The Best Beginner-Friendly Trees Based On Your Growing Zone

Trees are habitually glorified as resilient sentinels that weather everything nature throws their way. Yet, they too have their limits. If temperatures dip below their hardiness thresholds, trees may sustain damage during the colder months. If you want freshly planted trees to handle winter without a hiccup, you'll need to select species that are suited to your growing zone.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) divides areas into distinct growing or hardiness zones. Every hardiness zone is separated by a 10-degree Fahrenheit difference, with Zone 1 being the coldest and Zone 13 the hottest. Hardiness zones are a handy filter to help you determine if a chosen tree is well-adapted to your area's seasons. However, bear in mind that hardiness zones don't account for micro-climates. Many areas have small pockets that may be hotter or colder (often because of hills or valleys) than indicated on the map. So, take into account the micro-climate of your yard as well when checking the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.

Armed with this info, you can further filter your tree choices based on cultural requirements and pick one that will enjoy conditions in your specific site. To keep it beginner-friendly, we've rounded up a list of low-maintenance tree species, many of which accommodate diverse conditions or are native to the U.S. Discover your easy-growing tree choice below.

Dominant in interior Alaska, Zone 1 is deemed inhospitable for most trees. Its bone-chilling temperatures can plunge to -60 degrees Fahrenheit, while the icy winds cause branch die-back. However, quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides) can brave these odds, painting your yard a vibrant golden in the fall.

Quaking aspens' adaptability to various planting mediums, including shallow rocky, sandy, and clay soils renders them beginner-friendly. With adequate drainage and organic matter, these are one of the fast-growing trees that will thrive in damp soil. Avoid placing quaking aspens close to structural elements, or the roots might upend them. Also, give them ample room to grow, as the trees can stretch 30 feet wide. Quaking aspen can receive a lot of inset visitors, such as aphids, borers, and caterpillars — frequently through the cavities bored by flickers and sapsuckers. Fortunately, many birds, including warblers and flycatchers, are eager to help control these insect populations. 

With temperatures hitting lows of -50 degrees Fahrenheit, Zone 2 — predominant in Alaska — isn't any kinder to trees. But eastern redcedar (Juniperus virginiana) can handle such a climate, including the onslaught of drying winds, due to its extreme cold hardiness (the only thing it doesn't like is remaining ice-coated for prolonged durations). As Zone 2 regions tend to get very little rain or snow, redcedar's drought tolerance (the best amongst all east U.S. conifers) raises its survival chances. It's endemic across 37 U.S. states and is so tough that can become invasive in poorly managed or grassland areas (even though its a native).

Eastern redcedar trees are beginner-friendly, as they fend for themselves once sited in optimal conditions. They require regular watering only until their taproot has penetrated the soil. Pests and disease problems are few, however, as they host cedar apple and quince rust, their plantings may be regulated around apple orchards (mostly in Wisconsin and Oregon). Bagworm moths may become problematic, but deer steer clear. Redcedar trees subsist in all kinds of soil, including shallow rocky situations. Even clay, alkalinity, and road salt can't dampen their spirits. They're also your gateway to feathered sightings and will invite blue jays, robins, and cedar waxwings to your yard. Choose shorter cultivars like 'Elegantissima' or 'Cupressifolia' if space is limited.

Found in parts of Alaska, along the Rockies, and the plains states, Zone 3 is no less ruthless with its -40 degrees Fahrenheit winters. The growing season, especially the frost-free period, is short as well. Fortunately, red maple (Acer rubrum) adapts well to such extreme conditions. True to their name, these stunning maple trees will add drama to your yard, turning red in the fall, and also producing red flowers and samaras (two-winged seeds). While red maples are incredibly cold hardy, extended exposure to sleet and winds may prompt some limb loss — this will be more pronounced in young trees. So, make use of other yard features (like walls and hedges) and tree guards for wind protection.

