The Most Common Tree Species in Salt Lake City and How to Care for Them

Salt Lake City’s urban landscape features a mix of native and ornamental trees. Knowing which trees are common in your area and how to care for them can help you maintain a healthy, beautiful yard while preventing costly problems down the line.

1. Maple Trees (Acer spp.)

Why they’re common: Fast-growing shade trees that thrive in Salt Lake City’s climate.

Care Tips:

• Trim in late winter or early spring before bud break.
• Water deeply during dry summers to prevent stress.
• Watch for signs of verticillium wilt, which can affect leaves and branches.

2. Cottonwood Trees (Populus spp.)

Why they’re common: Tall, fast-growing, and widely planted for shade.

Care Tips:

• Remove dead or weak branches regularly — branches can break easily in storms.
• Avoid planting too close to foundations or sewer lines; roots spread aggressively.
• Best trimmed in late winter to early spring.

3. Oak Trees (Quercus spp.)

Why they’re common: Sturdy, long-lived trees that provide excellent shade.

Care Tips:

• Prune only dead or crossing branches to avoid excessive stress.
• Water during prolonged droughts, especially young oaks.
• Watch for oak wilt disease, which spreads via insects or contaminated tools.

4. Pine Trees (Pinus spp.)

Why they’re common: Evergreen, provide year-round greenery, and are drought-tolerant.

Care Tips:

• Light pruning in late winter or early spring.
• Remove dead needles from the base to prevent pests.
• Avoid topping — it can kill the tree or create weak growth.

5. Ash Trees (Fraxinus spp.)

Why they’re common: Hardy, adaptable to urban soils, and grow quickly.

Care Tips:

• Monitor for emerald ash borer, a destructive insect that can kill trees quickly.
• Trim in late winter to maintain shape and remove weak limbs.
• Fertilize young trees to support growth in poor soils.

General Care Tips for All Salt Lake Trees

• Mulch around the base to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature.
• Water deeply but infrequently — encourages strong roots.
• Prune regularly to remove dead, diseased, or hazardous branches.
• Hire professionals for tall or high-risk trees to avoid injury or property damage.

Call to Action

At Noble Tree Service, we know Salt Lake City trees inside and out. We provide expert care, from pruning and trimming to removal and emergency storm cleanup. Keep your trees healthy, safe, and thriving with our local expertise.

📞 Call Noble Tree Service at (385) 462-7851 to schedule a consultation today.