Nevada is a magical place. There are over a hundred different types of trees that do well in the Silver State. Whether you want to grow fruit trees or shade trees, this guide will help you get started on your tree-growing journey!
The Best Flowering Trees to Grow in Nevada
Tulip Poplar
You're in luck if you want to grow a Tulip Poplar tree. Imagine leaving for work one morning during spring and noticing your tree is already covered in blooms. With a Tulip Poplar, you can anticipate both the dazzling production and rapid growth with summer fast approaching. For the most impressive shade tree in your neighborhood, your Tulip Poplar may be worth a look. In springtime, this powerful flowering tree's blooms will light up your lawn and in summer, when other trees start to lose their foliage and enter dormancy, this sturdy white-barked evergreen is just right for providing dense relief. With their tulip-shaped leaves, these evergreens are known for not only being long-lasting but also easy on the eyes and tough enough to withstand varying soil conditions and climates.
Planting & Care
To successfully grow a tree, you need to give it plenty of space for roots and sunlight. When planting the tree make twice as much soil available and plant your tree so that all the feet should be in contact with the earth. To preserve moisture we recommend watering anew after settling, then lay down mulch around the base to prevent evaporation. Young Poplars should be watered during long, dry stretches. In the summer months you should water about once or twice per week; in the cooler months, water once or twice bi-weekly. Drooping branches in young trees can indicate that the tree is either receiving too much or not enough water. Add slow-release fertilizer tablets to help nourish the young tree and prevent something called root rot which occurs when soil becomes saturated with moisture (adding fertilizer also helps prevent this). Fertilize twice a month when the tree is coming out of dormancy, then once a month during its active growth period. Stop fertilizing before the days become shorter again or these nutrients will stimulate new growth at an awkward time of year. To remove any branches that grow outside of the designated planting area, cut right next to the branch collar. To encourage the growth of branches, branch collars should be at ground level and competing leaders should be removed.
'KV' Flowering Plum Tree
The Krauter Vesuvius Plum is one of the fastest-growing trees in Nevada, and it can beautify your landscaping all year. In addition to blossoming beautifully in the springtime, KV Plums bear fruit that produces lots of juicy cherries. In the spring, purple leaves will emerge on Krauter Vesuvius trees and they will remain dark throughout the season. In the fall, brightly-colored fruit comes out on this tree as well. The Krauter Vesuvius Plum has small, round canopies and grows up to about 20 feet. You can strategically place these plum trees in your yard near the driveway or by a home to provide shade and keep certain areas cool. Krauter Vesuvius Plums grow well in both the harsh, cold, and snow climates up north as well as hot and dry climates down south. This variety of plums is cold-hardy and drought-resistant, but what makes them unique is that they are smog resistant. They filter toxins out of the air while providing a beautiful color and delicious fruit.
Planting & Care
To grow a flowering plum tree most successfully, plant it in the sun but with some shade. This tree will not tolerate too much shade or wet soil. It is known that the KV is an air filtration tree, cleaning toxins from the air, which can be planted close to streets without fear of pollution causing them harm. To plant a KV near a street, create a hole for it twice as wide and just as deep as the root ball size. Gently comb out any loose roots protruding from the root ball so they can establish completely in their new home. Backfill the hole with the added water. Spread 3 inches of organic mulch each spring and renew it every year to prevent air pockets from forming. Tree watering should be more frequent during hot months as the tree is more susceptible to dying of root rot. The flowering plum is very adaptable and water needs vary depending on if you have well or city tap water, but generally, it requires weekly watering. KV Plums are a tree that does not require constant pruning, but an annual trim of the branch tips will help encourage denser growth and branching. Prune during winter dormant months at 45 degrees with sterilized cutters. You can use rubbing alcohol to clean your cutting tool before fertilizing. KV Plums are stunning trees, but they can develop fungus problems. To avoid this, make sure to keep up with raking any fallen leaves and debris below the tree. Also, be sure to water right at the base of the tree so that all available roots will drink from your new irrigation system. These three pests cause brown leaf foliage and a loss of new growth: borers, aphids, and leafhoppers. Horticultural oil can be applied to borers and neem oil or insecticidal soap can protect against aphids or other soft-bodied pests.
