Minnesota weather is known for being a little confusing, and the last several years have taken that reputation to a new level. As the climate continues to change, planting resilient trees that show a low vulnerability to that change is an excellent way to protect your landscape no matter what the weather does. Along with choosing climate ready trees, planting a variety of trees sets your landscape up for long term success and protects your investment
Here are some of our favorite climate ready trees:
Kentucky coffeetree, Gymnocladus dioicus
Native to northern Kentucky, this tree is also great for our area. Coffeetrees withstand hot and dry conditions, which could come in handy as our summer rainfall and temperatures become increasingly unpredictable. This is a great tree for hot areas with poor soil, such as along boulevards, sidewalks, and parking lots. The unique scaling bark and showy seed pods make the Kentucky coffeetree an aesthetically distinctive choice as well.
Yellowwood, Carya ovata
For smaller spaces, a yellowwood tree might be the perfect fit. Growing to around 30 feet tall, this tree produces fragrant white blooms in spring that pollinators appreciate. Native to the southern U.S., yellowwoods are tough enough to withstand Minnesota winters. Once established they tolerate both drought and heavy rains, which makes them an excellent choice no matter what the skies throw our way.
Ironwood, Ostrya virginiana
Named for its super strong wood, this MN native tree is a great choice for more limited space. This tree tolerates drought and has few pest or disease problems, making it a great choice for a resilient tree. It’s also extremely shade tolerant, so can be planted in a shady spot of your yard or used to create an understory where there are existing large shade trees. The attractive fruit appears in clusters and looks like hops, which explains another of its common names: hophornbeam.
Northern Catalpa, Catalpa speciosa
This distinctive tree is excellent for large sites and is prized for its ornamental value. The massive heart shaped leaves, beautiful ruffled white flowers, and long bean pod-like fruits are showstopping. Catalpas are native to a small range south of Minnesota but they do well outside of their range. They tolerate drought and wet conditions once established, making them a good choice on the search for climate ready trees.
Get Them off to a Great Start
Whatever tree you choose, it’s important to plant, water, mulch, and care for your new tree properly. Even drought tolerant trees need some extra care until they’re established. We provide planting and watering instructions with every purchase and we’re happy to answer any questions you might have along the way. Happy planting!
