Trees That Grow On Roofs In Colorado

Although thousands of evergreen trees in colorado s high country foothills and communities are beginning to display dying yellow or brown needles most are simply going through a natural shedding process they are not being damaged by bark beetles or any specific tree insect or disease.

Trees that grow on roofs in colorado.

Drainage on a roof is unique. Colorado blue spruce colorado blue spruce. Can grow over a wide range in the western us. They are also known as rocky mountain or alpine fir.

Famartin cc by sa 4 0. Unlike planting trees in natural soil excess water must find its way to roof drains reliably and consistently over the life of the green roof. Low moisture trees planted in an irrigated lawn grow too fast. We use this exact mix in all of the green roof installations that we do so we know it is the perfect plant for colorado.

Kousa dogwood hardy to zone 5 kousa dogwood cornus kousa stays small for a tree with some varieties maxing out at just about 30 feet making it an excellent foundation planting for a rooftop garden. Match the plant with the moisture conditions of the site. Colorado s major tree species include bristlecone pine colorado blue spruce douglas fir engelmann spruce limber pine lodgepole pine narrowleaf cottonwood quaking aspen piñon pine plains cottonwood ponderosa pine rocky mountain juniper subalpine fir and white fir. Don t forget the scarlet and crimson maples when you want a blaze of fall color in your garden.

In spring the tree has small but beautiful white to pink flowers which transition to deep green summertime foliage. And what better way to celebrate arbor day and earth day both fall in april than with a tree that will thrive and grow as a treasured addition to. Full sun to part shade low to moderate water needs. This broad dense pyramidal evergreen sports stiff branches that grow horizontal to the ground.

Anchoring it giving it a sense of place and belonging. Trees and plants for colorado norway and dwarf alberta spruces are great for colorado s colder regions while the gingko white dogwood and jane magnolia can add color to the milder regions. Perfect for the water wise xeroscape garden. On the other hand trees that require moderate to heavy moisture do poorly in areas where little or no supplemental water can be applied.

These low growing plants prefer a well drained location and can perform well in part sun or cool sunny location. So if you re interested in biodiversity here are the five best native trees to plant in denver. Healthy trees are seen as the bones of a landscape. It s important to keep in mind that tree roots can develop destructive force over time and can potentially clog roof drains and drain pipes.

Evergreen trees have needles and stay green all year fir corkbark abies lasiocarpa arizonica ht 50 90 ft spd 15 ft.