13 Types of Trees in Maryland You Can Plant This Year

There are many types of trees in Maryland if you’re looking to add more greenery to your landscape. There are many native species that are very well suited to the local growing environment.

This list will introduce you to Maryland native trees that add variety to the scene with their sizes, shapes, colorful foliage, and textures, so read on!

Native Trees You Can Grow in Maryland To Beautify Any Landscape

1. Eastern White Pine

This is the biggest conifer tree that is native to eastern North America. It is a fast-growing tree with soft blue-green leaves and a rounded pyramidical growth habit. Due to its size, the tree works as an excellent windbreak and can be used in hedges as well.

The branches and cones of the trees come in handy in a lot of different applications as well. The tree is a low-maintenance specimen that does not require a lot of care and hassle to grow and thrive.

2. White Oak

This is a mighty tree that’s commonly found in Eastern North American forests. There are over 500 species of oak trees, 58 of which are native to this continent. However, white oaks (Quercus alba) are truly special. They can reach 100 feet in height in the wild.

While they’re usually resistant to many diseases, they can be quite vulnerable when planted in urban landscapes. The northern red oaks are also present in Maryland, but they are not specifically native to the state while the white oak is.

3. Red Maple

The red maple is a fast-growing native American tree that can be mostly found in the Eastern United States.

It’s part of the Sapindaceae family, and it can grow up to 70 feet in height. The red maple gets its name due to the red color of its leaves during the months of autumn.

4. Flowering Dogwood

Dogwood trees are showy North American flowering trees with beautiful flowers, fruit, and colorful autumn foliage. Their wood, roots, and bark, and roots can be used in different applications. There are over 15 different types of Dogwood trees to choose from!

Cornus florida can reach 40 feet in height. It can be a multi-trunk or single-trunk tree with attractive spring blooms that come in white and pink.

5. Sugar Maple

Sugar maple (also called Acer saccharum scientifically) is a unique native American tree. It’s perhaps best known for its sugary sap that’s commonly used with pancakes and other desserts.

The tree produces lively foliage with beautiful colors during the fall season. Sugar maples are beautiful to observe all year round, and they are great at providing shade to both people and pets.

6. Canadian Hemlock

Canadian hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) or Eastern hemlock is one of the most common native evergreen trees. It is a large tree with small fragrant needles and oval cones.

These are slow-growing trees that are low-maintenance and do not make a lot of mess. They grow best in acidic soils and are not very resistant to drought.

7. White Ash

Fraxinus americana gets its common name because of the pale white texture of the underside of its leaves. These leaves are green but turn to vibrant yellow, red, or purple during the fall.

Despite their beauty, these trees are generally discouraged from growing because they attract Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) insects that are extremely destructive.

8. American Sycamore

Sycamore is the tallest deciduous tree among the native trees of North America. The characteristic feature of this tree is its bark. It has a brown outer bark that peels off to reveal a light inner bark.

The tree has large leaves and fuzzy ball-like pods as its fruits. It is a hardy and fast-growing tree.

9. Pignut Hickory

Carya glabra is a tall and strong tree native to America and parts of Canada. The tree has a straight trunk, and its sturdy wood is a prized resource.

The tree also produces nuts that have a bitter taste, but they are a food source for the local wildlife. The tree is not susceptible to many diseases and is a great source of shade.

10. American Beech

The beech tree is a common occurrence in many forests of the Eastern U.S. The tree has a tall gray trunk with a smooth texture. The leaves are dark green, oval-shaped, and have toothy edges.

The plant has yellow-green flowers that eventually make way for beechnuts. During fall, the tree displays colorful foliage.

11. Tulip Tree

Liriodendron tulipifera, also known as yellow poplar trees, are native American trees that get their name because of their unique flowers. These flowers have a remarkable resemblance to the classic tulips.

These trees have a straight growth pattern and are deciduous in nature. They are also among the fast-growing trees and can be easily identified by their signature flowers and leaves.

12. Black Cherry

Prunus serotina is a deciduous shrub or tree that’s very commonly found in the eastern US. This tree grows quite fast and can reach a size up to 60 feet. Its yellow or red autumn foliage is beautiful, and its small white flowers even more.

The tree is low maintenance and it can survive in different environments with ease.

13. Eastern Red Cedar

It is an extremely slow-growing tree that is native to eastern North America. The tree is very adaptable and can thrive in a lot of different soil conditions. This evergreen tree has dense foliage and fruits that resemble blueberries, making it an aesthetic plant, especially in winter.

The tree also supports the local wildlife by providing food and shelter. It should not be confused with the southern red variant, which is a different species entirely.

Conclusion

There are many other trees like sweet gum and loblolly pine, giving you many options to choose from. However, keep in mind the following key points if you are planning to get one of these in your yard:

• Tulip, hickory, and sycamore are all wonderful options due to their low maintenance and high aesthetic value.
• Avoid white ash as it can attract devastating pests that can be tough to deal with.
• They are generally low-maintenance trees and do not require a lot of time and effort.
• Many trees, such as white oak or white pine, have very long lives and will live for many decades or even centuries once they are established.

These Maryland native trees will elevate the aesthetic value of your property with their vibrant foliage and colorful flowers. So, which one of these trees caught your attention the most?

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