Best Trees to Plant in Massachusetts

Choosing the right tree for your yard is a 50-year decision. Plant the wrong species and you will be paying for removal in 15 years. Plant the right one and it adds value, beauty, and shade for generations. I am Keith McDonald, owner of McDonald Tree Service in Billerica, MA. After 30 years of removing, pruning, and planting trees across Middlesex County, I know exactly which species thrive here and which ones cause problems.

Massachusetts falls in USDA Hardiness Zones 6a and 6b. We get cold winters, hot summers, nor'easters, ice storms, and occasional droughts. The trees on this list handle all of it.

Best Shade Trees for Massachusetts

If you want a tree that cools your house in summer and lets light through in winter, these are your best options.

Red Oak (Quercus rubra)

The king of New England shade trees. Red oaks grow 60-75 feet tall with a broad, rounded canopy that provides dense summer shade. They are native to every town in our service area, from Carlisle to Woburn. Growth rate is moderate — about 2 feet per year in good conditions. Fall color is outstanding: deep red to russet brown. Red oaks tolerate a wide range of soil types, including the rocky, acidic soils common across Middlesex County.

Best for: Large yards with room for a 50-foot canopy spread. Plant at least 25 feet from structures.

Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum)

Iconic New England tree with the best fall color of any species — brilliant orange, gold, and red. Sugar maples grow 60-75 feet tall and provide excellent shade. They prefer well-drained soil and partial shade when young. Growth rate is moderate, about 1-2 feet per year.

Caution: Sugar maples do not tolerate road salt, compacted soil, or drought well. They are better suited for properties in Concord, Lincoln, and Carlisle with larger lots than for street-side planting in denser towns.

White Oak (Quercus alba)

Slower growing than red oak but longer lived — white oaks can survive 300+ years. They grow 60-80 feet tall with a massive spreading canopy. The wood is incredibly strong, making white oaks exceptionally wind-resistant. Fall color is a rich burgundy to brown. Native throughout Middlesex County.

Best for: Homeowners willing to wait for a legacy tree. White oaks are an investment in the next generation.

Best Privacy Trees for Massachusetts

Evergreen trees provide year-round screening. Here are the species that actually perform well in our climate.

Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus)

The fastest-growing native evergreen in Massachusetts. White pines can add 3 feet per year and reach 80+ feet at maturity. They provide excellent screening when planted in rows 10-12 feet apart. Soft, blue-green needles give a graceful appearance.

Caution: White pines are vulnerable to ice damage and can drop large limbs in storms. We remove more white pines than any other species across Tewksbury, Wilmington, and Chelmsford. They are excellent privacy trees but plant them away from structures. At least 30 feet from your house is recommended.

Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana)

A native evergreen that grows 40-50 feet tall with a dense, columnar form. Excellent for privacy screening without the height-related risks of white pine. Tolerates poor soil, drought, and wind. Very low maintenance once established.

Best for: Smaller lots where you need screening but cannot accommodate 80-foot pines. Common in Burlington, Bedford, and Lexington neighborhoods.

American Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis)

A popular choice for privacy hedges. Grows 40-60 feet at maturity but can be maintained at any height with regular pruning. Dense, soft foliage provides complete visual screening year-round. Plant 3-4 feet apart for a tight hedge.

Caution: Deer love arborvitae. If you have deer pressure — common in Westford, Carlisle, Acton, and Concord — choose a different species or plan on deer netting until the trees grow above browse height.

Best Ornamental Trees for Massachusetts

These smaller trees work near houses, patios, and walkways without outgrowing their space.

Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis)

A stunning small tree (20-30 feet) that blooms in early spring with magenta-pink flowers before the leaves emerge. Heart-shaped leaves turn yellow in fall. Tolerates partial shade. One of the few ornamentals that actually belongs in our climate zone.

Best for: Front yards, foundation plantings, and understory planting beneath larger trees.

Serviceberry (Amelanchier canadensis)

Native to Massachusetts and absolutely beautiful in every season. White flowers in early spring, edible blue berries in summer (birds love them), outstanding orange-red fall color, and attractive bark in winter. Grows 15-25 feet tall. Multi-stem or single-trunk forms available.

Best for: Small yards, foundation plantings, and naturalized landscapes. A perfect replacement for the invasive Bradford pear.

Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum)

Not native, but well-adapted to Massachusetts with proper siting. Hundreds of cultivars ranging from 6-foot dwarfs to 25-foot specimens. Incredible foliage in reds, purples, and greens. Needs protection from harsh winter wind and afternoon sun.

Best for: Protected locations near houses, patios, and garden beds. Popular across Winchester, Lexington, and Waltham.

Trees to Avoid in Massachusetts

Some commonly planted trees cause more problems than they are worth:

• Norway Maple (Acer platanoides): Invasive species that outcompetes native trees. Aggressive surface roots crack sidewalks and foundations. Massachusetts lists it as invasive.
• Silver Maple (Acer saccharinum): Fast growing but extremely weak wood. Drops branches constantly. Invasive root system clogs sewer lines. We remove more damaged silver maples than any other species.
• Bradford Pear (Pyrus calleryana): Invasive, weak structure, splits in half after 15-20 years. Now banned from sale in several states.
• White Ash (Fraxinus americana): Beautiful native tree, but the emerald ash borer has made planting new ash trees a losing proposition. Existing ash trees across Billerica, Dracut, and Lowell are dying in massive numbers.
• Weeping Willow: Aggressive roots that invade septic systems and foundations. Needs constant moisture. Brittle branches break in every storm.

Planting Tips for Success

• Plant in fall or early spring. October through November and March through April are the best planting windows in Massachusetts. The tree establishes roots before summer heat stress.
• Do not plant too deep. The root flare (where the trunk widens at the base) should be at or slightly above ground level. Burying it causes root girdling and early death.
• Mulch correctly. 2-3 inches of mulch in a ring around the tree, but not touching the trunk. Volcano mulching (piling mulch against the trunk) causes rot and is the number one planting mistake we see.
• Water for the first two years. New trees need 1 inch of water per week during the growing season until they are established.
• Plan for mature size. That cute 6-foot red oak will be 70 feet tall with a 50-foot canopy. Plant it where it has room to grow — not 10 feet from the house.

Professional Tree Planting Services

McDonald Tree Service offers professional tree planting across our 18-town service area. We help you select the right species for your property, plant it correctly, and provide guidance on establishment care. We also handle removals of trees that were planted in the wrong spot or have outgrown their location — see our removal vs. trimming guide for when that is necessary.

Call (978) 375-2272 for a free consultation on tree planting or any tree care need. We serve Billerica, Chelmsford, Lowell, Tewksbury, Wilmington, Burlington, Bedford, Carlisle, Dracut, Westford, Andover, Woburn, Lexington, Concord, Lincoln, Winchester, Acton, and Waltham.