Drought Tolerant Full Shade Trees

Beech and Oak Family

• Multiple species within the Fagaceae group, the beech and oak family, have some drought and shade tolerance. The American beech, Fagus grandifolia Ehrh., offers a high tolerance to drought conditions and prefers cool, bottom-land sites. The northern pin oak grows best in well-drained, dry soils. Both species tolerate shade. The bur oak, Quercus macrocarpa Mich x., has a high drought tolerance and intermediate shade tolerance, as does the black oak, Quercus velutina. Other species with intermediate drought and shade tolerance include th American chestnut, white oak, southern red oak, chestnut oak and northern red oak.

Maples

• A handful of Aceraceae species, the maple family, can perform well in shady conditions. The box elder, known scientifically as Acer negundo L, has high shade and drought tolerance. The black maple (Acer nigrum), red maple (Acer rubrum) and sugar maple (Acer saccharum) are all widely-found and shade tolerant, with moderate drought tolerance.

Sourwood

• Sourwood, Oxydendrum arboreum, which is also known as sorrel-tree or lily-of-the-valley tree, is found throughout the southeastern and east central regions of the United States. This tree offers both shade tolerance and a high drought tolerance.

American Hophornbeam

• American hophornbeam, also known commonly as Eastern hophornbeam, ironwood and hornbeam, and scientifically referred to as Ostrya virginiana, can thrive in shady sites and has a medium drought tolerance. This species should not be confused with Carpinus caroliniana, which shares some of the same common names but has a low drought tolerance.

Additional Possible Selections

• A number of additional trees offer both drought and shade tolerance. Some common western trees that meet these criteria to some extent include the Douglas fir, white fir, red fir, incense cedar, sugar pine and lodgepole pine. Flowering dogwood, common persimmon, Ohio or American buckeye, red mulberry, black gum, green ash, American basswood, slippery elm and September elm can be grown in shady sites and have medium drought tolerance.