Resilient Trees for Your Yard and Other Spaces
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. Note: Each tree includes suitability for planting on tree belts and other constrained spaces. Trees listed as suitable under "Smaller Stature Trees" can be planted under utility lines.
LARGER STATURE TREES
Birch, Black or Sweet (Betula lenta)
An attractive tree for yards and parks, black birch host nearly 400 butterfly and moth caterpillars
Size
(H x W)
50' x 35'
Light exposure
Tolerates
2, 4
Moths/ butterflies
393
Wildlife
value
Flowers/ foliage
Planting
sites
E
Recommended Cultivars: None Planting on Tree Belts: Not suitable
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' Planting on Tree Belts: Single stem is suitable
Birch, Yellow (Betula alleghaniensis)
An elegant tree with beautiful bark, this tree hosts nearly 400 butterfly and moth caterpillars
Size
(H x W)
70' x 45'
Light exposure
Tolerates
1, 4
Moths/ butterflies
393
Wildlife
value
Flowers/ foliage
Planting
site
D, E
Recommended Cultivars: None Planting on Tree Belts: Not suitable
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'
Planting on Tree Belts: Highly suitable
Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba)
A tough, adaptable tree with open branching, ginkgo trees have outstanding fall foliage.
Size
(H x W)
50' x 30'
Light exposure
Tolerates
1, 2, 4
Moths/ butterflies
0
Wildlife
value
Flowers/ foliage
Planting
site
B, C, E
Recommended Cultivars: 'Autumn Gold' Planting on Tree Belts: Highly suitable
Hackberry (Celtis occidentalis)
A handsome tree with silver bark, hackberry is tolerant of urban conditions and is climate resilient.
Size
(H x W)
50' x 45'
Light exposure
Tolerates
1, 3, 4, 5
Moths/ butterflies
37
Wildlife
value
Flowers/foliage
Planting
site
E
Recommended Cultivars: None Planting on Tree Belts: Highly suitable
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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')
Planting on Tree Belts: Highly suitable
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')
Planting on Tree Belts: Moderately suitable
London Planetree (Platanus × acerifolia)
A cross between sycamore and planetree, this is a tree whose canopy provides abundant shade.
Size
(H x W)
70' x 50'
Light exposure
Tolerates
3, 5
Moths/ butterflies
no data
Wildlife
value
Flowers/ foliage
Planting
site
E
Recommended Cultivars: 'Exclamation' (60' x 45') Planting on Tree Belts: Highly suitable
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')
Planting on Tree Belts: Suitable
Maple, Sugar (Acer saccharum)
A rapidly growing tree with deep green foliage, this tree also has excellent fall color.
Size
(H x W)
45' x 45'
Light exposure
Tolerates
None
Moths/ butterflies
271
Wildlife
value
Flowers/ foliage
Planting
site
E
Recommended Cultivars: 'Green Mountain' and 'Flashfire' Planting on Tree Belts: Not suitable
Oak, Bur (Quercus macrocarpa)
The comparative ease with which bur oak can be grown makes it a fine tree for streets or yards.
Size
(H x W)
70' x 70'
Light exposure
Tolerates
1, 2
Moths/ butterflies
462
Wildlife
value
Flowers/ foliage
Planting
site
E
Recommended Cultivars: 'Urban Pinnacle' Planting on Tree Belts: Smaller cultivars are suitable
Oak, Red (Quercus rubra)
Tolerant of salt, air pollution and other conditions, this is a good tree for more exposed areas.
Size
(H x W)
70' x 60'
Light exposure
Tolerates
1, 2, 3, 5
Moths/ butterflies
462
Wildlife
value
Flowers/ foliage
Planting
site
E
Recommended Cultivars: None Planting on Tree Belts: Suitable
Oak, Swamp White (Quercus bicolor)
A relatively adaptable tree and suitable for many sites, this oak also has great fall color.
Size
(H x W)
55' x 50'
Light exposure
Tolerates
1, 2
Moths/ butterflies
462
Wildlife
value
Flowers/ foliage
Planting
site
D, E
Recommended Cultivars: 'American Dream' Planting on Tree Belts: Suitable
Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua)
An excellent lawn or park tree, Sweetgum should be planted in a large area with room to grow.
Size
(H x W)
60' x 40'
Light exposure
Tolerates
1, 4, 5
Moths/ butterflies
28
Wildlife
value
Flowers/ foliage
Planting
site
E
Recommended Cultivars: None Planting on Tree Belts: Not suitable
Sycamore, American (Platanus occidentalis)
Also known as the 'Buttonball tree', this is a large tree for a large space.
Size
(H x W)
85' x 85'
Light exposure
Tolerates
2, 3, 4, 5
Moths/ butterflies
35
Wildlife
value
Flowers/ foliage
Planting
site
E
Recommended Cultivars: None Planting on Tree Belts: Not suitable
Tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera)
Also known as 'Tulip tree', this is a large, stately tree.
Size
(H x W)
70' x 40'
Light exposure
Tolerates
4
Moths/ butterflies
17
Wildlife
value
Flowers/ foliage
Planting
site
D, E
Recommended Cultivars: 'Emerald City' (55' x 25') Planting on Tree Belts: Smaller cultivars suitable
Tupelo tree or Black gum (Nyssa sylvatica)
Beautiful, ornamental tree, the Tupelo tree is slow-growing and has excellent fall color.
Size
(H x W)
45' x 25'
Light exposure
Tolerates
1, 2, 4, 5
Moths/ butterflies
35
Wildlife
value
Flowers/ foliage
Planting
site
B, C, D, E
Recommended Cultivars: None Planting on Tree Belts: Suitable
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.