The Best Shade Trees in Nevada
Lacebark Chinese Elm Tree
The Lacebark pear tree is named after its bark, which displays an interesting pattern and often changes colors throughout the year. In the spring, summer, or autumn, it will turn a green hue that changes to yellow as the winter gets closer. You'll be charmed by its vibrant colors that change with the seasons. Heavy on hardy features, the Lacebark Chinese Elm is a perfect opportunity for people who want to add trees to their landscape. This tree can grow in almost any environment, providing year-round beauty. With a preference for moist, rich soils, the Lacebark Chinese Elm is an ideal urban tree. You will often find this tree planted along busy sidewalks or in open landscapes with level terrain. Of all its many benefits, it tolerates most soil conditions and has become the darling of homeowners and city planners alike. Unlike most American Elms, the Lacebark Elm cannot be infected by common Elm diseases. A Chinese variety, few pests target this tree. This variety of trees is very manageable and has a stunning shape. This small beauty will grow to only be 40 tall, which means it won't overshadow your landscape. The Lacebark Chinese Elm is perfect as a companion tree for pines or oaks and makes a great centerpiece of any smaller landscape. This is a great shade tree because its leaves provide more coverage than many other trees, and it feels safe to sit under its branches.
Planting & Care
One reason Lacebark Elms are easy to plant in your yard is their tolerance for different soil and moisture conditions. When planting a tree, they need full sun or partial shade with at least 4 hours of sunlight every day. Place a layer of mulch on the ground to help keep moisture in and prevent weeds from overtaking your new seedling. And when watering, remember that mature trees need an inch of rainfall every week for best growth. The Lacebark Elm tree tolerates wet or dry conditions. Be sure to water your Lacebark Elm weekly when it is young; if it rains, you don't need to worry about watering the tree at all during this time. After a couple of years, you can save money by only watering the tree during very dry spells as opposed to every week. Like many trees, Lacebark Elm benefits from occasional pruning in the form of dead bark and branches.
Weeping Willow
The Weeping Willow is a tree well-loved for its dramatic appearance and style. It's perfect for adding character to property value and offers visitors shade from the sun during hot days. Weeping willows grow quickly, in just a year they can reach a height of 10 feet. Although the weeping canopy may not be their most distinguishing feature at first glance, after just one year these trees form strong branches that arch outward and droop to the ground with smaller leaves.
Planting & Care
Plant weeping willow trees in full sun to partial shade (large open areas with between 4-8 hours of sunlight daily). Most weeping willows can thrive in well-drained soil but are not usually near septic systems. When you're planting, dig a hole 3 times as wide and deep as the root ball on your tree. Carefully place the young tree into the hole and fill it back up with dirt. Water thoroughly until the earth around it is moist again before moving onto the next step. Covering the soil around your tree with a mulch that’s three inches thick will help it retain moisture and keep weeds from growing. When you are watering it for the first year, water your Weeping Willow approximately once or twice a week. After that, only give it water if there is little rainfall and no wetter conditions than what's not good for most plants. The thing about weeping willows is they can adapt to anything! For the best results, make sure your fertilizer of choice has equal parts of each chemical component. The most common ratios are 10-10-10 or 20-20-20 for optimum results, but any similar product will do. Fertilizing in early spring accelerates growth and produces greener plants with longer lives. Pruning the tree’s crown helps increase airflow, which prevents disease. This can be accomplished by cutting away 2 inches of branch mass at the top of the trunk during early spring before new growth emerges. It is also important to trim any branches that are dragging on the ground. Similarly, pinch or cut back any branches from the trunk as they grow so it will maintain a classic weeping shape. Damaged branches, dead limbs, and diseased wood should be trimmed during any season of the year.
The Best Fruit Trees in Nevada
Everbearing Mulberry Tree
Growing your mulberry tree is an exceptional way to provide your family with delicious, healthy fruit. Unlike other fruits which ripen all at once, this Mulberry Black Beauty produces enough fruit to keep you happy throughout the summer. The fruit is delicious when consumed fresh but can also be preserved for later use. Jams are one way that mulberry's flavors have been preserved over the years and still taste great today. The black Beauty Mulberry is beautiful throughout the tree's life. Homeowners should consider adding this stately ornamental tree to their landscape, as it grows quickly, can be enjoyed for many years to come, and it's easy to maintain at home! It only takes a single season for this tree to flower and produce fruit. Black Beauty Trees are drought-resistant, sturdy, and can grow in many poor conditions.
Planting & Care
Choose a location that receives full or partial sunlight with good drainage. In the hole, make sure it is three times as wide as the root ball and equal depth. Remove the tree from the container and place it in the hole ensuring it is standing upright with the top of the root ball level to the ground. Give extra care when filling the remaining space; tamp down lightly as you fill around the roots so it sinks evenly. Water area immediately to avoid air pockets forming in the drained soil after planting your tree. Place mulch around the base of the tree to prevent weeds/grass from growing. Water your tree weekly to start, but once it becomes established, you will only need to water it when there is a drought. Apply organic fertilizer or slow-release fertilizer in spring. Very little pruning is needed to maintain the tree, but some branches should be trimmed in spring.
