7 White Flowering Trees In Maine (Stunning Photos & Description)

Discover the ethereal beauty of white flowering trees in Maine. These magnificent trees not only add elegance to the landscape but also a sense of serenity and tranquillity. 

Join us as we describe and showcase these captivating trees that enhance the natural splendor of Maine with their picturesque allure, from the graceful Dogwood to the serene hawthorn. 

In this article, we will explore seven mesmerizing white flowering trees in Maine, accompanied by breathtaking photos that showcase their delicate blooms in all their glory. 

Let’s begin.

1. Canada Plum

• Scientific Name: Prunus nigra Ait.
• Common Name(s): Canada Plum, Red Plum
• Mature Height: Up to 30 feet (9 meters)
• Native Region: North America
• Flowers: White, appear in early spring in groups of three or four on slender stalks
• Fruit: Football-shaped, furrowed along one side, with orange-red skin and yellow flesh. The single stone is flattened and slightly grooved on the edges.
• Uses: Edible fruit, ornamental tree

The Canada Plum, commonly known as the Red Plums, is one of the most commonly seen white flowering trees in Maine, except for Washington, Lincoln, and Sagadahoc Counties and thickly forested areas. 

It is frequently found in thickets and is quite small, with a maximum height of 30 feet and a diameter of 8 inches.

The tree’s bark is thin and dull reddish-brown to black, peeling in thin papery scales to reveal a lustrous reddish-brown inner bark. It has alternating, egg-shaped leaves that taper to a long, pointed end. The leaves’ upper surface is dark green, while the lower surface is paler. The leaf edges feature glandular, rounded teeth.

The Canada Plum produces clusters of white flowers on slender stalks in early spring before the leaves develop. These blooms offer a lovely splash of white to the environment. The tree bears fruit later in the summer, around the end of August. The football-shaped fruit has an orange-red skin and golden flesh. It features a gently furrowed surface and a single flattened stone with edge grooves. Because the fruit is edible, the Canada Plum is a popular ornamental and fruit-bearing tree.

It is important to note that the twigs and branches of cherry and plum trees, particularly the Canada Plum, are susceptible to the black knot fungus (Apiosporina morbosa). On the affected parts, this fungus causes deformation and knot-like growth. To guarantee the tree’s health and appearance, this fungal disease should be monitored and controlled.

The Canada Plum is low-maintenance in terms of care. It grows well in full sun to moderate shade and adapts to various soil conditions. Watering regularly, especially during dry months, will support healthy growth and fruit output. Pruning should be done in late winter or early spring to remove dead or diseased branches and keep the desired shape.

2. Downy Serviceberry

• Scientific Name: Amelanchier arborea (Michx. f.) Fern.
• Common Name(s): Downy Serviceberry, Shad Bush
• Mature Height: 25-30 feet (7.6-9.1 meters)
• Native Region: Throughout the State of Maine, except in Lincoln, Piscataquis, Somerset, Franklin, Waldo, and Sagadahoc Counties.
• Flowers: Slender stalks, ½-1 inch long, support graceful, nodding, white, sweet-smelling racemes with folded leaves.
• Fruit: Bright red to dark purple with a white bloom when ripe. The fruit is dry and tasteless but can be eaten raw or cooked.
• Uses: The wood of the Downy Serviceberry is occasionally used for tool handles, small implements, and fish rods. It is heavy, hard, strong, close-grained, and dark brown tinged with red.

Despite being counted in white flowering trees in Maine, the Downy Serviceberry, commonly known as Shad Bush, is a shrub that can grow to be 25-30 feet tall in Maine environments. 

It is not a common tree in Maine, although it can be found in all counties except Lincoln, Piscataquis, Somerset, Franklin, Waldo, and Sagadahoc. Downy Serviceberry bark is pale red-brown and striped longitudinally with darker lines. The bark on larger trees is roughly 14 – 12 inches thick and smooth and lustrous.

