Too often native trees, shrubs and grasses are completely overlooked in urban parks and in commercial/private landscapes of all kinds.
Always think native first when considering an appropriate plant of any kind including trees, shrubs and grasses. They are the plants best adapted to grow here. And typically they are also
the most vibrant, aesthetically pleasing year round choices as well.
And consideration of native plants should absolutely not be limited to places with minimal water availabity. Appropriate Utah native plants should always first be considered for wet or shady Utah environments as well.
The appropriate use of native trees and shrubs means that the plant is also not just native to Utah, but that it is appropriate for the local area in question and its elevation/aspect. Just because a species (for example, an aspen or blue spruce) is
a native plant does not mean that it should be planted on a valley floor somewhere in Utah. Use native plants appropriate to the area and elevation.
Using native shrubs does not translate to "sagebrush" (although the many different species/varieties of sagebrush should be included as an option and are excellent landscape plants generally speaking). The Salt Lake valley was, for example, not dominated by sagebrush prior to pioneer settlement; it was
dominated by a multitude of native grasses (including some that were quite tall). Overgrazing and development destroyed the fabric of what was once abundant in the valleys along the Wasatch Front. Sagebrush became more dominant in some areas in Utah as a result of excessive grazing practices.
Native trees, shrubs, grasses and herbs are also the most appropriate plants to use in conjunction with fire concerns because native plants tend to hold moisture longer
than invasives or exotics, and do a better job of stabilizing soil.
Be careful what you plant. If you simply cannot use a native tree, shrub, grass or other native plant type, research what you intend to plant to ensure that it does not have invasive tendencies and that it is not for example known to be an invasive species in some other state or area (even if not known to be invasive here). Always reject Russian olive, Siberian elm, Norway maple or Eastern Hackberry (Celtis occidentalis, also known as Common Hackberry, which is becoming invasive in Salt Lake County) as possible options for a tree planting. Avoid the use of Pyracantha. This responsibility is higher for homeowner or other landscape use that is next or near to natural areas where something you plant might easily spread (example: all
homeowners living along the Bonneville Shoreline Trail have this higher responsibility; individuals living at higher elevations also have this extra responsibility, property owners with land that abuts Forest Service, National Park Service, etc. lands similarly have this even higher responsibility, etc.). And keep in mind that birds
can potentially spread something you plant to a location that is miles away.
Be wary of purchasing exotic trees that claim to grow quickly such as the Royal Paulownia tree, Paulownia tomentosa. We are for now unaware of this tree being used in the Salt Lake area but have
heard rumors of it being recommended by an arborist or someone in the landscape industry; also Chicago banned this tree in April of 2009.
Even if not potentially invasive, any so-called "fast growing" landscape tree will likely fail to thrive here or will be susceptible to other problems.
Some links related to native as well as invasive trees:
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- TreeUtah restoration efforts
- Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States
Examples of tree choices (for an appropriate elevation/aspect):
Gambel's oak (Quercus gambelii), Chokecherry (Prunus virginiana), Utah serviceberry (Amelanchier utahensis), Curlleaf mountain mahogany (Cercocarpus ledifolius), Bigtooth maple (Acer grandidentatum), Netleaf hackberry (Celtis reticulata), Single leaf ash (Fraxinus anomala),
Desert willow (Chilopsis linearis), Coyote willow (Salix exigua), Western hoptree (Ptelea angustifolia), Box Elder (Acer negundo), Western water birch (Betula occidentalis), Mockorange (Philadelphus lewisii), many others including the familiar native pines, spruces, firs and aspens.
Examples of some potential shrub choices: Manzanita, Creeping oregon grape, Mountain Lover, Squawbush, Bitterbrush, Fourwing saltbush, Cliffrose, Smooth sumac, Golden currant, Shadscale, Winterfat, Buffaloberry and many others.
Examples of native grasses: Basin wildrye, Blue Grama, Bluebunch wheatgrass, Desert Needlegrass, Indian ricegrass, Little bluestem, Shining muttongrass and many others.
Using native plants in a xeriscaping situation does not mean a barren area dominated by gravel and a few lonely iconic plants. While some spacing is always desirable for practical maintenance and aesthetic design,
your area landscaped with native plants can be as lush as desired.
Native plants in fact if used correctly are attractive and will add value to your property. Used properly along highways, roadways
and in conjunction with public buildings by government agencies, they beautify our environment and provide important resources for wildlife. Businesses will
similarly benefit by incorporating native plants into corporate landscapes.