15 Best Trees for Pennsylvania’s Zones 5–7: Native, Ornamental, and Shade Picks for Every Garden Size
Plant the right tree in your Pennsylvania zone: 15 native and ornamental picks, mapped from 5a to 7a, with wildlife value and garden-size guidance.
Pennsylvania gardeners lose more money buying the wrong tree than almost any other single planting mistake. A crape myrtle that thrives in a Philadelphia suburb will die to the ground every winter in a Bradford County yard. A sugar maple planted in a compacted South Philly front garden will struggle for five years before giving up. Zone 5a and zone 7a are not the same state—they are separated by nearly 25 degrees Fahrenheit in winter lows and completely different soil and climate profiles.
The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map update shifted large parts of Pennsylvania half a zone warmer compared to the 2012 map, which means trees that were borderline zone 6 are now viable in many areas. But knowing your sub-band—whether you are in 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, or 7a—determines which specific trees on this list will thrive without winter protection, and which need an extra year of establishment before they can take a hard freeze without damage.
All 15 trees below are sourced against Penn State Extension guidance and USDA hardiness data. Each entry tells you the specific zone sub-bands where the tree performs reliably, how big it actually grows in Pennsylvania conditions, and what the tree does for your garden beyond shade: fall color, wildlife value, winter interest, and the site problems it can solve.
Understanding Pennsylvania’s Five Growing Zones
Pennsylvania spans five USDA hardiness zone sub-bands, running from the coldest northern highlands to the warmest southeastern corner. Zone 5a covers Bradford, Potter, and Tioga counties plus the highest Pocono ridges, where winter lows reach −20°F to −15°F. Zone 5b takes in the western highlands (Indiana, Clearfield, Cameron, Elk counties) and the Scranton–Wilkes-Barre corridor, with lows of −15°F to −10°F. Zone 6a is the most common zone statewide, covering Pittsburgh metro, Harrisburg, Lancaster, and the Lehigh Valley at −10°F to −5°F. Zone 6b picks up Philadelphia’s outer suburbs, Reading, Allentown, and York, at −5°F to 0°F. Zone 7a covers Philadelphia proper and its immediate southeastern suburbs, where winter lows only reach 0°F to 5°F. Erie sits in zones 6a–6b and benefits from Lake Erie’s moderating effect, which softens the coldest winter nights but brings heavy lake-effect snow loads that can snap branches on poorly structured trees.
Soil matters as much as temperature. Pennsylvania soils are sandier in the east (Delaware Valley, Chester County) and heavier clay in much of the west (Allegheny County, Butler County). That distinction determines whether sugar maple or river birch is the better shade tree choice for your specific yard.
All 15 Trees at a Glance
| # | Tree | Type | Zone | Height | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Red Maple | Native shade | 3–9 | 40–60 ft | All PA zones, wet or dry sites |
| 2 | Sugar Maple | Native shade | 4–8 | 60–75 ft | Zones 5–6b, rural and suburban |
| 3 | Northern Red Oak | Native shade | 4–8 | 60–75 ft | All zones, fast-establishing oak |
| 4 | White Oak | Native shade | 3–9 | 50–80 ft | Large gardens, wildlife champion |
| 5 | River Birch | Native shade | 4–9 | 40–70 ft | Wet or clay sites, all zones |
| 6 | American Beech | Native shade | 4–9 | 60–80 ft | Woodland gardens, zones 5–7 |
| 7 | Eastern Redbud | Native flowering | 4–9 | 20–30 ft | Small gardens, zones 5b–7a |
| 8 | Flowering Dogwood | Native flowering | 5–9 | 15–25 ft | Part-shade gardens, zones 6–7a |
| 9 | Serviceberry | Native multi-season | 4–9 | 15–25 ft | All zones, edible + wildlife |
| 10 | Fringe Tree | Native flowering | 4–9 | 12–20 ft | Small gardens, all zones |
| 11 | Sweetbay Magnolia | Native flowering | 5–10 | 10–20 ft | Zones 5b–7a, wet sites |
| 12 | Black Cherry | Native wildlife | 2–8 | 60–80 ft | Large gardens, all zones |
| 13 | Hawthorn | Native wildlife | 4–8 | 20–25 ft | Wildlife gardens, all zones |
| 14 | Eastern White Pine | Native evergreen | 3–9 | 50–80 ft | Privacy screens, all zones |
| 15 | American Holly | Native evergreen | 5–9 | 15–30 ft | Winter interest, zones 6–7a |
Best Native Shade Trees for Pennsylvania
1. Red Maple (Acer rubrum) — Zones 3–9
