When planting trees in Butte County be aware that soils tend to be gravelly and very alkaline. Hardiness is in USDA zone 4b-3. Supplemental irrigation is almost always necessary and humidity is low. There are hot drying winds in summer and cold winter winds.
The following list is not inclusive of all trees and shrubs which will grow in Butte County. Mature tree height is shown. Most tree problems can be avoided if recommended guidelines for planting, watering, fertilizing and pruning are followed.
Thank you to Mr. Will Beck of Hiland Trees and Nursery for his assistance in preparing this list.
Birch, Betula spp., 40'-50', rapid growth, short-lived, good fall color, attractive bark. Not all species hardy in Butte County. Can be difficult to grow but a striking tree when healthy. High water requirement, many diseases and insects.
Box Elder, Acer negundo, 30'-50', fast growth, brittle wood, short-lived. Very adaptable, drought resistant, easy to grow but can become weedy. Box Elder bugs will be a nuisance.
Bur Oak, Quercus macrocarpa, 40'-60', tolerant of most conditions but needs irrigation.
English Hawthorn, Crataegus laevigata, 15'-20', small rounded tree, dark green foliage. Not all varieties hardy. Needs shelter from wind. Thorns and fireblight.
Flowering Crab, Malus spp., 20'-30', spring flowering tree. Wide range of blossom color with over 600 varieties. Easy to grow. Fireblight. Some varieties have messy fruit.
Green Ash, Fraxinus pennsylvanica, 50'-60', fast growth, adaptable and drought resistant. Some borers and scale.
Hackberry, Celtis occidentalis, 40'-60', wide-spreading, good shade tree, adaptable to most conditions. Subject to witches’ broom.
Horse Chestnut, Aesculus hippocastanum, 50'-75', not drought or cold tolerant. Plant in sheltered spot. Fruit can be a problem in lawn. Sunscald.
Little Leaf Linden, Tilia cordata, 45'-50', good shade, specimen or street tree. Prefers moist, well drained soil. Aphids and leaf scorch can be problems.
May Day Tree, Prunus padus, 30', fragrant spring flowers, one of earliest trees to leaf out in spring, black fruit attracts birds. Problems are black knot disease and tent caterpillars.
Poplar, Poplar spp., 70'-90', rapid growth, short-lived, weak wood. Invasive roots and ‘cotton’ can be problems. Not all species are hardy. Easy to grow, prefers moist soil. Older trees are attacked by borers.
Purple Leaf Plum, Prunus spp., 20'-25', unusual purple foliage, spring flowers, rapid growth, short-lived. Not all are hardy. Easy to grow but pear slugs can be a problem.
Quaking Aspen, Populus tremuloides, 40'-50', white bark, leaves tremble in breeze, golden fall color. Fast growth and short-lived. Subject to leafminer, borers, leaf spot fungus and iron chlorosis.
Russian Olive, Elaeagnus angustifolia, 20'-30', silver-gray foliage, fragrant yellow flowers, medium - fast growth, adaptable to poor soils and drought. Easy to grow. Thorns are a problem and tree can become weedy.
Siberian Elm, Ulmus pumila, 50'-70', fast growth, short-lived, drought tolerant. Easy to grow. Brittle wood and messy.
Willow, Salix spp., 70'-90', rapid growth, short-lived. Hybridize freely so species varies. Require lots of water. Weak wood and twig breakage litter yard.
American Arborvitae, Thuja occidentalis, 40', marginal cold hardiness. Moderate – high water use. Susceptible to winter burn.
Austrian Pine, Pinus nigra, 50'-60', dark green needles, dense growth, long-lived. Tolerant of most conditions except shade. Diploidia tip blight and scale can be problems.
Blue Spruce, Picea pungens, 80', blue-green foliage, moderate growth rate. Easy to grow and adaptable. Spruce mite and Cooley spruce gall adelgid can be problems.
