Tree & Shrub Planting and Care in Las Vegas, NV

Quick answer

Healthy trees in Las Vegas start with breaking through any caliche, planting at the right depth, and drip that reaches out to the drip line. Fall is generally the best planting time. When converting a lawn, get drip to existing trees before turning off the sprinklers and avoid trenching under the canopy.

Last updated October 22, 2026

Trees are the most valuable thing in a Las Vegas yard. A healthy shade tree cools a patio, a west wall and the ground around it in a way rock and turf can't. They are also the most commonly lost plants in valley landscapes, usually because of how they were planted, how they're watered, or what happened to them when the lawn around them was removed.

Planting it right in desert soil

Check for caliche first. If a hard layer sits under the planting spot, roots and water can't get through. Break through it or dig a drainage chimney through it, and test by filling the hole with water to see how fast it drains.
Plant at the right depth. The root flare, where the trunk widens at the base, should sit at or slightly above grade.
Dig wide. A hole wider than the root ball lets roots spread into loosened soil.
Loosen circling roots on container-grown trees and shrubs.
Set up drip right away, with emitters that can be moved outward as the tree grows.

Best time to plant

Fall is generally the best time to plant trees and shrubs in the Las Vegas Valley, followed by early spring. Roots keep growing in mild weather, so plants are better established before the summer heat. Summer planting is possible but brings more stress and more losses.

Watering trees

SNWA recommends using drip to supply water under the canopy and out to the drip line, and running drip less often for longer periods rather than a little every day. Trees should be on their own drip zone when possible, since their needs differ from shrubs. Deep, infrequent watering encourages deeper roots and better wind resistance.

Protect trees during a turf conversion

Many valley trees grew up relying on lawn sprinklers. When the grass is removed, those roots lose their water source and the cooling effect of the lawn. SNWA advises converting during the cool season when possible, avoiding trenching under the canopy, protecting major roots, and getting drip to the tree before the old sprinklers are shut off. Ask any conversion contractor how they'll protect your trees.

Pruning basics

Remove dead, damaged and crossing branches first.
Avoid heavy pruning in summer; leaves shade the trunk and branches from sunscald.
Don't shear desert shrubs into balls; it reduces flowering and leaves a woody shell.
Never top trees. It creates weak regrowth that breaks in high winds.
Thin dense canopies selectively so wind can pass through rather than toppling the tree.

Trees to avoid

Clark County prohibits planting or selling fruitless mulberry and European olive trees because of their pollen, though certain low-pollen olive varieties can be exempted. Saltcedar (tamarisk) is on Nevada's noxious weed list. The SNWA plant search tool lists water-efficient trees suited to the valley.

Large trees and palms

Landscaping companies commonly plant trees and maintain shrubs and small trees. Large tree pruning, removals and palm trimming at height are specialized work better suited to a tree service with the right equipment and insurance, ideally with an ISA Certified Arborist. Work worth $1,000 or more generally requires a Nevada contractor license.

For help with hard soil, see our guide to caliche or request a landscaping company for planting or tree care.

Frequently asked questions

Why are my trees dying after I removed my lawn?

Trees that relied on lawn sprinklers lose their water when the grass goes. SNWA advises adding drip under the canopy before shutting off sprinklers, converting in the cool season, and avoiding trenching under the tree.

Can I plant an olive tree in Las Vegas?

Clark County prohibits planting European olive trees because of pollen, but certain low-pollen varieties can be exempted. Ask your nursery or landscaper which varieties are allowed.

When should I prune trees in Las Vegas?

Major pruning is usually done in the cooler months. Avoid heavy summer pruning, which exposes bark to sunscald, and never top trees.

Sources and further reading

Request help now