Climate change has had an impact on many aspects of our daily lives.
Warmer temperatures over time are changing weather patterns and disrupting the usual balance of nature, posing some risks to human health as well as other living things, including your trees.
From more hot days and heat waves to more severe and frequent storms to longer and more frequent drought to increased extreme weather events and rising invasive pests and disease infestations, your trees are certainly going through some alterations to their usual way of life.
The Davey Institute is keeping an eye on climate change for this very reason. In fact, they’ve done some research in some areas of the country to assess these shifting climate zones and determine what is the best tree to plant for climate change.
Planting Trees For Climate Change
For the following major metropolitan locations, these suggested trees were chosen by The Davey Institute for their adaptability to shifts in growing zones, as well as taking into account their temperature and moisture requirements.
All information was compiled by Daniel A. Herms, PhD, vice president of research and development at The Davey Institute, and is based on the worst case scenario for climate change predictions in each metropolitan area:
- Chicago, IL
- Denver, CO
- San Francisco, CA
- Minneapolis, MN
- Pacific Northwest (Oregon, Washington)
- Boston, MA
- Philadelphia, PA
- New York, NY
- Washington, D.C.
Chicago, IL
Winter is the fastest warming season in the majority of the U.S., including Chicago, IL, according to Climate Central. Since 1970, Chicago’s winters have warmed 3.2 degrees Fahrenheit. By mid-century, Chicago is projected to have an average of 22 fewer days per year with a minimum temperature below 32 degrees Fahrenheit.
Add to that more deadly heat waves exacerbated by the urban heat island effect, which is the ability of dense concrete surfaces to absorb and retain heat, leading to rising energy costs, air pollution and heat-related illness.
Try these trees, which have the qualities capable of withstanding Chicago’s climate change impacts including heat waves and cold snaps:
- Chicagoland Hackberry – This tree is a Chicago-area native and a sturdy, tolerant shade tree with fleshy, purple-brown berries that ripen in late summer and persist through winter, attracting birds.
- Bald Cypress – Native to the Midwest, this hardy and tough conifer boasts a signature rusty red fall color on its lacy needles and then loses its needles in winter, growing a new set in spring.
- American Yellowwood – This small to medium shade tree has smooth bark, large hanging clusters of fragrant white flowers, and a yellow fall color.
- Swamp White Oak – This shade tree has attractive furroughed bark, lobed leaves that are dark green on top and silver-white underneath, and orange-gold fall color.
- Accolade Elm – This elm has glossy, green leaves and yellow fall color and can withstand Dutch Elm Disease and elm leaf beetle.
Denver, CO
Current climate models show that Denver, CO will warm by 2.5 degrees Fahrenheit by 2025 and 4 degrees Fahrenheit by 2050.
These warming temperatures will impact evaporation rates in rivers, streams and reservoirs, possibly making less water available for use in this already dry environment.
Residents can expect an average of 33 days of extreme heat by 2050.
Planting these tough trees can give you some shade as climate change progresses:
- Hedge Maple – This medium-sized tree has a round crown that tolerates shade and salt.
- Magnifica Hackberry – This hackberry grows a large, arching canopy similar to that of an elm and boasts great insect resistance.
- Stately Manor Kentucky Coffeetree – This seedless tree features a more narrow, upright form and deeply furrowed bark; it’s also heat and drought-tolerant.
- Bullet Proof Bur Oak – A drought-tolerant and cold-hardy oak species.
- Accolade Elm – This elm has glossy, green leaves and yellow fall color and can withstand Dutch Elm Disease and elm leaf beetle.
San Francisco, CA
By 2050, temperatures in San Francisco, CA are expected to have risen more than 3 degrees Fahrenheit. But the Bay Area is only expected to have an average of three days of extreme heat per year by 2050.
Threats to the city from climate change include increased air pollution from ozone formation and wildfires, longer and more frequent droughts, and flooding as a result of sea level rise and high-intensity rain events.
Consider these trees for giving your property some long-lasting and climate change-adaptable greenery:
- Marina Strawberry Tree – A four-season tree with attractive bark and flowers.
- Sweet Bay – This medium-sized tree has aromatic, glossy, dark green, leathery leaves.
- Paperbark Tea Tree – This tree is known for its paper-like bark; its white, fluffy flower clusters; and its scented leaves.
- Swan Hill Olive – This tree is praised for its disease resistance, drought tolerance, attractive foliage, and non-fruiting and pollenless nature.
- California Live Oak – An economic, majestic tree, this oak is easily recognized by its gnarled branches and grand canopy.
Minneapolis, MN
Minnesotans are feeling the impacts of climate change; they can expect temperatures that are roughly 5 degrees Fahrenheit warmer by 2050.
Yet, only an average of 6 days per year are expected to be dangerously hot.
Overall, the area will experience higher temperatures, as well as more extreme storms with intense flooding.
These trees will be able to handle the planting zone changes:
- Shagbark Hickory – This Midwest native is named for its bark that peels away in large, flat, curving pieces, revealing a shaggy look.
- Common Hackberry – This tree grows well in urban landscapes because of its wide soil adaptability, as well as its tolerance of heat, drought, salt, wind, ice, and short-term flooding.
- American Hornbeam – A shade tree that has leaves emerging as reddish-purple, turning to dark green and then shining in yellow, orange, and red in fall.
- Black Oak – A native oak with yellow and brown autumn color that makes a great street tree.
- American Linden – An American native that has fibrous inner bark, fragrant flowers, and heart-shaped leaves.
Pacific Northwest (Oregon, Washington)
The Pacific Northwest should be prepared for warmer winters with less snow at higher elevations. In addition to that, they’ll experience earlier springs and hotter, drier summers.
