Unsure of your hardiness zone? Do you even know what a hardiness zone is? Let the Tree Geek be your guide!
What’s a Hardiness Zone?
Have you ever taken a vacation to a state with a warmer climate and noticed the plants and trees growing there are a lot different than what you see at home? Or maybe you live in a warmer state and you’ve traveled somewhere cooler. Same thing. Well, that’s because trees can only grow in certain climates.
Some trees can’t tolerate cold temperatures while others prefer them. So, hardiness zones are these geographically defined areas that specific trees are capable of growing in. They’re classified by numbers, 1-11, and each number, or zone, is further defined by minimum temperatures.
Why is Knowing Your Hardiness Zone Important?
So why is this important to you? Well, the hardiness zone is helpful if you’re trying to figure out what trees you currently have or what trees you should be thinking about planting in your yard. You want to make sure before purchasing a tree that it’s going to survive where you plant it. Typically while shopping at your local nursery, you might be drawn to trees that are grown in shade versus direct light or sandy soil versus clay. Nurseries might only stock trees for one or two hardiness zones, but you – being the smart tree geek that you are – double check before you purchase and ensure the tree is the best fit for you home.
You can use the chart on the left, or use this USDA Hardiness Zone Map to see which hardiness zone applies to where you live.
Hardiness Zone Limitations
We geeks would also like to point out, although hardiness zones are extremely informative and beneficial, they don’t take into account summer heat levels. It’s best to combine the hardiness zone with the heat zone to gain greater understanding of what can be grown in a particular location. If you need help, contact the Tree Geeks!
Now, when an attractive tree geek of the opposite sex tries the pickup line, “What’s your hardiness zone?”, you’ll know the answer!