Downy Serviceberry leaves are alternating, heart-shaped, or rounded at the base. They are ovate or oval-oblong in form and coarsely serrate. The leaves are green and thickly hairy beneath when they first emerge, but as they age, they turn dark green and dull above, and pale below. The leaves are 3-4 inches long and 1-2 inches wide, with a downy texture on the petioles and vein undersides. Before dropping, the leaves turn a dazzling clear yellow in the autumn.

The blossoms of the Downy Serviceberry are one of its distinguishing characteristics. When the leaves are still folded, it produces the first tree flowers in the spring, appearing in beautiful, nodding, white, sweet-smelling racemes. The flowers are borne on 12 – 1 inch tall delicate stalks, bringing beauty and fragrance to spring landscapes.

The Downy Serviceberry yields globose, berry-like fruit in early summer. When ripe, the fruit is 1/3 to 1/2 inch in diameter and begins brilliant crimson before turning dark purple with a white bloom. Despite being dry and tasteless, the fruit can be eaten raw or cooked.

Beyond its decorative attractiveness, the Downy Serviceberry has certain practical applications. This tree’s wood is occasionally used to make tool handles, minor utensils, and fishing rods. It is hefty, firm, and strong, with a dark brown color with a reddish tinge.

When caring for Downy Serviceberry in Maine settings, make sure it is planted in well-draining soil and gets plenty of sunlight. This tree requires little care and can grow in a variety of soil conditions. Watering regularly during dry spells and routine pruning to maintain shape and encourage air circulation are both suggested. 

Downy Serviceberry attracts birds, making it an excellent addition to wildlife gardens and bird-friendly landscapes.

3. Pin Cherry

• Scientific Name: Prunus pensylvanica L. f.
• Common Name(s): Pin Cherry, Fire Cherry
• Mature Height: Up to 25-30 feet (7.6-9.1 meters)
• Native Region: North America
• Flowers: White, in clusters of 4-5
• Fruit: Bright red, almost translucent, pea-sized
• Uses: Provides protection and cover for soil on clearings or burned areas, edible gum

The Pin Cherry, scientifically known as Prunus pensylvanica, is one of the native white flowering trees in Maine. It rarely grows taller than 25-30 feet and has a slender, horizontal branch structure with a narrow, rounded head. 

Old trees have dark red-brown bark that is fractured into thin plates, but young trees have smooth reddish-brown bark. The inner bark of the Pin Cherry is mildly scented and bitter, and when rubbed, the big lenticels on the bark turn orange.

The Pin Cherry’s leaves are alternating, thin to oblong, and 3-4 inches long. The upper surface is brilliant green and lustrous, while the lower surface is hairless. The leaves have a bitter and fragrant flavor and are coarsely and sharply serrated on the margins. The petiole of the leaves contains glands. 

The Pin Cherry tree blooms in May with white flowers in clusters of 4-5. These blooms bloom before the leaves have fully developed. 

The Pin Cherry fruit is bright red, almost translucent, and pea-sized. It is globular in shape and ripens between July and August. The tree’s twigs are lustrous and reddish-brown, with small, ovoid, reddish-brown buds grouped at the tips of the twigs. It should be noted that the buds are frequently disfigured by a black, warty fungus growth known as “black knot.”

Pin Cherry wood is coarse-grained, soft, and light. However, it is not used commercially. The gum generated by the Pin Cherry tree, on the other hand, is edible. Pin Cherry trees are widely found in Maine settings, providing protection and cover for soil on recent clearings or burned regions.

To care for a Pin Cherry tree in Maine, plant it in well-draining soil and water it regularly during dry times. Pin Cherry trees prefer full sun but can survive in light shade. Pruning is only required if the tree becomes overgrown or sick. It is also critical to monitor and limit the growth of the black knot fungus, which can have a severe impact on the tree’s health. 

4. Flowering Dogwood

• Scientific Name: Cornus florida L.
• Common Name(s): Flowering Dogwood
• Mature Height: 12-20 feet (3.7-6.1 meters)
• Native Region: North America
• Flowers: Greenish white or yellowish flowers arranged in dense umbels surrounded by four large, white, petal-like bracts
• Fruit: Bright red, ellipsoid drupe, about ½ inch long, occurring in clusters
• Uses: Often planted for its beautiful appearance

The flowering dogwood, Cornus Florida, is a beautiful shrub or small tree native to most of the states in the US including Maine. Plantings of this tree are often only hardy in the state’s southern and coastal regions. It grows to a height of 12-20 feet, making it a modest tree.

