PlantLegit

Shade trees by hardiness zone, with invasive trees flagged

Sources (127)

All sources (works cited) →

125 trees that reach 30 ft or more at maturity (NC State Extension sizes where verified). 14 are on at least one official invasive list (for example Norway maple, Callery pear, tree of heaven): flagged in red with a link to the law. Filter by zone and state.

We do not rate growth speed or messiness: those vary by site and we have no consistent official source. Ask your county Extension office or state forestry agency for local tree lists.

TreeMature heightHardinessDeer (Rutgers)Source
American basswood
Tilia americana native in 38 states (USDA)		60 ft - 80 ftzones 3–8CNC State Ext.
American beech
Fagus grandifolia native in 34 states (USDA)		60 ft - 80 ftzones 3–9—NC State Ext.
American chestnut
Castanea dentata native in 30 states (USDA)		50 ft - 75 ftzones 5–8—NC State Ext.
American elm
Ulmus americana native in 41 states (USDA)		60 ft - 80 ftzones 3–9—NC State Ext.
American holly
Ilex opaca native in 27 states (USDA)		40 ft - 60 ftzones 5–9ANC State Ext.
American hornbeam
Carpinus caroliniana native in 34 states (USDA)		20 ft - 30 ftzones 3–9—NC State Ext.
American persimmon
Diospyros virginiana native in 31 states (USDA)		30 ft - 80 ftzones 4–9—NC State Ext.
American smoketree
Cotinus obovatus native in 8 states (USDA)		20 ft - 30 ftzones 3–8—NC State Ext.
American sycamore
Platanus occidentalis native in 36 states (USDA)		75 ft - 100 ftzones 4–9—NC State Ext.
American yellowwood
Cladrastis kentukea native in 21 states (USDA)		30 ft - 45 ftzones 4–8—NC State Ext.
Apple
Malus domestica not native to US (USDA)		15 ft - 30 ftzones 4–9C*NC State Ext.
Arborvitae
Thuja occidentalis native in 23 states (USDA)		40 ft - 60 ftzones 3–7DNC State Ext.
Atlantic white cedar
Chamaecyparis thyoides native in 17 states (USDA)		60 ft - 80 ftzones 3–9CNC State Ext.
Bald cypress
Taxodium distichum native in 23 states (USDA)		50 ft - 70 ftzones 4–9CNC State Ext.
Black cherry
Prunus serotina native in 40 states (USDA)		60 ft - 80 ftzones 2–8D*NC State Ext.
Black gum
Nyssa sylvatica native in 33 states (USDA)		40 ft - 70 ftzones 4–9—NC State Ext.
Black locust
Robinia pseudoacacia ⚠ invasive: on legal lists in 6 states, advisory lists in 1 native in 49 states (USDA)		50 ft - 50 ftzones 3–8—NC State Ext.
Black oak
Quercus velutina native in 36 states (USDA)		50 ft - 100 ftzones 3–9—NC State Ext.
Black walnut
Juglans nigra native in 40 states (USDA)		50 ft - 75 ftzones 4–9—NC State Ext.
Black willow
Salix nigra native in 37 states (USDA)		70 ft - 80 ftzones 4–9C*NC State Ext.
Box elder
Acer negundo native in 49 states (USDA)		30 ft - 50 ftzones 3–9—NC State Ext.
Bur oak
Quercus macrocarpa native in 37 states (USDA)		70 ft - 80 ftzones 3–8—NC State Ext.
Callery pear
Pyrus calleryana ⚠ invasive: on legal lists in 15 states not native to US (USDA)		30 ft - 50 ftzones 5–9CNC State Ext.
Carolina hemlock
Tsuga caroliniana native in 6 states (USDA)		30 ft - 70 ftzones 6–7CNC State Ext.
Carolina silverbell
Halesia tetraptera native in 21 states (USDA)		10 ft - 40 ftzones 4–8—NC State Ext.
Cherry plum
Prunus cerasifera not native to US (USDA)		15 ft - 30 ftzones 5–8D*NC State Ext.
Cherrybark oak
Quercus pagoda native in 18 states (USDA)		90 ft - 130 ftzones 6–9—NC State Ext.
Chestnut oak
Quercus montana native in 26 states (USDA)		50 ft - 75 ftzones 4–8—NC State Ext.
