With recent storms damaging trees across the state, you may be wondering what to plant as replacements. Brandon Miller, Tiffany Enzenbacher and Laura Irish-Hanson, horticulturists at the University of Minnesota, created a list of climate-resilient, underused landscape trees that are suitable for urban environments.
All of these trees are likely to survive Minnesota’s winters and adapt to our changing climate conditions. Find the trees at a garden, a University of Minnesota campus, or at the Landscape Arboretum. Use the Arboretum’s Plant Finder tool to find their specific locations.
Ten selections from the forthcoming list
American hornbeam
The American hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana) is a small to medium-sized tree that is native to Minnesota. Reaching a mature size of 20 to 30 feet tall and 20 to 30 feet wide, it is hardy in zones 3 to 9. It has showy fruit and lovely fall foliage, and tolerates wet conditions, shade and soils with a high pH.
American persimmon
Native to North America, the American persimmon (Diospyros virginiana) is a medium to large tree hardy in zones 4 to 8. It can grow to be 35 to 60 feet tall and 20 to 35 feet wide. It has showy flowers, edible and attractive fruit, nice fall color, and is appealing to wildlife. Additionally, it can tolerate drought and soils with a high pH.
Bitternut hickory
Bitternut hickory (Carya cordiformis) is a Minnesota native. A large tree, it can reach heights of 50 to 70 feet and widths of 40 to 50 feet. Hardy in zones 4 to 9, it is drought and flood tolerant and can grow in soils with a high pH. It has attractive fruit, showy fall color and is beneficial for wildlife.
European horse chestnut
The European horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum) is a large tree native to Europe. Hardy in zones 3 to 7, it grows to heights of 50 to 75 feet and widths of 40 to 65 feet. It has showy flowers and fruit, attractive fall color and attracts wildlife. It is also tolerant of high soil pHs and road salt.
'Golden Glory' cornelian cherry dogwood
A cultivar of a dogwood native to Europe and Asia, Golden Glory (Cornus mas ‘Golden Glory’) reaches heights and widths of 15 to 20 feet. It is hardy in zones 4 to 8 and produces attractive flowers and fruits. The fruits are edible and beneficial for wildlife. It is also tolerant of drought, floods and road salts.
Japanese white pine
Growing to heights and widths of 25 to 50 feet, Japanese white pine (Pinus parviflora) is a medium to large tree native to Japan. Hardy in zones 4 to 7, it produces showy fruit and tolerates drought, high pH soils and road salts.
Shingle oak
The shingle oak (Quercus imbricaria) is a large tree native to North America. Growing up to 60 feet tall and 60 feet wide, this oak is hardy in zones 4 to 8 with attractive acorns and nicely colored fall foliage. It is drought- and flood-tolerant and can survive in high pH soils.
Three-flowered maple
A maple tree native to Asia, Acer triflorum is a small to medium tree that can reach heights and widths of 30 feet. Hardy in zones 4 to 7, it has attractive fruits and bright orange to red fall foliage. Additionally, it is drought-tolerant and can handle exposure to road salts.
Umbrella magnolia
Umbrella magnolia (Magnolia tripetala) is a small tree native to North America. Growing 15 to 30 feet tall and wide, it has attractive flowers, fruits and fall color. Hardy in zones 4 to 8, it is tolerant of wet conditions and high pH soils.
Yellow birch
A large tree with a maximum height and width of 75 feet, yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis) is hardy in zones 3 to 7. It is native to Minnesota and has showy fruits and fall color. Yellow birch is resilient in landscapes with wet or high pH soils.
Find out more about caring for trees and shrubs in your landscape. For woodland stewards, see our recommendations for climate-ready woodlands.