Flowering Trees of Vermont: What We Recommend Planting

At Limbwalker, when one of our certified arborists consults with a client on tree planting, we’re often asked about flowering trees of Vermont. For residents, there are plenty of good choices that fit different needs, from shade to noise barriers, decoration, and even bearing fruit. Our team can help you determine what species will thrive on your plot of land in the specific spot you want to add a tree. 

Here Are Some of Our Flowering Tree Favorites for Vermonters:

Black Cherry: For a sunny spot on your property where you’d like to create some shade, black cherry trees are a great option. This native tree shows off its gorgeous white blossoms in the spring, and you can attract wildlife to enjoy the ripe cherries when the weather warms up. This flowering Vermont tree can reach 50-60 feet high and loves the sun. One caveat is that black cherry trees can create a mess as fallen cherries and those carried around by the birds and other wildlife leave stains. We recommend planting them well away from patios, decks, driveways, and sheds to avoid cleanup headaches.

American Linden: The American Linden tree, also known as the Linden Basswood, is a large, deciduous tree native to the eastern U.S. It’s a common street tree across New England and is known for its fragrant flowers and light wood. It can grow to be over 70 feet tall and has green, heart-shaped leaves that grow 5-6 inches long. The flowers are creamy yellow and fragrant, usually blooming in June. The Linden attracts pollinators such as bees and fireflies and grows best in moist, fertile, well-drained soil.

Pagoda Dogwood: Some dogwoods that grow in Vermont include the pagoda dogwood, gray dogwood, and red twig dogwood. Our favorite variety is the Pagoda, because it’s a Vermont native that reaches about 20 feet tall and has tiered horizontal branching that gives your landscape a Japanese garden feel. This variety of dogwood grows flat, white flowers in spring, vibrant red fruit stalks, and black berries in summer and fall. They can tolerate part shade and are resistant to dogwood anthracnose. There’s an even more attractive version that’s variegated. 

Eastern Redbud: The Redbud is arguably one of the most impressive of the spring blooming trees. Its bright magenta purplish flowers bloom in clusters and typically grow to 20-30 feet tall. Its rounded crown makes these a good choice as a shade tree near decks or patios. In the summer, Redbuds sport large dark green leaves that turn bright yellow in fall. Although this flowering tree of Vermont blooms best in full sun, they can tolerate a little shade. These adaptable small trees thrive in most types of soil, have a fast growth rate, and are low maintenance because they don’t require pruning.

Red Maple: One of the first flowers to bloom in the spring, red maples are native to Vermont and show off hanging clusters of bright red flowers before their spring leaves erupt. Red maples are fast growers and reach up to 60-feet tall, but they don’t have the poor attributes of other quickly growing trees, such as brittle branches or messy leaves. They offer great shade, are low maintenance, and can tolerate soil compaction. They also provide variety, because two red maple trees can look completely different during the flowering phase. That’s because red maples can produce all male flowers, all female flowers, or a combination of both.

Work with Limbwalker to Create a Tree Planting Plan

At Limbwalker, our certified arborists can help you incorporate the right trees into your commercial or residential landscaping. We are professionals in identifying which species of trees will meet your needs, fit your budget, and flourish based on your site’s environmental conditions. By creating a custom planting plan, our team can ensure your new trees thrive in locations including Colchester, Williston, Hinesburg, Weybridge or Cornwall and across Vermont. Contact us today to learn more about how our team can make new trees a well-thought out, sustainable part of your landscaping.