Chinaberry
Melia azedarach ⚠ invasive: on legal lists in 1 state, advisory lists in 1 not native to US (USDA)		30 ft - 40 ftzones 7–10—NC State Ext.
Chinese chestnut
Castanea mollissima not native to US (USDA)		40 ft - 60 ftzones 4–8—NC State Ext.
Chinese tallow tree
Triadica sebifera ⚠ invasive: on legal lists in 4 states not native to US (USDA)		30 ft - 40 ftzones 8–10—NC State Ext.
Colorado blue spruce
Picea pungens native in 11 states (USDA)		30 ft - 60 ftzones 2–7BNC State Ext.
Common hackberry
Celtis occidentalis native in 41 states (USDA)		40 ft - 100 ftzones 3–9—NC State Ext.
Common pear
Pyrus communis not native to US (USDA)		40 ft - 50 ftzones 4–8CNC State Ext.
Crape myrtle
Lagerstroemia indica not native to US (USDA)		6 ft - 30 ftzones 6–9BNC State Ext.
Cucumber tree
Magnolia acuminata native in 23 states (USDA)		50 ft - 80 ftzones 4–8—NC State Ext.
Dawn redwood
Metasequoia glyptostroboides not native to US (USDA)		62 ft - 100 ftzones 4–8BNC State Ext.
Deodar cedar
Cedrus deodara not native to US (USDA)		30 ft - 50 ftzones 7–9—NC State Ext.
Eastern cottonwood
Populus deltoides native in 44 states (USDA)		75 ft - 100 ftzones 3–9—NC State Ext.
Eastern hemlock
Tsuga canadensis native in 26 states (USDA)		40 ft - 70 ftzones 3–7CNC State Ext.
Eastern hophornbeam
Ostrya virginiana native in 39 states (USDA)		20 ft - 40 ftzones 3–9—NC State Ext.
Eastern red cedar
Juniperus virginiana native in 40 states (USDA)		30 ft - 40 ftzones 2–9BNC State Ext.
Eastern redbud
Cercis canadensis native in 32 states (USDA)		20 ft - 30 ftzones 4–9CNC State Ext.
Eastern white pine
Pinus strobus native in 29 states (USDA)		50 ft - 80 ftzones 3–8BNC State Ext.
English holly
Ilex aquifolium ⚠ invasive: advisory lists in 1 not native to US (USDA)		30 ft - 50 ftzones 7–8BNC State Ext.
European beech
Fagus sylvatica not native to US (USDA)		50 ft - 60 ftzones 4–7BNC State Ext.
European hornbeam
Carpinus betulus not native to US (USDA)		40 ft - 60 ftzones 4–8—NC State Ext.
Ginkgo
Ginkgo biloba not native to US (USDA)		50 ft - 80 ftzones 3–9—NC State Ext.
Goldenrain tree
Koelreuteria paniculata not native to US (USDA)		30 ft - 40 ftzones 5–8BNC State Ext.
Green Giant arborvitae
Thuja 'Green Giant'		40 ft - 60 ftzones 5–8—NC State Ext.
Green ash
Fraxinus pennsylvanica native in 43 states (USDA)		50 ft - 70 ftzones 3–9—NC State Ext.
Hedge maple
Acer campestre not native to US (USDA)		25 ft - 35 ftzones 5–8—NC State Ext.
Hinoki cypress
Chamaecyparis obtusa not native to US (USDA)		50 ft - 75 ftzones 4–8CNC State Ext.
Honey locust
Gleditsia triacanthos native in 47 states (USDA)		60 ft - 80 ftzones 3–8BNC State Ext.
Japanese black pine
Pinus thunbergii ⚠ invasive: on legal lists in 1 state not native to US (USDA)		20 ft - 60 ftzones 5–8—NC State Ext.
Japanese cedar
Cryptomeria japonica not native to US (USDA)		50 ft - 70 ftzones 5–9BNC State Ext.
Japanese persimmon
Diospyros kaki not native to US (USDA)		20 ft - 30 ftzones 7–10—NC State Ext.
Japanese snowbell
Styrax japonicus not native to US (USDA)		20 ft - 30 ftzones 5–9—NC State Ext.
Japanese zelkova
Zelkova serrata not native to US (USDA)		50 ft - 80 ftzones 5–8—NC State Ext.
Kentucky coffeetree
Gymnocladus dioicus native in 32 states (USDA)		60 ft - 80 ftzones 3–8—NC State Ext.
Kousa dogwood
Cornus kousa not native to US (USDA)		20 ft - 30 ftzones 5–8BNC State Ext.
Lacebark elm