Red maple is the most versatile shade tree in Pennsylvania because it performs reliably in every zone sub-band from 5a to 7a and tolerates soils that would kill most other large trees—from seasonally flooded bottomlands to dry, well-drained slopes. It grows 40 to 60 feet tall and 30 to 50 feet wide over an 80-to-100-year lifespan. The red in the name covers every season: the buds flush red in late winter, before any other native tree wakes up, providing early nectar when pollinators have almost nothing else available. Fall color can range from a clear yellow to a deep, saturated red—but here is the mechanism competitors don’t explain. Red maple fall color is pH-sensitive: trees growing in acidic soils (pH 5.5 to 6.5, common across much of Pennsylvania) produce the most saturated reds and oranges. Trees in alkaline urban soils often turn a duller yellow-orange. If the tree in a neighbor’s yard blazes red every October and yours stays muted, check your soil pH before blaming the tree. From a wildlife perspective, Penn State Extension ranks red maple as a host plant for more than 250 moth and butterfly caterpillar species—including the cecropia moth, North America’s largest native moth. Young trees need deer protection: use a 4-foot wire mesh cylinder for at least the first three growing seasons, as Pennsylvania’s deer population will browse young red maple leaders to stubs.
2. Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum) — Zones 4–8
Sugar maple produces some of the most spectacular fall color available in the northeastern United States—brilliant yellow to burnt-orange with occasional deep reds—and it is the tree Pennsylvania’s forests are famous for in October. At 60 to 75 feet tall with a 40-to-50-foot spread, it is a genuinely large tree that needs space. Plant it in zone 5 through 6b and it will reward you for generations. The important caveat for Pennsylvania gardeners is site selection: sugar maple is sensitive to salt, compaction, and air pollution in ways that red maple is not. Do not plant it within 30 feet of a road that receives salt treatment in winter, or in a front yard where heavy foot traffic will compact the root zone over time. Both conditions disrupt the soil structure the shallow lateral roots need to absorb water and nutrients. A sugar maple in a rural or suburban backyard with good drainage and no salt exposure is a lifetime investment; the same tree in an urban front strip is a 15-year struggle. One care note from the Morton Arboretum: never prune sugar maples in spring—they bleed heavily from pruning wounds when sap is flowing, which invites disease. Prune in late summer or early fall instead.
3. Northern Red Oak (Quercus rubra) — Zones 4–8
Northern red oak is the right choice when you want the wildlife and ecological benefits of an oak but cannot wait 50 years for a white oak to fill in. It grows one to one-and-a-half feet per year—fast for an oak—and reaches 60 to 75 feet with a similarly wide crown. The fall color is deep red to red-brown, more consistent than red maple and lasting longer into November. Pennsylvania’s native oaks, as a group, are among the most ecologically valuable trees on any continent: they support more than 500 caterpillar species, which are the primary food source for nestling songbirds. Northern red oak grows in all five PA zone sub-bands and tolerates a wide range of soil types, including the heavier clay soils of western Pennsylvania. It does not tolerate standing water, so avoid low spots where rain pools. Once established (typically two years after planting), northern red oak is genuinely drought-tolerant and requires no supplemental watering. Do not plant near structures—the spreading crown and acorn drop need clear space above and around the tree.
4. White Oak (Quercus alba) — Zones 3–9
White oak is the ecological heavyweight on this list. A mature white oak hosts more than 500 caterpillar species, producing acorns that support deer, turkeys, blue jays, woodpeckers, squirrels, and black bears across Pennsylvania’s landscapes. It grows more slowly than northern red oak—typically half a foot to one foot per year—but it eventually reaches 50 to 80 feet with an equally wide, rounded crown that creates deep summer shade. White oak is a tree you plant for your grandchildren, and that framing matters: choose its location with the mature crown in mind, not the two-foot sapling you are putting in the ground. The wood is extraordinarily strong, and white oak acorns are sweeter and less tannic than red oak acorns, which is why wildlife prefers them. White oak grows reliably in all Pennsylvania zone sub-bands. It is more tolerant of wet soils than northern red oak, though both prefer well-drained conditions. Give it full sun and at least 40 feet of clearance in every direction at maturity.
