Regardless of where you’re from and where you’re living, the effects of climate change are coming to your area (if they’re not there already). When it comes to your trees, some are better suited to handle the shifts and changes in conditions that are affecting wide parts of America right now (and most likely on into the future). Which types of trees are going to weather these climate changes the best?
Heat Resistant Trees
In many parts of the US, the summer heat has gone from sultry to unpleasant to unbearable, with no relief likely in the coming years. Some trees can handle the extra heat easily, and some even thrive in it! Oaks, maples, birches, and banyan trees are known for not minding the heat, and acacia trees actually thrive in the heat.
Fire Resistant Trees
Speaking of heat, some parts of the country have dealt with record-breaking fire seasons in the past decades. Trees, being made of wood, are obviously not going to handle wildfires and come out okay. But some varieties can actually use the wildfires to their advantage and come back in the future, stronger than ever. Several varieties of oak trees are known for their fire resistance, as well as the quaking aspen tree.
Flood Resistant Trees
Some trees can handle inundation very well — in fact some even thrive with their roots completely underwater. Many trees do not do well with constant submersion, but can handle occasional flash flooding without a problem. Bald cypress trees are known for growing in swamps and can definitely handle wet conditions.
Drought Resistant Trees
Instead, some areas where rain used to be pretty consistent now find themselves with recurring droughts. There are trees that don’t mind dry conditions, and will be well suited to areas with inconsistent or infrequent rainfall. The eastern red cedar, several varieties of oak trees, and many palm trees are known for their ability to withstand drought conditions.
Wind-Stable Trees
Any tree can fall victim to strong enough winds (we can’t list tree varieties here that would be unaffected by tornadoes, for example). But some trees, especially those with wider and deeper roots, and which are flexible enough to bend in strong winds, can withstand really strong winds (even sometimes those from hurricanes)! Palm trees and other trees that are often found in southern coastal regions, such as magnolia and cypress trees, fare well in high wind conditions.
Hardy Trees
Especially since climate change is so unpredictable, and we don’t know exactly what any particular area will be like in the next 15 to 20 to 50 years, it’s good to consider which types of trees have a history of hardiness in a variety of adverse conditions. Silver birch, gingko and hackberry trees could be listed in almost any of these categories, and that makes them a safer bet for the long-term in uncertain climactic conditions.
Best Trees for Climate Change in Ohio
Here in Ohio, we have a humid continental climate, and our main concerns in terms of climate change are rising temperatures, increased precipitation, and stronger storms. If you’re looking for a tree that can thrive in Ohio’s changing climate, oak and willow trees are a reliable choice if you’re looking for a tree that can do it all and survive most climate challenges here in Ohio.
Regardless of a tree variety’s ability to generally withstand tough climatic conditions, any individual tree might need some extra care from your local tree service. Don’t hesitate to call us to prune, examine, or otherwise care for your trees, whatever kind they are. We have the expertise to help keep your trees in the best possible shape to handle whatever the climate or the weather send their way.