Ulmus parvifolia not native to US (USDA)		40 ft - 50 ftzones 5–10—NC State Ext.
Littleleaf linden
Tilia cordata not native to US (USDA)		50 ft - 60 ftzones 3–7—NC State Ext.
Loblolly pine
Pinus taeda native in 20 states (USDA)		60 ft - 90 ftzones 6–9—NC State Ext.
London planetree
Platanus × acerifolia		70 ft - 100 ftzones 4–9—NC State Ext.
Longleaf pine
Pinus palustris native in 10 states (USDA)		60 ft - 120 ftzones 7–9—NC State Ext.
Mimosa
Albizia julibrissin ⚠ invasive: on legal lists in 3 states not native to US (USDA)		20 ft - 40 ftzones 6–9ANC State Ext.
Mockernut hickory
Carya tomentosa native in 31 states (USDA)		60 ft - 80 ftzones 4–9—NC State Ext.
Northern catalpa
Catalpa speciosa native in 38 states (USDA)		40 ft - 70 ftzones 4–8—NC State Ext.
Northern red oak
Quercus rubra native in 34 states (USDA)		50 ft - 70 ftzones 4–8CNC State Ext.
Norway maple
Acer platanoides ⚠ invasive: on legal lists in 10 states, advisory lists in 1 not native to US (USDA)		40 ft - 50 ftzones 3–7CNC State Ext.
Norway spruce
Picea abies not native to US (USDA)		40 ft - 60 ftzones 2–7BNC State Ext.
Overcup oak
Quercus lyrata native in 19 states (USDA)		35 ft - 60 ftzones 5–9—NC State Ext.
Paper birch
Betula papyrifera native in 31 states (USDA)		50 ft - 70 ftzones 2–7ANC State Ext.
Paperbark maple
Acer griseum not native to US (USDA)		20 ft - 30 ftzones 4–8—NC State Ext.
Pawpaw
Asimina triloba native in 30 states (USDA)		15 ft - 30 ftzones 5–9ANC State Ext.
Pecan
Carya illinoinensis native in 20 states (USDA)		70 ft - 100 ftzones 5–9—NC State Ext.
Pignut hickory
Carya glabra native in 31 states (USDA)		60 ft - 80 ftzones 4–9—NC State Ext.
Pin oak
Quercus palustris native in 28 states (USDA)		50 ft - 70 ftzones 4–8—NC State Ext.
Pitch pine
Pinus rigida native in 23 states (USDA)		40 ft - 60 ftzones 4–7ANC State Ext.
Post oak
Quercus stellata native in 29 states (USDA)		35 ft - 50 ftzones 5–9—NC State Ext.
Princess tree
Paulownia tomentosa ⚠ invasive: on legal lists in 5 states not native to US (USDA)		30 ft - 50 ftzones 5–9—NC State Ext.
Red maple
Acer rubrum native in 35 states (USDA)		40 ft - 120 ftzones 2–9BNC State Ext.
Red mulberry
Morus rubra native in 35 states (USDA)		25 ft - 60 ftzones 4–9—NC State Ext.
River birch
Betula nigra native in 33 states (USDA)		30 ft - 70 ftzones 4–9ANC State Ext.
Sassafras
Sassafras albidum native in 34 states (USDA)		30 ft - 60 ftzones 4–9—NC State Ext.
Saucer magnolia
Magnolia × soulangeana		15 ft - 33 ftzones 4–9—NC State Ext.
Sawtooth oak
Quercus acutissima ⚠ invasive: on legal lists in 1 state not native to US (USDA)		30 ft - 60 ftzones 6–9—NC State Ext.
Scarlet oak
Quercus coccinea native in 29 states (USDA)		50 ft - 80 ftzones 4–9—NC State Ext.
Shagbark hickory
Carya ovata native in 36 states (USDA)		70 ft - 90 ftzones 4–8—NC State Ext.
Shortleaf pine
Pinus echinata native in 23 states (USDA)		80 ft - 100 ftzones 6–9—NC State Ext.
Shumard oak
Quercus shumardii native in 23 states (USDA)		50 ft - 70 ftzones 5–9—NC State Ext.
Siberian elm
Ulmus pumila ⚠ invasive: on legal lists in 5 states, advisory lists in 1 not native to US (USDA)		50 ft - 70 ftzones 4–9—NC State Ext.
Silver maple
Acer saccharinum native in 41 states (USDA)		50 ft - 80 ftzones 3–9CNC State Ext.
Slippery elm
Ulmus rubra native in 39 states (USDA)		40 ft - 70 ftzones 3–9—NC State Ext.
Sourwood
