Quick Answer: Best Trees to Plant in Rhode Island
The best trees to plant in Rhode Island are river birch, crabapple, Japanese flowering magnolia, white fringe tree, pagoda dogwood, Japanese stewartia, kousa dogwood, eastern red cedar, black tupelo, tulip poplar, weeping willow, ginkgo, American chestnut, American persimmon, and mulberry. Spring and fall are ideal times to plant trees in the state.
This is a comprehensive guide on the list of best trees to plant in your Rhode Island yards.
I have spent hours of research into different articles, books, and excerpts from other gardeners to help you out.
Let us dive into the guide!
Contents
- Quick Answer: Best Trees to Plant in Rhode Island
- Best Trees to Plant in Rhode Island
- What Is The Easiest Growing Tree In Rhode Island?
- What Is The Best Time To Plant Trees In Rhode Island?
- FAQs
- Quick Recap: Top Trees to Plant In Rhode Island
- Bottom line
Best Trees to Plant in Rhode Island
Rhode Island has a humid continental climate characterized by warm, humid summers and cold winters. Many trees will thrive in the state and add beauty to the yard.
Let us take a close look at the list of fifteen best trees to grow in your Rhode Island yards:
1. River Birch
Adaptable Tree Of Rhode Island
River birch (Betula nigra) is a popular fast-growing deciduous tree with exfoliating bark that can be throughout Rhode Island.
Why Grow River Birch?
River birch is fairly trouble-free and easy to care for. It can adapt to the climatic conditions of Rhode Island. It provides dappled shade for the family.
Maintenance And Care
River birch prefers full sun to partial shade and moist soil with a pH of 5-6.5. It can be propagated via cuttings.
It requires fertilization if trees show signs of distress and pruning in fall and winter. It may fall prey to birch leafminer and bronze birch borer.
Check out this video for growing river birch:
2. Crabapple
Versatile Tree Of Rhode Island
Crabapples (Malus spp) are versatile trees of Rhode Island that provide interest all year round with spring blossoms and a bountiful display of fruits.
Why Grow Crabapple?
Many cultivars of crabapple can adapt to the climatic conditions of Rhode Island and can fit into any garden space.
It provides edible fruits for the family and provides ornamental value with vibrant fall colors.
Maintenance And Care
Crabapples prefer full sun and moist yet well-drained soil with good air circulation. It may benefit from slow-release fertilizer or compost in the spring.
It requires occasional pruning to maintain the shape. It is prone to apple scabs, cedar rust, and fireblight.
Check out this video for tips on growing crabapples:
3. Japanese Flowering Magnolia
Japanese flowering magnolia (Magnolia spp) is an excellent flowering tree of Rhode Island with giant flowers that appear in the spring.
Why Grow Japanese Flowering Magnolia?
Japanese magnolias are perfect for your Rhode Island landscaping due to their showy blooms.
It is easy to grow and maintain once established. It can be grown in containers if having small spaces.
Maintenance And Care
Japanese flowering magnolias prefer well-drained, sunny to partly sunny locations. It needs a spacing of about 10-15 feet.
It may need annual feeding of slow-release fertilizer and occasional pruning to remove diseased branches. It is prone to scales and cankers.
Here is the link for additional information on growing Japanese magnolias:
4. White Fringetree
White fringe tree (Chionanthus virginicus) is a small flowering tree with creamy-white flowers that is well-suited to Rhode Island yards.
Why Grow White Fringetree?
White fringe tree is adaptable to different soil types of Rhode Island. Its white blossoms add landscape beauty.
It can tolerate drought and urban conditions, including air pollution. Also, it will attract birds and beneficial pollinators to the yard.
Maintenance And Care
White fringe trees do well in full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. It may need balanced fertilizer or compost every year.
It seldom requires heavy pruning. It is susceptible to scales and borers.
The complete growing guide of the white fringe tree is covered here:
5. Pagoda Dogwood
Pagoda dogwood (Cornus alternifolia) is a low-branched small tree with distinctive horizontal branching and fragrant flowers that can be a perfect addition to Rhode Island.
Why Grow Pagoda Dogwood?
Pagoda dogwood does well as an ornamental specimen near patios, or residential property of Rhode Island. It doesn’t require high maintenance once established.
It attracts beneficial pollinators to the yard.
Maintenance And Care
Pagoda dogwood thrives in slightly acidic, well-drained soil, and full sun to partial shade. Apply a layer of mulch or compost beneath each tree.
It may need occasional pruning to modify the shape. It can be affected by golden stem canker, root rot, and borers.
Check out the complete growing guide of pagoda dogwood:
6. Japanese Stewartia
Japanese Stewartia (Stewartia psuedocamellia) is a beautiful tree of Rhode Island with white camellia-like flowers and exfoliating bark.
Why Grow Japanese Stewartia?
Japanese Stewartia offers four-season visual interest to the yard and is a great choice as a specimen tree in the landscape due to its showy blossoms.
Also, it is an easy-care tree with little maintenance. It is suitable for smaller landscapes.
