Recommended Trees For Vancouver

 

When it comes to recommended trees that will do well in our region, there are simply too many to make an easy choice. But that won't stop us from making recommendations anyway. Here are 25 admirable species that should do your place proud. Note that this doesn't mean there aren't many more possibilities that will do as well or better...treat this instead as a list of trees that may help you get going.

 

Small Trees – mature size under 10m height, okay for planting below electrical wires

Acer shirasawanum – Fullmoon Maple

Koelreuteria paniculata – Golden Raintree

Cornus kousa – Kousa Dogwood

Malus domestica – Apple

Malus fusca – Crabapple

Stewartia pseudocamellia – Japanese Stewartia

Styrax japonica – Japanese Snowbell

 

 

Medium Trees – mature size between 8m-16m height – some of these may spread too widely if your yard space is limited

Acer griseum – Paperbark Maple

Carpinus betulus – European Hornbeam

Cornus nuttallii – Pacific Dogwood

Cydonia oblonga – Quince

Davidia involucrata – Dove Tree

Fraxinus ornus – Flowering Ash

Parrotia persica – Persian Ironwood

 

 

Large trees – mature size over 16m high and 8m wide – probably too massive for a typical yard but if you have the space these venerable trees can’t be beat for beauty, habitat, carbon sequestration and more.

Castanea sativa- Sweet Chestnut

Cercidiphyllum japonicum – Katsura Tree

Fagus sylvatica – European Beech

Fraxinus americana – American Ash

Metasequoia glyptostroboides – Dawn Redwood

Quercus palustris – Pin Oak

Robinia pseudoacacia  ‘Frisia’– Golden Black Locust

 

 

Conifer trees – Many need a wide space for their low branching habit when young, but the deep green colours in winter can be a welcome sight when other trees and shrubs are bare.

Pinus parviflora – Japanese White Pine

Thuja plicata – Western Red Cedar

 

 

Patio/Balcony Trees – Even a condo dweller can help grow the urban forest. Use large, well-draining containers and don’t let the roots completely dry out.

Arbutus unedo — Strawberry Tree

Sciadopitys verticillata – Japanese Umbrella Pine