Trees, Shrubs, and Landscape

Trees & Shrubs (Woody Plants)

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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.

Planning Your Landscape

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cwel research
landscape drought
Trees
gardening
Five easy ways to convert an existing landscape to a water-wise landscape without substantial renovation. These ideas are useful for people who would like to be Waterwise but do not have the time, resources, or expertise to renovate the existing landscape
Water-wise Landscape Ideas for Existing Landscapes

Water-wise Landscape Ideas for Existing Landscapes

Five easy ways to convert an existing landscape to a water-wise landscape without substantial renovation. These ideas are useful for people who would like to be Waterwise but do not have the time, resources, or expertise to renovate the existing landscape...

cwel research
gardening
cwel native plants
cwel publications
water-wise
Trees
cwel water wise plants
This fact sheet includes a water-wise list of ornamental trees, shrubs, herbaceous perennials, ornamental grasses, and ground covers. The plants on the list are (1) water-conserving, (2) adapted to Utah’s arid climate and cold winters, (3) available in th
Water-Wise Plants for Utah Landscapes

Water-Wise Plants for Utah Landscapes

This fact sheet includes a water-wise list of ornamental trees, shrubs, herbaceous perennials, ornamental grasses, and ground covers. The plants on the list are (1) water-conserving, (2) adapted to Utah’s arid climate and cold winters, (3) available in th...

Research
Trees
gardening
Much like rock collecting, hunting, or fishing, collecting plants can be a great way to enjoy the beauties of Utah and enhance appreciation for our local environment. At the broadest level, it may include collection of seeds, cuttings, boughs, seedlings,
Collecting Plants on Public Lands for Utah Landscaping

Collecting Plants on Public Lands for Utah Landscaping

Much like rock collecting, hunting, or fishing, collecting plants can be a great way to enjoy the beauties of Utah and enhance appreciation for our local environment. At the broadest level, it may include collection of seeds, cuttings, boughs, seedlings, ...

selection
Research
gardening
Trees
This fact sheet lists conifers that can be grown in Utah, including all native and most introduced conifers, and some suggested cultivars.
Conifers for Utah

Conifers for Utah

This fact sheet lists conifers that can be grown in Utah, including all native and most introduced conifers, and some suggested cultivars.

cwel publications
Research
water-wise
gardening
Trees
A landscape design should meet the needs of the people who will use and maintain the area while incorporating the site’s existing environmental conditions into the design. Water is a limiting resource in Utah, so designing the landscape to efficiently use
Designing a Low Water Use Landscape

Designing a Low Water Use Landscape

A landscape design should meet the needs of the people who will use and maintain the area while incorporating the site’s existing environmental conditions into the design. Water is a limiting resource in Utah, so designing the landscape to efficiently use...

irrigation
cwel turf
cwel research
Research
cwel publications
gardening
Trees
Water conservation ideas on a budget.
Cost Free Landscape Water Conservation Ideas

Cost Free Landscape Water Conservation Ideas

Water conservation ideas on a budget.

gardening
selection
Research
Trees
Crabapples (Malus sp.) are native to Kazakhstan and North America. Crabapples are ornamentals that are closely related to common apple trees and are distinguished by fruit size. Technically, any apple fruit that is smaller than 2-inches is considered to b
Crabapples in the Landscape

Crabapples in the Landscape

Crabapples (Malus sp.) are native to Kazakhstan and North America. Crabapples are ornamentals that are closely related to common apple trees and are distinguished by fruit size. Technically, any apple fruit that is smaller than 2-inches is considered to b...

cwel publications
Trees
Research
gardening
selection
cwel research
Gambel oak (Quercus gambelii Nutt.), commonly called scrub oak, Rocky Mountain white oak, or Utah white oak, is native to the western part of the U.S., including Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, Wyoming, and Arizona.
Gambel Oak in the Landscape

Gambel Oak in the Landscape

Gambel oak (Quercus gambelii Nutt.), commonly called scrub oak, Rocky Mountain white oak, or Utah white oak, is native to the western part of the U.S., including Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, Wyoming, and Arizona.

gardening
Trees
cwel irrigation
Research
Trees, undoubtedly, are the most valuable plant in a landscape and must be prioritized for irrigation in drought conditions. Grass easily recovers from a period of long drought; hence, it must be placed last on the priority list for irrigation.
How Much Water Do Landscape Trees Require in Utah? An Irrigation Calculator

How Much Water Do Landscape Trees Require in Utah? An Irrigation Calculator

Trees, undoubtedly, are the most valuable plant in a landscape and must be prioritized for irrigation in drought conditions. Grass easily recovers from a period of long drought; hence, it must be placed last on the priority list for irrigation.

Trees
perennials
gardening
Research
flowers
selection
Each season brings with it new colors and emotions. Many homeowners seek help in selecting plant material that will offer season-long interest in the landscape. Different colors can add variety and add interest to the landscape. Plants should add consiste
Landscaping for Season-Long Color

Landscaping for Season-Long Color

Each season brings with it new colors and emotions. Many homeowners seek help in selecting plant material that will offer season-long interest in the landscape. Different colors can add variety and add interest to the landscape. Plants should add consiste...

