Skip to content

Best Trees for Wet Areas

18 May, 2020 100
Best Trees for Wet Areas

Do you have an area in your yard that tends to hold water after a large rainfall?

Planting trees in this area will help to alleviate the drainage problems you may be experiencing. Not all trees or shrubs will suffice in that spot, however, it's best to plant trees that will thrive in wet site conditions. The trees on our list are specially curated by iTrees.com owner, Marlee Harford. She's researched and personally selected the trees on this list for your landscape. These trees are well suited for problematic areas that are prone to occasional standing water or near naturally wet areas such as lakes, ponds, or rivers. Planting trees in wet areas will help with absorbing storm-water runoff, prevent soil erosion, and will add naturalistic beauty in your landscape.


01  River Birch

River Birch does exceedingly well in wet locations, but will typically thrive anywhere in the landscape given adequate water. This tree will benefit from being planted in a relatively sheltered location but is extremely low maintenance once established in the landscape.

River Birch

02  Heritage® River Birch

Heritage® River Birch will thrive near ponds, streams, or in low lying landscapes.

Heritage River Birch

03  Northern Catalpa

Northern Catalpa is a native tree known for its tolerance of tough conditions. This tree is a great choice for anywhere shade is needed, open areas in the front or back yard, or parkways.

Northern Catalpa

04  Heartland® Northern Catalpa

Heartland® Northern Catalpa’s improved upright form and growth habit make it extremely versatile in the landscape and has proven to do exceptionally well on the parkway. Its large, dark green heart-shaped foliage transitions to a subtle buttery yellow in the fall. Late summer, the tree will bloom with large panicles of white fragrant flowers.

Heartland Northern Catalpa

05  Purple Catalpa

Purple Catalpa leafs out in the spring with beautiful deep purple leaves that unfurl to a huge size. Large panicles of yellow and purple-spotted white flowers crown the canopy in late spring as the foliage begins its transition to bronze-green summer color. It's a beautiful sight to see. One to add character to any landscape.

Purple Catalpa

06  Dawn Redwood

Dawn Redwood is the hardiest of the redwood/sequoia family and is extremely fast-growing. Because it's a deciduous conifer it allows winter sun to penetrate which makes it a truly unique specimen tree.

Dawn Redwood

07  Afterburner® Black Tupelo

Afterburner® Black Tupelo features rich green glossy foliage which ignites with brilliant fall color, ranging from scarlet to maroon, yellow, and orange. The fissured grey bark provides winter interest, and the fall fireworks show is truly spectacular!

Afterburner Black Tupelo

08  EXCLAMATION!® London Planetree

EXCLAMATION!® London Planetree is an extremely durable tree. It can be used nearly anywhere in the landscape. It's a popular choice for parkways, malls, parks, shopping centers, or anywhere where you need a tough, fast-growing, and unique shade tree.

London Planetree

09  Swamp White Oak

Swamp White Oak is an extremely versatile tree that can be planted almost anywhere in the yard and is especially suited to wet, poorly drained soils. This tree is a great choice for attracting wildlife, the Swamp White Oak’s rough, peeling bark is extremely showy. Swamp White Oak is one of the fastest-growing Oaks available and continues to be the most popular Oak trees for landscape use.

Swamp White Oak

10  Niobe Golden Weeping Willow

Stunning when overhanging water, Weeping Willow needs plenty of wide-open space to achieve its best form.

Weeping Willow

11  Bald Cypress

Bald Cypress is tolerant of most conditions and is a good substitute for evergreens in wet locations.

Bald Cypress

12  Green Whisper® Bald Cypress

Green Whisper® Bald Cypress emerges in spring with the softest bright green foliage. This tree has a well-branched uniform and pyramidal form, as well as, a vigorous growth rate. Green Whisper® Bald Cypress is an excellent option for wet areas in front or backyard as a shade tree, in the open landscape as an accent tree and also on the parkway.

Green Whisper Bald Cypress

13  Shawnee Brave Bald Cypress

Shawnee Brave Bald Cypress has proven to be widely adaptable in urban conditions as it will flourish in standing water or well-drained soils. In the fall it will show off with a handsome rusty orange color, then will drop its needles.

Shawnee Brave Bald Cypress


— Order NOW for no-contact delivery & planting in 2-4 weeks — 

Please note, our availability is constantly changing and is dependent on our nursery- what they're able to grow and when they're able to dig. Please call or email for any questions. 

815-448-2138 | info@itrees.com

Order NowButton