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North Carolina, known as the Tar Heel State, boasts the towering Longleaf Pine in its pine forests, reaching heights of up to 100 feet with distinctive reddish bark and dark-green needles. The Longleaf Pine can grow to be quite old, often remaining immature for the first 125 years and living for 500 years. Despite its potential as a strong addition to yards, North Carolinian planters have numerous tree varieties to choose from. Considering the state’s size, coastal location, and southern climate, smart growers in North Carolina must factor in climate, soil type, average precipitation, irrigation, growing zones, and weather damage when planning their plantings.
Read about the specifics for your state in the following sections. If you’re looking for some quick ideas on what to plant, consider the following trees as expert-tested and The Tree Center approved:
A state that without doubt deserves its millions of residents, North Carolina is continuing to attract new inhabitants from other parts of the United States. Although a boon for the local economy, new infrastructure can be invasive and annoying. Solutions exist for prying eyes and sound-producing highways. Trees that are cultivated to form protective barriers, better known as ‘privacy trees’ can be planted to afford the Tar Heeler yard the solitude and peace it deserves.
Although there are many privacy trees the North Carolinian planter may grow, none is as fitting as the Willow Hybrid. The Willow Hybrid grow quickly, at upwards of 6 feet a year, and provides fast-growing privacy. Unlike many privacy tree species, the Willow Hybrid is not an evergreen but a subset of the willow, providing a unique barrier against intrusions of every kind. The Willow Hybrid is not the only option to choose from in North Carolina. Alternatively, consider the Thuja Green Giant or Juniper ‘Witchita Blue’.
North Carolina’s climate varies laterally along the state, with the eastern portions primarily influenced by proximity to the Atlantic Ocean and western portions affected by the Appalachian Mountains, which display a subtropical highland climate. Most of the state lies in a humid subtropical climate, with hot, humid summers and mild to cold winters. The average daily temperatures throughout most of the state in summer are at 90°F and in winter are at 50°F. In 1985, the record low was recorded at -34°F. In 1983, the record high was recorded at 110°F.
Most trees require well-drained soil rich with minerals to grow. Cecil soils cover over a million and a half of North Carolina’s acreage, encouraging growth of small grains, corn, cotton, and tobacco. The well-draining, nutrient rich loam is ideal for growing trees, too. Regardless of the property’s location in The Tar Heel State, a soon-to-be tree planter can perform a simple test to determine his/her soil type.
The Squeeze test is aptly named because it requires only a small handful of dirt from just beneath the ground’s surface, and your hands. The soil should be moist, but not drenched. The tester simply squeezes the soil and observes one of the three following events.
Once you know what soil type you have, you can find trees best suited to the dirt’s properties. Loam is the best soil to have, as its unique qualities make it ideal for holding and transferring water to trees.
North Carolina receives on average 45 inches of rain annually. Precipitation can be unbalanced, with most falling in July. Tropical cyclones traveling along the east coast account for as much as 15% of the precipitation. Although rare across the state, snowfall is not uncommon in the mountain regions, with the western-facing mountains receiving upwards of 80 inches of annual snowfall.
Irrigation is essential in North Carolina, where the valuable quantity of rainfall is not evenly distributed throughout the year by natural forces. Irrigation can assist in water storage and dispersal, ensuring sufficient water for plants. Newly planted trees require consistent and controlled access to water, and irrigation is an effective means of providing this. Ensure sufficient irrigation systems, such as drip or sprinkler systems, are in place so your newly planted tree can grow strong.
North Carolina, with its diverse terrain, encompasses five distinct growing zones, as determined by the USDA. The majority of the state, including urban centers like Raleigh and Charlotte, falls within zone 7b, where cold temperatures range from 5°F to 10°F. Along the southern coast, temperatures are milder, seldom dropping below 10°F to 15°F. In the central region, between Raleigh and Greensboro, and extending westward to Asheville, temperatures can dip to 0°F to 5°F. Additionally, there are two colder zones in the Smoky and Appalachian Mountains, near Boone and Cherokee, where temperatures may reach as low as -10°F.
Tornadoes, tropical storms, and thunderstorms cause the most damage in North Carolina. North Carolina averages 31 tornadoes a year, with storms occurring most frequently March through May. Tropical storms and hurricanes, traveling along the east coast, have also caused significant damage to North Carolina. Summer thunderstorms, which bring flooding and hail, can be the most damaging. These occur annually affecting limited areas; however, these are usually highly populated and cost the United States $5 million annually.