5. River Birch (Betula nigra) — Zones 4–9
River birch solves a specific Pennsylvania garden problem: what do you plant in a low, wet area that floods for a week every spring? Almost no large shade tree tolerates that, but river birch not only tolerates it—it prefers it. This native birch grows 40 to 70 feet tall and thrives in the clay-heavy soils of western Pennsylvania and the wetter areas of the Susquehanna and Delaware drainages. Unlike the white and paper birches sold at many nurseries, river birch is resistant to bronze birch borer, a common pest that kills non-native birches planted outside their range. The ornamental feature that sets it apart year-round is the exfoliating bark: cinnamon-brown to cream-white sheets that peel away in papery layers, making it one of the most interesting trees to look at in January when every other deciduous tree is bare. River birch also naturally takes a multi-stem form, which means a clump of two or three stems creates a grove effect in smaller spaces. In zone 5a, give it a sheltered position out of the worst northwest winter winds to protect the bark in its first two winters.
6. American Beech (Fagus grandifolia) — Zones 4–9
American beech is the only large shade tree on this list that provides significant ornamental value specifically in late fall and winter. Unlike oaks and maples, American beech holds its copper-tan leaves through most of winter on younger branches—a phenomenon called marcescence—which gives the tree a warm, rustling presence in the garden when everything else is bare. Penn State Extension classifies it as an “excellent food source for many birds and mammals” thanks to the small, triangular beechnuts that ripen in fall and attract bears, turkeys, grouse, wood ducks, and over a dozen songbird species. Beech grows 60 to 80 feet tall with smooth, silver-gray bark that looks architectural against any background. The important constraint: beech needs undisturbed, well-drained, slightly acidic soil. It does not tolerate compaction and will decline if heavy equipment ever works near its root zone. This is a woodland-edge tree, not a front-yard tree near a driveway. American beech leaf disease, spread by an exotic nematode-fungus complex, has been expanding in Pennsylvania since the early 2000s—select nursery stock that is certified disease-free or sourced from resistant populations when available.
Native Flowering and Ornamental Trees
7. Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis) — Zones 4–9
Eastern redbud blooms in March, before most trees even show buds, covering its bare branches with magenta-pink flowers that are among the most vivid spring colors in any Pennsylvania garden. That early bloom is also ecologically critical: Penn State Extension notes redbud is a larval host plant for 12 butterfly species, and its nectar reaches bumblebee queens just as they emerge from hibernation and are most vulnerable to food shortages. Redbud grows 20 to 30 feet tall and equally wide in a vase shape that opens up over time—well suited to smaller suburban lots. It is native to Pennsylvania’s southern and central counties and performs reliably in zones 5b through 7a. In zone 5a, plant it in a south-facing sheltered position, as late-spring cold snaps can damage open flowers. One structural note that competitors consistently miss: redbud develops a deep taproot and does not tolerate root disturbance—transplanting a five-gallon container-grown redbud is fine, but moving an established tree almost always fails. Plant it in its permanent location the first time. The fall foliage turns a clear yellow, and the seed pods hang through winter, adding texture to the bare canopy.
8. Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida) — Zones 5a–9
Flowering dogwood provides genuine four-season value: white or pink “flowers” (technically bracts) in April through early May, green summer foliage, brilliant scarlet fall color, and clusters of red berries that birds eat through winter. At 15 to 25 feet tall, it functions as a true understory tree and thrives in the partial shade of a larger oak or maple—a combination that mimics its native Pennsylvania woodland habitat. Penn State Extension confirms dogwood supports specialized native bees and is a host plant for the spring azure butterfly. The red berries persist on the tree through December and are a critical food source for migratory birds passing through Pennsylvania in fall. Dogwood performs most reliably in zones 6 through 7a; in zones 5a and 5b it grows but may suffer dieback in the harshest winters. Plant in part shade—full sun in zone 5-6 works if the soil stays consistently moist, but full sun in zone 7a often leads to leaf scorch and powdery mildew. Dogwood anthracnose is a real threat in Pennsylvania; space trees with adequate airflow and avoid planting in sites with poor drainage, where the disease pressure is highest.
9. Serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea) — Zones 4–9
Serviceberry earns its place on this list by doing more things well than any other small tree in Pennsylvania. It is typically the first tree to flower in spring, ahead of even the redbud, with white blooms appearing in mid-March to early April when the landscape is still largely bare. By June, it produces edible dark-purple to black berries that taste like a cross between a blueberry and an almond—the same berries that make serviceberry a bird magnet, as a single tree can attract 35 or more species during June migration. Penn State Extension ranks it as a larval host for more than 120 moth and butterfly species. Serviceberry grows 15 to 25 feet tall in a multi-stem or single-trunk form, tolerates full sun to full shade (best fruit production in full sun), and adapts to a wide range of soil conditions. In fall, the leaves turn orange to red. The smooth gray bark adds winter interest. This is the highest-value small tree for Pennsylvania wildlife gardens and it belongs on every lot large enough to hold it. Plant it where you can see it from a window—the June bird activity alone is worth the placement decision.
10. Fringe Tree (Chionanthus virginicus) — Zones 4–9
Fringe tree blooms in June, two months after redbud and six weeks after serviceberry, which means it fills the early-summer flowering gap in Pennsylvania gardens when almost nothing else is in bloom. The flowers are white, feathery, and fragrant—each cluster looks like a cloud of shredded white ribbon hanging from the branches. Male trees produce showier flower clusters; female trees produce less spectacular flowers but follow them with clusters of blue-black berries in late summer that birds, particularly cedar waxwings, eat aggressively. For maximum visual impact, plant a male; for wildlife value, plant both or a female. Fringe tree grows 12 to 20 feet tall and wide, making it a good fit for smaller yards. It is remarkably tolerant of urban conditions—pollution, clay soils, and occasional flooding do not faze it the way they do flowering dogwood. It is native to the eastern United States and grows reliably in all Pennsylvania zone sub-bands. Fringe tree also develops very late—it leafs out later than almost any other deciduous tree in spring, so do not assume a newly planted tree has died when your neighbor’s trees are already full-leafed in early May.
11. Sweetbay Magnolia (Magnolia virginiana) — Zones 5–10
Sweetbay magnolia is the most practical magnolia for Pennsylvania—smaller than southern magnolia, semi-evergreen in zones 6 and 7a, and tolerant of wet soils where most other magnolias would struggle. It grows 10 to 20 feet tall (occasionally taller in zone 7a) with creamy white, lemon-scented flowers that open in May and June and continue sporadically through summer. In zones 6b and 7a, it holds a portion of its leaves through winter, which adds useful year-round structure in smaller gardens. In zone 5b and 6a, it is fully deciduous. The red seed pods that split open in fall to reveal bright red berries are eaten by birds. Unlike eastern or star magnolia, sweetbay is adapted to moist, even periodically saturated soils—plant it near a rain garden, a low area, or beside a pond where other trees fail. In zone 5a, sweetbay is borderline and needs a sheltered, south-facing microclimate to avoid severe winter dieback.
12. Black Cherry (Prunus serotina) — Zones 2–8
Black cherry is one of Pennsylvania’s most common native trees—and one of the most ecologically valuable. Penn State Extension identifies it as a larval host for the coral hairstreak, eastern tiger swallowtail, spring azure, and viceroy butterflies. The small dark fruit in late summer attracts over 40 bird species. In late April to May, the tree produces long, drooping clusters of white flowers that are among the most fragrant of any PA native. Black cherry grows 60 to 80 feet tall, which means it is a large tree that needs space—do not plant it within 50 feet of structures. It is genuinely a tree for woodland edges, back boundaries, or large rural lots. In every Pennsylvania zone from 5a to 7a, black cherry establishes readily and grows without special care. One caution: the leaves, bark, and seeds contain cyanogenic compounds that can be toxic to livestock if wilted branches fall into pastures—not a concern for most suburban Pennsylvania gardeners, but relevant if you have a farm setting.
