What evergreens should I plant?

Many evergreen conifers have had a rough time in southern Wisconsin in recent years. Our changing climate has been increasing pest and disease pressures on a number of evergreen species commonly found here, particularly the widely loved Colorado Blue Spruce. These Spruces come from the Rocky Mountains, where they enjoy the dry air and typically grow in the moist, cool soils near creeks and mountain lakes. In southern Wisconsin, our Summers are too hot and humid, and the compacted, clay-heavy soils in our yards are unforgiving on these trees. We are seeing widespread fungal issues and decline in not just Colorado Blue Spruce, but some of our more regional Spruce species as well. Many Spruces and other “boreal” or northern-forest species are already living at or near the southern edge of their natural range in southern Wisconsin, including White Spruce. As summers get warmer and winters become milder, with less consistent snowpack and more erratic rainfall, Spruce trees are becoming less well adapted to their local conditions. Similarly, climate change is contributing to increased pest and disease pressures in some Pine species, like Austrian Pine, Scot’s Pine, and our native Red Pine.

So, if you are losing your evergreens, or you are looking to add green to your yard, what should you plant? Below are some evergreen options to bring some winter color to your yard.

Eastern Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis)

Eastern hemlock tris a great option if you want a native, long-lived evergreen that brings both beauty and ecological benefits to your landscape. Hemlocks have a naturally graceful, layered form with soft, finely textured needles that create a calm, cooling presence in the yard. Their rich, deep green and tiny chandelier-like cones provide beauty in the harshest winters. Because they tolerate shade better than any other evergreens, they’re excellent for areas where Spruce or Pine won’t thrive, and they can be used as specimen trees, natural screens, or components of a woodland-style garden. Their shallow, fibrous root systems also make them gentler around nearby structures or gardens compared to trees with more expansive root systems. They are commonly used in shoreline restoration projects because of their stabilizing effects, although they don’t need to be planted close to water.

Beyond their beauty, eastern hemlocks play an important ecological role. They offer year-round shelter for songbirds, and their dense canopies provide winter protection for wildlife during harsh weather. They are also considered a host plant for several species of moths and butterflies in our area. They are a favorite winter snack for deer, so we recommend fencing young trees in your yard. In the eastern part of the country, Hemlocks are facing issues with a pest called Hemlock Woolly Adelgid, which is devastating forests. HWA has not been reported in Wisconsin yet, but it may arrive in the coming years. Thankfully, this pest is easily treatable with a systemic insecticide.

Planting eastern hemlock is a rewarding way to add beauty, wildlife value, and long-term structure to a landscape, but these trees do best when their specific needs are met from the start. Hemlocks thrive in cool, moist, well-drained soils with plenty of organic matter. They naturally grow under partial shade, especially when young, so giving them protection from harsh afternoon sun helps reduce stress and improves establishment. Be aware that Eastern Hemlock can struggle quite a bit with transplant shock and may need some extra special TLC for its first few years in the ground. Maintain a 2-3-inch-thick mulch layer over the root zone and provide supplemental water during dry periods. Once these trees are established, you will be rewarded with dense deep green trees full of songbirds.

 

Norway Spruce (Picea abies)

Norway Spruce is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a fast-growing, durable evergreen that performs reliably in a wide range of conditions. Norway Spruce tends to be more adaptable than other Spruce species, handling heat, drought periods, and heavy soils better than most, but it should still get supplemental water during dry periods. It can grow up to 3 feet per year, which makes it great for establishing privacy screening and windbreaks, or to create substantial landscape presence without waiting decades. Norway Spruce grows wide as well as tall, so give it plenty of space. The tree is known for its graceful drooping branchlets, making it both beautiful as a specimen and effective in groups or rows.
Norway Spruces struggles with fewer pest and disease issues than most conifers. While no tree is immune to problems, Norway Spruce is generally less susceptible to needle cast diseases, cankers, and insect pests that commonly weaken other Spruce species, especially in southern Wisconsin. This natural resilience means lower long-term maintenance and a better chance of keeping the tree healthy as climate conditions continue to change. In the vein of lower maintenance, Norway spruce required little to no pruning to maintain its graceful form.

Despite being non-native to our area, Norway Spruce also provides valuable ecological benefits. Its dense branching offers excellent year-round cover for birds and small wildlife, and mature trees can support owls, squirrels, and numerous songbirds seeking shelter in winter. Norway Spruce is more deer resistant than many conifers, so if you have struggled with deer browsing on your property, consider a Norway Spruce. The trees also contribute to erosion control and improved wind protection, making them useful on open or rural properties. For anyone looking to plant a large, hardy evergreen that combines visual appeal, environmental value, and long-term durability, Norway Spruce is one of the most reliable choices available.

