19 Beautiful Trees to Plant This Earth Day

With Earth Day approaching, it is natural that we gardeners should take an interest in observing the occasion. I’m certain there are more elaborate activities for the highly ambitious gardener. However, there is something sweetly simple about planting a tree to commemorate the day. 

Trees play a valuable role in preserving the Earth and in cleaning the air that we breathe. Trees, and other plants, absorb carbon dioxide, storing the carbon in their trunks and releasing the oxygen. In this way, they contribute to cleaner air. Trees also help to enrich the soil as their leaves fall and break down. 

Trees have other environmental purposes and benefits, too. They help to prevent erosion and prevent flooding.  Then, there is the ornamental value. Trees add beauty to our landscapes and give us shade to sit in on a sunny day. It’s difficult to think of an argument for not planting a tree this Earth Day.

If I’ve managed to persuade you of the merits of planting a tree for Earth Day, I would love to share some of my favorite beautiful trees that would be perfect for beautifying your garden landscape. Here are 19 of the loveliest trees that you can plant this Earth Day.

White Oak

	botanical name Quercus alba
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 50’-135’
	hardiness zones 3-9

This native oak is an American icon and a gorgeous addition to the landscape. The strong trunk and winding branches create visual interest and support a wonderful, rounded canopy. These trees can grow quite large and have a long life span of up to 600 years. 

The white oak has lovely seven-lobed leaves and reseeds by way of large, oval-shaped acorns. It is hardy in Zones 3-9 and requires very little maintenance. In the fall, the ornate leaves change to shades of red, purple, and rust. This tree has very hard wood that is excellent for building, so it tends to be among those cut down for these purposes. Plant one of these to preserve a striking native tree.

Oaks are keystone species that provide critical habitat for 500 plus wildlife species. There is no better tree to plant this Earth Day!

Bald Cypress

	botanical name Taxodium distichum
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 50′-70′
	hardiness zones 4-9

Bald cypress is a versatile and hardy tree that grows well in a wide range of climates and conditions. The soft, lacy foliage is green but turns to a rusty red shade in the fall. This makes it an attractive landscape element for all seasons. In winter, the thin and papery ornamental bark takes center stage.

This is not a tree for small spaces, though, as bald cypress trees can grow quite large. It makes a lovely shade tree if you have the space for it. It is a moderate to fast grower, gaining about two feet per year, and is long-lived. This is a tree that will bring joy to many generations and can live up to 600 years. Bald cypress is great for wet soil and thrives in swampy conditions. However, it does fine in nearly any type of soil. 

American Elm

	botanical name Ulmus americana
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 60’-80’
	hardiness zones 3-9

The American elm is a gorgeous tree with a large crown made up of heavy, gracefully arching branches. It makes an excellent shade tree and looks simply stunning in any landscape. Elms grow well in most climates. They are native to the US from Florida to Montana and have great cold tolerance. These trees can tolerate temperatures down to -40°F/C!

If you are looking for a gorgeous tree, an American elm won’t disappoint. The lush, green foliage puts on a stunning display of golden fall color, quite a striking show. Sadly, because of a disease that is specific to elms, many of the older American elms died off in the 1950s. However, hybrid varieties are more disease-resistant, and it would be great for these magnificent trees to make a comeback. 

Blue Jacaranda

	botanical name Jacaranda mimosifolia
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 25’-50’
	hardiness zones 10-11

This is one of those trees that only a lucky few can plant in the United States. It has a relatively small area where it will thrive. But, if you’re one of the lucky ones, this is a tree you won’t regret planting. If you’ve got little ones, you may have heard the Madrigal girls of ‘Encanto’ sing about the beauty of this tree. If you’ve ever seen one, you undoubtedly know why.

