What are the best drought-tolerant or drought-resistant trees for my zone?
Set yourself up for success by picking trees in your planting zone that will also tolerate drought.
Note: Trees with an asterisk are drought-tolerant only when established.
Drought Tolerant Trees: Zone 9 and Zone 10 (California and Las Vegas, Nevada)
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California sycamore* (zone 7-10): Large, fast-growing shade tree
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Western sycamore (zone 7-10): Fast-growing shade tree
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California oak (zone 7-11): Fast-growing shade tree
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Holly oak* (zone 7-11): Durable shade tree that stays evergreen
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Southern magnolia (zone 6-10): Flowering evergreen that’s moderately drought tolerant
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Eldarica pine (zone 6-10): Heat-tolerant, fragrant and evergreen
Drought Tolerant Trees:
Zone 7 and Zone 8 (Georgia, North California and Southern Nevada)
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Kentucky coffee tree (zone 3-8): Drought-resistant shade tree
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White oak (zone 3-9): Large shade tree that can tolerate moderate drought
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Northern red oak (zone 3-8): Fast-growing tree with fall color and some drought tolerance
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Eastern red cedar (zone 2-9): Heat-tolerant evergreen with good drought tolerance
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Thorn-less honey locust (zone 3-9): Fast-growing shade tree with moderate drought tolerance
Drought Tolerant Trees: Zone 3, Zone 4, Zone 5 and Zone 6 (New York, North Nevada and Massachusetts)
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Sugar maple (zone 3-8): Shade tree with fall color and moderate drought tolerance
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Silver maple (zone 3-9): Large, fast-growing tree with moderate drought tolerance
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Colorado blue spruce (zone 2-7): Evergreen with moderate drought tolerance
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Bur oak (zone 3-8): Large shade tree with some drought tolerance
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Paper birch (zone 2-7): Fast-growing tree with fall color and some drought tolerance