Maintenance And Care
Japanese stewartia grows best in full sun or partial shade and moist yet well-drained soil.
It needs fertilization with organic granular fertilizer and pruning to remove broken branches. It is resistant to most pests and may sometimes develop leaf burn.
Click this link for details on growing Japanese Stewartia:
7. Kousa Dogwood
Another flowering tree of Rhode Island that is popular in Rhode Island for springtime blooms, mottled bark, and berries is Kousa dogwood (Cornus kousa).
Why Grow Kousa Dogwood?
Kousa dogwood is cold hardy and well-suited for border and foundation planting in Rhode Island. Its colorful fall foliage provides visual appeal to the garden.
It is not bothered by many pests and diseases.
Maintenance And Care
Kousa dogwood prefers full sun and rich, consistently moist soils with plenty of organic materials.
Add organic mulch around the tree to retain moisture and may benefit from a general fertilizer.
Prune the branches occasionally to maintain their shape. It can be prone to anthracnose, powdery mildew, and borers.
The complete growing guide of kousa dogwood is covered here:
8. Eastern Red Cedar
Eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana) is a native evergreen tree of Rhode Island that is a good choice for screening and coastal plantings.
Why Grow Eastern Red Cedar?
Eastern red cedar can adapt to the climatic conditions of Rhode Island. It can tolerate drought, heat, wind, salt, and air pollution making it ideal for urban landscapes.
It is resistant to most pests and diseases. It provides nesting cover for birds and has wildlife value.
Maintenance And Care
Eastern red cedar prefers loamy, moist, well-drained soils and full sun. It can be propagated via seeds and stem cuttings.
It rarely requires additional fertilizers. One of the biggest issues is cedar apple rust.
You may check this video if interested in growing eastern red cedar from seeds:
9. Black Tupelo
Black tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica) is a small deciduous tree with vibrant scarlet-orange fall foliage that can be a perfect addition to Rhode Island yards.
Why Grow Black Tupelo?
Black tupelo is preferred by Rhode Island yards for its ornamental value. Its small sour fruits can attract birds and other wildlife.
It can tolerate different soil types and requires low- maintenance once established.
Maintenance And Care
Black tupelo prefers moist, well-drained soils and full sun to partial shade. It may benefit from slow-release granular fertilizer annually.
It requires light pruning to retain the desired shape. It is susceptible to leaf spots, cankers, and scale.
Check out this video for tips on features and growing black tupelo:
10. Tulip Poplar
Tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera) is a popular deciduous tree in Rhode Island with characteristic cup-shaped blossoms and showy leaf shapes.
Why Grow Tulip Poplar?
Tulip poplar is fast-growing and easy-care tree that can be grown in the climatic conditions of Rhode Island. It makes an ideal shade tree and adds landscape beauty with brilliant fall colors.
It attracts pollinators, bees, and other hummingbirds to the yard.
Maintenance And Care
Tulip poplar prefers full or partial sun and deep, acidic, well-drained soil with a pH of 5-8. The established trees seldom require fertilizers.
It requires regular pruning to remove dead or weak growth. A few pests attacking the trees are scales and aphids.
The complete growing guide of tulip poplar is covered here:
11. Weeping Willow
Weeping willow (Salix babylonica) is a fast-growing deciduous tree of Rhode Island popular for its lance-shaped leaves, gray-colored bark, and arching stems.
Why Grow Weeping Willow?
Weeping willow can adapt to different soil types and pH levels in Rhode Island.
It can tolerate drought and summer heat. Also, it provides nesting sites for small birds and wildlife.
Maintenance And Care
Weeping willow prefers full sun and moist, slightly acidic soil. It can be propagated via hardwood cuttings.
A mature tree seldom requires fertilization in rich soil. Prune while young to maintain a central leader. It can be troubled by aphids, borers, and gypsy moths.
The complete growth guide of weeping willow is covered here:
12. Ginkgo
Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) is a large deciduous tree with a sculptural pyramid shape and fan-shaped leaves that can be a perfect addition to Rhode Island yards.
Why Grow Ginkgo?
Ginkgo is a popular landscape tree that is used as a specimen tree in Rhode Island. It can tolerate urban growing conditions, including air pollution and salt.
It is not bothered by many pests and diseases. Also, it is not fussy about different soil types and conditions.
Maintenance And Care
Ginkgo prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained sandy loam soil. It may benefit from the feeding of the tree in the spring.
The common pests of these trees are caterpillar moths and mealybugs.
You may watch this video for additional information on growing ginkgo:
13. American Chestnut
American chestnut trees (Castanea dentata) are rewarding nut trees with heavy nut yields, beautiful foliage, and strong structures.
Why Grow American Chestnut?
American chestnuts are grown in Rhode Island for their ornamental value and edible nuts.
It is tough and tolerates drought once established. It is attractive and its fragrant flowers bring pollinators to the yard.
Maintenance And Care
American chestnut prefers well-drained soil and full sun. It needs two different cultivars with a spacing of 40 feet to produce nuts.