Jacaranda trees are not difficult to grow if you live in a warm climate. It is highly drought-tolerant and stands up to summer heat and humidity like a champion. This makes a beautiful shade tree for most of the year, but during the blooming season, it is simply sensational. Large clusters of blue-violet flowers cover the canopy of the tree, making quite a statement in the landscape. The foliage is attractive and turns a buttery golden shade in the late fall. 

Chinese Ginko

	botanical name Ginkgo biloba
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 50’-80’
	hardiness zones 3-9

The Ginkgo tree is one of the oldest species of trees in existence. It has been used in Chinese Medicine for ages and is a wonderful landscape tree. You can keep this tree to a moderate size, or allow it to grow very large if you have the space and inclination. Ginkgo trees were once believed to be extinct outside of cultivation. But, in 1915 were found in great abundance, in southeastern China. 

Ginkgo leaves are distinctive in appearance, growing in a fan shape. They are incredibly long-lived, with one specimen in China known to be over 3,500 years old. They are most magnificent in the fall when they positively glow in a brilliant shade of golden yellow. Medicinally, these trees are used as a blood thinner and memory booster. However, the leaves and fruits are toxic if consumed in large quantities. Do not consume any part of the tree without consulting a medical doctor first.

Royal Poinciana

	botanical name Delonix regia
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 30’-40’
	hardiness zones 10-12

Royal poinciana trees are similar in appearance to the jacaranda. When I lived in zone 10, this was my very favorite tree in the garden. They are easy to grow from seed and grow quickly. Their sturdy branches form a low, rounded canopy that will make a home for many local birds. These natives of Madagascar have few rivals in their floral display. 

In late spring to early summer, royal poinciana trees produce a multitude of flaming orange flowers. There are yellow cultivars, but orange is a far more common color. They are salt and drought-tolerant, making them a wonderful tree for warm, coastal areas. This is not an overly large tree, so it makes a good addition to the suburban landscape. Royal poinciana will reach between 30′-40′ tall with a similar spread. 

Japanese Maple

	botanical name Acer palmatum
	sun requirements Dappled shade
	height 15′-25’
	hardiness zones 5-8

Now that I am a Zone 8 gardener, I have a new favorite tree. The Japanese maple. A smaller tree that has incredible spring color, the Japanese maple is a very popular tree.

Not all species are the same size. Some grow only ten feet tall, but with a very widespread canopy. Others can reach up to 25 feet, a nicely manageable size. Their vibrant spring color appears in shades of scarlet and vermilion, with most varieties turning green in the summer. In fall, many types have leaves that change to a deep russet red. 

Japanese maple trees prefer some shade; partial shade is best. They like some protection from the elements. Many varieties have ornamental bark, making them good for four seasons of interest. They are not difficult to care for as long as you plant them in the right spot. You may need to water this tree during times of little rain, as it is not drought-tolerant. 

Rainbow Eucalyptus

	botanical name Eucalyptus deglupta
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 100′-250’
	hardiness zones 10-11

This Earth Day, plant a tree that’s a work of art. Rainbow Eucalyptus is another warm climate tree. The bark of this tree peels in thin strips to reveal a variety of brilliant colors beneath. Initially, the exposed underlayers are neon green. Over time, with exposure to the air, the exposed bark ages to shades of red, purple, orange, and blue. Over time, all of these colors appear together. It is a remarkable tree and a conversation piece in any landscape. 

This tree is not for the small garden, and it is not for some areas where it is considered invasive. It needs a lot of space. It also grows best in warm, humid climates, as it is a rainforest native. Gaining up to three feet per year, it is a very fast grower. It also has excellent pest and disease resistance. The tree produces white flowers and has a signature scent common to the genus. If you can grow this tree, it will bring you years of enjoyment with its colorful bark and attractive foliage. 

Southern Magnolia

	botanical name Magnolia grandiflora
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 60’-80’
	hardiness zones 6-10

Southern magnolia is a staple of the American South. This evergreen with its large, glossy leaves and huge, fragrant blossoms has found itself quite a following. The full-sized varieties are very large, with a spread of up to 60′ and twice the height over time. However, they are not fast-growing. Dwarf varieties such as ‘Little Gem’ stay closer to 30 feet tall, making them a wonderful addition to any landscape. 

