Picea omorika, or Serbian spruce, is a non-native species known for its versatility, making it an excellent choice for urban environments. It thrives in full sun, slightly acidic, well-drained soil, and sheltered areas but can also tolerate alkaline soil and dry sites. Deer-resistant and adaptable, it grows slowly and typically faces few issues, though it can be susceptible to aphids, borers, spider mites, and budworms. While it may not perform well in hot, humid conditions, it is more adaptable than many other spruces.

Picea pungens, or Colorado spruce, is a native to North American evergreen known for its striking silvery-blue foliage and symmetrical shape. Native to Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming. Thriving in full sun and acidic, well-drained soils, it's a hardy tree that tolerates some alkaline soils and is drought-tolerant once mature. However, young trees need consistent moisture, especially during establishment. While blue spruce excels in cooler climates, it may struggle in hot, humid conditions, becoming susceptible to pests like spider mites, spruce budworm, and diseases such as cankers and needle cast. Proper spacing and good airflow help reduce these issues.

Picea rubens, or red spruce, native to eastern US and Canada, is an excellent choice for parks and naturalized landscapes. It prefers moderately well-drained soil, and thrives in full sun to part shade, which provides valuable food and nesting sites for wildlife. While it is slow growing, its twigs, leaves, and seeds are vital for birds and other animals. Red spruce is sensitive to air pollution and may face pests like spider mites, aphids, and budworm. Despite this, its beauty and ecological benefits make it a great addition to the right environment.

Pinus banksiana, or Jack pine, is a native Ontario tree that thrives in cooler climates and well-drained sandy loam. The native range of Pinus banksiana spans across much of Canada and the northeastern and north-central United States, extending from the Northwest Territories to Nova Scotia, and south to the Great Lakes and northern New England. Best suited for dry, well-drained areas and sandy soils, Jack pine is intolerant of wet, alkaline soil, clay soils and heat. It rarely grows to full size in Southern Ontario due to the warmer climate. It may shed needles and cones, but its ecological value and resilience make it an excellent planting choice for the right environment.

Pinus flexilis, or limber pine, is a native Canadian tree known for its adaptability to rocky slopes and windy sites. Native to western North America, specifically the Rocky Mountains and Intermountain Ranges, it extends from southeastern British Columbia and southwestern Alberta in Canada south to northern Arizona and New Mexico, and southwestern California in the United States. It thrives in moist, well-drained soils and tolerates both acidic and alkaline conditions. This low-maintenance tree is less prone to storm damage due to its flexible branches and can be more easily transplanted using balled and burlapped or container stock. Limber pine's resilience and unique beauty make it a great choice for a variety of landscapes.

Pinus mugo, or mugo pine, is a non-native European evergreen that thrives in cool climates with moist, well-drained soil and full to partial sun. It requires annual pruning in late winter to maintain its compact size. While it faces potential pests like sawflies and scale, along with diseases such as tip blight, rusts, and rots, mugo pine is resistant to deer damage and supports moths and pollinators. It can be somewhat messy due to year-round needle drop, especially in late fall, but the needles decompose quickly.

Pinus nigra, or Austrian pine, is a non-native species that is not recommended for planting due to its high susceptibility to pests and diseases. Native to central and southeastern Europe, it adapts well to various soil types, including sandy, loamy, and poor rocky soils making it a popular highway tree species in the past. While it tolerates urban conditions and some drought once established, it is difficult to transplant and should be used sparingly, especially in areas prone to tip blight. Consider planting Pinus strobus, or Pinus ponderosa instead.

Pinus ponderosa or Ponderosa pine, is native to western North America, ranging from southern Canada (British Columbia) to Mexico, and from the Plains States (Nebraska and Oklahoma) to the Pacific Coast. It prefers a soil composed of a mixture of gravel, sand, and loam, with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0, with good drainage. While it can be susceptible to issues like root rot, blister rust, needle blight, and pests such as the sequoia pitch moth, these challenges can be managed with proactive care. Regular pruning in the late fall to winter months helps maintain its health and reduce the risk of pest problems. While it can create some mess with fallen needles, its natural beauty and resilience make it a rewarding addition to your landscape as a specimen tree.

Pinus resinosa, or red pine, is native to Ontario and thrives in full sun with a preference for large spaces. Its native range is from Newfoundland west to Manitoba, and south to Pennsylvania, with several smaller, disjunct populations occurring in the Appalachian Mountains in Virginia and West Virginia, as well as a few small pockets in extreme northern New Jersey and northern Illinois. It prefers well-drained porous gravelly subsoil, overlaid with a light sandy loam. This drought-tolerant tree is resistant to deer and has a deep root system that helps it withstand strong winds. While it is ideal for woodlands, naturalized areas, and rural landscapes, it is not recommended in more urban areas. Red pine sheds long needles in the fall, with occasional cones creating some cleanup. Its natural resilience and aesthetic appeal make it a solid choice for the right setting.

