Native Trees For The State of Rhode Island

Want to support native trees in your state? Find the best selection of indigenous species for the State of Rhode Island here at Nature Hills Nursery!

The smallest state in the union has a wide USDA growing zone range between 5 to 7. Shoehorned between Connecticut and the Massachusetts Cape, The Ocean State shares their climate and weather, but also has similar native trees.

The coastline is warmer than the rest of the state, with lagoons and sandy beaches, while the rest of the state is New England uplands, lakes, and forests - both evergreen and deciduous hardwood.

Choosing native trees for your State means you will know your tree will thrive where it is well suited to climate and soil because they originated there! They need less water once established. Native selections establish faster and tolerate local growing zones, climate, weather, and anything else your State can throw at them.

Plus you’ll feed pollinators, songbirds, and wildlife by providing them with a tree they recognize!

Best Rhode Island Native Trees

Despite New England's reputation for a rugged climate, weather, lots of snow, and Nor'easters, Rhode Island's weather is relatively a humid continental climate, with warm summers and cold winters with plenty of snow in the winters. The coast needs plants that are resistant to salt spray and saline conditions, plus strong limbs for snow, storms, and the occasional hurricane determined to keep moving up the coastline.

First, find your Hardiness Zone, and then choose any tree that has a range that includes yours! Check with your local County Extension Office for more information if needed and for the many microclimates within these zones.

Best Native Evergreen Trees For Rhode Island

These Rhode Island native Evergreen Trees (broadleaf and conifers) keep their leaves year-round for privacy, slow wind, to stop drifting snow, and to add color through the snowy winters.

• American Arborvitae
• American Holly
• American Larch Tree (deciduous conifer)
• Balsam Fir
• Black Spruce
• Eastern Hemlock Tree
• Eastern Red Cedar Tree (Redcedar)
• Eastern White Pine
• Possomhaw Holly
• Red Pine Tree

Native Flowering Trees to Grow in Rhode Island

Feed pollinators and hummingbirds nectar and pollen they evolved alongside in your State! Many of these trees are host plants for native pollinator larvae too!

• Carolina Silverbells Tree
• Cucumber Tree Magnolia
• Dogwood Trees - Pagoda, White, Pink, Red & Gray, Roughleaf, Silky & Swamp
• Eastern Redbud Tree
• Fringe Trees - White & Grancy Greybeard
• Pussy Willow Tree
• Sweet Bay Magnolia
• Tulip Poplar/Tulip Tree

What Are Native Shade Trees in Rhode Island?

The showy Red Maple tree is the State Tree of Massachusettes, and here are many other fantastic native trees in New England forests, good shade trees that handle snow load, give your yard relief from the summer sun, plus an autumn show to finish the year off right!

• American Beech Tree
• American Chestnut
• American Elm Tree
• American Hornbeam Tree
• American Hop Hornbeam
• American Sycamore
• Birch Trees - River, Paper Bark, & Sweet
• Black Gum (Blackgum) Tree
• Black Locust Tree
• Black Willow
• Box Elder Tree (Boxelder)
• Cottonwood/Eastern Cottonwood Tree
• Hackberry Trees
• Kentucky Coffee Tree
• Linden/American Basswood
• Maple Trees - Black, Red, Silver & Sugar 
• Mountain Ash Tree
• Northern Catalpa Tree
• Oak Trees Bur, Chestnut Oak, Chinquapin, Pin, Red, Scarlet & White
• Quaking Aspen
• Sassafras Tree
• Sweetgum Trees
• Yellowwood Tree
• Washington Hawthorn
• Witch Hazel (American Witchhazel)

Native Fruit & Nut Trees in Rhode Island

We love edible landscaping trees that look great and feed you! Feed the diverse amounts of wildlife and songbirds found throughout Rhode Island as well!

• American Horsechestnut Tree (Horse Chestnut)
• American Plum/Wild Plum Tree & Chickasaw Plum
• Black Cherry Tree
• Black Walnut Tree
• Hazelnut/Native American Filbert
• Bitternut, Butternut, Pignut & Shagbark Hickory Trees
• Paw Paw (Pawpaw) Trees
• Red Mulberry Tree
• Allegheny, Downy & Shadblow Serviceberry

Much Needed Natives!

Add shade or flowers, privacy, a lasting legacy to your landscape, or all of the above, Nature Hills is here to help you find the perfect tree for your Rhode Island landscape!

Help keep your State's native biodiversity intact by planting trees native to your area! Nature Hills is committed to helping you preserve your State’s individual beauty with plants and trees that are sure to do well in your garden without harming your native ecology.