Tree Information

At our tree giveaways, we distribute saplings of many species native to the Ottawa region. Growing information for each species is provided in the table below.

SpeciesLight NeedsSoil NeedsHeight/SizeLife Expectancy
Colorado SprucePrefers full sun; grows more slowly in partial shade; at least 6hrs of direct sunlight per dayAcidic, loamy, moist, rich, sandy, well-drained and clay soils; tolerates short drought but not flooding50-75′ tall and 10-20′ spread at maturity
60+ years
White Spruce Prefers full sun; grows more slowly in partial shade; at least 6hrs of direct sunlight per day Prefers well-drained, moist silty soils, tolerates poorly drained and heavy soils but not dry soils 40-80′ tall and 10-20′ spread at maturity 100+ years
White CedarTolerates shadeTolerates a variety of soils; acidic, loamy, moist, sandy, well-drained dry, wet, shallow and clay soils; doesn’t tolerate road salt40-60′ tall and 10-15′ spread at maturity 80+ years
White Pine Full sun; tolerates some shade Tolerates a variety of soils; prefers rich, slightly acidic moist, well-drained soil 80′ tall and 10-20′ spread at maturity 100+ years
Red PineBest in light; doesn’t like shadeWell-drained soil; tolerates poor, rocky and sandy soil 65-115′ tall and 3′ trunk diameter 100+ years
Tamarack Full sunTolerates a variety of soils; prefers moist, sandy soils 50-80′ tall and 20′ spread at maturity 80+ years
Hard (Sugar) Maple Full sun/partial shade Prefers deep, well-drained, acidic to slightly alkaline soil 60-75′ tall and 40-50′ spread at maturity 100+ years
Red MapleShade tolerantGrows in a variety of soils40-60′ tall and 40′ spread at maturity80+ years
Gray Birch Full sunTolerates a variety of soils, prefers poor, disturbed, sandy or gravelly soils 20-30′ tall and 15″ trunk diameter 50+ years
White Birch Full sun is best; at least 4hrs of direct sunlight per dayVariety of soil substrates; tolerates a range of moisture levels; prefers deep, well-drained to dry soils50-70′ tall and 35′ spread at maturity 100+ years
Yellow Birch Moderately shade tolerantPrefers moist and rich soils50-70′ tall and 35′ spread at maturity150+ years
Mountain AshShade tolerantGrows in a variety of soils; prefers moist soil but dry tolerant10-30′ tall and 15′ spread at maturity 30 years
Black ElderberryPrefers full sun; shade tolerantPrefers heavy organic matter; moist and well-drained20′ tall and 6-12′ spread at maturity25-30 years
Chokecherry Prefers full sun; shade tolerant Prefers rich, well-drained soils6-25′ tall and 20′ spread at maturity 40-60 years
Highbush CranberryPrefers full sun; shade tolerant Prefers moist, well-drained soils10-12′ tall and 8′ spread at maturity30+ years
NannyberryPrefers full sun; shade tolerant Prefers moist soils, tolerates wide range of soil textures and pH; drought resistant10-20′ and 6-12′ spread at maturity20-50 years
HackberryFull sun/partial shade Variety of soils40-70′ tall and 50′ spread at maturity 150+ years
Red OakFull sun/partial shade Variety of soils 60-90′ tall and 20-40′ spread at maturity 300+ years
Blue BeechFull sun/partial shade Prefers rich, well-drained soils25-30′ tall and 25′ spread at maturity 100 years