16 Native Trees to Plant in Pennsylvania This Fall

Fall is a good time to plant many container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees in Pennsylvania. Cooler weather reduces heat stress, and the soil may stay warm enough for roots to grow before winter. Plant early enough for the tree to settle in, and water it during dry spells until the ground freezes.

The right tree depends on your yard. Check its mature size, sunlight needs, soil moisture, and drainage before you buy. Here are 16 Pennsylvania native trees to consider, from small flowering trees to large shade trees.

1. Red Maple

Red maple (Acer rubrum) is a versatile shade tree known for its red, orange, or yellow fall color. It can handle a range of soil conditions, including sites that stay somewhat moist. Give it room to develop a broad canopy. A fall planting lets a nursery-grown tree begin settling in before its spring growth.

2. Sugar Maple

Sugar maple (Acer saccharum) brings brilliant autumn color and eventually provides deep shade. It grows best where the soil is well drained but does not dry out severely. Choose a spacious site away from pavement that can heat and compact the soil. Fall’s cooler temperatures make planting less stressful, provided you keep the root area watered.

3. White Oak

White oak (Quercus alba) is a long-lived tree with tremendous wildlife value. Its acorns feed birds and mammals, while its leaves support many insects. It needs a large planting space and generally does best in well-drained soil. Plant a young nursery tree in early fall so it has time to establish before winter.

4. Northern Red Oak

Northern red oak (Quercus rubra) grows into a handsome shade tree with acorns and reddish fall foliage. It suits a roomy yard with well-drained soil. Fall is a practical planting season for a container-grown red oak because the cooler air reduces moisture loss while you tend its developing roots.

5. Chestnut Oak

Chestnut oak (Quercus montana) is especially useful on dry, rocky, or sloping sites where some other shade trees struggle. Its acorns provide food for wildlife. Match it with a site that drains well, and water a newly planted tree through dry autumn weather despite its tolerance for drier conditions once established.

6. Black Gum

Black gum (Nyssa sylvatica), also called tupelo, can turn vivid red in fall. Its small fruits attract birds, and its branching gives it an attractive shape throughout the year. It prefers a site with adequate moisture and room to grow. Because black gum can resent root disturbance, choose a healthy container-grown tree and handle its root ball carefully when planting.

7. Eastern Redbud

Eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis) is a smaller tree that covers its branches with pink spring flowers. It works well near a patio or at the edge of a yard where a large shade tree would be too much. Give it a reasonably well-drained spot, especially if your soil stays wet in winter. Planting in early fall gives it a chance to settle in before its spring display.

8. Downy Serviceberry

Downy serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea) offers early white flowers, berries for birds, and warm fall color. Its modest size makes it a good choice for smaller yards or woodland edges. Fall planting can work well when the tree is watered regularly while its roots establish.

9. Flowering Dogwood

Flowering dogwood (Cornus florida) is valued for spring blooms, red fall foliage, and berries that birds eat. It is an understory tree, so a site with some protection from harsh afternoon sun can be helpful. Give it well-drained soil and a layer of mulch that does not touch the trunk. Early fall planting allows time to establish before freezing weather.

10. Sassafras

Sassafras (Sassafras albidum) has distinctive leaves that may take on yellow, orange, and red tones in autumn. It supports wildlife and grows naturally in a range of Pennsylvania landscapes. Give it room: sassafras may spread by root sprouts over time. A young nursery-grown tree is a good choice for fall planting because it avoids disturbing an established root system.

11. Tulip Tree

Tulip tree (Liriodendron tulipifera), also called tulip poplar, grows tall and produces unusual tulip-shaped flowers. It is best for a large yard with space above and below ground. Choose a site with adequate moisture and avoid squeezing it into a narrow strip. Cooler fall weather can help a newly planted tree avoid the heat stress of summer.

12. American Sycamore

American sycamore (Platanus occidentalis) stands out for its mottled bark and impressive size. It is especially well suited to large properties and areas with moist soil. Keep it away from buildings, wires, and small planting beds. If you plant one in fall, water it during dry periods until the ground freezes.

13. River Birch

River birch (Betula nigra) has peeling bark that adds interest even after its leaves drop. It is a useful choice for a yard with moist soil, though it still needs room for its mature spread. Fall planting gives you a chance to establish the tree during cooler weather; do not let the root ball dry out.

14. American Basswood

American basswood (Tilia americana) is a large shade tree with fragrant flowers that attract pollinators. It fits best where its broad crown has plenty of space. Planting in fall works well when you can provide consistent moisture while the tree becomes established.

15. Eastern White Pine

Eastern white pine (Pinus strobus) provides year-round greenery, screening, and shelter for wildlife. It needs ample room and a site with good drainage. Because evergreens continue to lose moisture through their needles in winter, water a fall-planted pine well during dry weather before the soil freezes.

16. Eastern Hemlock

Eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) is Pennsylvania’s state tree. Its soft-looking evergreen foliage can create a beautiful screen or woodland planting. It prefers a cool site with soil that stays moist but drains well. Water carefully after fall planting and check nursery stock for pests, particularly hemlock woolly adelgid.

How to Plant a Tree in Fall

Dig a hole as deep as the root ball and wider than it, keeping the point where the trunk widens into the roots visible at ground level. If the tree is container-grown, check for circling roots and loosen or correct them before planting. Backfill with the soil you removed, then water thoroughly.

Spread mulch over the root area to help hold moisture and moderate soil temperature, leaving a clear gap around the trunk. Continue watering when rainfall is insufficient. A newly planted tree still needs attention in spring and summer; fall planting is the beginning of establishment, not the end of it.

For the best result, choose a species that fits your particular part of Pennsylvania and the conditions in your yard. A small serviceberry can be ideal beside a home, while an oak, sycamore, or tulip tree needs space to become the tree it was meant to be.