Pinus rigida, or pitch pine, excels in poor soil, cold temperatures, and dry, rocky terrain where other trees struggle. It is native to eastern North America, specifically from central Maine south to Georgia and as far west as Kentucky, with some populations in Canada. It prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. It's fire-resistant and a resilient choice for landscapes, with increasing appeal for those looking to diversify tree species and reduce pest and disease risk. While pitch pine is susceptible to common pine diseases, its sturdy nature and ability to thrive in tough conditions make it an excellent addition to the landscape. Its rigid wood is susceptible to damage from heavy snow and strong winds. Pitch pine sheds long, stiff needles year-round, with a heavier drop in the fall, creating some cleanup due to needle and cone litter.

Pinus strobus, or eastern white pine, native to eastern US and Canada and is Ontario’s provincial tree. It is a fast-growing evergreen that thrives in acidic, fertile, well-drained soils and full sun, particularly in cool, humid climates. It's a great choice for landscapes and can even be sheared for hedges. It grows rapidly and adapts well but struggles in soils with high pH, compaction, and high salt content. Eastern white pine drops long, soft needles year-round, with heavier shedding in the fall.

CAUTION: INVASIVE TENDENCIES. Pinus sylvestris, or scots pine is not recommended to plant as it has invasive tendencies and is strongly discouraged for planting due to its negative impact on native ecosystems. It creates dense monocultures that prevent native species from thriving and is a vector for pests and diseases such as pine wilt nematode, Sphaeropsis (Diplodia) tip blight, sawflies, moths, and scale. This species is native to western Europe. It prefers acidic, moist, well-drained soils located in full sun, and is intolerant to compacted, clay soils. Its prolific seed production leads to aggressive seedling growth, further spreading the species. Scots pine drops long, slender needles year-round, with a heavier drop in fall and due to its invasive tendencies, it should be avoided in favor of native species. Consider planting Pinus strobus, or Pinus ponderosa instead.

Platanus occidentalis, or American sycamore, is a fast-growing, large tree that thrives in full sun and well-drained, moist soils. The native range of Platanus occidentalis extends from southwestern Maine west to southern Ontario, southern Wisconsin, Iowa, and eastern Nebraska, south to south-central Texas, and east to northwestern Florida and southeastern Georgia. It adapts well to various soil pH levels and offers moderate salt tolerance. Known for its distinctive exfoliating bark and tolerance of light shade and urban pollutants, this tree is ideal for spacious areas. Mix-ups can occur along the nursery value chain between sycamore and the London plane; it may be worth confirming species identity with the nursery prior to shipment.

Platanus acerifolia, or London planetree, a hybrid between the native sycamore and non-native Asian planetree, thrives in full sun and well-drained, humusy soils. It is tolerant of various soil types, light shade, urban pollutants, salt and drought. It is more urban tolerant than American sycamore. Although it was once known for its resistance to sycamore anthracnose, some cultivars, such as 'Columbia' and 'liberty,' show greater resilience to anthracnose. Despite its messy nature, dropping large leaves and seed balls in fall, the London planetree is a hardy, versatile choice for urban landscapes and provides valuable shade.

CAUTION: INVASIVE TENDENCIES. Populus alba, or white poplar, is not recommended to plant, due to aggressive tendencies. The native range of Populus alba encompasses central and southern Europe, the Mediterranean islands, temperate Asia, and northern Africa. It prefers acidic, moist, well-drained soils with full sun. The white poplar is a fast-growing tree that is known for aggressive suckering, which can form colonies. Instead, consider Ontario native alternatives like Populus tremuloides or Populus deltoides.

Populus balsamifera, or balsam poplar, native to Ontario, is a fast-growing tree perfect for rural areas, windbreaks, and naturalized landscapes on the edges of swampy ground. Thriving in full sun and moist, well-drained soil, it provides quick shelter for shade-tolerant species like hemlock and white pine. While balsam poplar can be messy with large leaf drops and cottony seed fluff, its rapid growth and hardiness make it an excellent choice for wind protection and habitat. Balsam poplar is native to a broad area of North America, extending from Newfoundland and Labrador across Canada, into Alaska, and south into the northern and eastern United States.