Concolor or White Fir, Abies concolor, 50', bluish needles. Fairly adaptable but prefers cool, moist fertile soil. Protect from winter wind.
Cork Bark Fir, Abies lasiocarpa arizonica, 45'-50', white corky bark, silver-gray needles. Nice specimen tree. Prefers moist sheltered area.
Dwarf Alberta Spruce, Picea glauca ‘conica’, 4'-6', compact pyramidal shape with dense foliage. Needs protection. Spider mites and winter burn can be problems.
Juniper, Juniperus spp. Wide variety from low spreading ground covers to upright 30' trees. Foliage varies from deep green, gray, or purple. Requires full sun, otherwise very easy to grow.
Ponderosa Pine, Pinus ponderosa, 80'-100', long needles, large cones, long-lived. Prefers deep well-drained loam. Can be attacked by bark beetles.
Scotch Pine, Pinus sylvestris, 40'-60', Drought tolerant but cannot tolerate shady conditions. Hardiness and growth characteristics vary. Can be attached by borers, scale and sapsuckers.
Apple, Malus spp. and Plum, Prunus spp. can be grown in Butte County. Hardiness and fruit maturity vary with cultivar and rootstock. Codling moth, fireblight and pear slugs can be problems.
American Cranberry, Viburnum trilobum, 8'-12', red fall color. Easy to grow.
Barberry, Berberis spp., 1'-6', size, shape and color differs with species. Easy to grow. Thorns.
Clematis, Clematis spp., vine grows up to 18' if supported. Large stunning flowers. Not all varieties are hardy. Keep roots shaded, foliage in sun – part sun.
Cotoneaster, Cotoneaster spp., many varieties from ground covers to 6' shrubs. Easy to grow but fireblight can be a problem.
Elderberry, Sambucus, spp., 5'-12', fast growth, purple-black berries. Tolerant of most conditions but must be pruned to avoid weediness due to suckers
Flowering Quince, Chaenomeles speciosa, 6'-10', showy flowers, marginal cold hardiness. Requires shelter.
Forsythia, Forsythia x intermedia, 8'-10', bright yellow spring flowers, marginal cold hardiness. Needs winter protection.
Honeysuckle, Lonicera spp., 10', fragrant spring flowers, many varieties. Easy to grow but witches’ broom aphid is a problem.
Lilac, Syringa vulgaris, 3'-6', fragrant spring flowers, dark green foliage, very tolerant of conditions. Easy to grow. Old blossoms need to be picked off. Suckers easily and can become crowded.
Mugo Pine, Pinus mugo, 8'-15', compact habit, slow growth. Size varies with variety. Tolerant of most conditions except drought. Scale can be a problem.
Red Twig Dogwood, Cornus sericea, 7'-9', striking red stems, spring flowers, fast growth, hardy. Prefers moist soil. Susceptible to cankers.
Rose Tree of China, Prunus triloba, 12'-15', spring flowers are easily injured by frost. Marginally hardy in this area. Requires moist soil.
Siberian Pea shrub, Caragana arborescens, 15', yellow flowers, tolerant of cold, drought and alkaline soils. Easy to grow.
Snowberry, Symphoricarpos alba, 3', small white berries, spreads by suckers. Adaptable and grows well in shade.
Snowball Bush, Viburnum opulus, 8'-12', large white flowers. Easy to grow if old canes are pruned out. Aphids can be problem.
Spirea, Spiraea spp., 3'-6', many different sizes and blossom colors. Prefers moist soil and can take part shade. Avoid hot dry winds. Iron chlorosis and spider mites can be a problem.
Sumac, Rhus spp., 15'-25', good fall color. Spreads by suckers.
Tamarix, Tamarix ramosissima, 10', fast growth, unusual pink flowers with feathery green foliage. Tolerant of drought and alkaline soils. Weedy potential.
For information on windbreak trees visit the University of Idaho Forest Research Nursery.