The Granite State is located in the Northeast, with a small strip of Atlantic Ocean coastline. New Hampshire is home to the Paper Birch (also known as White Birch and Canoe Birch). A medium-sized deciduous tree, the Paper Birch lives for about 140 years and reaches a typical height of 60 feet. The bark is white and peels in large strips, interspersed with vertical black gouges. The Paper Birch is found throughout the Northeast and most of Canada, and it responds poorly to heat and humidity. The Paper Birch is often the only food available mid-winter for moose and deer, and although lacking in nutritional quality, is valuable because of its abundance. Though the Paper Birch can make an ecological addition to most backyards, it is by no means the only tree available for New Hampshire planters.
Due to its varied elevations, severe winter weather, and diverse temperatures, the smart New Hampshire grower will need to consider the following:
- Climate
- Soil Type
- Average Precipitation
- Irrigation
- Growing Zones
- Weather Damage
Best Trees for New Hampshire
Read about the specifics for your state in the following sections. If you’re looking for some quick ideas on what to plant, consider the following trees as expert-tested and The Tree Center approved:
- Royal Empress Trees
Ideal for providing fast-growing shade, year-round beauty, and drought resistance.
- American Red Maple
Ideal for providing classic American aesthetic, stunning fall colors, and shade.
- Meyer Lemon Tree
Ideal for bearing fruit for delicious, edible profits, color, and adaptable qualities.
- Red Rocket Crape Myrtle
Ideal for providing year-round beauty, fast-growing growth, and drought resistance.
Fast Growing Privacy Trees in New Hampshire
A state that without doubt deserves its millions of residents, New Hampshire is continuing to attract new inhabitants from other parts of the United States. Although a boon for the local economy, new infrastructure can be invasive and annoying. Solutions exist for prying eyes and sound-producing highways. Trees that are cultivated to form protective barriers, better known as ‘privacy trees’ can be planted to afford the New Hampshire yard the solitude and peace it deserves.
Although there are many privacy trees the New Hampshire planter may plant, none is as fitting as the Willow Hybrid. The Willow Hybrid grow quickly, at upwards of 6 feet a year, and provides fast-growing privacy. Unlike many privacy tree species, the Willow Hybrid is not an evergreen but a subset of the willow, providing a unique barrier against intrusions of every kind. The Willow Hybrid is not the only option to choose from in New Hampshire. Alternatively, consider the Thuja Green Giant or Juniper ‘Witchita Blue’.
Climate
New Hampshire experiences a humid continental climate. New Hampshire has warm to hot, humid summers with daytime highs in the mid70s to low 80s and the evening temperatures dropping to about 60°F. Atlantic air causes cooling along the coast, and higher elevation regions in the mountains are also cooler. Winter averages at 34°F along the coast, with the ocean providing milder temperatures. Inland, temperatures average closer to 0°F, especially during the evening. Higher elevations also bring colder winter temperatures.
Soil Type
Most trees require well-drained soil rich with minerals to grow. New Hampshire’s soil consists of many varieties, the most famous being the Marlow series. Found on hills or mountains, Marlow soil is dark, well-draining, loamy, and best-suited for lumber production. Regardless of the property’s location in The Granite State, a soon-to-be tree planter can perform a simple test to determine his/her soil type.
The test requires a handful of fresh soil from the layer just below the top. It should be damp but not wet. The tester should hold the soil in the palm of his/her hand and, not surprisingly, squeeze. The squeeze will produce one of three events.
1. The soil will hold its shape, likely forming a snake. If you touch the snake, the soil will maintain its original shape. You have CLAY.
2. The soil will hold its shape, likely forming a snake. If you touch the snake, the soil will collapse. You have LOAM.
3. The soil will fall apart as you open your hands. You have SAND.
Once you know what soil type you have, you can find trees best suited to the dirt’s properties. Loam is the best soil to have, as its unique qualities make it ideal for holding and transferring water to trees.
Average Precipitation
Rainfall is plentiful in New Hampshire, with the majority of the state seeing an average of 40 inches of annual rainfall. The White Mountains do affect rainfall variations, though rain still falls evenly throughout the months, with between 2 and 4 inches falling every month. Snow is heavy in New Hampshire, with Nor’easters bring severe snowstorms dropping several feet of snow within 48 hours. Light snow falls frequently throughout the winter, from as early as October through to April.
Irrigation
Irrigation can be essential in a state like New Hampshire, with varying elevations. Newly planted trees require consistent and controlled access to water. An irrigation system, such as a drip or sprinkler system, can be effective at managing water dispersal. Search possible tree-planting sites for natural or manmade irrigation systems, and if none exist, consider installing one. Newly planted trees will be ensured successful growth if water access is well-managed.
Growing Zones
New Hampshire is the 4th smallest state, and it is, therefore, surprising it is home to five unique growing zones. A growing zone simply refers to the USDA’s determination of areas where certain plants are most likely to thrive, preferring to focus on minimal temperature ranges in which a plant can survive. Many of the growing zones are due to elevation and ocean currents. Near the coast, cold temperatures are warmest, lingering near -15°F. Inland, both to the southwest and north, temperatures drop to -20°F. In the northern section of the state, along the northern border with Vermont and Canada, temperatures are much cooler, dropping to as low as -35°F near Pittsburg.
Weather Damage
New Hampshire is most prone to severe winter weather, with Nor’easters dropping several feet of snow in blizzards. The average snowfall is 61 inches, but several feet more than that occurred in a blizzard as recently as 1993. New Hampshire is also occasionally affected by Hurricanes, which have usually lost much of their power by the time they reach this northeastern state. Small tornadoes occur on average twice annually, and thunderstorms also occur well below the national average.