Red maples survive in most soil conditions. Even compaction and poor drainage are tolerated, making them a failsafe bet for beginner gardeners. You also won't have to amend the soil unless it's alkaline. In soils with pH levels breaching 6.5, maples can't absorb magnesium in adequate amounts, resulting in yellowing foliage. So, test your soil (you can get a pH meter from Amazon for less than $10) and amend the pH if it's too high. Northerners should ideally site these deciduous trees in moist to wet sites for optimal growth, and avoid salt accumulation. Exposure to full sun is preferable, though partial shade is accommodated. Red maples make brilliant lawn shade trees, but mechanical damage to the bark from mowing equipment may allow fungal disease and pests to take hold. To prevent this, create a bed around your red maple. Suckering roots make red maples unsuitable around foundations and sidewalks.

Tough conditions continue into Zone 4, with dwellers in and around Alaska, Montana, Minnesota, and Wyoming experiencing -30 degrees Fahrenheit on some days. The growth season remains short, but stays frost-free for longer (May through September). Under such circumstances, downy serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea) is an ideal deciduous tree to grow, as it can tolerate the occasional frost. Besides, these are one of the small trees that will add color to your landscape with their white blooms and red fruits.

Also known as shadbush, juneberry, and sarvis, downy serviceberry trees adapt to a diverse set of cultural conditions, making them beginner-friendly. They're unfussy about soil textures, thriving well in sand, clay, and loam. Although good drainage is preferable, occasional flooding or drought doesn't detract from their performance. Site downy serviceberry trees in full-to-part sun. They don't require much on the maintenance front because they remain relatively pest- and disease-free, only being susceptible to minor issues with rust, powdery mildew, and blight. The main task is trimming any volunteer root suckers around their bases. Birds love the sweeter-than-blueberry fruits, and by planting downy serviceberry, you can support the lifecycle of bees that depend on their early spring pollen.

Mostly concentrated in the Midwest and Northeast, Zone 5 experiences mercurial drops of -10 degrees Fahrenheit and heavy snowfall. Granted, this doesn't exactly excite extensive planting options, but at least the growing season kicks in early, enabling the transplanting of sweetbay magnolia (Magnolia virginiana). As this beautiful flowering tree loves damp soil, it can persist through the transitionary period, when sudden warming temperatures melt just the top layers of soil (leaving the ground below still frozen), and temporarily waterlogging roots. But make sure to grow hardier cultivars like 'Jim Wilson', 'Emerald Tower,' 'Northern Belle,' and 'Tensaw,' as other varieties suffer branch die-back in the northern ranges of Zone 5. 'Henry Hick' retains evergreen foliage throughout the range. Keep it away from frosty winds, or use mulch until the ground unfreezes completely.

Overall, sweetbay magnolia is an easy and rapid grower, ideal for beginner gardeners. Although sweetbay magnolia can grow 60 feet tall down south, it stays under 20 feet (and equally wide) in its northern ranges. For this reason, it's popularly used around patios, walkways, foundation plantings, and borders. Sweetbay magnolia's tolerance for poor drainage makes it ideal in muddy or boggy spots, especially in rain gardens. It has a significant tolerance for shade, though full sun exposure is ideal. In small yards or during water stress, sweetbay magnolias may require sporadic irrigation. Deer damage is minimal in the upper ranges.

Scores of trees and shrubs find Zone 6 habitable, because even at their lowest, the temperatures oscillate between 0 and -10 degrees Fahrenheit. But as far as newbies are concerned, growing cinnamon clethra or mountain pepperbush (Clethra acuminata) might be the best call. This is especially true if you live in the east U.S., where this deciduous tree is native and has location-specific survival mechanisms in place. Thanks to this, clethra plants are usually easy to grow, and resistant to pest and disease. These trees can be started from seeds (or cuttings) without pre-treatments and benefit from the longer frost-free growth window available from May to October in Zones 6 and 7.