13. Hawthorn (Crataegus spp.) — Zones 4–8
Hawthorn is the best tree on this list for pure wildlife habitat density. Penn State Extension describes it as providing “good nest sites for birds” with fruit that specifically feeds cedar waxwings and fox sparrows. The dense, thorny structure is so effective at protecting nesting birds from predators that it is used in habitat restoration projects across Pennsylvania. Hawthorn grows 20 to 25 feet tall and wide, flowers white in spring, holds red to orange berries (haws) through winter, and tolerates poor soils, clay, and partial shade better than almost any other flowering tree on this list. Washington hawthorn (Crataegus phaenopyrum) and cockspur hawthorn (Crataegus crus-galli) are the most commonly available Pennsylvania-appropriate species. The thorns that make hawthorn excellent for birds also make it a poor choice for a location near where children or pets play frequently. Plant it at the back of a property, along a fence line, or in a wildlife corner of the garden where its defensive qualities become assets.
Evergreen Trees for Pennsylvania
14. Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus) — Zones 3–9
Eastern white pine is Pennsylvania’s fastest-growing native tree—it reliably adds 2 or more feet per year under good conditions—which makes it the most practical choice for gardeners who need a privacy screen or windbreak quickly. At full maturity it can reach 50 to 80 feet with soft, blue-green needles that move in the slightest breeze. Penn State Extension credits it with providing winter shelter, food, and nesting locations for birds across the state. Eastern white pine is also the recommended ecological replacement for eastern hemlock, Pennsylvania’s state tree, which has been under severe pressure from hemlock woolly adelgid since the pest reached southeastern Pennsylvania in the 1960s. By the end of 2023, the adelgid was confirmed in all 67 Pennsylvania counties, meaning homeowners who plant eastern hemlock for privacy or landscaping today are investing in a tree that will likely require costly systemic insecticide treatments every five to seven years to survive. Eastern white pine is not affected by woolly adelgid and provides similar ecological functions—shade, winter shelter, screening—without the ongoing treatment burden. Plant in full sun and well-drained soil; eastern white pine does not tolerate compacted or waterlogged sites.
15. American Holly (Ilex opaca) — Zones 5–9
American holly gives Pennsylvania gardens what no other native tree provides: glossy evergreen foliage, bright red berries that persist through the entire winter, and bird habitat that functions year-round. Penn State Extension notes it provides “shelter, nesting, and winter fruit for birds”—the red berries are particularly important in February and March when most other food sources are depleted. American holly grows 15 to 30 feet tall with a dense pyramidal form that provides screening privacy similar to a large evergreen shrub. The important planting detail that trips up many gardeners: you need at least one male plant within 40 to 50 feet of each female plant for berries to form. Female plants carry the berries; male plants provide the pollen. Most nurseries sell named female cultivars (look for ‘Merry Christmas’, ‘Maryland Dwarf’, or ‘Jersey Princess’) and sell male pollinators separately under names like ‘Jersey Knight’ or ‘Dan Fenton.’ American holly performs best in zones 6 through 7a in Pennsylvania; in zones 5a and 5b it will survive in a sheltered location but may experience leaf burn in exposed winter positions. Plant in deep, moist, acidic, well-drained soil—American holly will not thrive in clay that stays wet in winter.
Zone-by-Zone Quick Picks
| Zone | Region | Top Picks | Caution |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5a | N. highlands, Pocono ridges, Bradford/Tioga counties | White Oak, River Birch, Eastern White Pine, Serviceberry | Avoid American Holly and Sweetbay Magnolia without sheltered microclimates |
| 5b | W. PA highlands, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Scranton metro | Red Maple, Sugar Maple, Northern Red Oak, Serviceberry, Eastern Redbud | Redbud needs south-facing exposure; Sugar Maple avoid compacted or salty sites |
| 6a | Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, Lancaster, Lehigh Valley | All 15 viable; add Flowering Dogwood in sheltered spots | Sugar Maple: avoid urban front yards with salt and compaction |
| 6b | Philadelphia suburbs, Reading, Allentown, York | All 15 reliable; Sweetbay Magnolia semi-evergreen here | American Holly needs male pollinator within 50 ft for berries |
| 7a | Philadelphia and immediate SE suburbs | Sweetbay Magnolia, Fringe Tree, Flowering Dogwood, American Holly | Sugar Maple struggles in urban heat and pollution in this zone |
Planting in Pennsylvania: Three Factors That Determine Success
Timing: Penn State Extension recommends planting between early March and early May—after the ground thaws but before bud break—or in October before hard frost. Trees planted after mid-May go into the ground just as summer heat ramps up and before their roots have had time to establish, sharply increasing the risk of drought stress in their first summer.
