Salt-tolerant trees and shrubs for the Front Range
Quick answer
38 plants make our list of salt-tolerant trees and shrubs for the Front Range. Examples include Fourwing saltbush, New Mexico privet, Rocky Mountain Juniper (species), Roundleaf buffaloberry, and Rubber rabbitbrush. Each is rated for Colorado Front Range conditions and drawn from the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List and regional extension references.
Trees and shrubs that shrug off de-icing salt and roadside spray, good choices for Front Range hellstrips, parkways, driveways, and street-side beds where winter salt builds up. Each is rated highly salt-tolerant.
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Not sure what to plant? The finder matches Front Range trees, shrubs, perennials, and groundcover to your soil, water, sun, and zone.
All 38 plants
Fourwing saltbushAtriplex canescens3–8 ftlow waterColorado nativeUSDA 4–9
New Mexico privetForestiera neomexicana6–12 ftlow waterColorado nativeUSDA 4–8
Rocky Mountain Juniper (species)Juniperus scopulorum15–30 ftlow waterColorado nativeUSDA 3–8Roundleaf buffaloberryShepherdia rotundifolia3–6 ftlow waterColorado nativeUSDA 5–8
Rubber rabbitbrushEricameria nauseosa3–6 ftlow waterColorado nativeUSDA 4–9
Sand sagebrushArtemisia filifolia2–5 ftlow waterColorado nativeUSDA 3–9
Silver buffaloberryShepherdia argentea8–18 ftlow waterColorado nativeUSDA 2–7
Small soapweed / Great Plains yuccaYucca glauca2–4 ftlow waterColorado nativeUSDA 3–9
Three-leaf sumacRhus trilobata4–6 ftlow waterColorado nativeUSDA 3–9
WinterfatKrascheninnikovia lanata1–3 ftlow waterColorado nativeUSDA 4–9
Adam's needle yuccaYucca filamentosa2–4 ftlow waterUSDA 4–10
Black Locust - 'Purple Robe'Robinia pseudoacacia30–50 ftmedium waterUSDA 3–8
Bur OakQuercus macrocarpa60–80 ftlow to medium waterUSDA 3–8
Callery - 'Bradford'Pyrus calleryana30–50 ftmedium waterUSDA 5–9- Callery Pear (Aristocrat)Pyrus calleryana25–40 ftlow to medium waterUSDA 5–9
- Callery Pear (Capital)Pyrus calleryana25–35 ftlow to medium waterUSDA 5–9
Cockspur var. inermis HawthornCrataegus crus-galli20–30 ftlow to medium waterUSDA 4–7
Common HackberryCeltis occidentalis40–60 ftlow to medium waterUSDA 3–9
Creeping juniperJuniperus horizontalis1–2 ftlow waterUSDA 3–9
Hansa roseRosa rugosa 'Hansa'4–5 ftlow to medium waterUSDA 3–9- Jack'™ PearPyrus calleryana12–15 ftlow to medium waterUSDA 5–9
LindenTilia americana50–75 ftmedium waterUSDA 2–8
Littleleaf LindenTilia cordata40–50 ftmedium waterUSDA 3–7
Osage Orange 'White Shield'Maclura pomifera30–40 ftlow to medium waterUSDA 4–9
Red yuccaHesperaloe parviflora2–4 ftlow waterUSDA 5–11- Rocky Mountain Juniper (Medora)Juniperus scopulorum15–25 ftlow waterUSDA 3–8
- Rocky Mountain Juniper (Welchii)Juniperus scopulorum15–20 ftlow waterUSDA 3–8
- Rugosa / beach roseRosa rugosa4–6 ftlow to medium waterUSDA 3–9
Russian oliveElaeagnus angustifolia15–30 ftlow to medium waterUSDA 2–7
Saltcedar / tamariskTamarix ramosissima12–20 ftlow to medium waterUSDA 2–8
Savin juniperJuniperus sabina1–3 ftlow waterUSDA 3–7
Sea buckthornHippophae rhamnoides10–20 ftlow to medium waterUSDA 3–8
Siberian pea shrubCaragana arborescens10–18 ftlow waterUSDA 2–7
Swamp White OakQuercus bicolor50–60 ftmedium waterUSDA 4–8
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
- Thornless Common Honeylocust (SUNBURST®)Gleditsia triacanthos30–40 ftlow to medium waterUSDA 3–9
Washington HawthornCrataegus phaenopyrum25–30 ftmedium waterUSDA 4–8
Frequently asked questions
- Which of these are Colorado native?
- 10 of the 38 plants are Colorado natives, including Fourwing saltbush, New Mexico privet, Rocky Mountain Juniper (species), and Roundleaf buffaloberry.
- How much water do these plants need?
- 32 of the 38 are rated low or low-to-medium water; the rest need moderate water. Each plant's page lists its water rating.
- How were these plants selected?
- Each of the 38 plants meets this page's criteria and is cross-referenced against the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List, CSU Extension, Denver Botanic Gardens, and USDA PLANTS. This is a reference guide, not a paid listing.
Related guides
- Low-water trees for the Colorado Front Range
- Colorado native trees for the Front Range
- Best shade trees for the Colorado Front Range
- Small trees for Front Range yards
- Low-water shrubs for the Colorado Front Range
- Colorado native shrubs for the Front Range
- Privacy and hedge shrubs for Colorado
- Front Range plants that are toxic to dogs
- Trees to avoid on the Colorado Front Range
- Deer-resistant plants for the Front Range
- Fast-growing shade trees for the Colorado Front Range
- Fast-growing screening shrubs for the Colorado Front Range
- Best fall color trees for the Colorado Front Range
- Best pollinator trees for the Colorado Front Range
- Evergreen trees for the Colorado Front Range
- Hail-tolerant trees and shrubs for the Front Range