Trees and Shrubs Adaptable to Soils pH 7 and Above

Prepared by Ron Kujawski, UMASS Extension

 The following is a list of trees and shrubs that will grow in soils with a pH of 7 (neutral) or greater (alkaline).  Soils in urban sites and soils adjacent to concrete foundations or other concrete structures often have a high pH. In such situations, soils should always be tested to determine pH. It is difficult to lower the pH of some alkaline soils. As such, selection of trees and shrubs adaptable to these soils is a better option than trying to acidify the soil with amendments such as sulfur.

In compiling the following list, no judgment is implied as to desirability of the species for particular landscape uses other than on the basis of its tolerance to high soil pH (7-8).  Some plant species, while not particularly desirable for ornamental landscape or tree planting, may have cultivars that are superior to the species for such uses. Cultivars are not listed in the list below. (Sources for the list below include: Manual of Woody Landscape Plants by Dirr; Nursery Management by Davidson, Mecklenburg, and Peterson; The Hiller Manual of Trees and Shrubs; and Extension fact sheets from various states; and personal experience.) The list is by no means all inclusive, and comments and additions are welcome.

Trees

Acer campestre – Hedge Maple                     

Acer ginnala – Amur Maple   

Acer griseum – Paperback Maple   

Acer platanoides – Norway Maple   

Acer pseudoplantanus – Sycamore Maple   

Acer tartaricum – Tartarian Maple        

Aesculus species – Horsechestnut, Buckeye

Carpinus betulus – European Hornbeam   

Carpinus caroliniana – American Hornbeam

Cercis canadensis – Redbud    

Cladrastis lutea – American Yellowwood                                       

Crataegus species – Hawthorn 

Fagus sylvatica – European Beech

Fraxinus species – Ash

Gingko bilboa – Maidenhair

Gleditsia triacanthos var. inermis – Honeylocust

Gymnocladus dioicus – Kentuckey Coffeetree    

Hypericum species – St. Johnswort

Juglans nigra – Black Walnut                         

Juniperus virginiana – Eastern Red Cedar         

Kolreuteria paniculata – Golden Rain Tree  

Laburnum x watereri – Golden Chaintree         

Maackia amurensis – Amur Maackia    

Perrotia persica – Persian Perrotia

Phellodendron amurense – Amur Corktree

Platanus x acerifolia – London Planetree

Prunus triloba – Flowering Almond

Quercus robur – English Oak

Syringa reticulata – Japanese Tree Lilac

Thuja occidentalis – American Arborvitae

Tilia americana - Basswood

Tilia cordata – Littleleaf Linden

Ulmus parvifolia – Chinese Elm

Laburnum x watereri – Golden Chaintree

Maackia amurensis – Amur Maackia

Perrotia persica – Persian Perrotia                                    

Phellodendron amurense – Amur Corktree

Platanus x acerifolia – London Planetree

Prunus triloba – Flowering Almond

Quercus robur – English Oak

Syringa reticulata – Japanese Tree Lilac

Thuja occidentalis – American Arborvitae

Tilia americana - Basswood

Tilia cordata – Littleleaf Linden

Ulmus parvifolia – Chinese Elm

Shrubs

Berberis species - Barberry

Buddleia davidii – Butterfly Bush

Buxus sempervirens – Common Boxwood

Celtis occiedentalis - Hackberry

Cephalanthus occidentalis - Buttonbush

Cornus mas – Cornelian Cherry

Cotoneaster species

Daphne species

Deutzia species

Euonymus species