Bosc Pear
If you are looking for a pear tree that will provide fruit long after the other varieties have gone to sleep, then Bosc Pear is your best choice. The fruit of this luscious tree is ready for harvest after the autumn equinox, giving it the nickname 'winter pear'. It has a long-lasting harvest time and can produce up to 100 years. The Bosc Pear stands out for many reasons. It has a long, slender neck and relatively large fruit, a shape that sets it apart from other pear varieties because they're more oblong. The Bosc Pear's skin is covered with golden brown russet overlaying a subtle cinnamon color. Your Bosc Pear blooms in mid-April with lovely white blossoms and a delicate fragrance. The fruit can often be harvested in late September. The Bosc Pear 'sweetens' early, which means that you can enjoy it right off the tree. Bosc pears offer a different flavor profile that is slightly acidic with a light spice. The white flesh is firm but juicy, crunchy, and yet tender; perfect for eating fresh or maybe even cooking up an omelet in the morning with some bacon too!
Planting & Care
Grow your pear tree in full sunlight and well-drained soil. Give it a bright, sheltered location with southern exposure. Plant the tree by spreading the roots in a hole that is three times as wide and deep as the root ball. Be careful not to make it too shallow so that the trunk doesn't bend severely. Gently loosen any roots, if necessary, then fill up with dirt around and over them. Water well after planting is complete. When planting in a pot, find a container with adequate drainage holes and use at least 2 times the size of the plant’s growing container. Try not to damage the root system when removing it from its original positioning. Fill halfway with soil before placing it into your new one. First, fill the planting hole with potting soil before placing the tree inside. Once in place, water it to settle the soil and make sure it will receive at least 6 hours of direct sunlight every day. The best way to care for pear trees is to supplement with plenty of water once the weather warms up in the summer. When the weather has cooled down and there's been a frost, it’s best to simplify watering by just giving it an inch or two per week if necessary rather than taking a break entirely. Potted trees should be watered as soon as they have dried out the top layer of soil by sticking your index finger into it. Provide water until it is running out of the drainage holes and then stop. Pear trees can suffer root rot easily so be cautious about overwatering. Because pear trees are generally tall and leggy, it's important to prune them properly for shape. Remove competing branches, cut off dying limbs, and keep the natural shape of the branch by removing any large, out-of-place limbs that are not central enough or don't produce fruit. Potted pear trees can be trimmed any time during the year. Before you do anything to a tree, it’s always a good idea to sterilize the cutting tool so you don't introduce any unwanted bacteria into the system. Pears are vulnerable to infestation by worms such as moths, scales, and aphids. Prevention can be demonstrated through the use of an insecticide in the early spring. The effects of attack may include patches of yellowing or brown leaves, rotted fruit, and nibbled leaves. Insecticides should be treated according to the label's directions; if not, then sprays should be sprayed outside for a distance of 30 feet around any pear tree that is being attacked. To harvest pears at the end of September, (watch for two to three weeks) fruit needs to harden. Fruits should reach full color and size and be firm when checking the tree daily. Picking fruit every two to three days will improve your harvest up until its end. Bartlett and D’Anjou pears are a perfect pollinator tree for your Bosc Pear.
When is The Best Time to Plant Trees in Nevada
The best time to plant a tree in Nevada is just before fall. Trees planted at this time will have plenty of sunshine and water during cooler temperatures, which help them grow better.
Can You Plant All Season Long?
In Nevada, the climate is harsh and growing conditions are often unpredictable. This means that it's not an easy task to plant all season long in this area. However, with good planning and practicing proper tree selection, it is possible to grow trees in Nevada no matter what season you're planting in!
What are The Best Trees to Plant Each Season in Nevada
Springtime
The best trees to plant in the springtime are fruit trees such as apple trees, apricot trees, and cherry trees.
Summertime
Summer is the time of year to plant deciduous shade tree species such as red maple, purple leaf plum, and golden rain tree.
Fall time
The best fall time planting includes dogwood shrubs with their beautiful pink flowers in late spring; flowering almonds for color during winter months; crape myrtle that bloomed in summer are a great choice because they also provide cover when leaves drop off.
Wintertime
Winter is the perfect season for evergreens like Leyland cypresses, conifers, or blue spruce which offer amazing green foliage all year long!
What Trees Have The Least Invasive Roots in Nevada
The least invasive trees in Nevada are the ones that have root systems with limited range such as palms, junipers, and pines. Other less invasive tree species is Arizona ash, avocado, black locust, English oak, sweetgum, macadamia nut trees, and sycamore maple.