Flowering dogwood leaves are opposite, whole, ovate to elliptic in form, and brilliant green and smooth on top. The veins on the undersides of the leaves are hairy and pale green. The leaves are around 3-6 inches long and add to the tree’s overall aesthetic appeal.

The flowering dogwood’s blossoms, which are showy and develop early in the spring, are one of its most remarkable features. These blooms are grouped in dense umbels and are greenish-white or yellowish in hue. The presence of four big, white, petal-like bracts that surround the blossoms, giving them the appearance of large spreading flowers, adds to their appeal.

The flowering dogwood bears fruit in the shape of brilliant red, ellipsoid drupes as the seasons progress. These fruits are about a half-inch long and grow in clusters. Along with its blossoms, the tree’s vivid fruits add to its visual appeal.

In terms of Maine landscape care, it’s crucial to remember that the blooming dogwood is only hardy in the state’s southern and coastal districts. As a result, if this tree is planted in other places, further protection during harsh winters may be required. 

The tree grows best in well-drained soil with some shade. Watering should be done regularly, especially during dry spells. To preserve a balanced shape and foster healthy development, prune in late winter or early spring.

The blossoming dogwood is highly regarded in Maine for its magnificent beauty. Its gorgeous flowers and colorful fruits make it a popular ornamental choice, bringing visual interest and color to landscapes. Despite its limited hardiness, flowering dogwood may be a lovely addition to any Maine garden or yard if properly managed and placed in suitable settings.

5. Crabapple

• Scientific Name: Malus species
• Common Name(s): Crabapple
• Mature Height: 10-30 feet (3-9 meters)
• Native Region: North America, Europe, Asia
• Flowers: White, pink, or red, single or double blossoms
• Fruit: Small, round, and usually red or yellow
• Uses: Ornamental tree, wildlife food source, jams and jellies

Crabapples (Malus species) are tiny to medium-sized deciduous trees found across Maine. They are well-known for their lovely flowers and bright fruits, making them a popular choice for ornamentation. Crabapples reach mature heights of 10 to 30 feet, making them appropriate for small gardens or as accent trees in larger settings.

The crabapple tree is indigenous to North America, Europe, and Asia. They flourish in a wide range of environments, including forests, meadows, and cultivated landscapes. They can tolerate cold winters in Maine and are adaptable to a variety of soil types, including acidic and alkaline soils.

In the spring, these trees bloom profusely with blooms varying in color from white to pink and scarlet. Single or double blooms offer a splash of color to the landscape. Crabapple trees produce small, spherical fruits that are often red or yellow after flowering. Wildlife, such as birds and squirrels, can eat these fruits.

Crabapple trees in Maine require frequent pruning to keep their shape and remove any dead or diseased limbs. They require little maintenance and adapt well to a variety of soil conditions. It is advised that they be exposed to full sun for best growth and blossoming. Watering regularly during dry spells and using organic mulch around the base can help retain moisture and protect the tree’s roots.

Crabapples have a variety of purposes beyond decoration. Jams, jellies, and preserves can be made from the fruits. Some types are also suitable for making cider. Furthermore, the trees supply food for wildlife, making them useful to local ecosystems.

6. Hawthorn

• Scientific Name: Crataegus spp.
• Common Name(s): Hawthorn, Thorn-apple
• Mature Height: Rarely reaching more than 15-18 feet (4.6-5.5 meters)
• Native Region: North America
• Flowers: Showy white clusters
• Fruit: Small apple-like fruits, about ¾ inch (2 cm) in diameter, with 1-5 rounded nutlets
• Uses: Used for jellies, wood is used for handles and small articles

Hawthorn, often known as thorn-apple, is a low-growing tree or shrub prevalent in Maine landscapes. It rarely grows taller than 15-18 feet, and the state is home to 31 different species of hawthorn.

