Click to go back to top of page
New Mexico Forestry Division Conservation Seedling Program

Seedling List

Seedlings offered by the New Mexico Forestry Division

For more information, or to order the seedling, click on the seedling's name.

SPECIES HEIGHT GROWTH RATE COLD HARDINESS WATER NEEDS ALKALINITY TOLERANCE ELEVATION
**UPS SHIPPING Slow Poor Low Low 0- 0
Pest Problems: Suggested Uses:
Sizes: Shipping
*ARIZONA CYPRESS 40-60 feet Fast Fair Low Moderate-High 3000- 8000
Cupressus arizonica This native evergreen tree has a conical crown. It survives well in shallow, alkaline soils. It is a low maintenance tree once established. Its shape when young has suggested to some to be used for Christmas trees. It is an excellent choice for windbreak plantings. Has high calcium carbonate tolerance and low salinity tolerance. The optimum soil pH is 6.1 to 7.9. It is shade tolerant. Hardiness zones are 6 through 9. Crown width averages 20 feet. Pest Problems: western cedar borer, cypress bark beetle, and spider mites. Suggested Uses: windbreaks, energy conservation plantings, and Christmas trees.
Sizes: Small
*DOUGLAS-FIR 80+ feet Moderate Excellent High Moderate 4500- 10000
Pseudotsuga menziesii A large, native tree with a dense, conical crown. The wood is one of the strongest of the soft woods. It has significant value to the wood products industry and is used extensively as a Christmas tree. This species can live for hundreds of years. It has moderate calcium carbonate tolerance and no salinity tolerance. The optimum soil pH is 5.0 to 7.5. It has intermediate shade tolerance. Hardiness zones are 4 through 6 above 4500 feet in elevation. The width is between 20 and 30 feet. Pest Problems: Douglas-fir tussock moth, spruce budworm, and wooly aphids. Suggested Uses: reforestation (important timber species in western US), wildlife plantings, and Christmas trees.
Sizes: Small
*ENGELMANN SPRUCE up to 120 feet Slow Excellent Moderate Moderate 5000- 11500
Picea engelmannii This native spruce is long-lived, and strongly resembles blue spruce. It grows on drier sites than blue spruce and has moderate watering needs. It is conical in form and has a narrow spire-like crown. Small birds and mammals use the seed as a food source. It has high calcium carbonate tolerance and no salinity tolerance. Optimum soil pH is 6.0 to 8.0. It is shade tolerant. Hardiness zones are 1 through 8 above 5000 feet. The crown width averages 30 feet. Pest Problems: western spruce budworm and spruce beetle. Suggested Uses: reforestation, Christmas trees, and windbreaks.
Sizes: Small
*FOUR-WING SALTBUSH 4-6 feet Fast Good Low High 3000- 8000
Atriplex canescens This native shrub grows across a wide variety of soils including saline soils and is highly prized plant by the Navajos as forage for their cattle, sheep, and goats; especially in early spring when other forage is scarce. It is also an excellent wildlife species. It has high calcium carbonate tolerance and high salinity tolerance. Optimum soil pH is 6.5 to 9.5. It is shade intolerant. Hardiness zones are 4 through 9 up to 8000 feet in elevation. The width is between 4 and 8 feet. Pest Problems: no major pests. Suggested Uses: windbreaks, wildlife plantings, erosion control, and reclamation of severely disturbed sites.
Sizes: Small
*NARROWLEAF COTTONWOOD up to 70 feet Fast Good-Excellent Moderate-High Moderate 5000- 10000
Populus angustifolia This is a native tree with willow-like leaves, common along streams in the mountains of New Mexico. It represents the principal mountain Cottonwood species. It provides cover for wildlife and is a good browse species. It has high tolerance for calcium carbonate and low tolerance for salinity. The optimum soil pH is 6.0 to 7.5. It is shade intolerant. Hardiness zones are 3 to 8 above 5000 feet. The crown width is between 30 and 40 feet. Pest Problems: Leaf rust, fall webworm, poplar borers Suggested Uses: Windbreaks, Wildlife plantings, erosion control and riparian restoration
Sizes: Small
*OSAGE ORANGE 25-30 feet Moderate-Fast Good-Excellent Moderate High 0- 0
Maclura pomifera Osage orange is native to the Arkansas and Red River valleys in southern Oklahoma and northern Texas. It is naturalized over a large part of the lower 48 states including New Mexico. It was traditionally used by the Osage tribe to make hunting bows. Before barbed wire it was used to construct thousands of miles of hedge rows due to its thorns and longevity. The wood is extremely dense and very resistant to rot so it makes excellent firewood and posts. It is multi-stemmed when planted alone or when planted with other trees it is single-stemmed. The leaves are green and glossy in spring and summer and turn golden yellow in the fall. It can grow in a variety of soils and is drought tolerant. The average height is between 25 and 30 feet and the crown width is about the same. It is has high calcium carbonate tolerance, prefers full sun, and dry soil. It is heat tolerant and cold hardy. Hardiness zones are 5 through 9a. The fruit is not edible except by squirrels and deer which break open the fruit to eat the seeds. It is dioceious (plants are either male or female) and is wind pollinated. Pest Problems: None serious Suggested Uses: Windbreaks, mine reclamation, posts, fuel wood
Sizes: Small
*RIO GRANDE COTTONWOOD 60+ feet Fast Good High Low-Moderate 2500- 7500
Populus deltoides ssp. Wislizeni One of New Mexico's most beloved trees, this cottonwood grows chiefly along the lower valleys and along slower waters. It is an excellent species for stabilizing streams. Birds also use it for nesting purposes. Beavers use it for dams. The leaves turn a golden yellow just before the leaves fall. It has medium calcium carbonate tolerance and no salinity tolerance. The optimum soil pH is 5.0 to 7.0. It is shade intolerant. Hardiness zones are 3 through 9 at elevations below 7500. The average crown width is 40 feet. Pest Problems: no major pests. Suggested Uses: riparian restoration, stream bank stabilization, and wildlife plantings.
