6 Awesome Trees for Your Idaho Yard & 1 That Kills Them

Tree mishaps and misplants happen.

Have you suffered through the experience planting the wrong thing in your yard? I have, and it was awful.

It was the first time I had ever planted anything. I knew nothing of gardening zones, soil profiles, fertilizers, sun exposure, or watering schedules. Back then, I assumed any seeds or plants I picked up from a local nursery would work in my yard. Years later, I now know that's not the case.

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So how do you know what to plant and where?

The rule of thumb here is to let the USDA Hardiness Zone Map be your guide. The USDA Hardiness Zone Map divides North America into 11 sections, with Idaho being home to zones three through seven. Plants that thrive in those zones tend to do better with colder temperatures.

The ag department at University of Idaho adds it's important for locals to keep Idaho's average minimum temperatures in mind when planting.

We recommend planting trees and shrubs that are cold hardy to a zone below what is indicated as your zone. For example, in Moscow we suggest planting zone 4 species, even though Moscow is shown to be zone 5. This is to compensate for occasional below-average temperatures.

-University of Idaho

 

Idaho spring 2024 is here!

If tree-planting is on your spring to-do list, scroll on for six trees that are terrific for Idaho yards, and one you definitely want to avoid.

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