Ministry of Natural Resources

What trees grow best

where you live?

Ontario’s Tree
Atlas
 American Mountain-ash
Trees make Ontario beautiful
There are dozens of species of trees found in our province, from the The American mountain-ash is a small tree, up to
tall and mighty eastern white pine to the blossom-covered pin cherry. 10 metres tall. It grows across Ontario, south of
Hudson Bay. Its leaves have 13 to 17 leaflets which
But trees do more than just look beautiful. They shade our homes, are 5 to 10 centimetres long, with toothed edges.
provide food and habitat for birds and animals, and help to fight
climate change. When we plant trees, we’re helping to build a In May and June, the tree is covered in clusters of
greener and cleaner Ontario. Trees prevent soil erosion, which can white flowers. Later in the summer, bunches of
also help protect the quality of our water. bright orange-red berries appear, 4 to 6 millimetres
in diameter.
Trees are an important part of our biodiversity. A healthy natural
environment supports many different kinds of plants and animals. The American mountain-ash prefers moist ground
Trees provide shelter, food and habitat for a huge variety of but can also grow in rocky and dry soil, but it will be
mammals, birds, insects, plants and even helpful bacteria. more stunted on rocky sites.

The best kinds of trees to plant are native species. These are trees Size: 10 metres tall
that have been growing in Ontario for centuries – they’re part of the Moisture: Prefers moist ground, but can
history of our province. Native tree species are adapted to our survive in dry conditions
environment. They belong here and they contribute to the Shade: Can tolerate some shade
interconnected web of life that sustains us. Introduced species (that Soil: Grows in a variety of soils
have not been in Ontario for a long time) do not support local
ecology in the same way as native trees and can sometimes harm %
other trees, plants or animals.

The trees listed here are the most common trees likely to be found
in Ontario.
Balsam Fir Bitternut Hickory

The balsam fir is one of the most recognizable trees The bitternut hickory is found in southern Ontario.
in Ontario. It’s tall and narrow and tapers to a It grows best on low, moist ground or in rich soil in
skinny point at the top. higher ground. It grows well even in shade, so is
usually found in groups of other trees.
It looks a bit like a church steeple. When the tree is
young, its bark is covered in sap blisters. The sticky The bitternut hickory is a member of the group of
sap is always on the tree, so be careful not to brush trees called ‘pecan hickories’. It produces round
up against it. and bitter inedible nuts that are about 2 to 3.5
centimetres long. Its dark green leaves are 15 to 25
The balsam fir grows in a variety of climates and centimetres long and are made up of 7 to 11 long,
temperatures and is found across Ontario. Its cones pointed leaflets on a central stalk.
are barrel shaped and greyish brown and are 4 to
10 centimetres long. Its needles are 2 to 4 Size: 15 to 20 metres tall, trunk 30 to
centimetres long and dark and shiny green, with 80 centimetres in diameter
two white bands underneath. Moisture: Needs a lot of moisture
Shade: Tolerates partial shade, but prefers
When the balsam fir grows in a group of other full sun
trees, the branches at the bottom of the tree die Soil: Prefers rich soil
and dry out. When in the open, the tree gets more
sunlight and the lower branches stay green all the
way to the ground.

Size: Up to 30 metres tall,

trunk 60 centimetres in diameter
Moisture: Tolerates different moisture levels
Shade: Tolerates shade
Soil: Grows in a variety of soils
Black Cherry Black Spruce