Sizes: Small
*TORREY'S WOLFBERRY up to 10 feet Moderate Good-Excellent Low Moderate-High 3500- 5500
Lycium torreyi Native shrub that is found in the major river drainages at lower elevations. It has dark reddish brown stems with thorns and flowers are light purple. It has bright red berries. It can grow in sandy soils, is tolerant of saline soils and has high calcium carbonate tolerance. Cold hardy to hardiness zone 7. It is a source of food for small birds and mammals. Pest Problems: none serious Suggested Uses: wildlife habitat and browse, erosion control
Sizes: Small
SOLD OUT *FLOWERING SHRUB PACKAGE varied Slow-Moderate Good-Excellent Low-Moderate Low-Moderate 6500- 10000
Penstemon strictus, Ribes cereum, etc. Package contains 14 Shrubby Cinquefoil, 14 Golden currant, 7 Rocky Mountain Penstemon, and 14 Mountain Snowberry. See individual species for more information. Pest Problems: None serious Suggested Uses: erosion control, wildlife plantings
Sizes: Small
SOLD OUT *MIXED CONIFER TREE PACKAGE up to 80 feet Moderate Excellent Moderate Low-Moderate 5000- 9000
Pinus ponderosa, Psuedotsuga menziesii, Abies conc This package is designed for the Mixed conifer forest type. It contains 21 Ponderosa pine, 14 Douglas-fir and 14 White fir. Check the individual species descriptions on the seedling list for more information on each species. Shrub package 1 contains shrub species that grow in this forest type. Pest Problems: see individual tree descriptions on seedling list Suggested Uses: reforestation, wildlife plantings, Christmas trees
Sizes: Small
SOLD OUT *PINON PACKAGE 1 up to 40 feet Slow-Moderate Good-Excellent Low-Moderate Moderate-High 3500- 8500
Pinus edulis. Quercus gambelii, etc. This package is for the Pinon woodland areas. It contains 14 Pinon, 7 Gambel oak, 14 Skunkbush sumac, and 14 Mountain mahogany. For characteristics of the individual species please look t the individual species descriptions on the seedling list. Pest Problems: various - see individual description for Pinon Suggested Uses: windbreaks, erosion control, reforestation
Sizes: Small
SOLD OUT *RIPARIAN PACKAGE 1 varies Fast Good-Excellent Moderate-High Moderate 5000- 8500
Populus angustifolia, Alnus tenufolia, etc. This riparian package is for the cooler higher elevation riparian areas. It contains 14 Narrowleaf cottonwood, 14 Thinleaf alder, 14 Redosier dogwood and 7 Bluestem willow. For individual species description refer to the seedling list. Pest Problems: see individual tree descriptions on seedling list Suggested Uses: wildlife plantings, erosion control, riparian restoration.
Sizes: Small
SOLD OUT *RIPARIAN PACKAGE 2 varies Fast Good-Excellent Moderate-High Moderate 3500- 7500
Populus deltoides, Amorpha fruticosa, etc. This package is designed for riparian areas between 3500 and 7500 feet. It contains 21 Rio Grande Cottonwood, 7 False indigo bush, 14 Peachleaf willow, and 7 Goodding's Black willow. Refer to the seedling list for descriptions of individual species. Pest Problems: see individual tree descriptions on seedling list Suggested Uses: streambank stabilization, wildlife plantings, riparian restoration
Sizes: Small
SOLD OUT AFGHANISTAN PINE 60 feet Fast Poor Moderate Moderate 3000- 5500
Pinus eldarica A medium-sized tree native to southwest Asia. It forms a dense conical crown. An extensive root system gives this tree the ability to withstand drought. Plantings are best in southern New Mexico due to it not being cold hardy enough for the northern half of the state. Hardiness zone 7-10 below 5500 feet in elevation. It has a crown width of between 30 and 40 feet. The optimum soil pH is 7.0 to 8.5. Pest Problems: Nantucket pine tip moth, Ips bark beetle, and spider mites. Suggested Uses: windbreaks and Christmas trees.
Sizes: Small
SOLD OUT AMERICAN SYCAMORE 75-100 feet Fast Good-Excellent High Low 0- 6000
Platanus occidentalis It is a wide-canopied, decidous tree that is native to the U.S. and ranges from the east cost to as far west as Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. It is has been planted sucessfully in eastern NM. It has dark-green, maple-shaped leaves and the bark on mature trees comes off in plates to leave a smooth, whitish inner bark. It is cold tolerant and has intermediate shade tolerance. Hardiness zones are 4 through 9. It has autumn foliage and attracts birds and is an excellant shade tree. It is adapted to coarse and medium textured soils and prefers a soil pH between 4.9 and 6.5. Pest Problems: None serious Suggested Uses: bird habitat, shade, mine reclamation
Sizes: Small
SOLD OUT APACHE PLUME 4 - 6 feet Fast Good-Excellent Low Moderate-High 5000- 8000
Fallugia paradoxa This native shrub occurs along the sides of dry washes and hillsides. The rose-like white flowers are showy in the early summer with feathery clusters of plume-like fruit in the fall and winter. Provides nesting sites and material for birds. It has high calcium carbonate tolerance and low salinity tolerance. The optimum soil pH is 7.0 to 8.0. It is shade intolerant. Hardiness zones are 3 through 10 below 8000 feet in elevation. The width is between 4 and 6 feet. Pest Problems: none serious. Suggested Uses: windbreaks, erosion control, and wildlife plantings.
