the city has a soil-amendment ordinance for new landscapes. On top of that, late frosts are erratic (roughly a 30% chance of 28°F after mid-May) and emerald ash borer has put the city's many ash on the clock. Every tree below is rated low or low-to-medium water on the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List and ranked for Fort Collins' clay, wind, hail, and cold, drought-tough, and none of them an ash.
Plan your garden
Not sure what to plant? The finder matches Front Range trees, shrubs, perennials, and groundcover to your soil, water, sun, and zone.
What this means in Fort Collins
"Low water" means low water once established, even drought-tough trees need deep, regular watering for their first two or three summers to root into Fort Collins' dense clay. Loosen a wide planting area rather than a narrow hole, and skip the ash: with EAB here, a new low-water tree is also your ash-replacement plan.
Top picks for Fort Collins
| Plant | Mature height | Water | Colorado native | Hardiness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| One Juniper | 10–20 ft | low water | Yes | USDA 3–8 |
| Rocky Mountain Juniper (species) | 15–30 ft | low water | Yes | USDA 3–8 |
| 'Vanderwolf's Pyramid' Pine | 25–30 ft | low to medium water | Yes | USDA 4–7 |
| Bristlecone(foxtail) Pine | 15–30 ft | low to medium water | Yes | USDA 4–7 |
| Arizona Cypress | 30–50 ft | low water | — | USDA 7–10 |
| Arizona Cypress 'Blue Ice' | 20–30 ft | low water | — | USDA 7–10 |
| Thornless Common Honeylocust (IMPERIAL®) | 40–50 ft | low to medium water | — | USDA 3–9 |
| Thornless Common Honeylocust (NORTHERN ACCLAIM®) | 30–45 ft | low to medium water | — | USDA 3–9 |
| Amur Maackia | 20–30 ft | low to medium water | — | USDA 3–7 |
| Coffeetree | 50–70 ft | low to medium water | — | USDA 3–8 |
One JuniperJuniperus monosperma10–20 ftlow waterColorado nativeUSDA 3–8
Rocky Mountain Juniper (species)Juniperus scopulorum15–30 ftlow waterColorado nativeUSDA 3–8
'Vanderwolf's Pyramid' PinePinus flexilis25–30 ftlow to medium waterColorado nativeUSDA 4–7
Bristlecone(foxtail) PinePinus aristata15–30 ftlow to medium waterColorado nativeUSDA 4–7
Arizona CypressHesperocyparis arizonica30–50 ftlow waterUSDA 7–10- Arizona Cypress 'Blue Ice'Hesperocyparis arizonica20–30 ftlow waterUSDA 7–10
Thornless Common Honeylocust (IMPERIAL®)Gleditsia triacanthos40–50 ftlow to medium waterUSDA 3–9- Thornless Common Honeylocust (NORTHERN ACCLAIM®)Gleditsia triacanthos30–45 ftlow to medium waterUSDA 3–9
Amur MaackiaMaackia amurensis20–30 ftlow to medium waterUSDA 3–7
CoffeetreeGymnocladus dioicus50–70 ftlow to medium waterUSDA 3–8
Frequently asked questions
- What is the most drought-tolerant tree for Fort Collins?
- Several bur oak, hackberry, and juniper selections rate low-water and handle Fort Collins' clay and cold. The most drought-tolerant choice for your yard depends on the space and sun, compare mature size and water rating on each tree's page.
- Do low-water trees still need watering when first planted?
- Yes. Every tree, however xeric, needs deep and regular watering for its first two to three years to establish roots in Fort Collins' compacted clay. After that, low-water trees get by on far less.
- Should I still plant ash trees in Fort Collins?
- No, emerald ash borer is established here. Use one of the low-water, non-ash trees above as a longer-lived replacement.