Wherever you live in the Old Line State—from Ocean City to Cumberland—there’s a tree that’s perfect for your yard. Maryland is home to stunning native trees and offers a cooler climate for gardeners who want to get creative with nonlocal species.

To set you up for success, we put together everything you need to know about Maryland plants and trees. When you’re finished, you’ll know the best trees and when to plant them.

How to Care for Trees that Grow in Maryland

Climate: Maryland crosses USDA hardiness Zones 6 through 8, with most of the state residing in Zones 6 and 7. Of the state’s 3 largest cities, Columbia and Germantown are in Zone 7, while Baltimore is in Zone 8.

Soil: Nearly all soils in Maryland contain a combination of sand, silt, and clay. Soil type differs from location to location, meaning that gardeners in the state’s three regions—Atlantic Coastal Plain, Piedmont Plateau, and Appalachian Mountain—have unique qualities. We recommend testing your soil before purchasing Maryland plants to ensure your chosen few will flourish in your yard.

The official state soil is Sassafras, which is a dark brown, sandy loam. It’s known to be deep, well-draining, and easy to work with in warm weather. It covers around 500,000 acres throughout the state and is especially well-suited for trees and shrubs.

Timing: The ideal time to plant trees in Maryland is during their dormant season: late fall (November) or early spring (March to early April). This helps the trees establish their root system before experiencing extreme temperatures. Avoid planting and transplanting trees in the summer.

Frost date: Knowing your area's frost date is essential for gardeners because it marks when you can plant delicate plants and flowers. You can pinpoint your frost dates using The Old Farmer's Almanac. Baltimore and Germantown’s frost date is March 29, while Columbia’s is April 10.

How to plant a tree in Maryland: Now that you know about the Ocean State’s climate and weather, it’s time to learn how to plant a tree. Follow these steps, and your new plant will flourish quickly.

1. Remove any material, like burlap, that surrounds the tree's roots.

2. Dig a hole five times the size of the root ball and about the same depth.

3. Place the tree in the hole and backfill.

4. Pack the dirt and water the tree as necessary.

5. Apply up to 4 inches of mulch over the planting area.

Diseases: There are a few tree diseases to be aware of when planting trees in Maryland. Common fungal diseases in the state include Oak Wilt, Dogwood Anthracnose, Apple Scab, and Dutch Elm Disease.

Types of Trees That Grow in Maryland

Planting a tree in Maryland is one of the most rewarding experiences you can have as a gardener. You have your pick when it comes to shade trees, evergreens, fruit trees, and flowering trees. If you want to stay local, Maryland native trees are some of the most impressive in the nation.

Shade trees: In July, the warmest month of the year, Maryland’s temperature reaches the mid to high 80s. Planting a shade tree will help keep you cool. We recommend the American Red Maple, Sugar Maple, Tulip Poplar, Weeping Willow, and Bloodgood Japanese Maple.

Evergreens: These green beauties are terrific for privacy screens and give your yard color in the bleak winter months. We suggest planting Thuja Giant, Leyland Cypress, Emerald Green Arborvitae, Taylor Juniper, and Little Gem Magnolia.

Flowering trees: You can’t go wrong with a colorful flowering tree for visual interest. A few of our favorites are White Dogwood, Pink Dogwood, Eastern Redbud, Prairifire Crabapple, Jane Magnolia, and Natchez Crape Myrtle.

Fruit trees: If you live in Maryland’s more temperate zones, you can create your own personal orchard. Try planting Honeycrisp Apple, Rainier Cherry, Granny Smith Apple, Elberta Peach, or Fuyu Persimmon.

Native trees: If you want to go local, there are outstanding Maryland native trees across the above categories. A few that the Maryland Department of Natural Resources has highlighted include American Holly, Eastern Red Cedar, Sweetbay Magnolia, and American Beech.

Maryland’s state tree, White Oak, is also a native species. This stately tree has an irregular crown and grows up to 100 feet tall with a diameter of several feet.

To learn more about native Maryland trees, visit the state's Department of Natural Resources website. It’s packed with examples of native trees, many of which we sell.

Whether you’re hunting for native Maryland trees for sale or exotic species, FastGrowingTrees is ready to help.

Common Questions About Maryland Trees

What planting zone is Maryland?

According to the USDA, the Old Line State resides in Zones 6 through 8, although most of the state sits in Zones 6 and 7. The warmer areas are along the coast.

What fruit trees can grow in Maryland?

There is an abundance of native and non-native fruit trees that will be at home in Maryland, including Apple, Apricot, Cherry, Peach, Pear, Persimmon, and Plum.

If this is your first time growing fruit in Maryland, we recommend starting with berries such as Blackberry, Raspberry, Blueberry, and Strawberry. Fruit trees are lovely but require more effort and planning because of the increased chances of pest and disease problems.

The best time to plant fruit trees is late February through March. The next best time is mid-September through mid-October. Do not plant stone fruits in the fall as they need more time to establish than a late planting allows.

When do trees bloom in Maryland?

It depends on the species! There are plenty of trees that bloom in the spring, summer, fall, and even winter.

When do Cherry Blossoms bloom in Maryland?

Cherry Blossoms flower at different times of the year, depending on your area, but generally, they’ll bloom between late March and early April. Cherry Trees are phenomenal trees, worthy of every yard. Not only are their pink-white petals gorgeous, but they also have a pleasant aroma reminiscent of crushed almonds. We recommend Kwanzan or Yoshino cherry trees.