Sizes: Small
SOLD OUT ARIZONA ASH 25-50 feet Moderate Fair Moderate Moderate 3000- 7000
Fraxinus velutina This native tree, also called Velvet Ash, is widely distributed through canyon bottoms in SW New Mexico. It is well adapted to the desert areas of NM and has moderate wildlife value for birds. Has no calcium carbonate tolerance and low salinity tolerance. It is shade intolerant. Hardiness zones are 7 through 10. The crown width averages 25 feet. It grows in soils that range from 5.8 to 7.5 pH. Pest Problems: no serious pests. Suggested Uses: riparian reclamation, windbreaks, erosion control, and wildlife plantings.
Sizes: Small
SOLD OUT ARIZONA SYCAMORE 50 - 80 feet Fast Fair Moderate Moderate 4500- 6000
Platanus wrightii This attractive native tree will grow best in southern New Mexico riparian areas and was once abundant in southwest New Mexico but appears to be less common today. The bark is shaggy and white/ green. The leaves are large and maple-like in shape. It is fast growing and has a pleasing fragrance after a rain. The crown width averages 35 feet. It has moderate calcium carbonate tolerance and no salinity tolerance. The optimum soil pH is 5.8 to 7.5. Hardiness zones are 7 through 11 below 6000 feet in elevation. Pest Problems: no major pests. Suggested Uses: soil stabilization, riparian restoration, and wildlife plantings.
Sizes: Small
SOLD OUT ASPEN 60-80 feet Fast Excellent Moderate-High High 6500- 10000
Populus tremuloides A native tree widely distributed above 7500 feet as a pioneer species after fire or other disturbances. Its bright fall colors light up the mountains where it is plentiful. Elk and deer browse the foliage when within reach. Fall colors are from bright yellow to gold and sometimes orange/red. It has high calcium carbonate tolerance and no salinity tolerance. The optimum soil pH is 4.3 to 9.0. It is shade intolerant. Hardiness zones are 2 through 8 above 6500 feet in elevation. The average crown width is 20 to 30 feet. Pest Problems: poplar borer, leaf miner, cytospora cankers, and tent caterpillar. Suggested Uses: wildlife plantings, reforestation, and reclamation above 6500 feet.
Sizes: Small
SOLD OUT AUSTRIAN PINE up to 60 feet Moderate-Fast Good Moderate Moderate 3500- 7500
Pinus nigra This fast growing pine is native to Europe, but has proved to establish and grow well in the Southwest. It tolerates a variety of soils. It is an excellent choice for a windbreak planting. Many types of birds find cover in its branches and some use the seed for food. It has high calcium carbonate tolerance and high salinity tolerance. Optimum soil pH is 5.5 to 7.5. It is shade intolerant. Hardiness zones are 4 through 8 below 7500 feet in elevation. The average width at maturity is 25 feet. Pest Problems: Ips bark beetle, twig beetles, and pine tip moth. Suggested Uses: wildlife plantings, windbreaks, and sound screens.
Sizes: Small
SOLD OUT BIG SAGEBRUSH 2 to 15 feet Moderate Excellent Low Moderate 4500- 8500
Artemisia tridentata This native evergreen shrub is an important food source for deer, elk, pronghorn antelope, and bighorn sheep. It is also important to many bird species especially sage grouse. The average width is 3 to 6 feet. It is an important species for reclamation and revegetation due to its broad range and ease of establishment. It has high calcium carbonate tolerance, moderate salinity tolerance, and it is shade intolerant. Hardiness zones are 3 through 9 below 8500 feet. Pest Problems: No serious pests. Suggested Uses: Wildlife habitat and revegetation.
Sizes: Small
SOLD OUT BLACK WILLOW up to 100 feet Fast Good-Excellent High Moderate 1500- 6000
Salix nigra Black willow resembles Goodding's Black willow and the two species are sometimes considered to be varieties of the same species. It occurs along streambanks and in floodplain areas. It has massive trunks that usually lean and are often divided. The crown is broad and open. Birds eat the buds and flowering catkins and deer eat the twigs and leaves. It is also commonly used as nesting habitat by small bird species. It has low calcium carbonate tolerance and medium salinity tolerance. The optimum soil pH is 4.8 to 8.0. It is shade intolerant. Hardiness zones are 4a through 9a below 6000 feet in elevation. Pest Problems: None serious. Suggested Uses: erosion control of streambanks, wildlife plantings
Sizes: Small
SOLD OUT BLUE SPRUCE up to 80 feet Slow Excellent High Low-Moderate 5000- 10000
Picea pungens A native conifer that has a conical shape and will require supplemental water and generally requires some shade protection when young. The color of the foliage is from green to blue and it is often used as a Christmas tree in New Mexico. It also has value to the wood products industry. It has high calcium carbonate tolerance and no salinity tolerance. The optimum soil pH is 5.5 to 7.8. It has intermediate shade tolerance. Hardiness zones are 2 through 7 above 5000 feet. The width is between 20 to 30 feet. Pest Problems: Douglas-fir tussock moth, needle scale, and spruce aphids. Suggested Uses: reforestation, Christmas trees, and windbreaks.