Black cherry is an important forest tree for wildlife The black spruce is called a transcontinental species
because of its fruit. – it’s found from one end of Canada to the other,
and all across Ontario. It has short dark
It can grow up to 22 metres tall when it grows in bluish-green needles, which are blunt on the end.
southern Ontario. Farther north, where
temperatures are cooler and the growing season is When grown on high and dry ground, black spruce
shorter, it’s smaller and more like a shrub. trees are taller and thicker. When it grows in
wetlands, the tree is much smaller. Trees grown in
Its leaves are 5 to 15 centimetres long and are wetlands can reach 200 years of age.
narrow and pointed at the end. They are shiny
bright green on top and paler underneath. Bark on Black spruce cones are egg shaped, 2 to 3
older black cherry trees is dark gray and very flaky. centimetres long, and are dark brown. They are
found at the top of the tree and may stay on the
Bunches of small white flowers grow on the black tree for up to 30 years.
cherry tree in the spring after the first leaves have
fully developed. The tree produces fruit in August Size: Between 20 and 30 metres tall,
or early September. The dark red cherries are trunk usually between 23 and
8-10mm across, and grow in clusters. They are 26 centimetres in diameter
edible, but are very bitter. Moisture: Tolerates different moisture levels
Shade: Tolerates partial shade
Size: 22 metres tall, trunk 60 centimetres Soil: Grows in a variety of soils
in diameter
Moisture: Tolerates different moisture levels
Shade: Intolerant – needs full sun
Soil: Grows in a variety of soils
Bur Oak Eastern Hemlock

The bur oak is a medium to large tree, growing up The eastern hemlock grows in southern Ontario. It
to 30 metres in height. It is the most common oak prefers moist and cool areas and grows in a range
in Ontario. of different soil types.

The bur oak’s large leaves are 15 to 25 centimetres Its shape is conical, with a wide trunk that tapers
long, and are shiny green on top, and pale and into a thin top. Skinny flexible branches grow
hairy underneath. Its acorns, which are 1.5 to 3 straight out from the trunk and then droop at the
centimetres long, have a deep cup covering 2/3 of ends. The eastern hemlock’s bark is scaly when the
the acorn. This cup has a bristle fringe around the tree is young and cracks deeply as the tree gets
upper edge. older.

Depending on where it grows, the bur oak can be Its needles are 1 to 2 centimetres long and are
different shapes. It’s usually tall with a straight trunk shiny green on top and paler underneath. The
but if grown in shallow soil, it can be smaller with a cones of the eastern hemlock are oval shaped, and
twisted trunk and gnarled branches. are 12 to 20 millimetres long. In the late fall and
winter, the seeds fall out of the cones and onto the
Size: 15 to 30 metres tall, trunk 60 to ground.
120 centimetres in diameter
Moisture: Tolerates a wide variety of moisture Size: 30 metres tall, trunk 100 centimetres
conditions in diameter
Shade: Prefers full sun, but can tolerate Moisture: Needs a lot of moisture
moderate shade Shade: Very shade tolerant
Soil: Can grow in a variety of soils Soil: Grows in many soil types
Eastern White Cedar Eastern White Pine

The eastern white cedar is a small, hardy, Found in most of Ontario, the eastern white pine
slow-growing tree. It usually lives for about 200 can grow to be more than 40 metres tall. It grows
years, but can occasionally live much longer. It quickly and best with full sunlight. Young trees can
grows throughout Ontario and is usually found in tolerate some shade.
swampy areas where the rock underneath is
limestone. It has skinny needles that are 6 to 12 centimetres
long. It’s easy to recognize the eastern white pine
Cones from the eastern white cedar are 7 to 12 because its needles grow in bunches of five.
millimetres long and grow in clumps of 5 or 6 pairs.
Small scaly leaves cover the tree’s fan-shaped twigs The eastern white pine’s cones are 8 to 20 cm long
and are a yellowish-green colour. and they hang down from the branches. Good seed
crops aren’t produced until trees are 20 or 30 years
The bark of the eastern white cedar is thin and old, and then only every 3 to 5 years. Its bark is
shiny when the tree is young, but separates into flat dark greyish brown with broad thick ridges that are
narrow strips as the tree gets older. White-tailed 2 to 5 centimetres thick.
deer eat the twigs of the eastern white cedar
during the winter. If it grows somewhere that it’s exposed to a lot of
wind, the eastern white pine can become a bit
Size: 15 metres tall, trunk 30 centimetres lopsided, with small, short branches on the side
in diameter that faces the wind.
Moisture: Prefers moist soil
Shade: Tolerates some shade Size: 20 to 35 metres tall, trunk 60 to
Soil: Grows in a variety of soils, but does 140 centimetres in diameter
not tolerate road salt Moisture: Tolerates different moisture levels
Shade: Tolerates partial shade when
younger
Soil: Grows in any soil type; prefers sand
or sandy loam
Gray Birch Jack Pine

