Pennsylvania Trees For Sale

Buying Trees and Shrubs in Pennsylania

Pennsylvania, known as The Keystone State, boasts the Eastern Hemlock as its emblematic tree. This towering conifer, exceeding 100 feet and enduring over 500 years, represents resilience and longevity. Despite its historical significance and majestic stature, Pennsylvania offers a myriad of tree options for planters. Given the state’s diverse terrain, harsh weather, and climate variations, prudent growers must consider factors such as climate, soil type, precipitation, irrigation, growing zones, and weather damage.

Best Trees for Pennsylvania

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:

1. Royal Empress Trees – Ideal for providing fast-growing shade, year-round beauty, and drought resistance.
2. Autumn Purple Ash – Ideal for providing unique fall colors, shade, climate tolerance.
3. Everbearing Strawberry – Ideal for bearing fruit, providing color, and delicious, edible profits.
4. Tulip Poplar – Ideal for providing fast-growing shade, year-round beauty, and drought resistance.

Fast Growing Privacy Trees in Pennsylvania

As property in Pennsylvania continues to be developed, land owners are searching for trees that will provide privacy from prying neighborly eyes and loud, unwanted noise. There are many fast growing privacy trees in Pennsylvania, which will quickly grow after initial planting to offer your property and family long sought-after privacy.

The Thuja Green Giant, a staple of privacy trees throughout Pennsylvania, is a fast-growing pine that will quickly provide a barrier between you and your neighbors. Growing between 3-5 feet a year, the Thuja Green Giant will offer your yard classic French design with minimal hassle. Alternatively, the Leyland Cypress and American Holly will also add color and privacy to your yard’s perimeter.

• Climate

Generally, Pennsylvanians experience hot, humid summers and cold, somewhat snowy winters, despite the fact the state experiences a variety of climates. Most of the state falls into the humid continental climate, though the southern regions of the state have characteristics of a humid subtropical climate. The record high temperature stands at 111°F from 1936, so though usually summer temperatures linger in the mid80s to low90s. In 1904, Smethport recorded a temperature as low as -42°F. Temperatures do drop to subzero temperatures for lengths of time, though temperatures in the low record range are rare.

• Soil Type

Most trees require well-drained soil rich with minerals to grow. The dark, loamy Hazelton soil originated in the city of Hazelton in central Pennsylvania. Covering more than 1.5 million acres of Pennsylvania, Hazelton soils were once home to the northern hardwood forests, though they are also responsible for the success of tobacco and agricultural farms. Regardless of the property’s location in The Keystone 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. If you touch the soil, it will maintain its original shape. You have CLAY.
2. The soil will hold its shape. If you touch the soil, it 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 and constant, and the state receives on average 41.45 inches of rain annually. Snow falls moderate to heavy throughout the state, which averages 23 inches throughout the state. The interior of Pennsylvania is mountainous, and this brings with it colder winters and heavier snowfall. Occasionally, areas near Lake Erie will collect as much as 100 inches of snow annually.

• Irrigation

Despite regular and consistent rainfall, irrigation can be an important tool for a new tree planter to consider in order to produce the best effect in planting. Newly planted trees require consistent and well-controlled access to water; some species require water at least 2 to 3 times a week. Even in states like Pennsylvania, where the quantity and monthly averages of rainfall totals can be quite high, a well-maintained irrigation system can help to ensure successful growth of a plant during those inevitable dry, hot summer and fall weeks.

• Growing Zones

Pennsylvania is home to six 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. The southeastern corner is warmest, and temperatures rarely drop below -5°F for long. Moving northwest, temperatures cool significantly. In higher elevations of the Allegheny National Forest, temperatures may linger between -25°F and -20°F for extended lengths of time.

• Weather Damage

Tropical storms and tornadoes are the most common natural disasters to visit the state, though floods in spring are not altogether uncommon. The summer and fall bring tropical cyclones, sometimes dropping as much as 19 inches of rainfall in a single storm. This is often the cause of the flooding, which affects many of Pennsylvania’s high population areas. In 2011, Pennsylvania experienced 30 tornadoes, though typical years level the average down significantly. Plant new trees away from powerlines and buildings, and remember trees can protect against erosion.