Trees That Grow Perfectly in Zone 6

If you want the fall colors of a maple tree but don't have much space, an Amur maple can fit the bill since it is one of the smaller species. It's also drought-tolerant, which is especially nice for dry climates.

• Latin Name: Acer ginnala
• Other Common Names: Siberian maple
• Native to: Korea, Japan, Mongolia, and Siberia
• USDA Zones: 3 to 8
• Height: 15 to 20 feet
• Exposure: Full sun to part shade

The Austrian pine is a good performer in urban conditions. It also does well in dry climates, so you can plant this tree if your area is prone to drought.

• Latin Name: Pinus nigra
• Other Common Names: European black pine
• Native to: Europe, North Africa, Asia Minor
• USDA Zones: 4 to 7
• Height: 40 to 60 feet
• Exposure: Full sun

While the Dawn Redwood has needles and cones like many evergreens, it is actually one of about 20 deciduous conifers.

• Latin Name: Metasequoia glyptostroboides
• Other Common Names: Water fir
• Native to: China
• USDA Zones: 4 to 8
• Height: 75 to 100+ feet
• Exposure: Full sun

You may want to be careful in choosing to plant the European mountain ash if you have apple, loquat, or pear trees or quince or raspberries bushes. All of these, along with this tree, can be affected by fire blight (Erwinia amylovora).

• Latin Name: Sorbus aucuparia
• Other Common Names: Rowan, European rowan, European mountainash, mountain ash
• Native to: Asia and Europe
• USDA Zones: 3 to 7
• Height: 20 to 40 feet
• Exposure: Full sun

You would be wise to choose a male cultivar unless you are trying to propagate this tree, since the females produce messy fruits with a foul smell. This is an excellent choice for a shade tree.

• Latin Name: Ginkgo biloba
• Other Common Names: Japanese silver apricot, maidenhair tree
• Native to: China
• USDA Zones: 3 to 8
• Height: 50 to 75+ feet
• Exposure: Full sun to part shade

The Japanese maple is a long-time favorite for the home landscape. There are so many different varieties that there's almost certainly a perfect choice for every yard in most zones.

• Latin Name: Acer palmatum
• Other Common Names: Smooth Japanese maple
• Native to: China, Japan, Mongolia, North Korea, South Korea, Russia
• USDA Zones: 5 to 9
• Height: Typically 15 to 25 feet, but depends on variety
• Exposure: Full sun to part shade

Birch trees are known for their white bark, and paper bark birch trees feature bark that peels off in even, thin layers. This tree is especially popular in Southern California, but it's planted in many different areas across multiple zones.

• Latin Name: Betula papyrifera
• Other Common Names: American white birch, canoe birch, paperbark birch, white birch
• Native to: Northern North America
• USDA Zones: 2 to 7
• Height: 45 to 70 feet
• Exposure: Grows best in full sun

The trunk of the paperbark cherry is quite shiny and looks as if it has been wrapped in coppery plastic. Pests (such as borers) and diseases may plague this tree, so it often has a somewhat short lifetime.

• Latin Name: Prunus serrula
• Other Common Names: Birch bark cherry, Tibetan cherry
• Native to: Western China and Tibet
• USDA Zones: 5 to 8
• Height: 20 to 30 feet
• Exposure: Full sun

The purple leaf plum tree is an ornamental tree known for its dark purple leaves and light pink blossoms. It is not common for this tree to produce fruit, but it's possible if the conditions are perfect.

• Latin Name: Prunus cerasifera
• Other Common Names: Myrobalan plum, cherry plum, purpleleaf plum
• Native to: Asia
• USDA Zones: 4 to 9
• Height: 15 to 25 feet
• Exposure: Full sun

The tri-color beech features a combination of white, pink, and green on the leaves. This tree produces red seed pods throughout the year.

• Latin Name: Fagus sylvatica 'Roseo-Marginata'
• Other Common Names: Roseomarginata European beech, tri-colored European beech
• Native to: Europe and Asia
• USDA Zones: 4 to 7
• Height: 24 to 40 feet
• Exposure: Needs at least some shade to prevent burnt foliage

The tulip tree gets its name from its green and orange tulip-like flowers that it produces in late spring. These trees can grow to be quite large and can sometimes shade an entire backyard. If you want to keep your yard sunny for growing vegetables and flowers, this tree not the best choice for you.

• Latin Name: Liriodendron tulipifera
• Other Common Names: White poplar, yellow poplar, tulip poplar, saddle leaf tree, canoewood, white wood
• Native to: Eastern North America
• USDA Zones: 4 to 9
• Height: 80 to 100 feet
• Exposure: Full sun to part shade

The weeping blue atlas cedar will sometimes spread out wider than it is tall. Its drooping branches and distinctive tendrils help make it a favorite among many landscapers. Birds love the blue fruits on the female trees.

• Latin Name: Cedrus atlantica 'Glauca Pendula'
• Other Common Names: African cedar, Atlantic cedar, cedar of Lebanon, mount atlas cedar, silvery cedar
• Native to: Atlas mountains in Africa
• USDA Zones: 6 to 9
• Height: 10 feet
• Exposure: Full sun