Gray birch are small trees that live for about 50 The jack pine is found across Ontario and is the
years. Unlike other birch trees, the bark of the gray most common of any pine trees in the north. It’s a
birch doesn't peel off easily. The bark is dark smaller tree that can grow almost anywhere – in
reddish brown when the tree is younger, and turns sandy or shallow soil, and even on permafrost and
into a chalky white colour when older. rock.

It grows well in sandy or gravelly soil, on Cones from the jack pine can vary in shape and size
abandoned pastures and in areas recently clear-cut but are usually skinny and curved and are 2.5 to 8
or burnt. Its leaves are a triangle shape with a long centimetres long. They are yellowish brown and
pointy tip and are 4 to 7 centimetres long. stay tightly closed unless they experience high
temperatures. Its light green needles grow in
Gray birches usually grow in a clump, with the tree bundles of 2, are slightly curved or twisted and are
trunks curved and leaning outwards. Its branches 2 to 4 centimetres long
are skinny and can bend into an ‘s’ shape when
older. The jack pine is the most widely distributed tree in
Canada. When it grows in rocky shallow soil, it’s
Size: 12 metres tall, trunk 15 centimetres gnarled and lopsided – a view made famous by
in diameter Canadian painter Tom Thompson.
Moisture: Can tolerate any moisture level
Shade: Needs full sun Size: Up to 24 metres tall, trunk is up to
Soil: Prefers sandy and gravelly soil, but 60 centimetres in diameter
can grow in many types of soil Moisture: Can tolerate a range of moisture
levels but prefres dry soil
Shade: Needs full sun
Soil: Grows in almost any soil, but prefers
sandy to coarse loamy soils
Peachleaf Willow Pin Cherry

A native of Canada’s prairies, the peachleaf willow The pin cherry can be found across Ontario, except
can grow up to 20 metres tall. It’s found in southern for the very far north. It needs bright sun to survive,
Ontario, and has long pointed leaves that are 5 to so it usually grows in the open away from other
14 centimetres long, and are dark green on the top trees that might create shade.
and pale green underneath.
It’s a small tree, growing up to 12 metres in height
The trunk of the peachleaf willow can be more than and 25 centimetres in diameter. The fruit of the pin
40 cm in diameter. It usually grows in a clump with cherry is bright red and is 6 to 8 millimetres across,
other peachleaf willows, in moist soil close to rivers and it ripens from late July to early September.
and lakes and in swamps. They are edible but very sour.

The peachleaf willow’s blossoms, called catkins, In the spring, the pin cherry tree is covered in white
grow on leafy shoots that hang down from blossoms about 5 millimetres long that grow in
branches. They appear in the spring at the same bunches. In nature, the seeds of the pin cherry can
time as the willow’s leaves. Many animals feed on lie dormant in the ground for many decades,
twigs and buds from willow trees, and its flowers sprouting in great numbers after some kind of
are a source of nectar and pollen for bees. disturbance like a wind storm or fire removes the
forest cover.
Size: Up to 20 metres tall, trunk is
40 cm in diameter Size: 12 metres high, trunk is 25 cm
Moisture: Needs a lot of moisture in diameter
Shade: Needs full sun Moisture: Can tolerate different moisture
Soil: Grows in a variety of soils levels
Shade: Needs full sun
Soil: Grows in a variety of soils
Red Maple Red Oak

The red maple is found in central and southern The red oak can be found east of Lake Superior,
Ontario, in the Great Lakes/St Lawrence region. It’s and across central and southern Ontario. It is
a medium-sized tree that can grow up to 25 metres usually 20 to 30 metres tall, with a thick trunk
tall, with a trunk that’s 60 centimetres in diameter. sometimes more than 120 centimetres in diameter.

