Quick Overview: Tree Comparison Chart

TREES AT A GLANCE

Species

Light

Height
(in feet)

Growth Rate

Benefits

Extreme weather

(after established)

Catalpa

Sun to

partial shade

Alkaline, moist,

well drained

40-60

Moderate

to fast

Pollinators,

windbreaks,

aesthetics,

hardy

Flooding/drought

tolerant

Hackberry

Full sun

Alkaline, moist,

well drained;

adaptable

40-60

Moderate

to fast

Wildlife,

pollinators,

erosion

control, 

hardy, ash

replacement

Drought/flood

tolerant, cold/

heat/wind tolerant,

tolerant of air

pollution

Red Oak

Full sun

Average, dry

to medium

moisture, 

acidic

50-75

Moderate

to fast

Wildlife,

pollinators, 

long-lived,

lumber

Semi drought/cold

tolerant; flooding

intolerant; fire

resistant

Swamp

White Oak

Full sun to
partial shade

Moist to

wet soils

50-70

Moderate

to fast

Wildlife,

pollinators,

improve soils, 

ash replacement

Semi drought/

flooding 

tolerant; semi

compaction/

pollution tolerant;

fire resistant

Silver Maple

Full sun to
partial shade

Deep, moist,

acidic

50-80

Fast

Wildlife,

rain gardens,

soil stabilizer,

ash replacement

Semi drought/heat

tolerant, flooding

tolerant

Allegheny

Serviceberry

Partial shade

Moist,

well drained

15-25

Moderate

Pollinators,

wildlife, edible

Drought intolerant

Arrowwood

Sun to shade

Adaptable

6-10

Moderate

Wildlife,

windbreak, 

pollinators,

hardy

Cold tolerant,

semi drought/

flooding tolerant

Gray

Dogwood

Sun to shade

Average,

medium, 

well drained

10-15

Slow

Wildlife,

erosion control,

buckthorn

control, hardy,

rain gardens,

pollinators

Drought/flooding

tolerant

Highbush

Cranberry

Sun to

partial shade

Average,

well drained

8-15

Moderate

Wildlife,

pollinator,

edible,

ash replacement,

hedge row

Drought intolerant,

semi flooding

tolerant

American

Plum

Sun to shade

Moist, rich,

well drained

10-20

Fast

Wildlife, edible,

pollinators,

windbreaks

Cold/heat/drought

tolerant, fire

resistant

Wild Grape

Sun to shade

Rich, moist

loam 

N/A

Fast

Pollinators,

wildlife, edible

Flooding tolerant

White Cedar

Sun to

partial shade

Wet or moist

rich soil

25-40

Slow

Wildlife,

windbreak, 

long-lived

Semi drought/

flooding 

tolerant

Balsam Fir

Sun to

partial shade

Well drained,

acidic, moist

40-60

Slow

Wildlife,

windbreak

Cold/flooding

tolerant; 

fire/drought

intolerant

Fraser Fir

Sun to

partial shade

Rich, moist,

slightly acidic,

well drained

30-50

Slow

Wildlife,

windbreak

Cold tolerant;

drought intolerant

Red Pine

Full sun

Light, sandy,

well drained, 

poor fertility

60-80

Fast to

moderate

Wildlife,

windbreak, 

reforestation

Cold/drought

tolerant; 

flooding intolerant 

White Pine

Sun to

partial shade

Acidic, medium

moisture soils

80-100

Fast

Wildlife

Semi drought

tolerant;

flooding intolerant

Black Spruce

Full sun

Poorly drained,

nutrient poor

30-40

Slow

Wildlife

Semi drought/

flooding 

tolerant

White Spruce

Full sun

Well-drained

(acidic, moist,

sandy, clay)

60-80

Moderate

Wildlife,

windbreak, 

soil stabilization,

long lived

Semi drought/cold

tolerant; salt

intolerant

*Note: some species have tolerance for a wider

soil range than listed; see individual descriptions