While southern magnolias don’t do well in cold climates, from Zone 6 and south, they are stunning evergreen trees. Once established, they are very hardy. The foliage makes beautiful garlands around holiday time, and the blooms make this a star among flowering trees. Large and creamy white with a light citrus fragrance, magnolia flowers leave an indelible impression. 

Aspen

	botanical name Populus tremula
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 30’-70’
	hardiness zones 1-6

Aspen trees prefer cool climates and tend to grow well in areas where coniferous trees grow. They are very tolerant of high winds, and their bark is photosynthetic. That means that they can continue to grow after leaves have fallen for the winter. Speaking of leaves, aspen trees have a gorgeous fall color. The leaves change to a bright golden yellow, which contrasts nicely with their pale gray bark. 

This is a great tree to plant if you have some space for multiples, as aspen trees grow from rhizomes. They spread underground, forming colonies. They have an upright growth habit, and a grouping of them has a striking appearance with nice, straight trunks and dense foliage. Plant your aspen tree in full sun for best results. Keep young trees well watered, as they are not drought tolerant. 

Japanese Magnolia

	botanical name Magnolia liliiflora
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 8’-12′
	hardiness zones 5-8

The very first tree I planted at my forever house in Zone 8 was a Japanese magnolia. Unlike the southern magnolia, the Japanese magnolia is deciduous, with a spring-blooming habit. These small to medium-sized trees have beautiful, large leaves and cool gray bark. They grow well in partial to full sunlight and are much more cold-tolerant than their evergreen cousins. 

Japanese magnolia trees do their blooming on bare wood. They produce large, fragrant, lovely blooms in shades of pink, red, purple, and white. Most blooms are chalice or vase-shaped, but some have flowers that look like big, white starbursts. Plant your tree where it will have some protection from strong winds. A late freeze can damage early flowers, and protection from the wind can help in this event. 

Eastern Redbud

	botanical name Cercis canadensis
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 20’-30’
	hardiness zones 4-9

Everyone loves an Eastern redbud tree. After all, what’s not to love? This tree is one of the early bloomers of spring and adds an explosion of color to the awakening landscape. Redbud trees are medium-sized and work well in any sized yard. You can keep them small and shrubby by pruning them, or let them grow larger with a wider spread if desired. 

Eastern redbud trees are not difficult to care for. They are cold-tolerant and versatile in terms of sun exposure. This is a tree with a lovely, multi-trunked, vase shape. The leaves are heart-shaped and emerge red, changing to green in summer and yellow in the fall. They are not picky about soil, and like some moisture, but won’t require watering once mature except in times of prolonged drought. 

Japanese Cherry

	botanical name Prunus serrulata
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 15’-25’
	hardiness zones 5-8

If spring beauty is what you’re looking for, a Japanese cherry tree is the ultimate in flower power. Also known as the Sakura tree, this is one of the most famous flowering trees not only in the US but the world. Rows of them adorn some of the most well-known avenues around. And it’s no wonder. These trees explode into a mass of fragrant pink blooms in mid-spring. They can be upright or have a weeping habit, as well. 

Japanese cherry trees usually grow to about 20 feet tall, a nice manageable size for most yards. The foliage emerges a coppery color, turning green in the summer. Come fall, the foliage shows off in shades of red, orange, or yellow. These are not long-lived trees, but what they lack in longevity, they make up for in beauty.

Crape Myrtle

	botanical name Lagerstroemia spp.
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 5’-20’
	hardiness zones 6-9

Crape myrtle trees play a starring role in the landscape of my town, lining streets with their flamboyant summer blooms. These easy-care trees provide a ton of interest all year in the landscape. Their foliage emerges in spring with a reddish tint, turning green in the summer. With the green-turned leaves come large panicles of brightly colored flowers that resemble bunches of crape paper. 

