A guide to planting trees in Central Oregon.

Central Oregon is a hard place to be a tree.

Central Oregon’s hot and dry summers, chilly winters, low humidity, wind, and poor volcanic soils present unique challenges for landscape trees. Because it’s hard to be a tree here, it’s important to choose a species that will thrive in your landscape over time.

One of the most common questions I’m asked as an arborist, especially by folks new to the area, is: “What trees do well here?”

So here are my recommendations - a list of trees that I’ve worked with often, and that thrive in Central Oregon’s environment.

Native Trees: Perfectly Adapted to Central Oregon

Western Juniper
The Western Juniper is a small, resilient evergreen tree known for its rugged, fibrous bark and twisting, gnarled branches. It’s well-suited for Central Oregon's dry, rocky soils and requires little water once established, making it perfect for drought-prone areas.

Ponderosa Pine
A majestic native, the Ponderosa Pine is a towering evergreen with thick, cinnamon-colored bark that can thrive in dry, sandy soils. It’s highly drought-tolerant and provides excellent shade and wind resistance, making it a top choice for larger properties in Central Oregon.

Lodgepole Pine
Lodgepole Pines are slender, straight trees that are typically smaller than Ponderosas, but they thrive in harsher, colder areas. They are fast-growing, tolerant of poor soils, and ideal for higher elevations or areas with sandy or rocky terrain.

Larch (Tamarack)
Larches are unique deciduous conifers that turn a brilliant golden color in the fall before shedding their needles. They prefer well-drained soils and can handle cold winters, making them ideal for cooler spots with good moisture.

White Fir
White Firs are tall evergreens with soft, silvery needles. They’re your classic “Christmas tree”. They prefer slightly moister conditions compared to other native species but are well-suited to Central Oregon’s higher elevations (Think Sisters, Skyliner, Sunriver, Camp Sherman). These trees are ideal for adding winter beauty to a landscape.

Douglas Fir
The Douglas Fir is a stately evergreen that can tolerate the cold winters of Central Oregon but prefers areas with a bit more moisture or shelter. Its dense, green foliage and straight, tall form make it a great choice for windbreaks or forested areas.

Black Cottonwood
This fast-growing native tree thrives in damp soils near rivers, creeks, or ponds. Black Cottonwoods are perfect for spots where consistent moisture is available, providing shade and wildlife habitat in wet areas. Black Cottonwoods grow fast, and can cause havoc for underground infrastructure, so keep them far from pond liners and septic systems.

Oregon White Oak
Oregon White Oaks are slow-growing but durable trees, known for their broad, rounded canopies and striking fall colors. They prefer sunny locations with well-drained soils and are perfect for open areas that can recieve deep watering.

Vine Maple
Vine Maples are smaller, multi-stemmed trees that do well in partial shade or protected areas. Their brilliant red and orange autumn colors make them a favorite for adding seasonal beauty to any yard. In central oregon, they prefer to grow inder the canopy of more mature trees, or in other shady areas.

Non-Native, Hardy Trees for Bend’s Climate

White Pine (Pinus strobus)
White Pines are large, fast-growing trees with soft, long needles. They do best in cooler, moist locations but can adapt to dry conditions if properly watered during establishment.

Blue Spruce
The Blue Spruce stands out with its blue-green needles and symmetrical shape. It’s highly tolerant of Central Oregon’s cold winters and dry summers, making it a beautiful and resilient choice for decorative purposes.

Giant Sequoia
Although native to California, Giant Sequoias can thrive in Central Oregon with proper care. They require consistent moisture and space to grow, but their impressive size and longevity make them a stunning addition to large landscapes.

Honeylocust
Honeylocust trees feature delicate, fern-like leaves that create dappled shade, making them perfect for areas where you want filtered light. They are extremely drought-tolerant once established and thrive in well-drained soils.

Silver Maple
Silver Maples grow quickly and provide ample shade, with silvery undersides on their leaves that shimmer in the breeze. They prefer areas with consistent moisture but can adapt to drier conditions with proper care.

Norway Maple
Norway Maples are adaptable shade trees, known for their dense canopies and vibrant fall color. They do well in urban settings and can handle the dry conditions of Central Oregon once established.

Amur Maple
Amur Maples are smaller, ornamental trees with stunning red and orange fall foliage. They are highly adaptable to a variety of soil types and are perfect for smaller yards or as accent trees.