The red maple’s leaves are 5 to 15 centimetres long The red oak’s leaves are dark green and are 10 to
and light green on top and paler underneath. Its 20 centimetres long. They have sharp, pointed
bark is smooth and light gray when the tree is lobes (usually 7 to 9) with bristly tips.
young, turning greyish-brown, scaly and ridged as
the tree gets older. Acorns from the red oak are 2 to 3 centimetres long
and are round with a scaly cap that covers less than
The seeds of the red maple are contained in ‘keys’ ¼ of the acorn. The bark of the red oak is smooth
that float down from the tree’s branches in the early and dark gray when the tree is young, but deep
summer. ridges develop as the tree gets older.

Size: 25 metres tall, trunk 60 centimetres Size: 20 to 30 metres tall, trunk between
in diameter 30 and 90 centimetres in diameter
Moisture: Grows best in moist soil, but can Moisture: Can tolerate a variety of moisture
tolerate different moisture levels levels
Shade: Tolerates some shade. Shade: Prefers full sun, but can tolerate
Soil: Grows in a variety of soils some shade
Soil: Grows in a variety of soils
Red Pine Shagbark Hickory

The red pine is found across most of Ontario, from The shagbark hickory grows only in southern
Lake Nipigon across to Quebec, and south to the Ontario along the St Lawrence River and into
Great Lakes. It’s called ‘red’ pine because its bark is Quebec. It can live for 200 years, grows to be 25
reddish to pink in colour. metres tall, and prefers rich, moist soil.

The red pine can grow to be 35 metres tall, with a The leaves of the shagbark are 15 to 25 centimetres
trunk 75 centimetres in diameter. Its shiny dark long, made up of 5 leaflets on a central stalk. They
green needles grow in bunches of two and are are green on top, and paler and hairy underneath.
between 10 and 16 centimetres long. The trunk of The tree’s bark separates into long plates as it gets
the red pine is usually slender and straight. older, which loosen from the trunk and give the tree
a ‘shaggy’ look – that’s how it gets its name.
Wood from the red pine has been used to make
poles and pilings and as structural timber because Nuts from the shagbark hickory are edible and are
of its strength. 3 to 4.5 centimetres long. They are sweet tasting
and are a favourite food of squirrels.
Size: 20 to 30 metres tall, trunk 30 to
75 centimetres in diameter Size: 20 to 30 metres tall, trunk is 30 to
Moisture: Tolerates a variety of moisture levels 80 centimetres in diameter
Shade: Prefers full sun Moisture: Prefers moist soil
Soil: Can tolerate poor, rocky, and sandy Shade: Prefers sun, but can tolerate some
soil shade
Soil: Prefers rich soil
Showy Mountain-ash Silver Maple