In fall, crape myrtle foliage changes to red, yellow, and bronze before falling for the winter. The bare trees are beautiful in their own right. With lovely peeling bark that is cinnamon-colored on the inside and fades to gray over time, crape myrtles truly are four-season trees. They are drought-tolerant and can handle just about any soil type. Plant this tree in full sun for the best floral display. 

Kousa Dogwood

	botanical name Cornus kousa
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 20’-30’
	hardiness zones 5-8

If you’ve always wanted a dogwood tree but worry about diseases and other issues that come along with these trees, a kousa dogwood is just the tree for you! Kousa dogwood trees are more disease-resistant and hardy than their relatives. Their lovely star-shaped flowers have a significant blooming period. Following the flowers are pretty red berries that attract birds. 

In the fall, the foliage changes to shades of purple and red. Winter showcases this tree’s lovely exfoliating bark. Kousa dogwood trees are compact and fit into most gardens. They are easy to grow and care for and are not picky about soil type. They do need adequate moisture, so these are not great for arid climates. 

American Aspen

	botanical name Populus tremuloides
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 20’-50’
	hardiness zones 1-6

Much like other aspen trees, this wonderful tree is a sun lover and versatile in terms of soil type. It prefers moist soil and likes cooler climates. Unlike other types, they rarely grow taller than 50 feet, making them more manageable. If you love the look of an aspen but don’t have unlimited space for a 100-foot tree, this is a great species to plant. 

American aspen leaves have a flattened petiole that allows them to flutter in even a slight breeze. They create a wonderful rustling sound that is very pleasing to the ear. This tree grows in an attractive pyramidal shape that rounds at the top as it matures. It can form colonies, so if you want a thicket of these lovely trees, simply allow the suckers to mature. 

Eastern Red Cedar

	botanical name Juniperus virginiana
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 30’-40’
	hardiness zones 2-9

Eastern red cedar is really not a cedar at all, but rather, a juniper. The two types of trees are often confused. The dense, pyramidal shape makes this a great windscreen when planted in a grouping. It tolerates a wide range of climates and has wonderful aromatic bark and foliage. 

This type of juniper, like most, produces fruit. The berries are a pale blue shade and are very attractive to birds and other wildlife. Eastern red cedar is salt tolerant and prefers full sun, making it surprisingly good for coastal areas. With a height between 30′-40′ it is a manageable tree that fits well in most yards. 

Weeping Willow

	botanical name Salix babylonica
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 30’-40’
	hardiness zones 6-8

Weeping willow trees are stunning in form and practical in application, making them a perfect Earth Day tree. This tree grows very well in soil with poor drainage and is great for controlling erosion. Not only does it look beautiful in the landscape, its flexible branches are great for basket weaving. Weeping willows reach 30′-50′ in height and in spread at maturity, and have a lifespan of up to 75 years. 

Willow trees also absorb and remove toxins from the soil, making them even more relevant for planting this Earth Day. Their flowers attract pollinators, and they are simply beautiful additions to the landscape. If you have drainage issues, this is a great tree to add to the landscape. 

Sugar Maple

	botanical name Acer saccharum
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 40′-120′
	hardiness zones 3-8

Sugar maple trees have it all. Their straight trunks and full canopies make for a classically beautiful landscape element. You can’t beat them when it comes to fall color. Not to mention, they are incredibly versatile and easy to grow. Who doesn’t love maple trees, anyway? The sugar maple is the national symbol of Canada and the source of the delicious syrup we love to put on pancakes. 

Sugar maple trees are not picky about soil. They grow just fine in chalky or clay-heavy soils. The most important factor when growing this tree is moisture. Too much or too little simply won’t do. Aside from that, this is a low-maintenance tree that is stunning from spring through fall. The bark is pretty, as well, so it looks nice, even in the winter when the branches are bare.