It seldom requires additional fertilizers. Prune the young trees to maintain a central leader. It is vulnerable to attack from aphids and borers.
Check out this useful guide to growing American chestnuts from seeds:
14. American Persimmon
American persimmon (Diospyros virginiana) is a native tree that can be grown throughout Rhode Island for edible fruits.
Why Grow American Persimmon?
American persimmons are hardy and can thrive in the climatic conditions and soil types of Rhode Island.
It needs little maintenance once established. It gives versatile edible fruits and is resistant to most pests and diseases.
Maintenance And Care
American persimmons grow in well-draining soil and full sun. It can be propagated via seeds, seedlings, and cuttings.
Feed the trees with a balanced fertilizer every year and prune away thin, diseased, or crossing branches in the spring. Pay close attention to borers, caterpillars, and psyllid.
The complete growing guide of persimmon is covered here:
15. Mulberry
Mulberry tree (Morus spp) is a medium-sized deciduous tree that has gained popularity for edible fruits and ornamental value.
Why Grow Mulberry?
Mulberry do well in different soil types and pH levels in Rhode Island. It provides ornamental shade and edible fruits.
It is perfect for erosion control and can tolerate drought once established.
Maintenance And Care
Mulberry tree thrives in full sun to partial shade and sufficiently drained soil. It may benefit from a balanced fertilizer every year in late winter.
Prune the trees when dormant in late fall or winter to remove damaged or crossing branches. It may be troubled by whitefly, scale, and mealybugs.
Check out this link for tips on growing mulberries in containers:
What Is The Easiest Growing Tree In Rhode Island?
The easiest-growing tree in Rhode Island is the river birch.
River birch is versatile, fast-growing, and popular in Rhode Island as a shade tree. Its characteristic bark makes it ideal for landscape beauty.
Compact varieties are available for small spaces. It is undemanding and requires little care. The other trees that can thrive in Rhode Island with little care are crabapple and Japanese flowering magnolia.
What Is The Best Time To Plant Trees In Rhode Island?
The best time to plant trees in Rhode Island is spring and fall. It will help the roots to establish themselves.
Plant the trees in a hole a little wider and deeper than root balls. Avoid adding fertilizers at the time of planting.
Add mulch and stake the trees to preserve the new, small roots from cold nights. Prune the newly planted trees to establish a good structure.
FAQs
Red maple (Acer rubrum) is the state tree of Rhode Island. It grows best in well-draining soil and full sun. It may benefit from all-purpose fertilizer in spring and may be affected by leaf spots, anthracnose, and powdery mildew.
The different hardwood trees of Rhode Island are red maple, sugar maple, serviceberry, yellow birch, sweet birch, paper birch, gray birch, American hornbeam, bitternut hickory, pignut hickory, flowering dogwood, black gum, and oak trees.
The different native evergreen trees of Rhode Island are Atlantic white cedar, eastern red cedar, and arborvitae. Another evergreen non-conifer, American holly can be grown to about three to four feet and can thrive in the state with optimal care.
Quick Recap: Top Trees to Plant In Rhode Island
Here is a quick recap of the top trees that can adapt to Rhode Island’s climate and soil types:
| Trees | Why Grow? |
|---|---|
| River birch | 1. Provides dappled shade for the yard 2. Requires easy care and maintenance once established |
| Crabapple | 1. Can fit into any garden space 2. Both ornamental and provides edible fruits |
| Japanese magnolia | 1. Small flowering tree popular for showy spring blooms 2. Easy to grow and maintain |
| White fringe tree | 1. Adaptable to urban growing conditions 2. Tolerates drought and adds landscape beauty |
| Pagoda dogwood | 1. Requires little care once established 2. Attracts beneficial insects to the yard |
| Japanese stewartia | 1. Provides four-season interest to the landscape 2. Requires little maintenance once established |
| Kousa dogwood | 1. Provides visual appeal to the garden 2. Not bothered by many pests and diseases |
| Eastern red cedar | 1. Adaptable to different soil types and windy conditions 2. Long-lived evergreen trees suitable for urban spaces |
| Black tupelo | 1. Grown for its ornamental value 2. Tolerates different soil types and requires little maintenance |
| Tulip tree | 1. Easy to plant and easy care for after getting established 2. Provides shade for the yard |
| Weeping willow | 1. Thrives in a wide range of soil conditions 2. Adds ornamental value to the yard |
| Ginkgo | 1. Tolerant of different urban growing conditions 2. Not bothered by many pests and diseases |
| American chestnut | 1. Both are ornamental and provide edible nuts 2. Hardy and drought tolerant |
| American persimmon | 1. Hardy and can thrive throughout Rhode Island 2. Resistant to most pests and diseases |
| Mulberry | 1. Perfect for erosion control 2. Requires little care once established |
Bottom line
I hope this guide has provided you with a few examples of trees that will be appropriate for your Rhode Island region.
Please write to me your suggestions for planting other trees in the state.
If you find the guide helpful, please share it with your friends and family!
