Four Types Of Trees That Will Grow In Dry Soils

If your yard is dry, you might assume that growing trees is out of the question. While most trees do need relatively moist soil to thrive, there are a few trees that will tolerate chronically dry conditions. Focus on planting one or more of these tree varieties, and you can look forward to a beautiful, shaded yard in spite of your lack of water.

Tatarian Maple

If you like the classic look of maple trees, choose this drought-tolerant variety. It is smaller than most maples, reaching only about 20 feet in height, but its wide canopy allows it to offer plenty of shade. It can thrive in partial shade to full sun. In the spring, it becomes covered in bright yellow blooms, which will attract bees and birds to your property. Its leaves turn a mixture of red and yellow-brown in the fall.

Common Hackberry

This tree has long, slender, pale green leaves with serrated edges. It develops an ovular shape, making it a good choice for compact areas. Dark purple fruits appear on the tree in late summer to early fall; these attract many birds, squirrels and deer, making the tree a favorite among wildlife enthusiasts. Common hackberry trees are drought tolerant, but they may drop some leaves when water is in short supply. This is normal and should not concern the grower. The trees thrive in windy, sunny areas.

American Yellowwood

If your soil is overly alkaline as well as dry, plant an American yellowwood. They are tolerant of a wide range of soil pH values. Their leaves are ovular with smooth edges, and they turn bright yellow in the fall. Their pink and white flowers, which appear in the spring, are known to be stunning. American yellowwoods grow best in full sunlight, but they will tolerate some shade. They're very hardy against pests and diseases.

Green Ash

Green ash trees have slender, dark green leaves and develop yellow-green flowers that appear in bunches. They can tolerate both flooding and drought, but they absolutely need full sunlight to thrive. Ash trees are great for creating wind breaks, thanks to their dense foliage, but they can also be used as single ornamental trees. Their roots are shallow, so you'll need to be careful around them when mowing grass.

Visit a tree service company like B. Haney & Sons to see which of these trees is best suited to your area. Plant a few saplings today, and in a few years, your dry land could be home to numerous mature trees.

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