Know your soil: Pennsylvania’s soils vary more than most gardeners realize. Sandy, well-drained soils in Chester and Delaware counties in the east favor sugar maple, American beech, and eastern white pine. The heavier clay soils in Allegheny, Butler, and Washington counties in the west favor river birch, hawthorn, and red maple. A simple soil drainage test—dig a 12-inch hole, fill it with water, and see how long it takes to drain—tells you more than a zone map about which trees will establish well in your specific yard.
Deer pressure: Pennsylvania consistently ranks in the top five states for white-tailed deer density, and deer browse is the single most common cause of new tree failure in residential landscapes. Protect every tree on this list with a 4-foot wire mesh cylinder around the trunk and lower branches for at least the first three years after planting. Redbud and flowering dogwood are particularly attractive to deer in winter. Remove the cage only when the tree trunk diameter exceeds 3 inches—a size deer are less likely to debark completely.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fastest-growing shade tree for Pennsylvania?
Eastern white pine grows faster than any tree on this list at 2 or more feet per year, but it is an evergreen conifer, not a traditional shade tree. Among deciduous shade trees, river birch and northern red oak are the fastest to establish, both adding 1 to 1.5 feet per year in good conditions. Red maple is also quick at 1 to 2 feet per year and provides shade in 8 to 10 years from a nursery-size planting.
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→ View My Garden CalendarWhich trees grow well in wet or poorly drained areas of my Pennsylvania yard?
River birch is the best large-tree choice for consistently wet or periodically flooded sites—it is native to Pennsylvania river corridors and thrives where spring flooding is normal. Sweetbay magnolia handles wet soils well and adds flowering interest. Red maple tolerates wet conditions much better than sugar maple and is a reliable secondary option. Avoid white oak, sugar maple, and American beech in wet spots.
Which Pennsylvania trees have the best fall color?
Sugar maple produces the most spectacular fall color when planted in well-drained acidic soil—brilliant orange and yellow are typical, with occasional deep red. Red maple in acidic soil runs from yellow-orange to saturated scarlet. Northern red oak turns a consistent deep red that holds into November. Serviceberry and flowering dogwood produce vivid orange-red fall foliage on smaller frames. American beech contributes copper-tan that persists through winter when most other trees are bare.
Is it still worth planting eastern hemlock in Pennsylvania?
Eastern hemlock is Pennsylvania’s state tree and one of the most beautiful native conifers in the eastern United States, but the honest answer for homeowners is no—not for new planting. The hemlock woolly adelgid reached all 67 Pennsylvania counties by the end of 2023 and will infest almost any new hemlock planting within a few years. Managing an infested tree requires systemic insecticide treatment every five to seven years indefinitely. Eastern white pine provides similar screening, wildlife habitat, and ecological function without the pest pressure, and Penn State Extension identifies it as the recommended ecologically equivalent replacement.
Sources
[1] Penn State Extension, “Early Spring Blooming Native Trees, A Delight to Us and to Pollinators” — extension.psu.edu
[2] Penn State Extension, “Landscaping for Wildlife: Trees, Shrubs, and Vines” — extension.psu.edu
[3] Penn State Extension, “Evergreen Shrubs and Trees for Pennsylvania” — extension.psu.edu
[4] PA DCNR, “Hemlock Woolly Adelgid” — pa.gov/agencies/dcnr
[5] Penn State Extension, “Native Plants of PA: Red Maple (Acer rubrum)” — extension.psu.edu
[6] The Morton Arboretum, “Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum)” — mortonarb.org
[7] USDA Agricultural Research Service, “2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map — Map Downloads” — planthardiness.ars.usda.gov