The showy mountain-ash is found across almost all The silver maple grows in central and southern
of Ontario, except for the southwestern tip of the Ontario. It’s a large tree that can grow to be
province. It can get up to 10 metres tall. 35 metres tall with a trunk that’s more than
100 centimetres in diameter.
Its blue-green leaves have 13 to 17 leaflets which
are 3 to 8 centimetres long. Its light green leaves are 15 to 20 centimetres long,
with 5 or 7 lobes. The silver maple is very similar to
Clusters of small white flowers bloom on the tree the red maple – except that its leaves turn pale
between May and July. In August and September, yellow or brown, not red, in the fall. Its seeds are
the showy mountain-ash is covered in bunches of found in ‘keys’ that fall down from the tree in the
shiny red berries that are 4 to 6 millimetres across, late spring.
and often stay on the tree through the winter.
Bark on the silver maple’s trunk is smooth and gray
Size: Up to 15 metres tall when the tree is young and then becomes dark
Moisture: Can tolerate different moisture reddish brown and breaks into strips that peel off at
levels either end and make the trunk look ‘shaggy’.
Shade: Can tolerate some shade Sometimes, the trunks of silver maples are hollow,
Soil: Can grow in a variety of soils creating space for animals and birds to live in.
including rocky and poor soil
Size: Up to 35 metres tall, trunk
100 centimetres in diameter
Moisture: Prefers moist soil
Shade: Slightly shade tolerant but prefers
full sun
Soil: Prefers rich soil
Sugar Maple Tamarack

The sugar maple is found in central and southern The tamarack is found everywhere in Ontario but is
Ontario. It’s a large tree that can grow up to 35 most common in the north. Most conifer trees keep
metres tall, and can live for more than 200 years. their needles year round but tamaracks are
deciduous conifers – its needles fall off in the
The sugar maple’s yellowish-green leaves are 8 to autumn and new ones grow in the spring.
20 centimetres long, and have five lobes. The shape
of the leaf is well known – it’s found on the Tamarack trees grow to be about 20 metres tall. Its
Canadian flag and is the national tree of Canada. In bark starts out smooth and gray when the tree is
the fall the sugar maple’s leaves turn yellow, young, and turns reddish brown and scaly as the
brilliant orange or red. tree grows. Its needles grow in tufts of 10 to 20
(sometimes many more) and are 2 to 3 centimetres
The sugar maple’s bark is smooth and gray and long. They are soft and flexible bluish green except
becomes darker and splits into ridges that curl out in the fall when they turn yellow before falling off.
as the tree gets older. Seeds from the sugar maple
are contained in ‘keys’ which are 30 to 35 The tamarack’s seeds grow inside light brown cones
millimetres long. Seed is produced every year, with which are 1 to 2 centimetres long. Trees don’t
an abundant crop every 7 years. produce seeds until they are 10 years old.

Size: 35 metres tall, 90 centimetres Size: 20 metres tall, 60 centimetres in

in diameter diameter
Moisture: Prefers moist soil Moisture: Can grow in a variety of moisture
Shade: Can tolerate shade but grows better levels
when it gets full sun Shade: Intolerant of shade – needs full sun
Soil: Prefers deep and rich soil Soil: Can grow in a variety of soils
Trembling Aspen Tulip Tree

The trembling aspen is found across all of Ontario, The tulip tree grows in only a few parts of Ontario –
except for along the northern shores of Hudson on the south shore of Lake Huron, the north shore
Bay. It can grow to be 20 metres high and normally of Lake Erie, and in the Niagara Peninsula. It’s a
lives for 70 to 100 years, but it can grow much taller large, fast-growing tree, up to 35 metres tall with a
and live much longer under ideal conditions. trunk up to 160 centimetres in diameter.

The trembling aspen’s trunk is long and cylindrical. As its name suggest, the tulip tree produces
Usually there aren’t any branches on the lower part beautiful yellow-green flowers that are about 5
of the trunk. Its bark is smooth and is very pale centimetres long. They have 6 petals and are
green or white when the tree is young. It becomes shaped like tulip flowers and bloom in the spring.
darker and furrowed as the tree grows.
Its leaves are 7 to 12 centimetres long and are
Its leaves are egg shaped to roundish and 2 to 8 straight across the top, with 4 lobes beneath. They
centimetres long. They are deep green on top and are light green and turn yellow in the fall. The tulip
paler underneath and are on long flattened stalks, tree’s bark is smooth and dark green when the tree
which make them tremble in the breeze – that’s is young then turns brown and ridged.
how the trembling aspen got its name.
Size: 25 to 30 metres tall, thick straight
Size: Usually 20 metres tall, trunks 50 to 100 centimetres
25 centimetres in diameter in diameter
Moisture: Can tolerate a variety of moisture Moisture: Needs a lot of moisture during
levels, but prefers moist sites the summer
Shade: Intolerant – needs full sun Shade: Needs full sun
Soil: Can grow in a variety of soil types Soil: Prefers sand and sandy loam
White Birch White Oak

