9 Evergreen Trees to Plant in Michigan

In Michigan, evergreen trees are commonplace. They act as a natural insulator for homes in the winter and keep walkways and roadways clear of snowfall. Additionally, they provide year-round homes for animals, improve air quality by absorbing carbon dioxide, and bring tranquility to areas that have seen hardship.

More than 100 types of evergreen trees, including numerous cultivars, can be planted throughout the whole state of Michigan. Here is a list of ten perennially well-liked Michigan evergreen trees to get you started if you're looking for the ideal tree for your home.

The Best Evergreen Trees to Grow in Michigan

There are numerous tree species in Michigan, which may be found all around the state. There are both evergreen and deciduous trees. The evergreen species draw attention for its year- round greenery, while the deciduous species are known for their brilliant fall foliage. Not to mention that they develop quickly, enabling you to appreciate their beauty sooner (even some will give you great privacy in your home).

Look at the incredible choice of evergreen trees if you're interested in fast-growing evergreen trees for privacy and beauty in Michigan.

1. Eastern White Pine

Northern Michigan and the Great Lakes region are home to the Eastern White Pine, a rapid- growing tree. It originated in New England and Canada, but French missionaries first brought it to Michigan so they could trade with American Indian tribes for products. The Eastern White Pine grows so quickly and offers excellent fuel. Pine needles are a wonderful addition to any home garden, deck, or patio because they are proven to keep spiders away from your home! This medium-sized conifer thrives organically with full sun and dry, rocky, and sandy soil types.
However, it functions best in cool, humid regions with wet, well-drained soil. Despite being a frost-hardy and fairly drought-tolerant species, this fast-growing evergreen tree is resistant to numerous contaminants, such as salts and sulfur dioxide.

2. Japanese Yew

Native to Japan, the Japanese Yew is a well-liked, low-maintenance evergreen tree with green needles and crimson berries. It tolerates Michigan's chilly winters and sweltering summers and thrives in open areas. It is valuable to any yard or garden because its dense form prevents snow from building up on sidewalks and grassy areas.

3. Green Giant Arborvitae

Due to its hybridization with Plicata 'Green Giant' and Thuja, this species is sometimes known as Thuja Green Giant Arborvitae and Green Giant Arborvitae. It is a big, tough, pyramid-shaped evergreen tree that grows up to three feet a year until it reaches maturity, making the ideal hedgerow and garden boundary.

This fast-growing plant has dense, blue-green foliage that simultaneously provides privacy and beauty to any homeowner.

Additionally, growing Green Giant Arborvitae simply needs minimal upkeep. It does well in both full sun and shade, thriving in both. Although it thrives in damp soils, this tree can tolerate various soil types and circumstances.

In addition to adjusting to different growth environments, the Thuja Green Giant is also resistant to deer, drought, and most pests and diseases. Knowing its growth pattern, you don't need to worry about trimming because a pyramid will form organically.

4. Leyland Cypress

Italian cypress, Arizona cypress, and Leyland cypress are a few types of cypress that can flourish in Michigan. On the other hand, the Leyland Cypress grows the fastest among the evergreen trees.

Due to its pyramidal shape, lush, green foliage, and rapid growth rate, it is typically planted as landscaping trees, Christmas trees, and privacy screens. In the right growing conditions, the cypress can grow up to 3–4 feet each year and reach heights of 60-70 feet.

In addition, it is one of Michigan's quickly growing evergreen trees that grow best in fertile, moist, well-drained soils with an acidic to alkaline pH. The lighting conditions that this cypress tree prefers are the full sun to partial shade.

Additionally, trimming is not required unless you wish to maintain a specific shape and height. If so, given its rapid growth rate, you should get ready to do routine pruning.

5. Norway Spruce

Picea abies, or Norway spruce, may flourish in the climate of Michigan despite being a native of North and Central Europe. Like most spruce, it has green, four-sided, needle-like foliage that is about an inch long and exhibits season-long greenery.

The pulp and paper industry benefits from the wood and fiber of the Norway spruce in its natural environment. Some tree parts, such as the young female cones that taste sweet when roasted, are also edible.

Picea abies is the most climate-tolerant species of spruce. Additionally, it is a resilient tree that can withstand Michigan's harsh winter weather conditions. As a result, it can give birds refuge from the elements and predators.

This sun-loving tree needs ordinary, acidic, wet, well-drained soils and a cool summer temperature to thrive. The US hardiness zones 4 to 7 are ideal for growing the species.

6. Red Pine

The Red Pine, or Pinus resinosa, is an enormous, quickly-expanding conifer with a straight trunk and a tiny, rounded crown of spreading branches. This Minnesota state tree has two clusters of dark green needles and a trunk covered in reddish-golden bark.

Additionally, it grows quickly in the first 30 to 60 years of existence, typically reaching heights of 60 to 75 feet and occasionally even greater than 125 feet. Because of this, it merits mentioning in the collection of rapidly expanding evergreen trees in Michigan.

