List of local trees (to you) that are good and "low maintenance"

[Poink88]

Just wondering if we can all share and list what trees thrive locally (please put city & State plus USDA cold hardiness zone) with minimal (or no) winter protection.

Doesn't have to be your own as long as you know someone who have been successful growing a thriving bonsai out of it w/o much protection (i.e. moving in a garage, green house, indoors, etc.)

Austin, TX (zone 8b)

Azalea (George L Tabor) (w/ shade)
Bald Cypress
Cedar Elm
Chinese Elm
Chinese Ligustrum
Chinese Quince
Crabapple
Crape Myrtle
Flowering Apricot
Japanese Black Pine
Japanese Boxwood
Japanese Quince
Juniper (various type)
Korean Hornbeam (w/ shade)
Live Oak
Montezuma Cypress
Olive
Plum
Pomegranate
Pyracantha
Trident Maple (w/ shade)
TX Persimmon
Yaupon Holly

Thank you.

 

[Paradox]

I have kept the following species outside on the bench all winter with some caveats.
East end of Long Island, zone 7b.

Scots pine - seems pretty bullet proof in a typical winter
Mugo pine -same as scots
San Jose Juniper - relatively mild winter
Colorado blue spruce -relatively mild winter

Disclaimer: None of these were seedlings or very small trees. The juniper and the spruce Ive overwintered outside during one winter.
The mugo and scots pine were outside two winters.
How any of these would do with the harsh winter we just had, I dont know as they were all kept inside.

Lastly, I dont really qualify as having vast amounts of experience with this yet.

 

[Poink88]

BTW, I just realized some of the trees I posted are not LOCAL to me BUT they thrive where I am.

 

[Paradox]

BTW, I just realized some of the trees I posted are not LOCAL to me BUT they thrive where I am.

My interpretation of the question was that they did not have to be native, just "thrive locally".
If the criteria is they have to be native, then my list is disqualified as none of them are native.

 

[Poink88]

My interpretation of the question was that they did not have to be native, just "thrive locally".
If the criteria is they have to be native, then my list is disqualified as none of them are native.

Your interpretation is correct. I made a mistake and that is the intent.

 

[bonsaiBlake]

kennewick,wa USDA zone 5b


FRUIT
-apple
-cherry
-peach
-plum
-pear
-grape

DECIDIOUS
-oak
-sycamore
-maple(if shaded, oops)
-mullberry
-quaking aspen(if shaded)
-sage(2 varieties)

EVERGREEN
-rhody's(on northern walls or full shade only)
-honeysuckle
-barberry
-aborvida
-juniper
-holly

PINES
-ponderosa
-scot
-some varieties of cedar
-mugo
-other dry/heat hardy