White Flowering Tree Varieties

White flowering trees can help create a mood of calm and quiet in your landscape design. Many of these trees produce fruit that is eaten by songbirds, making them a good choice for wildlife gardens. Many native and cultivated species are available for gardeners. As with any landscape project, be sure and measure your garden space, taking into account the height that some of these trees can reach.

White flowering dogwood is a popular ornamental tree known for its showy white flowers that bloom in the spring. It prefers partial shade in moist acidic soils. It is a medium-sized tree, growing up to 25 feet at maturity. In addition to its beauty, white flowering dogwood provides food for resident winter songbirds with its attractive red berries. Other animals such as chipmunks and squirrels also enjoy its tasty fruit. Be aware that deer and rabbits will likely browse on its twigs and foliage.

American mountain ash is found in the eastern United States. Like white flowering dogwood, it prefers acidic, well-drained soils in full sun to partial shade. The spring flowers give way to brilliant red berries, also relished by songbirds and small mammals. Its fruit will linger into the winter, providing an important food source. American mountain ash reaches heights up to 30 feet.

American holly is a native tree found in the eastern to south central United States. It is considered threatened in the state of Pennsylvania. It is a formidable tree, reaching heights up to 50 feet with a 40-foot spread. It is a dioecious tree, meaning that there are male and female trees. Only the female tree will produce its striking red berries. American holly is a slow-growing tree that prefers full sun to partial shade. It blooms in late spring to early summer. Like the previous two trees, its berries are eaten by a variety of songbirds. The tree is unique in that its leaves will remain a rich dark green year round.

Sweetbay or sweetbay magnolia is a tree of the southeastern United States. Like American holly, it is listed as threatened in several states, including New York and Massachusetts. It prefers moist-to-wet soils, with no tolerance for drought. Its white, showy leaves and dark green leaves make it an attractive ornamental tree. It reaches greater heights in southern locations, growing up to 50 feet. Smaller heights of 30 feet are more common in northern areas. It blooms in the spring, producing red berries in the summer that are eaten by quail, turkey and other birds.