The white birch is found everywhere in Ontario The white oak is a large tree that can live for several
except for along the shore of Hudson Bay. It’s a hundred years. It’s found in southern Ontario and
medium sized tree that can be 25 metres tall. can grow to be more than 35 metres tall.

The tree’s trunk is covered in thin smooth white Acorns from the white oak are 1.2 to 2.5
bark which peels off in large sheets. Bark from the centimetres long. It takes 2 years for acorns to be
white birch is very strong and pliable – it can be fully grown, and they drop off in the fall once they
used to make canoes. Buds, leaves and seeds from are ripe. Birds, squirrels and other animals eat
the white birch are a great source of food for birds acorns from the white oak.
and animals.
Its leaves are 10 to 20 centimetres long and have
Leaves from the white birch tree are egg-shaped or 7 to 9 lobes. They are bright green on top and are a
triangular in shape and are 5 to 10 centimetres paler green underneath. They turn red-purple in the
long. They are dull green on top and lighter green fall before falling off.
and slightly hairy underneath.
The white oak’s bark is whitish to pale gray, usually
Size: 25 metres tall, trunk is with long scales.
60 centimetres in diameter
Moisture: Can tolerate a variety of moisture Size: 20 to 30 metres tall, trunk 50 to
levels 120 centimetres in diameter
Shade: Intolerant – needs full sun Moisture: Can tolerate a variety of moisture
Soil: Can tolerate a variety of soils levels
Shade: Prefers full sun
Soil: Can tolerate a variety of soils
White Spruce The Ministry of Natural Resources encourages you to plant native
trees. It’s alright to plant trees in this section, but it may be very
difficult to find them in many commercial nurseries.
The white spruce is a common tree in the north, but
it can grow in southern Ontario. It grows well in the
far north and can be found along the arctic tree
line.

The white spruce usually grows to be 24 metres tall,

but under ideal conditions can grow to more than
30 metres tall. It usually lives between 250 and 350
years, but trees up to 1,000 years old have been
seen. Its needles are about 2 centimetres long and
bluish green or green in colour, with a whitish
powdery, waxy layer. Cones from the white spruce
are 5 to 7 centimetres long and are light brown.
Swamp White Oak

Wood from the white spruce is used to make wood

The swamp white oak is found in southern Ontario.
pulp and lumber. They are also grown as Christmas
It’s a rare tree and is uncommon in the rest of
trees.
Canada.

Size: 24 metres tall, trunk 60 centimetres

It grows to be about 22 metres tall, with a trunk
in diameter
that’s 90 centimetres in diameter. The leaves of the
Moisture: Tolerates a range of moisture levels
swamp white oak are 12 to 17 centimetres long and
Shade: Tolerates shade
are wedge-shaped. They are shiny green on top
Soil: Can grow in almost any soil type
and pale greyish-green underneath.

The swamp white oak’s acorns are 2 to 3

centimetres long and grow on stems that can be up
to 10 centimetres long. The cup of the acorn is
covered in scales.

As its name suggests, the swamp white oak grows

in damp soil and along the edges of swamps.
Black Maple American Basswood

The black maple is found across southern Ontario. The basswood is a large tree that can grow to be
It is similar to the sugar maple, but prefers wet soil more than 35 metres tall. It is found in central and
and floodplains. It can grow to be 35 metres tall southern Ontario and can live for more than 200
with a trunk that’s 90 centimetres in diameter. years.

