If you live in an dry climate, landscaping your yard the way you want to can be challenging. One of the keys to success is choosing trees that are naturally tolerant to drought. This way, you ensure your tree has the highest chances for success without the need for too much extra watering. 

Here are some common drought tolerant trees to consider when landscaping your yard.

Bur Oak

The bur oak is a common tree in arid Colorado climates, and it generally does well in rugged mountain-like deserts and valleys. The oak has beautiful twisting limbs and traditional oak-shaped leaves. It's best used as a stylized focal point in a back yard, since the sprawling and twisting branches can be attractive to the eye, but too large for most front yards. 

Other oaks that are also drought tolerant include the California oak, the evergreen Holly oak, and the white oak. It should be noted, however, that white oak only tolerates moderate drought, should it should only be planted in areas that have infrequent -- but reliable -- rain each year.

Oklahoma Redbud

This flowering tree is almost shrub-like in shape, making it ideal for front yards. Unlike lilacs or other flowering trees, the redbud root system is very deep, making it ideal for dry areas that also experience harsh winters and wind storms. The pretty pink flowers and attractive green foliage make a statement in a small front yard. When mature, these trees do offer a good amount of shade because of their bush-like shape. 

Colorado Blue Spruce

Evergreens are famous for their hardy nature, but many homeowners avoid them because they think the needles will be too much maintenance or ruin the look of the lawn. However, if you live in a drought prone area, you may not have grass as the main material for ground cover, since grass requires so much water to maintain.

Because you use mulch or rocks for a water-conserving landscape, the blue spruce is a great choice because it has compact, uniform shape, and offers a lovely bright green color that stays throughout the winter months. Blue spruce, unlike some other evergreens, has a narrow growth pattern, so it provides shade and a windbreak without overtaking the yard. Because of their mature height, however, it is best to plant these in the backyard to keep them from obscuring the view of your house.

For more information on drought-resistant landscaping, contact a local landscaping company or tree service business like Greatland Tree Service.