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12 Trees for Zone 6A Backyard To Enhance Your Landscape

November 9, 2023

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With over 10 years of lawn and landscaping experience under his belt, Larry is a mean, green, gardening machine! Larry aims to share his vast knowledge in the field of gardening and create a one-stop shop for all gardening information and needs.

Examples of Trees for Zone 6A to Include in Your Backyard

Zone 6A is the area that has its annual minimum temperature between -10 degrees Fahrenheit and 0 degrees Fahrenheit. The plants below are trees that can thrive well in this area. If you stay in this area, you can choose your favorite and plant.

1. Japanese Maple

The smooth Japanese Maple is a common tree that is good for most backyards. It is native to China, Japan, and North Korea. The smooth backyard tree thrives well in USDA zones 5 – 9; the leaves come in different colors. Some of the popular colors of the leaves are purple, red, orange, and yellow.

Growing Season and Needs

The tree grows throughout all seasons. The seeds mature between early summer and late fall.

The heat of the environment is a huge consideration because it can affect the leaves of the tree. Too much heat can adversely affect the leaves by changing their color.

Uses of Japanese Maple

Apart from the fact that it is an example of zone 6 ornamental trees, Japanese Maple is used to regulate glucose levels in the blood and improve liver function. It is also used to treat eye problems.

2. Purple Leaf Plum

Purple Leaf Plum is a good example of zone 6 flowering trees. The plant is an example of native trees zone 6 plant, common to southeast Europe and Central Asia. According to the 2012 USDA Plant Hardiness Zones Map, the Purple Leaf Plum thrives in zones 4 – 9.

Color and the Shape of Leaves

The leaves are majorly dark red, white or purple. During spring, the leaves have a bronze purple color, and deep purple in the summertime.

The purple-leaf plums are of average size. The deciduous tree has leaves that are majorly used to beautify the environment.

Specific Needs and Growing Season

It is one of the drought-tolerant trees in zone 6. However, it requires watering during summer due to the heat.

Purple Leaf Plum produces edible fruits which ripen by August. It continues to give fruits till September.

Uses of Purple Leaf Plum

The small-sized fruits are majorly used to make jam, and some countries eat it raw. In addition, the plums have phytochemicals that are used to treat inflammation.

3. Tulip Tree

The Tulip Tree, also known as white or yellow poplar, is a fast-growing tree with green leaves. The tree is native to eastern North America. The tree grows in hardiness zones 4 – 9 and has golden yellow as its fall color. The flowers are about 2 inches in diameter with green petals. After maturity, the fruit changes to an oval shape.

Growing Season and Specific Needs

Yellow poplar thrives well when exposed to full sun. It also grows well in acidic, loamy, well-drained soils. It is an example of flowering trees. Tulip tree flowers in May and June.

Uses of Tulip Tree

The tree is used in North America to make musical instruments and carpentry works. Medicinally, it is used to treat cough, indigestion, and fever.

4. Eastern White Pine

Eastern White Pine is a hardy tree that thrives well in moist and drained soil. The tree is native to Canada and the United States.

Color of the Bark and Flowers

The bark is greenish, with a few light patches on the body of the younger trees. The female flowers grow in clusters, while the male ones are cylindrical with yellow color.

Specific Needs

The tree grows in the hardiness zone 3 – 8. Also, you should plant a few meters away from the house because it is highly flammable.

Uses of Eastern White Pine

This plant is majorly used as a specimen tree for recreational centers, home landscapes, parks, and other areas. Traditionally, the plant is used for herbal preparations.

5. Honey Crisp

There are different types of apple trees that can grow successfully in zone 6. Honey Crisp is an example of fruit trees with apples about 7 to 10 centimeters in diameter.

Growing Season and Specific Needs

The apples are available from the fall till early winter. Although they grow well in cold hardy zones, honey crisp can still survive in warmer zones of 6 – 8.

The apple tree needs about 6 hours of sunlight daily to grow well. It should also be regularly watered and planted on well-drained soil to grow well.

Uses of Honey Crisp

The fruit is a source of fiber, which is important in regulating the digestive tract. In addition, it contains different vitamins, such as vitamins E, K, and C.

6. European Pear

European Pear is one of the two most common pear trees that grow well in zone 6. The pear tree is an example of fruit trees for zone 6a that produces delicious edible fruit. The cultivation of the fruit is native to ancient China. The fruit tree thrives well in zones 5 – 9.

Classification of European Pear

Some people classified the pears into three major classifications based on when they appear. There are summer pears, cider pears, and winter pears.