White Fir, Abies concolor

If you are someone who loves the gorgeous blue tones of the Colorado Blue Spruce, consider planting a White Fir instead. It has long, soft, graceful blue needles that evoke the same aesthetics as the Colorado Blue Spruce. Its long, silvery-blue needles and naturally symmetrical form give it a refined appearance that works beautifully as a specimen tree, anchor plant, or focal point in both formal and naturalistic landscapes.

One of its standout qualities is its adaptability. Unlike many Firs that prefer tight bands of cool, moist climates, white Fir can tolerate warm summers, low humidity, and drier soils, making it a strong choice for the central and southern Midwest. Just make sure to plant in well-draining soil, and avoid planting along busy roadways, as it is susceptible to pollution from car emissions. We do recommend inoculating your soil with mycorrhizal fungi and maintaining a mulch ring over the root zone to help with tree vigor. White Fir does prefer full sun, although it can tolerate some shade.

White Fir has relatively few serious pest or disease issues compared to similar species. While every tree needs monitoring, White Fir is generally less affected by common needle cast diseases and tends to maintain its foliage density and color more reliably over time. White Fir also provides various ecological and practical benefits. Its dense, aromatic canopy offers shelter for birds year-round, and its deep root system helps stabilize soil on slopes or windy sites. It’s long-lived and slow to outgrow its space once mature, making it a good investment for homeowners who want a large but manageable evergreen with lasting beauty.

Yew (Taxus spp.)

Yews are a great choice for gardeners and homeowners seeking versatile, long-lived, and low-maintenance evergreens. Yews are known for being adaptable and they thrive in a wide range of soil types, from sandy to clay, as long as the soil is well-drained. They tolerate both sun and shade and are remarkably drought-tolerant once established, which means less watering long term.

Another advantage of planting Yews is their versatility in design and function. There are a variety of Yews with different growth habits. Some grow tall and narrow (like Hick’s Yew), others short and wide (like ‘Everlow’ Yew), so they can be grown as foundation plantings, hedges, or specimen trees. They also respond better to pruning and shaping than most other evergreens. Their dense, dark green foliage provides a lush backdrop year-round, and their deep reddish-brown bark provides interest when exposed. Yews have slow-to-moderate growth rates, which allow for long-term planning without frequent replanting or trimming. Additionally, Yews are relatively pest- and disease-resistant, making them a lower maintenance evergreen.

Despite most varieties not being native to our area, Yews still offer some ecological benefits. Their dense branching provides excellent shelter for birds and small wildlife. Birds often feed on the arils, which are the red, berry-like structures that contain seeds. Be aware that these arils are toxic to people to pets. For those interested, a native Yew species, Canadian Yew, is available. This species is known to be very low growing, especially slow-growing, and deer consider it to be candy-like, so it may not be the best choice for most homeowners. For homeowners seeking a durable, attractive, and multifunctional evergreen that works well in almost any setting, Yews are a reliable and beautiful choice.

 

Giant Arborvitae (Thuja plicata)

Giant Arborvitae, also known as Western Red Cedar, is an excellent tree to plant for homeowners looking for a fast-growing, tall, and visually striking evergreen that deer will leave alone. One of its most appealing qualities is its rapid growth rate, which can quickly provide privacy, windbreaks, or a natural screening. Its dense, soft, emerald-green foliage creates a striking year-round backdrop, making it both a functional and ornamental addition to gardens and yards. Giant Arborvitae also maintains its pyramidal shape with minimal pruning, lowering the need for pruning. These trees can be trimmed to limit annual growth or create a more hedge-like appearance.

Giant Arborvitae thrives in a wide range of soil types, including clay, loam, and sandy soils, as long as they are well-drained. It tolerates both full sun and partial shade. Compared to the native Eastern White Cedar (Thuja occidentalis), Giant Arborvitae is much more tolerant of shade, and is less appealing to deer searching for a winter snack. Once established, it demonstrates strong resilience to wind, snow, and cold, which means it is suitable for our Wisconsin winters. While it can grow to be 70 ft tall or more in its native range in the Pacific Northwest, it typically only grows to 30-40 ft in Wisconsin. Historically, Giant Arborvitae were vital to pre-colonial life in the Pacific Northwest, providing food, medicine, fiber, and decay-resistant wood to native people. The oldest recorded Giant Arborvitae was 1400 years old, found in the Olympic National Forest in Washington state.

Compared to other fast-growing evergreens, Giant Arborvitae is relatively low-maintenance and long-lived.
Giant Arborvitae also offers some ecological benefits by providing shelter and nesting sites for birds and small wildlife. It can also serve as an effective buffer against wind, noise, and soil erosion. Planting these trees in a yard or along property lines can improve microclimates and reduce heating costs in winter by blocking cold winds. For homeowners seeking a versatile, durable, and visually impactful evergreen that combines rapid growth with long-term ecological and aesthetic benefits, Giant Arborvitae is an outstanding choice.