Climate Trees: Explanation & Types for the Garden

Sustainable tree species are now being planted in many areas in order to defy climate change. You can find out from us what characterizes a so-called climate tree and which species are particularly suitable.

In recent years, it has become increasingly apparent that some long-established tree species are not up to the rising temperatures, reduced precipitation and extreme weather events. They can now be replaced by more robust species, the "climate trees".

What are climate trees?

Climate trees are particularly robust tree species that withstand, for example, severe frost, drought and heat endure or become insensitive to weather extremes such as storms or wildly fluctuating temperatures demonstrate. In the city, it is also important that the trees planted there are “suitable for the urban climate”. This means: Depending on the location, you also have to deal with higher air pollution, often with a small root space with low Humus levels, limited solar radiation and sometimes high salt concentrations in the soil due to winter service get by

tip: When planting trees on humus-poor, barren soil, our Plantura organic compost for a long-lasting supply of nutrients, brings in organic matter for healthy soil life and improves water retention and soil structure in the long term. The compost can simply be mixed into the excavation.

List of climate trees for the garden

In the following list we present 14 climate tree species with very different properties. Certain species are more suitable for smaller gardens, as a city tree on the roadside or, due to their strong growth, primarily for forests or parks. Many climate trees are also valuable habitats and provide food for insects, birds and mammals.

tree hazel (Corylus colurna)

The tree hazel is a relative of the hazelnut (Corylus avellana) and grows into a stately tree up to a height of more than 20 m. It originally comes from Southeast Europe and Asia Minor. The tree hazel has similar leaves, flowers and fruits as the hazelnut. Autumn turns golden yellow and the tasty, edible nuts fall down with their clusters. The tree hazel prefers deep soil and is otherwise very adaptable. The warmth-loving, extremely heat- and drought-tolerant climate tree species is also free of diseases and pests.

tree magnolia (Magnolia kobus)

The tree magnolia originally comes from Japan and grows into a large shrub to a small tree up to a maximum height of 10 m. Each year, the flowering one lays before the leaves sprout magnolia about 30 cm in growth height. The approximately 10 cm large, white flowers appear between mid-April and early May. The tree magnolia prefers fresh to moist, deep soil in full sun to light shade. It is considered to be extremely frost hardy and adaptable to sunny, damp locations.

bluebell tree (Paulownia tomentosa)

the bluebell tree or Paulownia can reach 12 to 15 m in height and grows vigorously when young. The medium-sized tree develops very large, slightly lobed and hairy leaves. Even before the leaves sprout from April, long, upright flower spikes with light violet flowers appear. The nut-like seed pods remain on the bare tree until spring. As a climate tree, the Paulownia is well prepared for dry and hot summers and, as an adult tree, can withstand severe frost and air pollution. The blue bell tree is undemanding and grows on almost all permeable soils.

ironwood tree (Parrotia persica)

The ironwood tree comes from the Near East and is associated with the witch hazel (witch hazel) related. The small tree reaches a growth height and width of 6 to 10 m. The bright red flowers appear before the leaves sprout in March. Later, the ovate, pointed leaves appear with magnificent autumn colors. The ironwood tree has rather shallow roots and thrives on all permeable, nutrient-rich soils with a rather neutral pH value. It is not susceptible to disease - but frost hardy, loves warmth and is urban climate resistant. The optimal location is sunny on fresh clay soil.

Serviceberry (Sorbus torminalis)

the serviceberry is one of the most attractive climate trees for the garden, but can also be planted well in the forest. The native tree can reach a height of 5 to 20 m and when young grows up to 60 cm in height per year. Later, the service tree is considered to be slow-growing, which is why it takes about 100 years for it to reach its final height. The relative of the rowan (Sorbus aucuparia) forms light green, maple-like leaves. They are slightly lobed and grey-green in color on the underside. Between May and June, the flowers appear in the form of broad, white umbrella panicles, which are often visited by bees and other pollinating insects. Small, bronze-colored fruits develop from the flowers, which are harvested from October and processed into wild fruit specialties. The service tree loves warm and sunny locations on nutrient-rich, calcareous and permeable soil. It is frost hardy, drought and heat tolerant, but does not grow on soil that is too sandy or too wet.

chestnut (Castanea sativa)

The sweet chestnut is a large tree between 15 and 30 m high that loves warmth. The sweet chestnut is one of those trees that tolerate heat and drought, withstand even storms and can live up to 500 years. Its leaves are oblong and roughly serrated at the edge. In autumn, a yellow autumn color appears. The elongated, creamy-white flowers appear from May. The tasty nuts ripen in October and then fall out of their prickly pericarp. Chestnuts do not have any special soil requirements, but avoid wet locations and like to develop a deep root system.

field maple (Acer campestre)

The field maple is an extremely adaptable climate tree with a growth height of between 5 and 15 m. The small trees or densely branched shrubs increase in height by 40 to 45 cm a year. The small, five-lobed leaves captivate with their sunny yellow to orange fall color. The typically winged maple fruits can be seen on the tree well into winter. The field maple can develop a shallow root system - so it does not necessarily need deep soil. Overall, the undemanding wood only avoids waterlogging and loves calcareous substrates. The field maple is frost hardy, heat and drought tolerant and extremely wind resistant and therefore an optimal climate tree.

