Growing Trees in Zone 4
Young zone 4 tree selections may need a little extra protection to make it through the winter. It’s not uncommon for deer or rabbits to rub or chew on new saplings in fall and winter. Tree guards placed around the trunks of new trees can protect them from animal damage. Experts argue about using tree guards for frost protection. On one hand, it is said that tree guards can protect a tree from frost damage and cracking by keeping the sun from thawing and warming the trunk. On the other hand, it’s believed that snow and ice can get beneath the tree guards causing cracks and damage. Unfortunately, with many cold hardy trees, especially maples, frost cracks are just part of growing trees in zone 4. Adding a layer of mulch around the root zone of young trees is perhaps the best winter protection. Do not pile the mulch up around the trunk, though. The mulch should be placed around the tree’s root zone and drip line in a donut shape.
Cold Hardy Trees
Below are listed some of the best zone 4 landscape trees, including evergreen trees, ornamental trees and shade trees. Evergreen trees are often used as windbreaks, privacy screens and to add winter interest to the landscape. Ornamental trees are often small-flowering and fruiting trees that are used as specimen plants in the landscape. Shade trees are larger trees that can help keep cooling costs down in the summer or create a shady oasis in the landscape. Evergreens
Colorado blue spruce Norway spruce Scots pine Eastern white pine Austrian pine Douglas fir Canadian hemlock Bald cypress Arborvitae
Ornamental Trees
Weeping cherry Serviceberry Thornless cockspur hawthorn Flowering crabapple Newport plum Korean sun pear Japanese tree lilac Little leaf linden Eastern redbud Saucer magnolia
Shade Trees
Skyline honey locust Autumn blaze maple Sugar maple Red maple Quaking aspen River birch Tulip tree Northern red oak White oak Ginkgo