Sizes: Small
SOLD OUT BLUESTEM WILLOW up to 12 feet Fast Excellent High Low-Moderate 5200- 8500
Salix irrorata This native shrub is widespread over New Mexico and occurs in thickets along rivers, creeks, and intermittent streams. It has twigs that are a striking purplish-blue color and white flowers. It has no salinity tolerance. Hardiness zones are 2 through 8 above 5200 feet. Optimum soil pH is 5.5 to 7.5. The width averages 15 feet. Pest Problems: None serious. Suggested Uses: Riparian restoration, streambank stabilization and wildlife plantings.
Sizes: Small
SOLD OUT BRISTLECONE PINE up to 40 feet Slow Excellent Low Moderate 7500- 11500
Pinus aristata This native pine grows in high elevation windy places and can live to be thousands of years old. Although it grows at high elevations it has been successfully planted at elevations as low as 6000 feet. Hardiness zones are 2 through 7b as long as elevation is at least 6000 feet. Its branches are covered with dense needles and resemble a foxtail. The pine seeds are a source of food for birds and small mammals. It has medium calcium carbonate tolerance and no salinity tolerance. The optimum soil pH is 5.7 to 7.5. It is shade intolerant. The average width is 15 feet. Pest Problems: white pine blister rust. Suggested Uses: Reforestation, reclamation and windbreaks.
Sizes: Small
SOLD OUT CHOKECHERRY 6-20 feet Moderate-Fast Excellent Moderate-High Low 5500- 9500
Prunus virginiana A native shrub or small tree that forms dense barriers. It prefers deep and sandy loam soils. It is an important species for wildlife as bear, deer, and other animals use it for food. It is a species that minimizes stream bank erosion. Its fruit is widely used in jellies and jams. Chokecherry is self-pollinating. It has medium calcium carbonate and salinity tolerance. The optimum soil pH is 5.2 to 8.4. It has intermediate shade tolerance. Hardiness zones are 2 through 7 at elevations between 5500 and 9500 feet. The crown width is between 10 and 20 feet. Pest Problems: borers, pear slugs, and tent caterpillar. Suggested Uses: windbreaks, riparian restoration, and wildlife plantings.
Sizes: Bare
SOLD OUT DESERT WILLOW 25 feet Fast Fair-Good Low High 3000- 6000
Chilopsis linearis A native shrub or small tree found in washes and along roadsides. This species is tolerant of poor soils and considerable drought. This deciduous plant is classified as a phreatophyte, and is an indicator that water is not too far below the surface during part of the year. The wood is often used for fence posts. It has medium calcium carbonate tolerance and low salinity tolerance. The optimum soil pH is 6.6 to 10.0. Hardiness zones are 7 through 11 at elevations below 6000 feet. It has intermediate shade tolerance. The crown width averages 20 feet. Pest Problems: no major pests. Suggested Uses: windbreaks, erosion control, screens, and wildlife plantings.
Sizes: Small
SOLD OUT FALSE INDIGO BUSH 6-10 feet Moderate Good-Excellent Moderate Moderate 3000- 7000
Amorpha fruticosa False indigo bush is a native shrub that grows in dense stands along streambanks, irrigation ditches, irrigated pastures, and the edges of woodlands. It has purple spire-like flowers that bloom from May to July. The nectar from the flowers attracts birds and butterflies. The leaves are pinnately compound with 11 to 15 leaflets per stem. The average width of the plant is 5 feet. It has medium calcium carbonate tolerance and low salinity tolerance. The optimum soil pH is 5.0 to 8.5. Hardiness zones are 4 to 9 below 7000 feet in elevation. It is shade intolerant. Pest Problems: insect gall. Suggested Uses: erosion control and wildlife plantings.
Sizes: Small
SOLD OUT FRINGED SAGE 2 feet Fast Excellent Low Moderate 5500- 8000
Artemisia frigida Is native to most counties in New Mexico. It is drought tolerant and browsed by elk, deer, bighorn sheep, and pronghorn. It is also important to small game and nongame animals. It is also as a food plant for butterfly and moth species. It has medium saline tolerance, intermediate shade tolerance, and prefers a pH of 7.0 to 9.0. Hardiness zones are 3 through 10 at elevations between 5500 and 8000 feet. Pest Problems: none known Suggested Uses: soil stabilization and wildlife habitat
Sizes: Small
SOLD OUT GAMBEL OAK up to 30 feet Moderate Good-Excellent Moderate Moderate 5000- 8500
Quercus gambelii A native tree or large shrub recognized by the deeply lobed leaves, which are larger than those of other Southwestern oaks. This is the only common tree oak in northern New Mexico. It is considered as good browse for deer and other wildlife. It has high calcium carbonate tolerance and no salinity tolerance. The optimum soil pH is 6.5 to 8.0. It is shade intolerant. Hardiness zones are 4 through 9 at elevations between 5000 and 8500 feet. The width is between 12 and 20 feet. Pest Problems: no major pests. Suggested Uses: reclamation, wood products, erosion control, and wildlife plantings.
