Quick Overview: Tree Comparison Chart

TREES AT A GLANCE
See individual descriptions for further notes & details
Species Light Preferred Soils* Height Growth Rate Benefits Extreme weather (after established)
Black Cherry Sun to partial shade Average, moist to slightly dry 50-80 ft Fast Pollinator, wildlife, edible Semi drought tolerant
Black Willow Sun to partial shade Moist to slightly dry 30-60 ft Fast Pollinator, wildlife, erosion control Flooding tolerant; drought intolerant
Red Oak Full sun Average, dry to medium moist, acidic 50-75 ft Moderate-fast Wildlife Semi drought/cold tolerant; flooding intolerant
River Birch Full sun Periodically wet 40-60 ft Fast Wildlife, erosion control Flooding, cold, heat, dry tolerant
Sugar Maple Adaptable Average, medium to moist soils 50-80 ft Slow to moderate Pollinator, wildlife, edible Cold tolerant; drought/flooding intolerant
Buttonbush Sun to partial shade Poorly drained 6-12 ft Moderate Pollinator, wildlife, erosion control Flooding tolerant; drought intolerant
Chokeberry Sun to partial shade Wet, acidic soil 3-8 ft Moderate to slow Pollinator, wildlife, edible Semi drought/flooding tolerant
H. Cranberry Sun to partial shade Average, well-drained 8-15 ft Moderate Pollinator, wildlife, edible Drought intolerant
P. Dogwood Shade to partial shade Loamy, well drained, acidic 15-25 ft Moderate Pollinator, wildlife Cold tolerant; drought intolerant
Ninebark Sun to partial shade Average, slightly acidic 5-8 ft Fast Pollinator, erosion control Drought, heat tolerant
Balsam Fir Sun to partial shade Well drained, acidic, moist 40-60 ft Slow Wildlife, windbreak Cold/flooding tolerant; fire/drought intolerant
Fraser Fir Sun to partial shade Rich, moist, slightly acidic, well drained 30-50 ft Slow Wildlife, windbreak Cold tolerant; drought intolerant
Red Pine Full sun Light, sandy, well drained, poor fertility 60-80 ft Fast, moderate Wildlife, windbreak Cold/drought tolerant; flooding intolerant 
White Pine Sun to partial shade Acidic, medium moisture soils 80-100 ft Fast Wildlife  Semi drought tolerant; flooding intolerant
Black Spruce Full sun Poorly drained, nutrient poor 30-40 ft Slow Wildlife Semi drought/flooding tolerant
White Spruce Full sun Well-drained (acidic, moist, sandy, clay) 60-80 ft Moderate Wildlife, windbreak Semi drought/cold tolerant
Tamarack Full sun Moist to wet organic 40-70 ft Fast Wildlife Flooding/cold tolerant; drought intolerant
White Cedar Sun to partial shade Wet or moist rich soil 25-40 ft Slow Wildlife, windbreak Semi drought/flooding tolerant
*Note: some species have tolerance for a wider soil range than listed; see individual descriptions