What tree should I plant?
It depends.
Trees are not furniture, they are living beings and every species has different needs: water, soil type, sunlight, and space above and below ground.
Tree New Mexico advocates for planting the right tree in the right place.
When choosing a tree, consider:
- Water needs
- Do your trees water needs match the water you'll be providing? In New Mexico, most trees need consistent, deep irrigation throughout their lives. See our list of trees suited to rain gardens for drought-tolerant options.
- Heat and cold tolerance
- Sadly, many trees available for purchase struggle in the extremes of our high desert climate. Consider rising temperatures—trees that do well now may not like future heat extremes. We call trees that can thrive in both our current and future climate "Climate Ready Trees"
- Future size
- Trees need space from buildings, power lines and other trees
- Root size and structure
- Large, shallow roots can heave sidewalks and damage underground utilities. Choose smaller, deep-rooted trees if space is tight.
- Diversity
- Large plantings of one species (especially if one cultivar) are vulnerable to pests, while a diverse urban forest is more resilient. Pests move across property lines, so consider alternatives to "over-planted" trees.
- Habitat
- Native species provide the best habitat for pollinators and wildlife. See our list of keystone species. When planting non-native trees and other plants, choose species known to be non-invasive to protect the biodiversity of our wild lands.
The Nature Conservancy’s climate-ready tree lists can help you choose a tree that will not only survive, but thrive. These trees have been assessed for their heat, cold, and drought tolerance for New Mexico’s regional climates today and into the future.