Hawthorns are distinctive for their tiny, apple-like fruits and thorny branches. The bark is scaly and dark brown to ashy gray. The leaves are alternating, double-serrated, slender, dark green, and somewhat lobed.

Hawthorns bloom in early June with flat, brilliant white clusters of flowers. These blooms beautify the landscape while also attracting pollinators. Hawthorn fruits are around 34 inches in diameter and look like little apples. The flesh is thin and mealy, with 1-5 spherical nutlets inside. These fruits can be made into jellies.

Hawthorn tree twigs are short, stiff, and frequently equipped with sharp thorns. Because of their zigzag growth pattern, they form a compact crown. Hawthorn wood is dense, hard, and close-grained. To some extent, it is employed for handles and other minor things.

Hawthorns are native to North America and thrive in the climate and soil conditions of Maine. They are typically low-maintenance and require little attention once established. They enjoy full sun to partial shade and may grow in a variety of soil conditions. Pruning regularly is essential to keep their shape and promote healthy growth.

Hawthorns are popular in Maine settings due to their decorative significance. They attract attention with their lovely blossoms in early summer and their stunning fruits in the fall. They also provide shelter and food for birds and wildlife. Furthermore, the wood of hawthorn trees can be used to make handles and small products.

7. Black Locust

• Scientific Name: Robinia pseudoacacia L.
• Common Name(s): Black Locust
• Mature Height: 50 feet (15 meters)
• Native Region: North America
• Flowers: Showy and very fragrant, borne in loose racemes 4-5 inches long, appearing in June.
• Fruit: Smooth, flat, dark purplish brown pods about 3 inches long, containing 1-8 beanlike seeds.
• Uses: Wood is used for fence posts, small building construction, and planking for boats.

Although it is not native to Maine, Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) is widely planted. It is frequently found near homes or on abandoned farmlands, where it often becomes naturalized. This species grows quickly, reaching a height of 20 feet (6 meters) in 10 years, but its growth rate then declines. Black Locust can reach a mature height of 50 feet (15 meters) and a diameter of 8-20 inches (20-50 cm).

The tree’s branches are tiny and fragile, occasionally multi-angled, and originally equipped with stipular spines. It is easily identified by its narrow and oval top. One of the last trees to leaf out in the spring is the Black Locust. Old trees have dark brown bark that is heavily furrowed and fractured into microscopic scales.

Black Locust leaves are alternating and once complex, measuring 8-14 inches (20-35 cm) in length. They are made up of 7 to 19 leaflets that are roughly two inches (5 cm) long and have an entire edge and a slightly notched tip. The tree blooms in June with gorgeous, fragrant flowers. These flowers are borne in 4-5 inches (10-13 cm) long loose racemes.

The Black Locust fruit is a smooth, flat, dark purplish brown pod about three inches (7.5 cm) long. Each pod contains one to eight beanlike seeds. Black Locust wood is highly prized for its durability and strength. It is dense, close-grained, and resistant to rot when in touch with soil. As a result, it is frequently used for fence posts, modest structure construction, and boat planking.

In terms of landscaping care, Black Locust prefers full sun and well-drained soil. It is a sturdy tree that can endure a wide range of soil conditions, including low or acidic soils. 

Pruning is recommended regularly to maintain a balanced shape and to remove any damaged or diseased branches. It is also critical to look for indicators of pest infestation, such as the locust borer. Aside from being used for building, Black Locust can also be used as a shade tree and can be incorporated into windbreaks and wildlife habitats.

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White Flowering Trees In Maine – Sources

The Regional Gardening team makes sure that the information in our articles is accurate by only using sources that are known to be trustworthy. Some of these sources are peer-reviewed journals from government agencies, well-known universities, and scientific research organizations.

1. Forest Trees of Maine, Maine Department Of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry
2. Identify Maine’s Common Foliage Trees, Maine Foilage
3. Plants for the Maine Landscape, University Of Maine Cooperative Extension.
4. Gardening to Conserve Maine’s Native Landscape, University Of Maine Cooperative Extension