Growing Season and Specific Needs

The fruit ripen based on the location where it is planted and the variety. Most of the varieties ripen between midsummer till late fall. It needs about 7 hours of sunlight daily to grow well. It also thrives well in acidic, loamy soil.

Uses of European Pear

Pears are medicinal and highly nutritious. It has vitamins and nutrients that are used to treat different diseases.

7. Lapins Cherry Tree

The Lapins Cherry Tree is an example of zone 6 trees with non-invasive roots. You can also classify it as part of zone 6 small trees. It grows slowly and produces yellow flowers during maturation. It is a good choice for the home backyard. Not only that, but it thrives well in zone 6 – 8.

Growing Season

The fruit ripens around mid-summer to late summer. You can start harvesting the fruits between June and August.

Uses of Lapins Cherry Tree

Apart from the fruits being edible and sweet, the other parts of the tree are also medicinal. For example, the bark can be used to treat digestive disorders, coughs, and colds.

8. Royal Star Magnolia

The Royal Star Magnolia is a good example of zone 6 small ornamental trees and grows moderately. This characteristic makes it a good choice for a small home landscape.

The foliage color of the tree ranges from green to dark green.

Growing Season and Specific Need

It blooms around early spring and has a fall color of gold. Star Magnolia blooms well in full sunlight. In addition, it grows well in well-drained soil.

After maturity, it grows to about 12 feet in height. It thrives well in zones 6 – 8 and is intolerant to extreme wet and dry soils. Star Magnolia blooms well in full sunlight.

Uses of Royal Star Magnolia

The flower buds are used in weight loss preparation. The other parts of the plant are used to treat various illnesses, such as indigestion.

9. Eastern Redbud

Eastern Redbud is a flowering tree that you can use to beautify the house. It is native to America. It is good for house landscaping because of its branching system and crown.

Growing Season and Specific Needs

In April, the flowers show pink colors, and the leaves have purple colors. It grows well in zones 4-9. At maturity, the tree grows to about 20 inches.

It develops under full sun with a minimum of 4 hours of bright sunlight daily. In addition, Eastern Redbud can grow in different types of soils.

Uses of Eastern Redbud

The wood is used in carpentry works. The root and bark decoction is also used to treat fever and chest congestion.

10. Royal Purple Smoke Tree

The Royal Purple Smoke Tree is a long-lasting tree with purple foliage. After maturity, it develops into a large shrub.

Appearance and Description

It is a deciduous tree with flowers of about 8 inches that come in clusters on their elongated stalks. The color and texture give a smoky appearance, giving it the name smoke tree.

Royal Purple Smoke Tree is an example of drought-tolerant trees in zone 6. In addition, it thrives well in zone 4 – 9.

Specific Needs

It gives a bright color when planted in places with full sunlight. It also grows well in well-drained soils.

Uses of Royal Purple Smoke Tree

The bright colors make it good for home landscapes and gardens. In addition, it has antiseptic, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties.

11. May Night Salvia

May Night Salvia is a major example of zone 6 flowering trees. It is native to Europe and Asia. May Night Salvia is also an example of drought-resistant trees in zone 6.

Growing Season and Specific Need

This herbaceous perennial tree is majorly planted in early spring. It blooms around May and June with the flowers in dark purple. It thrives well in zones 4-8.

It needs full sun for it to grow well. Also, you should provide the young ones with adequate water.

Uses of May Night Salvia

Most people cultivate this tree because of the bright colors they have. However, they have other uses. It is used to treat people with palsy.

12. Superblue Lavender

Superblue Lavender is one of the plants commonly used to beautify the house. It is a good example of zone 6 ornamental trees.

Appearance and Description

The flowers have a fragrance that makes them smell sweet. The purple-colored leaves are highly ornamental and are more beautiful when planted in a group.

Growing Season

The herbaceous perennial shrub blooms around June to August. After maturity, it shows a big shrub.

Uses of Superblue Lavender

Apart from ornamental purposes, the plant treats burns and bites. This healing effect is due to its anti-inflammatory property that it has.

Conclusion

Planting trees in zone 6 require proper planning.

Below are some characteristics of trees that thrive well in this region:

The tree should be able to thrive well in USDA zones 5 – 7.
The soil should be well drained.
The trees should have access to moderate or full sunlight, as the case may require.

It is important to plan well when preparing your home landscape and garden. Knowing the general characteristics, such as soil type and the subzone, is one of the major steps. These characteristics will determine the kind of plants that will thrive well in that zone.