Cinnamon clethra is prized for its three-season interest, wildlife value, and pest resistance (including deer). In summer, it bursts into bloom, producing aromatic white flowers that pollinators — especially bumble bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies — hunt down for nectar. Afterward, it produces cylindrical seed capsules (like peppercorns) that persist through the cold season, serving as bird food. However, its exfoliating cinnamon bark is the real star, lending decorative interest in winter. With the sacrifice of a few blooms, clethra trees survive in heavy shade. Otherwise, they may be grown as understory plants or in sunny sites. Pruning isn't necessary (and may even be harmful as buds grow on new shoots) — but do remove their suckers to prevent colonization. Although cinnamon clethra can tolerate drier sites, moist and acidic mediums rich in organic matter are best.

Planning plantings for Zone 7 is a breeze, as it enjoys a relatively long growth season with warm summers and intermittent rainfall. Even when winter temperatures hit near 0 degrees Fahrenheit, they don't persist for long, rendering the year frost-free from April to November. However, Zone 7 covers a vast area across the east and west U.S., sporting diverse soil profiles. Fortunately, sand live oak (Quercus geminata) easily accommodates such diversity, thriving in sand, clay, loam, alkaline, compacted, and impoverished soils. It's also one of those drought-resistant plants that will thrive without much water. 

In its tree form, sand live oak typically maxes out at 30 feet or less and extends half as wide. But it's also available as a shrub, so confirm its mature form with the nursery before purchasing. While growing sand live oak trees from seed is an option, buying young specimens can give you a head start, as sand live oaks have a slow growth rate. Their extreme drought tolerance and low maintenance needs makes sand live oaks highly novice-friendly. Plant these evergreen trees on slopes to curtail erosion, or in exposed sites as windbreaks, as they're highly storm-resistant.

Largely spread around the Southern coastal areas, Zone 8 rocks moderate winters. Usually, minimum wintertime temperatures stay in the 10 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit zone. And the growth season remains hot for longer. Given that, not growing cabbage palm (Sabal palmetto) trees feels like a missed opportunity, especially if you live in the southeast U.S. Besides their tropical touch, the fan-shaped evergreen fronds give gardens a sensory charm when they swoosh with the wind, parry with raindrops, or host cedar waxwings for fall lunches.

What's more growing cabbage palms is not rocket science. Neither high alkalinity nor acidity bother their roots. You could over-irrigate and they would survive the bouts of standing water. Conversely, you could underwater — or not at all during droughts — and they'll stand firm. Cabbage palms weather storms, salt sprays, and urban pollution with elegant grace. Even pests sidestep their foliage, though some persistent insects can cause skin-deep damage. To enjoy their easy growth, site cabbage palms in full sun and feed slow-release fertilizer annually. When growing optimally, cabbage palms can survive the occasional frosts and sub-zero temperatures, extending their range to Zone 7b. Pruning isn't necessary unless you're getting rid of browning foliage and leaf bases on the trunk — though retaining them provides wildlife cover. Watch for lethal bronzing disease in Florida (previously called Texas Phoenix palm decline).

Zone 9 is conducive to growing tropical fruit trees, like avocado (Persea americana), since they're sensitive to frost. Moreover, tropical fruit trees don't tolerate dips below 20 degrees Fahrenheit, which aligns perfectly with Zone 9 climates. Here, tropical fruit trees can enjoy slightly humid, warm summers (between 60 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit), which is essential for optimal growth and prevents sunscald. Even honeybees that aid cross-pollination are better supported in such conditions.

Avocado trees are one of those plants that either thrive without much effort on the gardener's part, or drag their feet — looking lackluster no matter what you do. Planting them in their preferred zone can turn these trees from tricky drama queens into lush specimens that don't require a ton of care. These beautiful bearers can withstand 100-degree temperatures for a short duration if pushed and therefore can thrive into Zone 11, so don't fret if your yard gets Hawaii-level temperatures at times.