Copper Rock Pear (Amelanchier lamarckii)

The copper pear is one of the shrubs that tolerate drought and are also well-armed against heat, frost and wind. Serviceberries grow into multi-stemmed shrubs or small trees of 4 to 6 m in height and are excellent for bees and birds. The blueberry-like fruits ripen in July and can also be eaten raw and are extremely tasty. In autumn the leaves turn purple. The undemanding and adaptable copper pear tree thrives on acidic to slightly calcareous, moderately dry to moist soil.

medlar (Mespilus germanica)

the medlar is a wild fruit tree and is ideal for smaller gardens, as the small tree only reaches 3 to 5 m in height. In old age, the short-stemmed tree can become wider than it is tall. Cup-shaped, white flowers appear from May to June, which insects like to visit. From the end of October, the applesauce-tasting fruits ripen and can be harvested and processed after the first frost. Birds and small mammals also eat the sugar-rich fruits in winter. The medlar is frost hardy, tolerates heat and drought and prefers to grow on deep and calcareous loamy soil.

pecan tree (Carya illinoiensis)

Native to North America, the pecan is one of the most sustainable climate trees for the forest. The tall trees reach a height of up to 35 m and form up to 70 cm long, pinnate leaves with golden-yellow autumn colours. Forest animals and humans also benefit from the nutritious, walnut-like nut fruits that have a sweet taste. The pecan nut even thrives on extremely dry, stony scree and, thanks to its strong, deep taproot, is extremely resilient to storms and hurricanes. It should therefore be planted on deep, rather lime-poor soils.

black walnut (Juglans nigra)

the black walnut is tight with the walnut (Juglans regia) related and is native to eastern North America. It is particularly suitable for mixed forests, as it is a particularly fast-growing climate tree and increases in height by 70 to 90 cm per year. The black walnut grows to a height of 20 to 30 m and, when old, forms a spreading crown with long, pinnate leaves. The nuts ripen in autumn and are edible. The frost-hardy black walnut can withstand urban climates and heat, but young plants are sensitive to late frosts. The optimal location is sunny to shade on fresh to moist, permeable and nutrient-rich soil.

Stone Vistula (Prunus mahaleb)

The Steinweichsel or Weichsel-Kerry is a native tree species for extreme locations. The large shrub or multi-stemmed small tree reaches heights of growth between 4 and 6 m. The rounded to heart-shaped leaves are glossy green in color. Between April and May, numerous fragrant flowers appear in elongated umbels. After pollination, dark red to black, round fruits form, which are edible but have a tart, bitter taste. The Steinweichsel is a good plant for insects and birds in gardens, in urban areas and on the edges of forests. It is frost hardy, extremely heat and drought resistant and even insensitive to heavy air pollution. The Steinweichsel grows on soils with a neutral to very calcareous pH in full sun.

pedunculate oak (Quercus robur)

The native pedunculate oak is a mighty, spreading tree that grows up to 40 m tall. For planting in the city and in the garden there is the narrow, columnar growing English oak variety 'Fastigiata'. The typically shaped oak leaves and the acorn fruits, which are essential for wild animals, thrive on olive-brown shoots. The pedunculate oak needs deep, rather heavy soil, but then tolerates frost, drought and floods as well as air pollution, gusts of wind and extreme temperature fluctuations. Pedunculate oaks can live up to 1000 years and sometimes even older.

zelkova (Zelkova serrata)

The zelkove is an elm family (Ulmaceae) and comes from Japan, China and Korea. The medium-sized tree reaches a height of 20 to 25 m and forms wide, spreading branches. The oblong, elliptical leaves are sharply toothed and softly hairy on the upper side. In autumn, a yellow-orange to bright red autumn coloration appears. It forms inconspicuous, brown fruits in the leaf axils. Like most elms, it lives in alluvial forests and prefers well-drained soils, but tolerates summer drought well. The Zelkove is extremely frost hardy, wind resistant, loves warmth and is suitable for the city.

Especially in summer, longer periods of heat and drought are becoming more frequent, so many gardeners are switching to more robust plants. We make special heat resistant plants for garden and balcony.