Tree Planting Zones in the USA | List of Popular Species for Each Zone
The map above depicts the various tree planting zones in the USA. When selecting new trees to plant in your yard it is important to choose trees that are suitable for the specific zone that you live in. The USDA has published this chart to help you determine the zone number for your area of the country.
The nomenclature for the respective climate zones makes reference to the average annual extreme minimum temperature for the corresponding area. The numbers are based on historical temperatures recorded from 1976 to 2005. Knowledge of these extreme temperatures is critical to the survival of your newly planted trees.
Extreme Examples of Tree Planting Zones
While a Coconut Palm Tree which will thrive in zones 10 and 11, where temperatures are mild and soil conditions are warm; they will certainly not survive in zone 3 where temperatures can reach -40 degrees Fahrenheit. Conversely an Oak tree is very hearty and grows well in cooler climates including zones 3 through 8.
Popular Tree Planting Zones:
- American Persimmon: zones 4 to 9, Full Sun, up to 70 feet tall
- Apple: zones 3 to 10, Full Sun, 6 to 40 feet tall
- Ash: zones 2 to 9, Full Sun, 30 to 80 feet tall
- Aspen: zones 2 to 8, Full Sun, up to 50 feet tall
- Bald Cypress: zones 2 to 8, Sun, Partial Sun, up to 130 feet tall
- Bamboo Palm: zones 9 to 11, Partial Sun, Shade, 2 to 10 feet tall
- Birch: zones 2 to 7, Sun, Partial Sun, 30 to 70 feet tall
- Bradford Pear: zones 5 to 8, Sun, Partial Sun, 25 to 40 feet tall
- Cedar: zones 6 to 9, Sun, Partial Sun, 10 to 120 feet tall
- Coconut Palm: zones 10 and 11, Full Sun, 60 to 100 feet tall
- Crabapple: zones 3 to 8, Full Sun, 15 to 25 feet tall
- Crape Myrtle: zones 6 to 9, Full Sun, 15 to 25 feet tall
- Dogwood: zones 3 to 8, Sun, Partial Sun, up to 25 feet tall
- Douglas Fir: zones 5 to 7, Sun, up to 160 feet tall
- Elm: zones 2 to 9, Sun, 35 to 70 feet tall
- Flowering Cherry: zones 5 to 8, Sun, 20 to 40 feet tall
- Hemlock: zones 3 to 8, Sun Partial Sun, up to 75 feet tall
- Magnolia: zones 5 to 9, Sun, 30 to 80 feet tall
- Maple: zones 3 to 9, Sun, Partial sun, up to 100 feet tall
- Nectarine: zones 5 to 8, Full Sun, 6 to 20 feet tall
- Oak: zones 3 to 8, Sun, Partial Sun, 35 to 80 feet tall
- Orange: zones 8 to 11, Sun, 10 to 40 feet tall
- Palmetto: zones 9 to 11, Sun, 10 to 70 feet tall
- Peach: zones 6 to 20, Sun, 6 to 20 feet tall
- Pear: zones 3 to 8, Sun, 8 to 25 feet tall
- Pine: zones 2 to 9, Sun, 15 to 90 feet tall
- Plum: zones 2 to 9, Sun, 8 to 25 feet tall
- Spruce: zones 2 to 8, Sun, up to 100 feet tall
- Sycamore: zones 5 to 9, Sun, Partial Sun, up to 80 feet tall
- Weeping Willow: zones 4 to 9, Sun, up to 40 feet tall