Sizes: Small
SOLD OUT GOLDEN CURRANT 4-6 Feet Fast Good Low Low 3000- 9000
Ribes aureum A native to New Mexico in the spring the golden currant richly deserves its name - golden yellow clusters of long, trumpet-shaped, spicy fragrant flowers, adorn the shrub in abundance. The edible fruit is made into jellies and jams, and delicious pies. Golden currant is self-pollinating. It has high calcium carbonate tolerance and no salinity tolerance. Optimum soil pH is 6.0 to 8.0. Hardiness zones are 5 through 8 at elevations between 3000 and 9000 feet. Its shade tolerance is intermediate. The width is between 3 and 6 feet. Pest Problems: leaf rust fungus,alternate host of White Pine blister rust. Suggested Uses: windbreaks, revegetation, erosion control (in it’s native range), and wildlife plantings.
Sizes: Small
SOLD OUT GOODDING'S BLACK WILLOW 45-80 feet Fast Good-Excellent High Moderate 3500- 7500
Salix gooddingii This relatively abundant tree is found throughout New Mexico and is found along arroyos, streams, and rivers. Black Willow serves to minimize erosion and lessen flood damage. This species tolerates a wide range of soils as long as moisture is present. Native Americans chewed willow branches as a pain killer. Birds feed on the buds and flowers and deer eat the twigs and leaves. The tree gets its name from the dark colored bark. It has low calcium carbonate tolerance and no salinity tolerance. Optimum soil pH is 6.0 to 7.0. It is shade intolerant. Hardiness zone are 6 through 10. The width is up to 40 feet. Pest Problems: none serious. Suggested Uses: streambank stabilization and riparian restoration.
Sizes: Small
SOLD OUT LACEBARK ELM 50 feet Fast Good-Excellent Low-Moderate Moderate 4500- 8000
Ulmus parvifolia Lacebark Elm, or true Chinese Elm, should not be confused for the notoriously spreading Siberian Elm. Siberian Elm is often and mistakenly called Chinese Elm. Lacebark Elm is a medium sized tree with a round to oval crown. It is a gentleman as it doesn't spread like the Siberian Elm. It is an excellent drought tolerant species for use in windbreaks. It can grow as much as 3 feet per year. It is adaptable to most soil conditions. It has low calcium carbonate tolerance and no salinity tolerance. The optimum soil pH is 4.8 to 7.0. Hardiness zones are 5 through 9 at elevations between 4500 and 8000 feet. It is shade intolerant. The crown width is between 30 and 40 feet. Pest Problems: none serious. Resistant to elm leaf beetle and Dutch elm disease. Suggested Uses: windbreaks and firewood.
Sizes: Small
SOLD OUT LIMBER PINE up to 60 feet Slow Excellent Low Low 7500- 12000
Pinus flexilis This native 5-needled pine is very long-lived. It is pyramidal in shape during youth, becoming more flat-topped at maturity. The crown width is between 15 and 30 feet. The pine seeds are an excellent source of food for birds and small mammals. It has medium calcium carbonate tolerance and no salinity tolerance. The optimum soil pH is 5.7 to 6.5. It has intermediate shade tolerance. Hardiness zones are 4 through 7. Pest Problems: bark beetle, twig beetle, dwarf mistletoe and White Pine blister rust. Suggested Uses: windbreaks, Christmas trees, and reforestation.
Sizes: Small
SOLD OUT MOUNTAIN MAHOGANY 15 feet Moderate Good-Excellent Moderate Moderate 4500- 8000
Cercocarpus montanus Mountain Mahogany is beautiful in late summer and fall, when the white tails of the fruit look like a threaded needle or a narrow delicate feather. It is a native shrub found on the limestone soils of the rolling plains and northern Trans-Pecos on rocky uplands. The leaves and twigs are browsed by elk and deer. It is an excellent species for reclamation of disturbed areas. It has high calcium carbonate tolerance and no salinity tolerance. The optimum soil pH is 6.0 to 8.0. It has intermediate shade tolerance. Hardiness zones are 5 through 10 between 4500 and 8000 feet. The width is between 8 and 15 feet. Pest Problems: no serious pest problems. Suggested Uses: wildlife habitat, and erosion control.
Sizes: Small
SOLD OUT MOUNTAIN SNOWBERRY 2-5 feet Moderate Good-Excellent Moderate Moderate 6000- 10000
Symphoricarpos oreophilus Mountain snowberry has smooth twigs that turn brown and shreddy with age. The leaves are light gray green. It has pink flowers and white berries. This native shrub is drought and fire tolerant. It has low calcium carbonate tolerance and low salinity tolerance. The optimum soil pH is 5.2 to 7.5. It has intermediate shade tolerance. Hardiness zones are 2 through 7. The width averages 4 feet. Pest Problems: no major pests. Suggested Uses: erosion control, wildlife plantings, and slope stabilization.
Sizes: Small
SOLD OUT NEW MEXICO ELDERBERRY up to 25 feet Moderate-Fast Good Low Low-Moderate 6500- 9500
Sambucus cerulea var. neomexicana This is a small native tree that is common in the central and southern parts of New Mexico. The leaves are pinnately compound and opposite. It has white flowers and produces purple-black berries that can be used for jellies, pies, wine-making, etc. It provides cover, nesting sites, and food for many bird species. It is also used as browse by mule deer. It is highly drought tolerant, has medium calcium carbonate tolerance, and no salinity tolerance. It has intermediate shade tolerance. Hardiness zones are 4 through 9 at elevations between 6500 and 9500 feet. The crown width is up to 20 feet. The optimum soil pH is 4.9 to 7.5. Pest Problems: Suggested Uses: wildlife habitat, erosion control
Sizes: Small
SOLD OUT NEW MEXICO LOCUST 15-25 feet Fast Good-Excellent Moderate Moderate-High 4500- 8500
Robinia neomexicana This is a native tree especially useful for erosion control due to its rapid growth and thicket forming tendencies. The legumes incorporate nitrogen into the soil improving the quality of the soil. It produces showy purple flowers in the spring. It has high calcium carbonate tolerance and low salinity tolerance. Optimum soil pH is 7.0 to 8.5. It is shade intolerant. Hardiness zones are 5 through 9 at elevations between 4500 and 8500 feet. The average crown width is 15 feet. Pest Problems: minor problem with locust borer. Suggested Uses: windbreaks, reclamation, wildlife plantings, and erosion control.