Temperatures are expected to rise 5.8 degrees Fahrenheit by 2050 in the area as a result of climate change. While Oregon and Washington state rarely experience really hot days today, by 2050 they may each see an average of 10.
Increasing wildfires and rising sea levels will also continue in the Pacific Northwest.
These trees can bring some welcome greenery to your home landscape despite hardiness zones shifting with climate change:
- Allegheny Serviceberry – A smaller tree with four seasons of interest, including white spring flowers, purplish-black summer fruit that is appealing to birds, splendid orange and red leaves in the fall, and striking gray bark in the winter.
- Strawberry Tree – A smaller tree with fragrant flowers; brightly colored fruit; shiny, oblong leaves; attractive, multicolored bark; and twisting branches.
- Sourwood – A small, low-maintenance ornamental tree that is prized for its white blooms and striking fall color ranging from red to purple to yellow.
- Oregon White Oak – Particularly suited for areas with very wet winters and very dry droughty summers.
- Bald Cypress – This hardy and tough conifer boasts a signature rusty red fall color on its lacy needles and then loses its needles in winter, growing a new set in spring.
- Arbutus – This native heat- and drought-tolerant tree has beautiful smooth cinnamon-colored bark and white flowers.
Boston, MA
The Boston, MA area is looking at more intense storms, more extremely hot days, and rising sea levels due to climate change. As climate change accelerates, the pace of sea-level rise is expected to triple, adding 8 inches by 2030.
In fact, by 2050, nuisance flooding may occur in Boston Harbor on roughly half the days each year.
Boston could hit 90 degrees Fahrenheit nearly an average of three months a year by 2100.
But these trees can stand up to the task:
- Allegheny Serviceberry – A smaller tree with four seasons of interest, including white spring flowers, purplish-black summer fruit that is appealing to birds, splendid orange and red leaves in the fall, and striking gray bark in the winter.
- River Birch – Reddish-brown, peeling bark reveals lighter inner bark on this birch with dark green foliage and butter yellow fall color.
- American Hornbeam – A shade tree that has leaves emerging as reddish-purple, turning to dark green and then shining in yellow, orange, and red in fall.
- Ironwood – This tough understory tree has birch-like leaves, grayish-brown flaky bark, fine-textured drooping branches, and attractive fruits.
- Red Oak – This oak has handsome leaves that turn russet-red in autumn, and it’s tolerant of salt and air pollution.
Philadelphia, PA
Climate forecasters predict Philadelphia, PA will have to endurean average of 52 days of temperatures above 95 degrees Fahrenheit by 2100. By 2050, temperatures in the area will warm another 5.9 degrees Fahrenheit.
In addition, more rain, snow, and storms are expected to cause increased flooding and water damage. The average annual rainfall in the area will increase by 8 percent, particularly in winter and spring, due to climate change.
You need a special tree that can handle these changing conditions. Try these:
- American Yellowwood – This medium to large shade tree has smooth bark, large hanging clusters of fragrant white flowers, and yellow fall color.
- Roundleaf Sweetgum – This fruitless sweetgum requires full sun to partial shade but has moderate drought and salt tolerance and purple fall color.
- Black Gum – This medium-sized native tree combines spectacular red, orange, and yellow fall color with tolerance of wet and dry sites, as well as sun and shade.
- Willow Oak – This member of the red oak family has fine foliage that is willow-shaped with great texture, rounded form, and attractive bark.
- Bald Cypress – Native to the Midwest, this hardy and tough conifer boasts a signature rusty red fall color on its lacy needles and then loses its needles in winter, growing a new set in spring.
New York, NY
In the Big Apple, average temperatures are expected to increase by up to 5.7 degrees Fahrenheit by 2050.
Heavy rainstorms are more frequent and will continue, while the sea levels are rising about 1 inch every decade in New York, NY.
These trees can grow in these tougher conditions:
- Red Buckeye – This small tree features deep red spring flowers that attract hummingbirds.
- Ginkgo – Tolerant of urban stress, the ginkgo tree can handle heat, air pollution, salt, and confined spaces.
- White Oak – A large, stately tree with wide spreading horizontal branches and wine-red fall color.
- Eastern Redbud – This tree brings some of the first color in early spring with a pink flowery show. Its heart-shaped leaves turn yellow in fall.
- Lacebark Elm – This elm stands out with its unusual mottled bark, smaller leaves, and good resistance to both Dutch elm disease and elm leaf beetle.
Washington, D.C.
The District of Columbia has experienced some record-breaking extreme weather already in the form of heat waves and snowstorms.
Climate change will impact the different neighborhoods of the district differently. Low-lying areas near the Potomac and Anacostia Rivers will experience sea level rise and flooding, while neighborhoods that don’t have a lot of greenery will feel the rising heat waves.
The area is likely to experience record flooding by 2040.
Opt for these trees in Washington, D.C., that can handle the climate zones shifting:
- Eastern Redbud – This tree brings some of the first color in early spring with a pink flowery show. Its heart-shaped leaves turn yellow in fall.
- American Holly – A deer-resistant, shade- and sun-tolerant evergreen tree with leaves that stay green year-round and berry-like fruit that attracts birds.
- Crapemyrtle – This tree provides year-round interest and color with showy summer flowers, colorful fall foliage, and attractive exfoliating bark in winter.
- Southern Magnolia – This dense evergreen tree has a straight trunk, rounded crown, and powerfully fragrant, creamy-white flowers.
- Water Oak – This larger tree has thick, leathery leaves that are dark green and turn yellow in fall.
Contact Your Local Arborist For More Recommendations Based On Your Location.
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