Its leaves are 8 to 20 centimetres long and have In July, yellow flowers that are about 1 centimetre
three lobes. They are dark green on top and wide bloom on the basswood tree. It also produces
yellowish-green underneath. They turn little berries that are 8 to 12 millimetres wide and
brownish-yellow in the fall, unlike the sugar maple’s grow in bunches. The basswood’s seeds are
leaves which turn brilliant red. contained in the berries, and are spread by wind
and animals.

Its leaves are heart-shaped and are 12 to 15

centimetres long and have sharp teeth along the
Chinquapin Oak
edge. They are dull green on top and lighter
underneath.
The chinquapin oak is rare in Ontario – it’s only
found in the south-west of the province and near
the Thousand Islands.
Common Hackberry
It’s a medium sized tree that can grow to be 30
metres tall with a trunk that’s 60 centimetres in
diameter. It can grow in dry, rocky, and sandy soil. The hackberry is a smaller tree, growing up to 15
metres tall. Its purplish-red berries are edible, and
Its leaves are 10 to 18 centimetres long and have a are 6 to 8 millimetres across.
toothed edge. They are shiny green on top and
greyish green underneath. The chinquapin’s acorns It’s uncommon in Ontario, but can be found along
are 12 to 35 millimetres long and are half-covered the shores of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario and
by a scaly cup. farther north along the St Lawrence.

Its pointed leaves are 6 to 9 centimetres long and

are a deep bluish-green. They turn yellow in the fall.
The hackberry’s bark is ridged and grey or light
yellowish-brown.
Ironwood Ohio Buckeye

The ironwood is found in central and southern The Ohio buckeye is native to the United States but
Ontario. It has very hard wood which is used to make can be found in southwestern Ontario. It’s a smaller
tool handles. tree that grows to be about 15 metres tall.

It can grow to be up to 15 metres tall with bark that Its bark is grey but turns dark brown as the tree gets
is greyish-brown that separates into strips that peel older. Its oval, pointed leaves are 6 to 15 centimetres
away from the tree. Its leaves are 7 to 12 centimetres and grow in a star shape on a central stalk and are
long and are oval shaped with a pointed end. They yellowish-green. They turn yellow or orange in the
are a dark yellowish-green, turning dull yellow in the fall.
fall.
The Ohio buckeye’s leaves, twigs and bark smell bad
The ironwood’s seeds grow inside bunches of thin, when they are broken or crushed.
papery pods that fall from the tree during the winter.

Sassafras

The sassafras is rare in Ontario – it can be found in

the south of the province. It grows to be about 20
metres tall, but is smaller and like a shrub, if it’s in a
dry and sandy spot.

Its 10 to 15 centimetre-long leaves are special,

because they grow in three different shapes – oval
with no lobe, one lobe, or two lobes. They are dark
green and turn yellow or red in the fall. When the
leaves are crushed, they smell like cinnamon.

Bark on the sassafras is dark brown with deep

grooves. In the spring, small yellow flowers grow on
the tree. Later in the summer, it produces 10 to 15
millimetre-long dark blue berries with a big seed
inside.
Trees not recommended for planting

The Ministry of Natural Resources encourages you to plant native Horsechestnut

trees. Some of the trees in the list are considered to be invasive
species, which means they take over and crowd out native trees,
making it difficult for native trees to grow. Other trees in this section The horsechestnut is native to Europe, but is
may be prone to disease and we’re not recommending you plant them planted in Canada because it’s a hardy tree that
at this time because it may cause the spread of disease and will not grows well in urban environments and also
likely survive to maturity. produces beautiful big bunches of white flowers in
the spring.

Its leaves are rounded at one end and are pointed

at the other. They are 10 to 25 centimetres long
and grow attached to a central stalk in a fan-shape.

The horsechestnut grows to be 25 metres tall, with

a trunk that’s 50 centimetres in diameter. Its bark is
dark grey or dark brown and gets very scaly and
cracked when the tree is older. Its nuts grow in
bright green shells that are covered in pointy
Northern Catalpa
thorns.