Trees
fruit vegetable herb
gardening
Research
This fact sheet describes the nature of vegetation competition and proposes management strategies to reduce or eliminate competition.
Managing Vegetation Around Fruit Trees

Managing Vegetation Around Fruit Trees

This fact sheet describes the nature of vegetation competition and proposes management strategies to reduce or eliminate competition.

gardening
Trees
landscape
Research
oaks
Oak trees (Quercus sp.) are generally a tough, drought tolerant, and beautiful addition to Utah landscapes.
Oaks in the Landscape

Oaks in the Landscape

Oak trees (Quercus sp.) are generally a tough, drought tolerant, and beautiful addition to Utah landscapes.

gardening
Trees
Research
Trees and shrubs are valuable additions to most property, providing beauty, wind protection, shade, wildlife habitat, visual screening, and other benefits. Here we describe up-to-date, research-proven techniques for planting landscape trees and for post-p
Planting Landscape Trees

Planting Landscape Trees

Trees and shrubs are valuable additions to most property, providing beauty, wind protection, shade, wildlife habitat, visual screening, and other benefits. Here we describe up-to-date, research-proven techniques for planting landscape trees and for post-p...

Trees
Research
Wildlife
gardening
Deer/human conflicts have increased due to growing deer populations, limited resources and suburban development in deer habitat. In winter, deer often browse in residential landscapes. This can be reduced by selecting unpalatable plants, protecting woody
Preventing Deer Damage to Your Trees and Shrubs

Preventing Deer Damage to Your Trees and Shrubs

Deer/human conflicts have increased due to growing deer populations, limited resources and suburban development in deer habitat. In winter, deer often browse in residential landscapes. This can be reduced by selecting unpalatable plants, protecting woody ...

gardening
Research
Trees
Trees and shrubs are a valuable addition to most property. Properly planted, well maintained trees add beauty, wind protection, shade, wildlife habitat, visual screening, and other benefits to the landscape.
Selecting and Planting Landscape Trees

Selecting and Planting Landscape Trees

Trees and shrubs are a valuable addition to most property. Properly planted, well maintained trees add beauty, wind protection, shade, wildlife habitat, visual screening, and other benefits to the landscape.

Trees
gardening
cwel native plants
cwel publications
Research
selection
cwel water wise plants
Urban and suburban landscapes present special challenges concerning shrub selection in Utah. Due to our distinctive climate, shrubs must be able to withstand intense sunlight, low relative humidity, drying winds, and limited seasonal precipitation.
Shrub Selection for Utah Landscapes

Shrub Selection for Utah Landscapes

Urban and suburban landscapes present special challenges concerning shrub selection in Utah. Due to our distinctive climate, shrubs must be able to withstand intense sunlight, low relative humidity, drying winds, and limited seasonal precipitation.

Research
fruit vegetable herb
Trees
gardening
Training and pruning are critical parts of growing a productive apple tree. The rewards of proper training are a tree that is easy to harvest, has sustained high yields, and quality fruit.
Training and Pruning Apple Trees

Training and Pruning Apple Trees

Training and pruning are critical parts of growing a productive apple tree. The rewards of proper training are a tree that is easy to harvest, has sustained high yields, and quality fruit.

irrigation
Research
Trees
cwel publications
gardening
cwel turf
Amenity landscapes in Utah use a large portion of the state’s treated potable water. Not only can this cause a shortage of water necessary for human consumption and other uses, but it can also be expensive for homeowners. The good news is that there are m
Water-Wise Landscaping: Ideas for Landscape Water Conservation Without Changing Your Landscape Design

Water-Wise Landscaping: Ideas for Landscape Water Conservation Without Changing Your Landscape Design

Amenity landscapes in Utah use a large portion of the state’s treated potable water. Not only can this cause a shortage of water necessary for human consumption and other uses, but it can also be expensive for homeowners. The good news is that there are m...

Research
Trees
cwel turf
gardening
cwel irrigation
irrigation
cwel publications
Monitoring the depth of wetting and uniformity of water application can improve water management and conservation. Various types of probes can be used to monitor soil moisture conditions both before and after an irrigation. Probes can also be used to chec
Water-Wise Landscaping: Monitoring Irrigation with Probes

Water-Wise Landscaping: Monitoring Irrigation with Probes

Monitoring the depth of wetting and uniformity of water application can improve water management and conservation. Various types of probes can be used to monitor soil moisture conditions both before and after an irrigation. Probes can also be used to chec...

Trees
water-wise
gardening
Research
A benefit of established water-wise landscapes is they require less time and money to maintain than a traditional landscape. This assumes you have limited turfgrass to areas where it is practical, you have selected plants adapted to your climate, and you
Water-Wise Landscaping: Plant Maintenance

Water-Wise Landscaping: Plant Maintenance

A benefit of established water-wise landscapes is they require less time and money to maintain than a traditional landscape. This assumes you have limited turfgrass to areas where it is practical, you have selected plants adapted to your climate, and you ...