​
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.
​
Plants trees to help people!
Trees help to improve mental and physical well-being. They also improve productivity and boost educational outcomes.
​
Plant trees to help our community! Trees reduce cooling costs, increase property values, reduce traffic accidents, and improve local economies.
​
Learn more about the benefits of trees at: https://nativeplantfinder.nwf.org/Plants/Trees-and-Shrubs.
​
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.
​
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.
​
Choose a native tree every time the opportunity arises!
​
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.
​
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.
​
Dirr’s Encyclopedia of Trees and Shrubs was a primary source of information for this list.
​
Note: This list is subject to change as more trees become available locally and as climate change data is updated.
SMALLER STATURE TREES
Cornelian cherry (Cornus mas)
Not a true cherry, this dogwood produces clusters of long-lasting, small yellow flowers in early spring.
Size
(H x W)
Light
exposure
Tolerates
Moths/ butterflies
35' x 30'
117
Wildlife
value
Flowers/ foliage
Planting
site
A, B,C
Recommended Cultivars: None Planting on Tree Belts: Suitable
Crabapple (Malus transitoria)
This upright, crabapple has magenta flowers in spring and burgundy foliage in the growing season.
Size
(H x W)
Light
exposure
Tolerates
Moths/ butterflies
20' x 15'
311
Wildlife
value
Flowers/ foliage
Planting
site
A, B,C
Recommended Cultivars: 'Royal Raindrops' Planting on Tree Belts: Highly suitable
Crabapple (Malus halliana)
A small, upright tree, 'Adirondack' crabapple produces white blossoms tinged with pink in spring.
Size
(H x W)
Light
exposure
Tolerates
Moths/ butterflies
20' x 10'
311
Wildlife
value
Flowers/ foliage
Planting
site
A, B,C
Recommended Cultivars: 'Adirondack' Planting on Tree Belts: Highly suitable
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' Planting on Tree Belts: Not suitable
Hawthorn, Green (Crataegus viridis )
Profuse blooms, persistent fruit and silvery bark all make this thorn-less hawthorn a favorite.
Size
(H x W)
Light
exposure
Tolerates
Moths/ butterflies
30' x 25'
159
Wildlife
value
Flowers/ foliage
Planting
site
A, E
Recommended Cultivars: 'Winter King' Planting on Tree Belts: Highly suitable
Hophornbeam (Ironwood) (Ostrya virginiana)
A tough, small tree with beautiful birch-like leaves, Hophornbeam has attractive hop-like fruits.
Size
(H x W)
Light
exposure
Tolerates
Moths/ butterflies
30' x 20'
88
Wildlife
value
Flowers/ foliage
Planting
site
A, B
Recommended Cultivars: None Planting on Tree Belts: Highly suitable
Hornbeam (Musclewood) (Carpinus caroliniana)
Fall color and interesting bark make this small, understory tree a good choice for smaller spaces.
Size
(H x W)
Light
exposure
Tolerates
Moths/ butterflies
25' x 20'
72
Wildlife
value
Flowers/ foliage
Planting
site
A, B, C
Recommended Cultivars: 'Autumn Fire' and 'Palisade' Planting on Tree Belts: Highly suitable
Horse Chestnut, Ruby (Aesculus x carnea 'Briotii')
This cross between a horse-chestnut and red buckeye has dark rosy red flowers with yellow throats.
Size
(H x W)
Light
exposure
Tolerates
Moths/ butterflies
30' x 30'
​
Wildlife
value
Flowers/ foliage
Planting
site
A, B, C
Recommended Cultivars: 'Ruby Red' Planting on Tree Belts: Low suitability
Magnolia, Sweetbay (Magnolia virginiana)
In our growing zone, this magnolia is a small tree or large shrub and can be useful where space is limited.
Size
(H x W)
Light
exposure
Tolerates
Moths/ butterflies
25' x 25'
3
Wildlife
value
Flowers/ foliage
Planting
site
A, B, C
Recommended Cultivars: None Planting on Tree Belts: Not suitable
Maple, Striped (Acer pensylvanicum)
A small, understory tree, Striped maple has beautiful bark and distinctive, dangling samaras (seeds).
Size
(H x W)
Light
exposure
Tolerates
Moths/ butterflies
30' x 20'
271
Wildlife
value
Flowers/ foliage
Planting
site
A, B, E
Recommended Cultivars: None Planting on Tree Belts: Not suitable
Redbud, Eastern (Cercis canadensis)
Pink or red blossoms along branches in spring and heart-shaped leaves make this an attractive tree.
Size
(H x W)
Light
exposure
Tolerates
Moths/ butterflies
25' x 25'
21
Wildlife
value
Flowers/ foliage
Planting
site
A, B, C
Recommended Cultivars: 'Appalachian Red' Planting on Tree Belts: Suitable
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'
117
Wildlife
value
Flowers/ foliage
Planting
site
A, B, C
Recommended Cultivars: 'Autumn Brilliance' Planting on Tree Belts: Highly suitable
Serviceberry, Allegheny (Amelanchier laevis)
Oval leaves, airy blooms and edible fruit make this a good choice for small yards and tree belts.
Size
(H x W)
Light
exposure
Tolerates
Moths/ butterflies
25' x 15'
117
Wildlife
value
Flowers/ foliage
Planting
site
A, B, D
Recommended Cultivars: 'Snowcloud', 'Spring Flurry' Planting on Tree Belts: Highly suitable
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 Planting on Tree Belts: Not suitable
