Choosing Zone 4 Evergreen Trees
The first thing to consider when selecting appropriate zone 4 evergreen trees is the climate the trees can withstand. Winters are harsh in zone 4, but there are lots of trees that can shake off low temperatures, snow, and ice without complaint. All of the trees in this article thrive in cold climates. Another thing to consider is the mature size of the tree. If you have a sprawling landscape, you may want to choose a large tree, but most home landscapes can only handle a small or medium-sized tree.
Small to Medium Evergreen Trees for Zone 4
Korean fir grows about 30 feet (9 m.) tall with a 20 foot (6 m.) spread and pyramidal shape. One of the most interesting varieties is ‘Horstmann’s Silberlocke,’ which has green needles with white undersides. The needles turn upward, giving the tree a flocked look. The American arborvitae forms a narrow pyramid up to 20 feet (6 m.) tall and only about 12 feet (4 m.) wide in urban settings. Planted close together, they form a windscreen, privacy fence, or hedge. They keep their tight, neat shape without pruning. Chinese juniper is a tall form of the ubiquitous juniper shrub. It grows 10 to 30 feet (3-9 m.) tall with a spread of no more than 15 feet (4.5 m.). Birds love the berries and will visit the tree often during the winter months. An important advantage of this tree is that it tolerates salty soil and salt spray.
Larger Varieties of Hardy Evergreen Trees
Three varieties of fir (Douglas, balsam, and white) are gorgeous trees for large landscapes. They have a dense canopy with a pyramidal shape and grow to a height of about 60 feet (18 m.). The bark has a light color that stands out when glimpsed between the branches. Colorado blue spruce grows 50 to 75 feet (15-22 m.) tall and about 20 feet (6 m.) wide. You’ll love the silvery blue-green cast to the needles. This hardy evergreen tree seldom sustains winter weather damage. Eastern red cedar is a dense tree that makes a good windscreen. It grows 40 to 50 feet (12-15 m.) tall with an 8 to 20 foot (2-6 m.) spread. Winter birds will visit often for the tasty berries.