You must fulfill several prerequisites before you can begin cultivating Red Pine. Under solar exposure, acidic, sandy, or gravelly soil types are preferred with dry to moist conditions. It requires less water because it can thrive in dry soil, which makes upkeep simpler for you. In the paper industry, where wood is also used for bridges, piles, and railroad ties, pinus resinosa is a crucial raw material.

7. White Spruce

The White Spruce, Picea glauca, lives up to its name with silvery-green needle foliage that, from a distance, appears white. Cones are more numerous at the tree's summit, with dense branches covered in needles that sweep off the ground.

Even though it doesn't grow as quickly as the other evergreen trees mentioned, this species is nonetheless popular as an ornamental tree due to its appealing aspect.

This native tree to Michigan is not difficult to maintain in addition to being stunning. It can thrive in the sun, partial shade, or shade on various soil types, including loam or alluvium. Since it can handle both dry and wet soil conditions, you can also offer them.

8. Black Spruce

Short, dark green needles cover the coniferous evergreen Black Spruce. Because it is one of the few trees that can thrive in cold regions, planting it in northern Michigan is a fantastic choice.

The Black Spruce is a slow-growing tree that can withstand harsh winters without having snow build up on its branches while providing good natural insulation for homes.

9. Juniper

Fast-growing evergreen junipers have vivid green needles and buds. Junipers are a terrific addition to any backyard since they produce an abundance of birds' favorite brilliant blueberries! They are renowned for adapting to a wide range of soil types and the chilly winters in northern Michigan.

Fast-Growing Deciduous Trees In Michigan

Michigan contains several well-known fast-growing deciduous trees and fast-growing evergreen trees. They are lovely in the fall when all the leaves have changed to yellow, orange, or red colors. Some species even have flowers on them, which adds to their allure. Would you like to cultivate them in your yard?

1. Northern Catalpa

Consider a 98-foot tall, green and white tree. When you grow Northern Catalpa in your yard, you can have it. It is a deciduous tree with beautiful white blooms that enchant you from mid-spring to early summer. The tree has been brilliantly decked with heart-shaped green leaves, giving it a beautiful appeal.

Despite its rapid growth, Catalpa speciosa has a limited lifespan. For its good qualities, it is still worthwhile to cultivate. As long as the soils are deep, rich, and wet, the deciduous tree may grow and thrive in various soil types.

Despite being a species that prefers moisture, few plants require much water. It prefers to grow in some shade as opposed to the sun.

2. Quaking Aspen

Popular names for Quaking Aspen include American Aspen and Quaking Aspen. It can grow as quickly as the last fast-growing deciduous tree species and reach 98 feet. The medium-sized tree is pyramidal in shape and has a rounded crown covered in beautiful dark green leaves that will eventually turn golden yellow in the fall.

Due to their size and attractiveness, many Quaking Aspen trees are planted as ornamental trees. The soil must be rich in nutrients, humusy, wet, and well-drained for this sun-loving tree to thrive.

It is not advised to plant this tree close to a building because it has a robust root system and can get up to 20 to 50 feet tall, harming the building's structure and contaminating the roof tiles with
leaves.

3. Red Sunset Maple

Who has not heard of Maple? The syrup and lovely finger-like foliage of this species are well recognized. As spring and summer end, the leaves will remain green. As October approaches, they will turn yellow and bright red.

As the tree and branches grow, it changes from pyramidal to oval shape, beginning as a shape resembling a cone and finishing with a rounded crown. This species merits the title of the most beautiful tree in Michigan, even though it does not belong to the state's rapidly growing evergreen trees.

The Acer rubrum 'Franksred' tree is a preferred cultivar for people who wish to add striking fall color and provide shade to their landscape because of its lovely foliage.

Red Sunset Maple thrives in direct sunlight. However, it may take some soft shade. Additionally, for growth, it prefers acidic, well-drained soil. Regular watering is necessary during the plant's early establishment to help it grow a deep root system. Additionally, pruning is only necessary if you wish to maintain the tree's tiny size and shape.

4. Silver Maple

It's fun to have lush trees, especially in the summer heat. Silver Maple, also known as Acer saccharinum, is an excellent choice to give shade to your landscaping because of this.

It is a medium-sized ornamental tree with lovely summertime green foliage and magnificent soft fall golden tones. These characteristics enable Silver Maple, one of Michigan's quickly growing deciduous trees, to provide you with spectacular.

In contrast to Red Sunset Maple, Silver Maple can thrive on rich, wet moist, and slightly acidic soils in the sun, partial shade, and shaded places. It is advised to water it frequently because it loves dampness. Despite being so attractive, it is not advised to grow it next to sidewalks since its strong roots could harm the concrete.

Conclusion

Since they provide foliage and intrigue in the dead of winter, when the branches of deciduous trees are naked, evergreen trees, especially needle-bearing conifers and broadleaf evergreens, are welcome in any garden. Evergreen trees can be used as windbreaks and winter habitats for birds and other species in addition to their aesthetic value. While some broadleaf evergreens will produce eye-catching flowers and tasty fruit, many conifers also offer fragrant foliage and vibrant berries.

The size of certain evergreen trees may be their only drawback. Certain species have the potential to reach towering heights, easily overwhelming small residential gardens.

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