Not recommended because: Native species

The northern catalpa is not native to Canada. It
adapted to our local environment are always
usually grows in much warmer climates, but is planted
preferred to introduced species which often
farther north because of its lovely big white flowers,
contribute little to our ecology and the web of life
which bloom in mid-summer.
that sustains us.
Its leaves are large and heart-shaped and are 10 to 30
centimetres long. Its seeds grow in very long skinny
pods that are 35 to 60 centimetres long and look like
beans.

The northern catalpa can grow to be more than 30

metres tall and its bark is dark brown.

Not recommended because: Native species adapted

to our local environment are always preferred to
introduced species which often contribute little to our
ecology and the web of life that sustains us.
Little Leaf Linden English Oak

The little-leaf linden is native to Europe. It can The english oak is native to Europe, but was
grow in Canada because it’s a hardy tree, and it transplanted to Canada and the United States in
grows well in cities. It’s found in central and colonial times and grows in central and southern
southern Ontario and can grow to be 35 metres Ontario.
tall.
It’s a large tree that can grow to be 35 metres tall
Its dull green leaves are heart shaped and are 4 to 8 and can live for hundreds of years. The leaves of
centimetres long. the English oak are 5 to 12 millimetres long and
have between 5 and 7 lobes and 2 smaller lobes
Small yellow flowers bloom on the little leaf linden that stick out at the bottom of the leaf. They are
in July. Its bark is greenish brown and gets darker dark green on top and bluish underneath.
in colour as the tree gets older.
Acorns from the english oak are 15 to 40
Not recommended because: Native species millimetres long and grow in bunches of 2 to 5 on a
adapted to our local environment are always stalk.
preferred to introduced species which often
contribute little to our ecology and the web of life Not recommended because: Native species
that sustains us. adapted to our local environment are always
preferred to introduced species which often
contribute little to our ecology and the web of life
that sustains us.
Norway Maple White Elm

The norway maple is native to Europe. It was The white elm used to be a common in Ontario, but
brought over to Canada and now grows in southern Dutch-elm disease has killed older trees. Some
and central Ontario. It was commonly planted on younger trees have survived the disease.
city streets.
It’s a large tree that can grow to be up to 35 metres
Its bark is very dark grey with ridges that connect tall, with a thick trunk that’s 175 centimetres in
and form a pattern. Its leaves have 5 to 7 lobes and diameter. Its bark is dark greyish-brown with deep
are 8 to 20 centimetres long. They are dark green ridges that connect. The white elm’s leaves are oval
and turn lighter green or yellow in the fall. with a pointed end and are dark green and 10 to
15 centimetres long.
It can grow to be up to 35 metres tall and can live
for hundreds of years. The white elm has an easily recognizable shape
with no branches until halfway up the trunk and
Not recommended because: Norway maple and then lots of branches that fan out, giving the tree
its many cultivars (cross-bred trees) are commonly an umbrella shape.
sold at nurseries, but are considered to be invasive
species that can dominate our native ecosystems, Not recommended because: The white elm is
crowding out native species and reducing susceptible to Dutch-elm disease and will not likely
biodiversity in adjoining natural areas. last to maturity.
Black Locust

The black locust is a hardy tree, so even though it’s

not native to Canada, it can grow here. It’s found in
southern and central Ontario.

The black locust grows to be 25 metres tall and can

live for 90 years. In the summer, it’s covered in
bunches of white flowers that are 14 centimetres
long. Small green oval-shaped leaflets grow on
stalks that are 20 to 30 centimetres long.

Its seeds grow in pods that are 7 to 10 centimetres

long and are eaten by birds and small mammals. Its
bark is dark brown and becomes scaled and
cracked as the tree ages.

Not recommended because: Native species

adapted to our local environment are always
preferred to introduced species which often
contribute little to our ecology and the web of life
that sustains us.