Sizes: Small
SOLD OUT PALMER'S PENSTEMON up to 5 feet Moderate Excellent Low Low 2600- 8200
Pestemon palmeri Native to New Mexico. It is a perennial herb to slightly wood subshrub. Has fleshy leaves and has white to pink flowers that are fragrant. It is found in dry washes, grasslands, pinon-juniper and ponderosa pine communities. It is very drought and heat tolerant. It is shade intolerant, pH tolerance is 6.0 to 7.9, saline intolerant and prefers precipitation between 6 and 14 inches per year. Hardiness zones are 4 through 9 at elevations below 8200 feet. Adapted to coarse and medium textured, well-drained soils. Pest Problems: Suggested Uses: wildlife plantings and erosion control
Sizes: Small
SOLD OUT PEACHLEAF WILLOW 30 feet + Fast Good-Excellent High Moderate 4500- 7400
Salix amygdaloides This native tree is found along rivers and streams in rich alluvial soils. It is readily identified by its gleaming leaves and pendulous branchlets, which gives it a weeping appearance. It is an excellent species for streambank stabilization. It has medium calcium carbonate tolerance and no salinity tolerance. The optimum soil pH is 6.0 to 8.0. It is shade intolerant. Hardiness zones are 2 through 8 at elevations between 4500 and 7400 feet. The width is up to 40 feet. Pest Problems: None serious Suggested Uses: Riparian restoration, streambank stabilization and wildlife plantings.
Sizes: Small
SOLD OUT PIÑON up to 40 feet Slow Good-Excellent Low Moderate-High 3500- 8500
Pinus edulis The New Mexico state tree is an aromatic pine which grows across a wide variety of soils and does well under cultivation. It is popular for the edible nuts it produces. Under most conditions it is self-pollinating. It has high value for upland game and song birds. It is very drought tolerant, but slow growing. Has low calcium carbonate tolerance and medium salinity tolerance. Hardiness zones are 6 through 8. Optimum soil pH is 6.5 to 8.5. The crown width is between 20 and 30 feet. Pest Problems: Ips bark beetle, piñon needle scale, needle miner, twig beetle, and pitch moth. Suggested Uses: windbreaks, reforestation, and Christmas trees.
Sizes: Small
SOLD OUT PLAINS COTTONWOOD up to 85 feet Fast Excellent High Low-Moderate 3500- 9000
Populus deltoides ssp. monilifera This cottonwood is native to the eastern plains of New Mexico and is found in moist areas and near stream banks. It is also highly drought tolerant. It is appropriate for planting east of the Pecos River. Rio Grande Cottonwood should be planted west of the Pecos River. The crown spread is 50-60 feet and the leaves are wide and triangular in shape, 3-6 inches long. They turn golden yellow in the fall. It has medium tolerance for calcium carbonate and no salinity tolerance. Hardiness zones are 3 through 9 at elevations below 9000 feet. The optimum soil pH is 5.0 to 7.0. It is shade intolerant. The crown width is between 30 and 40 feet. Pest Problems: None serious. Suggested Uses: riparian restoration, stream bank stabilization, and wildlife plantings.
Sizes: Small
SOLD OUT PONDEROSA PINE up to 80 feet Moderate Excellent Moderate Moderate-High 4500- 9000
Pinus ponderosa This is a large, native conifer. It is the primary commercial tree species in New Mexico. It has a pyramidal shape when young and becomes conical with age. Squirrels clip the cones and store them in caches and extract the seeds for winter consumption. The tree grows best on well-drained soils. It has low calcium carbonate tolerance and no salinity tolerance. The optimum soil pH is 5.0 to 9.0. It is shade intolerant. Hardiness zones are 3 through 9 at elevations above 4500 feet. The crown width is between 25 and 30 feet. Pest Problems: bark beetle, twig beetle, sawflies and dwarf mistletoe. Suggested Uses: windbreaks and reforestation.
Sizes: Small
SOLD OUT REDOSIER DOGWOOD 6-9 feet Moderate Good High Moderate 5500- 9000
Cornus stolonifera Redosier prefers moist sites along streams and around swampy or boggy land. This native species is readily noticed due to its red twigs and white berries in the fall. The flowers grow in clusters and are tiny and white. It has no calcium carbonate tolerance and low salinity tolerance. Optimum soil pH is 4.8 to 7.5. It is shade intolerant. Hardiness zones are 2 through 7 at elevations between 5500 and 9000 feet. The width is between 8 and 10 feet. Pest Problems: No major pests Suggested Uses: Riparian or wetland plantings.