Bur Oak (Pin Oak)
Bur Oaks are slow-growing, sturdy trees that can handle Central Oregon’s dry conditions. While they take time to mature, they offer excellent drought tolerance and thrive in well-drained soils.

American Ash, Oregon Ash or Arizona Ash
Ash trees are adaptable, offering dense, rich green foliage in the summer. They prefer wetter conditions but can tolerate periods of drought, making them suitable for well-watered areas or near streams.

Chokecherry
Chokecherry trees are small, hardy trees that produce fragrant white flowers in spring and dark berries in summer. They’re drought-resistant and attract birds, making them ideal for wildlife-friendly landscapes.

Linden
Linden trees are known for their heart-shaped leaves and fragrant flowers. They do well in a variety of soil types and can handle dry conditions with some irrigation, making them a good choice for urban settings.

Crab Apple
Crab Apple trees offer spring blooms and small fruit, making them both ornamental and functional. They thrive in well-drained soils and can handle Central Oregon’s dry climate once established.

Siberian Elm & American Elm
A fast-growing, hardy tree, the Siberian Elm can withstand drought and wind, making it a good choice for exposed sites. Its tolerance for poor soils makes it an easy-to-grow option for challenging landscapes.

Mountain Ash (Sorbus Americana)
Mountain Ash is a small tree known for its clusters of bright red berries and attractive, compound leaves. It prefers well-drained soils and does well in cooler areas with some moisture.

Black or Honey Locust
These trees are highly adaptable to poor soils and drought conditions, offering light, filtered shade with their airy foliage. They’re perfect for areas where you want a tough tree with low maintenance. Careful planting these tree in yards with children or pets: They have vicious thorns.

Callery Pear
Callery Pear trees offer beautiful spring blooms and glossy green foliage, turning a rich red in fall. They do well in urban areas and tolerate drought once established, making them a good ornamental choice.

Flowering Plum
Flowering Plums are small, ornamental trees with deep purple leaves and fragrant spring flowers. They thrive in well-drained soils and are perfect for adding color to Central Oregon landscapes.

Serviceberry (Amelanchier spp.)
Serviceberries are multi-stemmed small trees that offer beautiful spring blooms, edible berries, and colorful fall foliage. They are adaptable to different soils and drought-tolerant once established, making them ideal for ornamental use.

Dwarf Korean Lilac (Syringa meyeri ‘Palibin’)
This small, ornamental tree or large shrub features fragrant lavender flowers in spring and is a hardy, drought-tolerant species that works well in small yards or as a flowering accent.

Considerations for Planting Trees in Central Oregon

Before you dig into your tree planting project, keep these key points in mind:

• Soil Preparation: Central Oregon’s soil can be sandy or volcanic, so it’s often necessary to amend it with organic matter for better root growth. Techniques like vertical mulching and adding soil ammendments canmake your trees more resilent.

• Watering Needs: Even drought-tolerant trees need regular watering in the high desert. A drip irrigation system can help ensure consistent hydration, and deep watering cycles will help maintain healthy root systems. As your trees get established, be sure to adjust your irrigation system. Bigger trees need more water, and over a larger area.

• Sunlight: High desert sunlight is intense—be sure to select the correct tree for the space. Avoid planting sensitive trees like vine maples in hot, full sun areas.

• Space: Healthy trees need space to grow. There’s nothing worse than being called to remove a healthy, prime aged tree because it is touching the eave of a home or buckling a sidewalk.

Planting trees is a fantastic way to enhance your property’s landscape, support local wildlife, and create shade for those hot Central Oregon summers. Whether you go native with Ponderosa Pines or add a splash of color with a Silver Maple, selecting the right trees for your property will pay off for years to come.

Happy planting!

This blog post outlines tree options for anyone looking to enhance their Central Oregon property with hardy, beautiful trees that can withstand the region’s unique climate. If you’d like more information specific to your planting site, feel free to reach out to schedule a consultation.

Spar Tree

At Spar Tree, we specialize in a variety of tree services in Central Oregon, including Bend, Redmond, Sisters, and Camp Sherman. Our services range from tree removal and trimming to hazard tree assessment and preservation. Our team of arborists is dedicated to preserving the health and safety of your trees and beauty of your landscape. Contact us about your tree work needs, including professional planting recommendations.

Spar Tree: good for trees, good to people.