Oxydendrum arboreum native in 19 states (USDA)		20 ft - 30 ftzones 5–9BNC State Ext.
Southern catalpa
Catalpa bignonioides native in 37 states (USDA)		30 ft - 60 ftzones 5–9—NC State Ext.
Southern live oak
Quercus virginiana native in 10 states (USDA)		40 ft - 80 ftzones 8–10—NC State Ext.
Southern magnolia
Magnolia grandiflora native in 14 states (USDA)		60 ft - 80 ftzones 6–10—NC State Ext.
Southern red oak
Quercus falcata native in 24 states (USDA)		60 ft - 100 ftzones 6–9—NC State Ext.
Southern sugar maple
Acer floridanum native in 15 states (USDA)		20 ft - 60 ftzones 6–9—NC State Ext.
Striped maple
Acer pensylvanicum native in 21 states (USDA)		15 ft - 35 ftzones 3–7BNC State Ext.
Sugar maple
Acer saccharum native in 33 states (USDA)		40 ft - 120 ftzones 3–8BNC State Ext.
Sugarberry
Celtis laevigata native in 31 states (USDA)		50 ft - 70 ftzones 5–10—NC State Ext.
Swamp chestnut oak
Quercus michauxii native in 19 states (USDA)		60 ft - 80 ftzones 4–9—NC State Ext.
Swamp white oak
Quercus bicolor native in 28 states (USDA)		50 ft - 60 ftzones 4–8—NC State Ext.
Sweet birch
Betula lenta native in 21 states (USDA)		60 ft - 70 ftzones 3–8—NC State Ext.
Sweetbay magnolia
Magnolia virginiana native in 18 states (USDA)		10 ft - 35 ftzones 5–10—NC State Ext.
Sweetgum
Liquidambar styraciflua native in 28 states (USDA)		60 ft - 100 ftzones 5–9CNC State Ext.
Tree-of-heaven
Ailanthus altissima ⚠ invasive: on legal lists in 20 states, advisory lists in 1 not native to US (USDA)		40 ft - 60 ftzones 4–8—NC State Ext.
Trident maple
Acer buergerianum not native to US (USDA)		25 ft - 35 ftzones 5–9—NC State Ext.
Tulip poplar
Liriodendron tulipifera native in 29 states (USDA)		80 ft - 120 ftzones 4–9BNC State Ext.
Umbrella magnolia
Magnolia tripetala native in 23 states (USDA)		15 ft - 30 ftzones 5–8—NC State Ext.
Virginia pine
Pinus virginiana native in 19 states (USDA)		40 ft - 80 ftzones 4–8—NC State Ext.
Water oak
Quercus nigra native in 19 states (USDA)		50 ft - 80 ftzones 6–9—NC State Ext.
Water tupelo
Nyssa aquatica native in 15 states (USDA)		60 ft - 100 ftzones 6–9—NC State Ext.
Weeping willow
Salix babylonica not native to US (USDA)		30 ft - 40 ftzones 6–8C*NC State Ext.
White ash
Fraxinus americana native in 37 states (USDA)		60 ft - 120 ftzones 3–9—NC State Ext.
White fringetree
Chionanthus virginicus native in 23 states (USDA)		12 ft - 30 ftzones 3–9CNC State Ext.
White mulberry
Morus alba ⚠ invasive: on legal lists in 4 states not native to US (USDA)		30 ft - 60 ftzones 4–8—NC State Ext.
White oak
Quercus alba native in 36 states (USDA)		50 ft - 135 ftzones 3–9CNC State Ext.
White poplar
Populus alba ⚠ invasive: on legal lists in 3 states, advisory lists in 1 not native to US (USDA)		50 ft - 75 ftzones 3–9—NC State Ext.
Willow oak
Quercus phellos native in 23 states (USDA)		40 ft - 75 ftzones 5–9—NC State Ext.
Yellow buckeye
Aesculus flava native in 17 states (USDA)		40 ft - 60 ftzones 3–8—NC State Ext.
Yoshino cherry
Prunus × yedoensis		30 ft - 40 ftzones 5–8D*NC State Ext.

Invasive flags: official state lists (legal) and state advisory lists, as tracked on PlantLegit. Nativity: USDA NRCS PLANTS. Deer: Rutgers ratings (* = genus-level). Find your zone on the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.

Related

Instead of Norway mapleInstead of Bradford pearInstead of tree of heavenTrees the ASPCA lists as non-toxic

Checked 2026-10-15. Informational only.