Sizes: Small
SOLD OUT ROCKY MOUNTAIN JUNIPER up to 40 feet Moderate Excellent Low Moderate-High 3500- 9000
Juniperus scopulorum This is a hardy native tree that grows across a wide variety of soils. It is the fastest growing of southwestern junipers and can be found along mountain streams and dry, rocky slopes. The pea size blue-berries are an important source of food for birds and small mammals. It has high calcium carbonate tolerance and low salinity tolerance. Optimum soil pH is 5.0 to 8.5. It is shade intolerant. Hardiness zones are 3 through 9 at elevations between 3500 and 9000 feet. It has a crown width of between 10 and 20 feet. Pest Problems: juniper bark beetle, spider mites, western cedar borer, and juniper mistletoe. Suggested Uses: windbreaks, reforestation, and erosion control.
Sizes: Small, Large
SOLD OUT ROCKY MOUNTAIN PENSTEMON up to 3 feet Moderate Excellent Low Low 6000- 11000
Penstemon strictus Is a native perennial herb with deep blue to purple flowers. It is used for erosion control and forage for deer, antelope and birds. It is shade intolerant, prefers well-drained soils, and blooms May through July. The preferred pH is 6.0-8.0. It has low calcium carbonate tolerance, no salinity tolerance, and has moderate drought tolerance. Hardiness zones are 4 through 9 at elevations 6000 feet and above. Pest Problems: None noted. Suggested Uses: erosion control, wildlife forage
Sizes: Small
SOLD OUT RUBBER RABBITBRUSH (CHAM 4-6 feet Fast Good-Excellent Low Low 3000- 7500
Chrysothamnus nauseosus This is a native shrub which grows well on disturbed sites and in alkaline soils. In the fall Chamisa becomes very conspicuous. Its yellow flower clusters brighten up the roadside and other disturbed areas. The foliage and seeds are eaten by browsing animals and rabbits. It has medium calcium carbonate and salinity tolerance. The optimum soil pH is 5.6 to 8.6. It is shade intolerant. Hardiness zones are 3 through 10 at elevations lower than 7500 feet. The width is between 2 and 4 feet. Pest Problems: Leaf beetle, no other major pests. Suggested Uses: windbreaks, erosion control and reclamation.
Sizes: Small
SOLD OUT SAND CHERRY 4 feet Fast Good-Excellent Low Moderate 3000- 8000
Prunus besseyi Sand Cherry is a small fast growing shrub readily used by song birds. It produces clusters of white flowers in the spring followed by sweet black cherries nearly 3/4" in diameter. Sand cherry requires cross-pollination to produce fruit. It has high calcium carbonate tolerance and low salinity tolerance. The optimum soil pH is 5.3 to 7.5. It is shade intolerant. Hardiness zones are 3 through 8 at elevations between 3000 and 8000 feet. The width is between 3 and 6 feet. Pest Problems: aphids. Suggested Uses: wildlife plantings and erosion control.
Sizes: Small
SOLD OUT SCOTS PINE (SCOTCH PINE) up to 50 feet Moderate-Fast Good-Excellent Moderate Moderate 3000- 7500
Pinus sylvestris A native of Europe, the irregular pyramidal crown develops into a broad crown with age. The crown width is between 20 and 35 feet. It is widely planted for Christmas trees in many parts of the U.S. It is considered a good tree for reclamation because it often seeds itself into the site. It has low calcium carbonate tolerance and no salinity tolerance. Hardiness zones are 3 through 8 at elevations lower than 7500 feet. The optimum pH is 5.0 to 7.5. It is shade intolerant. Pest Problems: Ips bark beetle and pine needle scale. Suggested Uses: windbreaks, Christmas trees, and energy conservation plantings.
Sizes: Small
SOLD OUT SHRUBBY CINQUEFOIL up to 4 feet Slow Good-Excellent Low Moderate 6500- 11500
Potentilla fruticosa Native drought tolerant shrub that has small yellow 5-petalled blossoms that are present from June through September It is attractive to butterflies and is also forage for mule deer. This shrub is also known by the name Potentilla. The bark is brown and shreddy in color. It has medium calcium carbonate tolerance and no salinity tolerance. The optimum soil pH is 5.0 to 8.0. It has intermediate shade tolerance, but prefers full sun. Hardiness zones are 3 through 7. The width is between 2 and 4 feet. Pest Problems: none serious. Suggested Uses: erosion control, wildlife plantings, and windbreaks.
Sizes: Small
SOLD OUT SKUNKBUSH SUMAC 4-6 feet Moderate Excellent Low Moderate-High 4500- 8000
Rhus trilobata Skunkbush sumac is a deciduous, multi-branched and spreading shrub. It occurs along stream banks and forest openings but is most common and abundant on dry, rocky slopes throughout Arizona and New Mexico at elevations from 3500 to 8000 feet. This shrub is very winter hardy and tolerant of drought and high alkali soils. The fruits are red-orange and the flowers are yellowish and conspicuously in clusters. Besides having brilliant orange-red fall colors it is an important fall and winter food for songbirds and emergency food for game birds. This species is also an important browse species for mule deer. Clusters of small yellow flowers bloom in late May and produce a small red edible fruit. It has low calcium carbonate tolerance and no salinity tolerance. Optimum soil pH is 6.5 to 8.2. It has intermediate shade tolerance. Hardiness zones are 4 through 8 at elevations between 4500 and 8000 feet. The width is between 6 and 8 feet. Pest Problems: no serious pests. Suggested Uses: windbreaks, wildlife plantings, and erosion control.