Although avocado trees can be grown directly from their pits, they may take up to 13 years to start bearing fruit, and you might wind up with a different variety from the parent. Planting nursery-bought trees will ensure you get a variety that bears well (such as Hass) — and soon, often within three or four years. For best yields, position your avocado in a sunny site that's sheltered from winds and frosts which can interfere with pollination and cause limb breakage and die-back. Ensure the soil is slightly acidic and rich with organic matter (but not salts). Since avocado trees can grow 35 feet tall — albeit over 30 years — prune them diligently for easy harvesting. Avocado trees should be grown in a grass-free area to prevent mechanical damage, competition, and fertilizer drift. Also, don't use weed-and-feed products on your lawn close to an avocado (or any other) fruit tree as this could both harm and overfertilize the tree. Here are some of the best ways to fertilize an avocado tree and some to avoid. 

You can tell an area is hot when its winter season has temperatures dropping to 30 degrees Fahrenheit at most. Freezes and frosts are a rarity in Zone 10, although storms may be more commonplace (think Hawaii, south Florida, and Texas). Gumbo limbo (Bursera simaruba) loves these conditions and is a resilient, beginner-friendly species that will pretty much grow itself. If you're looking for fast-growing trees to plant to create shade in a hot, sunny backyard, gumbo limbo is a superb choice in this zone. 

As their bark peels, resembling sun-kissed tourists, gumbo limbo trees also go by the name of tourist trees. They are easy to grow, acclimating to most soil textures and conditions, including rocky, loam, clay, infertile, and alkaline. However, they want good drainage, as they abhor wet feet. The best part, though? Once established, gumbo limbo trees can survive drought stress, though they'll display their disdain by shedding leaves. Despite quick growth, gumbo limbo trees are sturdy and weather most tropical storms. That's why many homeowners break off small branches and push them into the ground to weave a windbreak or privacy hedge. Pests aren't a big problem, but since they host purplewing butterflies, expect some cosmetic foliage damage. To attract fruit-eating birds like vireos, kingbirds, and flycatchers, plant another specimen for cross-fertilization. Otherwise, enjoy the nesting birds. Be prepared to occasionally shear lower limbs to raise the canopy.

Because the areas (mostly Hawaii and Florida) making up Zone 11 closely mimic tropical conditions, they're often too hot for most traditional trees. After all, even their winter temperatures hover in the range of 40 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit. For this reason, gardeners are often limited to palm or thorny trees (like tough bully). But if you don't wish to deal with spines or simply desire a bushier look, consider southern redcedar (Juniperus virginiana var. silicicola). Since they're wind- and salt-resistant, they'll thrive in coastal areas, too, establishing themselves as useful barriers and windbreaks.

Despite their alternative name of sand cedar, southern redcedar trees accommodate most soil conditions (including clay), making them easy to grow and maintain. They're also quite ornamental, whether in bloom or not, thanks to their peeling orange bark. While southern redcedar trees offer nesting sites and cover, you can ramp up the bird attraction by adding a male pollinator for blue fruit production — don't worry about litter, as the fruits are small. However, avoid planting southern redcedar if you're allergic to pollen. Although cedar trees are reputed to repulse insects with their aroma, they often fall prey to scale, spider mites, bagworms, and fungal spores. To minimize pest issues, grow them in full sun and allow for adequate air circulation.

Take advantage of Zone 12's year-round intense heat by growing giant yucca (Yucca gigantea). It prospers when the mercury settles between 70 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit, but is hardy to Zone 10. If grown in Zone 12, giant yucca is one of the most hands-off trees you can try, handling varying soil pH levels, as well as drought and irregular watering.

One caveat: Like other succulents, giant yucca enjoys sandy soils and requires exceptional drainage, as its roots rot easily. Since it doesn't have spines, giant yucca can be used around patios, decks, and walkways. Its elephant hoof-like trunk are an attractive element — and to top things off, the tree is resistant to deer. Remove root suckers, and watch out for moth borers and mealy bugs. Site in full-to-part sun to encourage flowering — which can attract hummingbirds.