Trees That Grow Perfectly in Zone 6

Written by
Vanessa Richins Myers
Vanessa Richins Myers is a seasoned horticulturist, garden writer and educator with 10+ years of experience in the horticulture and gardening space.
Learn about The Spruce's Editorial Process
Vanessa Richins Myers
Updated 03/09/21
Orange maple leaves from trees in zone 6

The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

The designation of an area as Zone 6 by the USDA signifies that its average annual minimum temperature falls between minus 10 to zero degrees Fahrenheit. These 12 trees should all be able to grow successfully in Zone 6 locations—choose your favorite and plant one today.

Before planting, be sure to double-check that you are living in zone 6 or another appropriate zone for your chosen tree. The more ideal the conditions, the more likely your tree will take root and thrive.

  • 01 of 12

    Amur Maple

    Close-up of red amur maple tree leaves
    Donyanedomam / Getty Images

    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
  • 02 of 12

    Austrian Pine

    A luxurious Austrian pine or black pine in a garden against a bright blue cloudless sky
    Marina Denisenko / Getty Images

    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
  • 03 of 12

    Dawn Redwood

    Metasequoia leaves
    Vash Choi / Getty Images

    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
  • 04 of 12

    European Mountain Ash

    Sorbus aucuparia (rowan or mountain-ash) tree with ornge berries growing on it.
    Jarmila Horalkova / Getty Images

    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
    Continue to 5 of 12 below.
  • 05 of 12

    Ginkgo Biloba

    Ginkgo biloba leaf, ginko tree foliage with raindrops close-up
    OlgaKorica / Getty Images

    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
  • 06 of 12

    Japanese Maple

    Japanese Maple at Westonbirt Arboretum
    allou / Getty Images

    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
  • 07 of 12

    Paper Bark Birch

    Paper Bark on Birch Tree
    Terryfic3D / Getty Images

    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
  • 08 of 12

    Paperbark Cherry

    A wooden Garden bench with Prunus serrula trees, also called birch bark cherry, birchbark cherry, paperbark cherry, or Tibetan cherry
    Jacky Parker Photography / Getty Images

    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
    Continue to 9 of 12 below.
  • 09 of 12

    Purple Leaf Plum

    Prunus cerasifera tree blooming in the springtime
    Tunatura / Getty Images

    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
  • 10 of 12

    Tri-Color Beech

    Fagus sylvatica purpurea tricolor
    seven75 / Getty Images

    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
  • 11 of 12

    Tulip Tree

    Tulip Tree / Liriodendron tulipifera Flowers
    magicflute002 / Getty Images

    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
  • 12 of 12

    Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar

    Cedrus Atlantica blue
    Afonskaya / Getty Images

    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