Populus deltoides, or eastern cottonwood, is native to North America, thriving in the eastern, central, and southwestern United States, as well as the southern Canadian prairies and the southernmost part of eastern Canada. It is a fast-growing tree ideal for naturalized areas, parks, and rural lowlands. It thrives in full sun and moist, well-drained soils, tolerating drought once established. Cottonwood is best suited for rural or riparian areas where their rapid growth can be managed. Its messiness, with large leaf drops and cottony seeds, can be mitigated by planting cotton-less cultivars.

Populus grandidentata, or largetooth aspen, is native to northeastern and north-central North America, ranging from southeastern Canada and the Great Lakes region south to Virginia, North Carolina, and extreme northeastern Missouri. It is an excellent choice for naturalized areas, offering rapid growth and valuable wildlife support, with its leaves, bark, and twigs providing food for birds and mammals. It thrives in full sun and can handle a variety of soil types but is intolerant of shade and flooding. While it is prone to diseases and pests, it remains a resilient species for areas where aggressive growth can be managed. Like other aspens, it reproduces by suckers. Largetooth aspen sheds large leaves and produces cottony seeds in the fall, which can create considerable litter.

Populus nigra, or lombardy poplar, is a non-native, fast-growing tree that is highly susceptible to Cytospora canker, a deadly fungal disease, making it unsuitable for most landscapes. This species is native to Europe, northwestern Africa, and western Asia. While it is tolerant of alkaline, flooding, clay, and dry soils and can serve as a windbreak, its short lifespan and vulnerability to disease make it a poor planting choice. It drops large leaves in the fall and produces cottony seed fluff, creating some mess and requiring frequent cleanup.

Populus tremuloides, or trembling aspen, is native to Ontario and a great addition to naturalizing areas due to its support for wildlife, including birds, mammals, and butterflies. It thrives in moist, well-drained soils, tolerates a range of conditions, and is known for its unique "trembling" leaves. However, it's not recommended for residential areas due to its extensive root system, which can sprout new trees, and its weak wood, which can pose safety risks. Aspen is also messy, shedding numerous leaves in fall and producing cottony seed fluff that requires frequent cleaning.

Populus canadensis, or Carolina poplar or Canada poplar, a hybrid between the native Populus deltoides and European Populus nigra, is a fast-growing tree ideal for sunny, moist sites, particularly near water. It tolerates a broad soil pH range and occasional flooding, making it perfect for quickly establishing a shaded canopy in naturalized areas. Trees often reach very large size in 50 years and then die over a short time period. Its brittle wood is vulnerable to storm breakage, and its roots can damage sidewalks and clog cracked sewer lines.

Prunus 'Accolade', or accolade flowering cherry, is a fast-growing, non-native tree that thrives in full sun. It tolerates a range of soil types, from acid to neutral, and can withstand salt spray. While it prefers moist, well-drained soil, it can tolerate occasional dry periods. Known for being relatively low maintenance, it's more resistant to common pests and diseases compared to other cherry varieties, though it can still be affected by lesser peachtree borers, black knot, root rot, and fireblight. Accolade makes a great choice for parks, medians, and residential areas, but be aware of moderate leaf drop in fall and occasional fruit litter.

Prunus americana, or American plum, is a native tree known for its fragrant spring flowers and ability to attract wildlife. Native to North America from Saskatchewan and Idaho south to New Mexico and east to Quebec, Maine and Florida. It's excellent for erosion control, providing nesting cover and supporting butterflies. Drought-tolerant and well-suited for naturalizing, it's perfect for enhancing natural landscapes, parks. While many plums (especially older trees) can develop thorns and they produce small, edible fruits of lesser quality, it's great for bird attraction. Expect some fruit litter, but overall, it's a valuable, low-maintenance addition to any landscape.

Prunus maackii, or amur chokecherry, is a non-native from Manchuria and Korea. This species is a cherry tree with a longer lifespan and fewer issues compared to many other Prunus species. It thrives in rich, moist, well-drained soil and tolerates poorer soils and some salt pollution but prefers cool climates and should be mulched to regulate soil temperature. While it can be prone to black knot disease, borers, aphids, scale, canker, and Japanese beetles, it offers versatility in planting environments.

Prunus nigra, or Canada plum or Canadian plum, is a native tree ranging throughout northeastern North America. This fast growing, short live species thrives in rich, moist, well-drained soil but can tolerate a wide variety of soil conditions. The fruit produced from this tree is excellent for wildlife, especially bird species. Canadian Plum is a compact, upright-bratched narrow tree with an overall height between 20 and 30 ft.