The Best Drought Resistant Trees to Plant

You still have choices when it comes to drought-tolerant trees, including evergreens and flowering trees. Drought-tolerant trees have adapted to long periods with little to no rainfall. Because moisture is lost primarily through the leaves, these trees may have smaller leaves than those acclimated to wet climates, or modified leaves.

Trees with silver or gray leaves tend to be those more able to handle dry soil. The leaves also may have tiny hairs or waxy coatings.

"Native" doesn't always mean "drought tolerant," notes Purdue Extension. For example, a native plant with a natural habitat in an area with high rainfall will likely not do well in a dry garden. Similarly, native desert species, adapted to summer rainfall and dry winters, will likely fail in areas with long, dry summers and wet winters.

Colorado blue spruce or blue spruce (Picea pungens), which grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 2 through 7, has silvery-blue needles, which are attractive and also have a waxy coating that helps the tree to conserve moisture. Tolerant of dry conditions once established, like all newly planted trees, it requires regular water for at least the first year to develop its root system. Blue spruce grows to a mature height of 50 feet and 20 feet wide, although it's unlikely to do that in a backyard.

A variety of evergreen acacias (Acacia spp.) do well in hot and dry areas. With its long, narrow leaves giving the tree an airy and somewhat weeping appearance, the shoestring acacia (Acacia stenophylla, USDA zones 8a through 11a) thrives even in reflected heat. It's a fast grower to a height of 15 to 25 feet, and 35 to 45 feet wide, providing filtered shade. Once established, it requires only infrequent, deep watering.

Red oak or northern red oak (Quercus rubra, USDA zones 5 through 8a) is one of many oaks that can tolerate periods of drought, once established. With red autumnal foliage, it can grow up to 40 to 60 tall, spreading 40 to 60 feet in open areas.

Several maples (Acer spp.) are drought-resistant. One is trident maple (Acer buergerianum, USDA zones 5 through 10). It grows to a height and width from 20 to 25 feet and has red or gold foliage in fall. Although trident maple prefers moist soils, it will tolerate dry, infertile soils.

When choosing trees resistant to drought, you don't have to sacrifice flowers. Eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis, USDA zones 4 through 9) has its bare branches covered with vibrant purplish-pink blossoms in spring. An established eastern redbud tree has a high tolerance for drought, but benefits from some shade in hot summer climates. It can reach 20 to 30 feet tall and 25 to 35 feet wide.

For yellow summer flowers, goldenrain tree (Koelreuteria paniculata, USDA zones 5b through 9) has an open-growth habit which makes it moderately drought tolerant. It grows 30 to 40 feet tall and wide.