Sizes: Small
SOLD OUT SMOOTH SUMAC 10 feet Moderate Good-Excellent Low Moderate 5000- 8000
Rhus glabra This native shrub is extremely drought resistant and the leaves turn a bright red in the fall. More than thirty bird species and deer use the fruit as winter food. It serves as good ground cover for small mammals. It has low calcium carbonate tolerance and no salinity tolerance. The optimum soil pH is 5.3 to 7.5. It is shade intolerant. Hardiness zones are 5 through 8 at elevations between 5000 and 8000 feet. The width is between 10 and 15 feet. Pest Problems: None serious. Suggested Uses: reclamation, erosion control and wildlife plantings.
Sizes: Small
SOLD OUT SOUTHWESTERN WHITE PINE up to 80 feet Moderate Excellent Moderate Low 4500- 10000
Pinus strobiformis A large native tree, that grows well in a forest environment. It has edible seeds, similar though smaller than those of piñon. It is very graceful and the needles are soft and wispy. Its blue-green foliage makes it a formal-looking tree when young. The width is between 20 and 30 feet. The optimum soil pH is 4.5 to 6.8. Hardiness zones are 5 through 9 at elevations above 4500 feet. NOT RECOMMENED FOR SOUTHEAST NEW MEXICO (CAPITANS, SACRAMENTO AND WHITE MOUNTAINS) DUE TO WHITE PINE BLISTER RUST. Pest Problems: bark beetle, twig beetle, dwarf mistletoe and White Pine blister rust. Suggested Uses: windbreaks, Christmas trees, and reforestation.
Sizes: Small
SOLD OUT SUPERB PENSTEMON 2 feet Moderate Good-Excellent Low Moderate 3500- 5500
Penstemon superbus Native to extreme southwestern New Mexico and southern Arizona. Grows in sandy or gravelly soils in canyons and washes. Has coral colored blooms in April and May. Is a pollinator for native bees. Hardy in USDA hardiness zones 6-9. Pest Problems: none known Suggested Uses: pollinator for native bees
Sizes: Small
SOLD OUT THINLEAF ALDER 20-25 feet Moderate-Fast Excellent Moderate-High Low-Moderate 5000- 10000
Alnus tenuifolia This native species is common along creeks and canyons from 5000 to 10000 feet in elevation. Alder bark is rich in tannin and very puckery if chewed. The bark is used for tanning, giving skins a red color. Beavers, deer and rabbits eat the bark despite its puckery taste. It is good cover for wildlife and browse for deer. It has no calcium carbonate tolerance and no salinity tolerance. The optimum soil pH is 5.5 to 7.0. It has intermediate shade tolerance. Hardiness zones are 1 through 7 at elevations above 5000 feet. The width is between 12 and 20 feet. Pest Problems: Tent caterpillars. Suggested Uses: Wildlife plantings, streambank stabilization and erosion control.
Sizes: Small
SOLD OUT TURPENTINE BUSH 1-3 feet Moderate-Fast Good-Excellent Low Moderate 3000- 6500
Ericameria laricifolia Is a native New Mexico shrub that is 1-3 feet tall and wide with small golden-yellow flowers and dense narrow leaves. It prefers full sun to part shade, is cold and heat tolerant and growns in dry, well-drained grantic, sand, clay loam or limestone soils. Hardiness zones are 7 through 10 at lower than 6500 feet elevation. It flowers in late summer and fall. Pest Problems: None serious Suggested Uses: wildlife browse, attracts butterflies and birds
Sizes: Small
SOLD OUT WAX CURRANT 4-6 feet Slow-Moderate Good-Excellent Low Moderate 5000- 13000
Ribes cereum This attractive fragrant native shrub produces pink flowers in the spring and red fruit in the late summer. This plant is abundant over rocky slopes and in dry and open woods. It does well in areas of limited precipitation. It has high calcium carbonate tolerance and no salinity tolerance. The optimum soil pH is 6.5-7.5. It is shade intolerant. Hardiness zones are 5 through 8 at elevations above 5000 feet. The width is between 3 and 5 feet. Pest Problems: None serious. Suggested Uses: Wildlife habitat and erosion control
Sizes: Small
SOLD OUT WHITE FIR up to 80 feet Slow-Moderate Excellent Moderate-High Low 5000- 10000
Abies concolor This native conifer, is widely used as a Christmas tree in New Mexico. It has a conical shape which becomes irregular with age. It is also a notable commercial species for the wood products industry in New Mexico. The needles are silvery blue and cones are olive-green to purple. It has low calcium carbonate tolerance and no salinity tolerance. The optimum soil pH is 5.5 to 7.8. It is shade tolerant. Hardiness zones are 4 through 7 at elevations above 5000 feet. The width is between 15 and 30 feet. Pest Problems: spruce budworm, Douglas-fir tussock moth, bark beetles, aphids and dwarf mistletoe. Suggested Uses: Christmas trees and reforestation.
Sizes: Small
SOLD OUT WINTERFAT 3–4 feet Fast Good-Excellent Low Moderate-High 3000- 8000
Ceratoides lanata Winterfat is a hardy, native half-shrub with a wide range throughout New Mexico. It grows on dry, well-drained soils, 3000 - 8000 feet in elevation, and can tolerate saline or alkaline soils. It is superior winter forage for livestock and used extensively by wildlife. The seed heads in the fall give the plant a pleasing silvery appearance. The long white fuzzy plumes give it another name: "Lambs Tail". It has high calcium carbonate and salinity tolerance. The optimum soil pH is 6.6 to 8.5. It is shade intolerant. Hardiness zones are 3 through 8 at elevations lower than 8000 feet. The average width is 3 feet. Pest Problems: no major pests. Suggested Uses: erosion control, range improvement, and wildlife plantings.
Sizes: Small