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8 Best Trees To Plant In Massachusetts (2023)
Christina Hernandez
Nov 22, 2022
What are the best trees to plant in Massachusetts?
The hardiness zones of Massachusetts are 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, and 7b.
We've investigated and found the best trees to plant in Massachusetts. From privacy to ornamental to patio or even best front yard trees, we've got you covered.
8 Best Trees to Plant in Massachusetts
1. Thuja Green Giant
Best for Privacy
The Thuja Green Giant is the perfect tree for anyone looking for a natural alternative to a privacy fence.
This excellent tree species has wonderful dark green summer foliage but stays that way year-round.
They grow up to 50 ft. tall and can block out noise, neighbors, and anything you don't want to see on the other side.
You can control the height depending on how you plant them but if you let them grow to 50 feet tall, they'll not only keep out the neighbors, they'll be an excellent source of shade!
Quick facts: Drought-tolerant, easy-to-grow, and fast-growing evergreen tree that deer don't like eating.
2. Everbearing Mulberry Tree
Best for Low Maintenance
The Everbearing Mulberry Tree is a stately ornamental that produces fruit in its very first year.
The dark green leaves are a beautiful site in Spring and Summer. The berries do you have dense foliage but it is beautiful nonetheless.
They grow up to 15 ft. tall and can survive high winds, extreme heat, and even poor soil conditions.
Quick facts: Hardy fruit tree that doubles as an ornamental. Once its establish, rainfall is enough water.
3. White Dogwood
Best Dogwood
The White Dogwood is a beautiful deciduous tree species native to Massachusetts.
It is an easy to take care of deciduous tree but it's so chill it's often called the no-fuss Dogwood..
Subsisting on rainfall alone, this no-fuss dogwood flowers after the first season and is eye-catching from Spring to Fall.
Quick facts: No-fuss dogwood that can subsist on rainfall alone once it's established. Grows 20-30 ft. tall.
4. Red Maple Tree
Best for Shade
The Red Maple Tree is the best tree for having a beautiful red tree in the yard that can also be an excellent shade source for your lawn.
The shade this tree gives your house and yard has great energy-saving effects. Definitely, a no-brainer if that's what you need.
Quick facts: Second to none red color and grows exceptionally fast ensuring a dazzling fall.
5. Cold Hardy Avocado Tree
Best for Patio
The Cold Hardy Avocado Tree is an awesome patio tree you can grow in colder climates you normally could not grow them in.
Since you planted it in a container, you ensure that the avocado tree only grows to a certain height that is maintainable inside the home.
Quick facts: Plant the avocado in a container and just bring it inside during the winter months.
6. Meyer Lemon Tree
Best for Lemons
Meyer Lemon Trees are another excellent variety of patio trees you can grow outside during the warmer months and pull inside during the winter.
And these trees give you the most versatile citrus on the plant while being a beautiful tree to decorate your home or deck.
Again, in the colder climates, you are going to only have Meyer Lemon's on the patio.
Quick facts: Remarkable cold and heat tolerance so anyone inside the US can grow the tree. Makes lemons.
Photo Credit: Flickr
7. Leyland Cypress Tree
Best Cypress
The Leyland Cypress tree is another excellent variety of trees that can be used for privacy and screening of land or buildings.
They are hardy down to 0 degrees and can grow all across Massachusetts.
Quick facts: Fast growing coniferous tree that can grow from Massachusetts to Florida to the West Coast.
8. Northern Red Oak
Best Oak Tree
Wouldn't be a best-of list for Massachusetts without the beautiful Northern Red Oak on the list.
This oak can grow in all varieties of conditions and takes almost no upkeep making it one of the perfect trees to grow in the state.
Quick facts: Can grow basically anywhere including open pastures or city sidewalks. Leaf peepers delight.
Things to Consider
When it comes to buying a tree for your property, you need to consider why you are buying. Do you want a tree for privacy, style or shade?
These are just some of the reasons to consider prior to making the purchase. Not only are these some of the best trees in Massachusetts, they are also some of the best front yard trees in general.
Privacy
Sometimes you want a little bit of privacy for your home without throwing up a huge fence to block out the neighbors. While you could always throw up a fence, we prefer to plant fast-growing trees as a much prettier alternative.
When planted in rows, you can quite literally create a wall of trees that will set your house apart. Be sure to check the hardiness zone to make sure your state fits the bill.
Style
Most people plant trees on their property to add a bit of style to the yard. Nothing better than adding landscape trees in front of the house to up your curb appeal. Anything with striking fall foliage is sure to set you apart from your neighbors.
Be sure to buy a tree that is destined for beauty like an ornamental tree. With proper care and the right tools to cut tree branches, you should be able to have a gorgeous tree with minimal effort.
Shade
Shade trees are another excellent way to enhance your yard with a little bit of utility. Big maple or oak trees with large canopies are the best way to add beauty to the yard while protecting you from the sun.
Keep in mind, you need to take precautions if you plan on planting certain types of trees. Their large root system can damage your house's foundation if you plant them too close.
Not only that but dead or dying branches can fall onto your house. Plan accordingly and contact a professional before planting any tree in your yard.
Sweet New Earth Final Choice
We here at Sweet New Earth are big on planting trees in the open air. So when it comes to planting a tree in Massachusetts that has both utility and beauty, we went with the Thuja Green Giant. This unique tree can give your building a fortress-like feel while giving you a natural beauty that's not too common.
Thanks for stopping by! We hope you learned about a few more variety trees that you can grow if you live in the state of Massachusetts. Be sure to check out some of our more specific guides for example the best oak trees in Massachusetts.
FAQs
Before you go...
Knowing what trees to plant in Massachusetts is only half the battle. Once you plant a tree, you need to water it and encourage it to grow to establish in your yard (or in its pot). Be sure to read our other article on drip irrigation for trees so that you can get water to your trees...
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Christina Hernandez
Christina has done most of her research on environmental science but recently has changed her focus towards sustainable forestry. She has a passion for the outdoors and wants to spread that passion to the world.
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