Why It’s Time to Start Choosing New & Resilient Tree Species for a Changing Climate

By Dan Just, ISA Certified Arborist & TRAQ Qualified

As our climate continues to shift, the trees we plant today will need to withstand tomorrow’s challenges. In the Midwest—especially here in Iowa—we’re already seeing hotter summers, intense rainfall events, longer drought stretches, and fast-moving insect and disease issues. Many of our traditional “go-to” tree species simply weren’t built for this new reality. Whether you’re a homeowner, developer, landscape architect or municipal decision-maker, now is the time to rethink tree selection. Choosing diverse, climate-ready species matters more than ever—and it begins with the choices you make right on your own property or client's property.

1. Climate Change Is Reshaping What Can Thrive

Trees that performed well 20 or 30 years ago may struggle as temperatures rise and weather becomes more extreme. Heat-sensitive species suffer from leaf scorch, drought stress, dieback, and shortened lifespans. Meanwhile, heavy rainfall leads to root issues and soil instability. Planting for the past sets us up for disappointment. Planting for the future sets our urban forests up for long-term success.

2. Diversity Protects Us from the Next Pest or Disease Outbreak

If there’s one lesson urban forestry has learned the hard way, it’s that planting too much of the same tree invites disaster. We’ve seen this with Dutch elm disease, emerald ash borer, Asian longhorned beetle, oak wilt, thousand cankers disease, spongy moth, and now Sudden Oak Death, which was recently detected in Minnesota nursery stock. Sudden Oak Death (caused by Phytophthora ramorum) has devastated landscapes on the West Coast, and its arrival in the Midwest—even in isolated cases—shows how quickly new pathogens can move. A diverse canopy helps limit species-specific impacts, slows the spread of outbreaks, and keeps our urban forests more resilient.

3. The Trees We Plant Today Shape Our Communities for the Next 80–100 Years

Planting a tree isn’t just about adding shade or improving curb appeal — it’s a long-term investment that affects how your home, your street, and your entire neighborhood will look and feel for generations. Climate-resilient species are better equipped to handle hotter summers, stronger storms, new pests, and unpredictable weather patterns. This means fewer fallen limbs, healthier soils, and trees that continue providing benefits long after planting day.

The trees you choose today influence how livable, shaded, and comfortable your neighborhood will be decades from now. And when many property owners make thoughtful planting decisions, those individual choices come together to create a stronger citywide canopy — one that cools entire blocks, improves air quality, manages stormwater, and boosts the health and well-being of the whole community.

4. There Are Incredible Under-Used Species Ready for Their Moment

Many homeowners pick the same handful of familiar trees—especially maples—because they’re comfortable choices. But there are dozens of hardy, beautiful, under-planted species that bring both resilience and aesthetic appeal to the landscape. Some strong performers for future climate conditions include:

• Kentucky coffeetree

• Tulip tree

• Hybrid elms (Dutch-elm resistant)

• Bald cypress

• Sycamore / London planetree

• Chestnut and hybrid chestnuts

• Osage orange cultivars (thornless)

• Dawn redwood

• Serviceberry, hornbeam, and other small understory species.

These species can be just as striking as maples and other traditional favorites, while offering stronger long-term performance under changing conditions.

5. Local Knowledge Matters (A Lot)

Selecting the right species for your property isn’t just about choosing a “tough” tree. It’s about selecting a species that matches your soil type, sun exposure, drainage conditions, salt exposure, shifting hardiness zones, pest pressures, and the amount of space available for roots and mature canopy spread. These details determine whether a tree will thrive for decades—or struggle from the start.

This is why it's so important to seek professional guidance from a certified arborist. Homeowners and property managers can connect with credentialed experts through the ISA’s Find an Arborist tool: https://www.treesaregood.org/findanarborist Professional support helps ensure the right tree is planted in the right place, giving your property a healthier, longer-lived tree—and strengthening the broader community canopy at the same time.

6. A Resilient Urban Forest Benefits Everyone (And It Starts with You)

Diverse, climate-ready tree canopies lower utility costs, improve public health, support wildlife, strengthen neighborhood identity, and increase property values. And here’s the key: it starts on your own property. When individual homeowners, local businesses, and public agencies all work toward smarter species selection, we build a stronger, healthier, and more resilient canopy across the entire region.

Final Thoughts

Climate change and new pest and disease threats are not slowing down. But take the City of Des Moines for example: they recently revamped their recommended species list to include more southern-adapted, climate-resilient trees—proactively preparing for the next several decades of environmental change. This is the type of forward-thinking approach that helps cities maintain healthy, stable urban forests. And property owners can play just as important of a role. By planting a resilient mix of future-ready species on your own property, you’re protecting your landscape, adding long-term value, and contributing to a stronger canopy for the entire community.

Check out their list here: City of Des Moines Recommended Tree Species List