Thanks to our sustaining supporter, Kostanski Funeral Home, whose generous donations in honor of the families they serve go toward growing, planting and caring for public trees. Learn more.
Thanks also to Greenfield Cooperative Bank for their 2024 donation to support the planting of trees on Conway Street.
Resilient Trees for Your Yard
Trying to decide on a tree or two for your property? Greenfield Tree Committee has researched and assembled a list of mostly native, mostly climate resilient trees we recommend. Learn about trees' attributes and suitable sites for planting. Trees are listed alphabetically by common name under 'Larger Stature' or 'Smaller Stature' sections. Use this 'Key' for more info icons and categories. To dive a little deeper, click on the 'Learn More' buttons for each tree. To compare and contrast trees, use this chart.
LARGER STATURE TREES
Birch, River (Betula nigra)
A versatile tree with interesting bark, river birch hosts nearly 400 butterfly and moth caterpillars
Size
(H x W)
40' x 35'
Light exposure
Tolerates
1, 4
Moths/ butterflies
393
Wildlife
value
Flowers/ foliage
Planting
site
D, E
Recommended Cultivars: 'Heritage Select' or 'Little King'
Elm, American (Ulmus americana)
Fast-growing and adaptable with upright habit, this tree has excellent habitat value.
Size
(H x W)
60' x 40'
Light exposure
Tolerates
1, 2, 4
Moths/ butterflies
213
Wildlife
value
Flowers/ foliage
Planting
site
C, E
Recommended Cultivars: 'Princeton' or 'Valley Forge' - 60' x 45; 'Jefferson' - 40'x 40'; New Harmony - 60' x 60'
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Honeylocust (Gleditsia triacanthos)
A highly adaptable and resilient tree, honeylocusts provide dappled shade.
Size
(H x W)
50' x 40'
Light exposure
Tolerates
1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Moths/ butterflies
34
Wildlife
value
Flowers/foliage
Planting
site
D, E
Recommended Cultivars: 'Shademaster' (55' x 45'), 'Northern Acclaim' (45' x 35') and 'Streetkeeper' (45' x 20')
Linden (Tilia americana)
Known as the 'bee tree', this stately tree has high habitat value.
Size
(H x W)
50' x 30'
Light exposure
Tolerates
1, 5
Moths/ butterflies
151
Wildlife
value
Flowers/foliage
Planting
site
E
Recommended Cultivars: 'Redmond' is 40'x20' and is also suitable for sites w limited canopy area. Also recommended: 'Boulevard' (50 'x 25'), 'Legend' (40' x 30') and McSentry (55' x 25')
Maple, Red (Acer rubrum)
A very cold-hardy maple, this red maple tree has exceptional fall color.
Size
(H x W)
40' x 40'
Light exposure
Tolerates
1, 4
Moths/ butterflies
271
Wildlife
value
Flowers/ foliage
Planting
site
D, E
Recommended Cultivars: 'Red Sunset' (45' x 35'), 'October Glory' (45' x 30'), 'Redpointe' (45' x 30'), Somerset (50' x 40')
Why plant trees?
Plant trees to help our climate! Trees are essential infrastructure in towns and cities. Trees reduce stormwater run-off, improve water quality, reduce the heat island effect, clean the air, and sequester carbon.
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Plant trees to help wildlife!
Trees provide nectar for pollinators and food for birds and mammals. Trees are also essential sheltering and nesting sites for birds and mammals.
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Plants trees to help people!
Trees help to improve mental and physical well-being. They also improve productivity and boost educational outcomes.
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Plant trees to help our community! Trees reduce cooling costs, increase property values, reduce traffic accidents, and improve local economies.
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Learn more about the benefits of trees at https://bit.ly/3447d96.
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Choose the largest tree a site allows. Larger trees provide more ecological benefits.
Why plant natives?
Greenfield Tree Committee strongly endorses planting native tree species.
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Native tree species, insects, birds and mammals have evolved together. Native trees provide food for pollinators, insects, birds and mammals. Native maples, for example, sustain up to 300 species of moths and butterflies. Non-native Norway maples sustain only 7 species. And chickadees need over 70% of trees near their nests to be native in order to find enough insects to raise their young.
Find out what native trees your favorite butterfly depends on at www.nwf.org/NativePlantFinder/ and learn more about birds and their habitat at desireelnarango.weebly.com/research.html.
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Choose a native tree every time the opportunity arises!
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Note that a number of native trees are excluded from this list due to disease and/or insect infestation (hemlock, beech and ash). Others are excluded because they are not climate resilient, are not suitable for planting near streets or sidewalks, and/or are not available to purchase locally.
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Also note that there are a few non-native species we have included because they are very tough (ginkgo) or because they support native pollinators and provide other wildlife benefits (crabapple and Cornelian cherry).
Where possible, remove invasive non-native trees (Norway maple, amur maple, Callery pear ‘Bradford’, Japanese tree lilac and tree of heaven). Learn about invasive trees and plants: https://bit.ly/39zS407.
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Dirr’s Encyclopedia of Trees and Shrubs was a primary source of information for this list.
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Note: This list is subject to change as more trees become available locally and as climate change data is updated.
SMALLER STATURE TREES
Dogwood, Flowering (Cornus florida)
'Cloud Nine' has abundant flowers and red fall foliage, while 'Spring Grove' has prolific white flowers.
Size
(H x W)
Light
exposure
Tolerates
Moths/ butterflies
25' x 20'
101
Wildlife
value
Flowers/ foliage
Planting
site
A, B
Recommended Cultivars: 'Cloud Nine' and 'Spring Grove'
Serviceberry (Shadbush) (Amelanchier × grandiflora)
Delicate blossoms in early spring, rosy fall foliage and edible fruit are some of this trees many values.
Size
(H x W)
Light
exposure
Tolerates
Moths/ butterflies
25' x 20'
5
117
Wildlife
value
Flowers/ foliage
Planting
site
A, B, C
Recommended Cultivars: 'Autumn Brilliance'
Silverbell, Carolina (Halesia carolina)
A medium-sized tree, Carolina Silverbell produces white bell-shaped flowers in spring.
Size
(H x W)
Light
exposure
Tolerates
Moths/ butterflies
35' x 30'
10
Wildlife
value
Flowers/ foliage
Planting
site
A, B
Recommended Cultivars: Cultivars not readily available in nurseries currently
