by Jennifer Poindexter
Are you interested in growing trees around your home that produce red berries? There are many varieties to choose from.
However, it can feel overwhelming narrowing your options down. Don’t be discouraged because you’ve landed in the right place. I’m going to tell you which trees produce red berries.
I’ll also share which planting zones they do best in and any other information you might need to make the best choice for your landscape.
Here are your options for trees which produce red berries.
1. Hawthorn
The hawthorn is a larger tree which produces colorful small blooms. These blooms transform into bright red berries later in the season.
If you’re interested in a larger tree, the hawthorn can reach heights between fifteen and thirty feet. It’s hardy in planting zones five through nine and prefers full sun.
2. Mountain Ash
The mountain ash tree is commonly known as the rowan tree. Its foliage fills out nicely and, for this reason, is frequently used as a shade tree.
This tree will produce red berries as well. It reaches heights between ten and thirty feet and can be as broad as fifteen feet. This is a great choice for planting zones three through five as long as you have a growing space with full sun and acidic soil.
3. Holly
When you think of plants which produce red berries, the holly tree is probably one of the first things which comes to mind.
The holly tree is hardy in planting zones five through nine. It prefers to grow in spaces with full sun and acidic, well-draining soil. A holly tree can become quite large as it reaches heights between forty and fifty feet.
4. Chokecherry
The chokecherry tree is one that’s versatile across many planting zones. As with the other trees mentioned here, this option produces red berries.
However, this tree is hardy from planting zones two through ten. It likes sunlight but can thrive in shaded locations as well. It also must be planted in well-draining soil. Ensure you plant the chokecherry tree where it has room to grow as it can become as tall as thirty feet.
5. Juneberries
This tree is also considered a shrub in some circumstances. It typically produces blooms, in the early part of spring, which turn into berries by around June.
To grow this tree, you must have a location with full to partial sunlight. Be sure the soil is sandy and drains well. It’s hardy in planting zones four through eight and can reach heights between fifteen and twenty-five feet tall.
6. Yew
Yew trees are amazing additions to most landscapes. These trees have evergreen needles and produce cones and beautiful red berries.
If you’re interested in growing this plant, it’s hardy in planting zones four through eight. It isn’t picky about growing conditions and can thrive in full sun, partial sun, or full shade. Be sure you have room for this plant as it can grow as tall as fifty feet.
7. Cherry Tree
Cherry trees are gorgeous fruiting trees that produce beautiful pink blooms. Once the blooming period has ended, cherries will begin to form on the tree.
You can incorporate cherry trees into most landscapes as they can grow to be thirty-five feet tall or smaller. These trees need well-draining soil and full sun to avoid fungal issues. Cherry trees seem to grow best in planting zones five through seven.
8. Red Chokeberry
Red chokeberry trees are beautiful to look at and great for those who don’t have a ton of growing space. These trees can grow to be between three and twelve feet tall.
Also, they put on a show of color as a semi-evergreen plant. If you’re interested in growing this tree, ensure you plant it where it’ll receive full to partial shade. The red chokeberry is hardy in planting zones four through nine.
9. Mulberry
A mulberry tree makes for a large addition to your growing area. These trees produce elongated berries that can be red in color.
When growing mulberry trees, be sure to plant them in full to partial sunlight. They also need well-draining soil that’s well amended. These plants grow best in planting zones five through ten.
10. Eastern Wahoo
The eastern wahoo (also known as euonymus atropurpureus) not only has a fabulous name, but it also packs a ton of color. This plant is considered a shrub or small tree as it can reach heights of approximately twenty-five feet.
This tree produces red berries and displays bold colors during the fall. If you’re interested in growing the eastern wahoo, be sure to plant in well-draining soil and light shade. The tree is hardy in planting zones three through nine.
11. Strawberry Tree
The strawberry tree is a petite tree that grows mid-size, circular red berries. If you’re interested in growing something a little different, the strawberry tree could be for you.
This tree reaches heights between fifteen and thirty feet once fully mature. It prefers to grow in full to partial sunlight and requires well-draining soil. The strawberry tree will remain hardy in planting zones seven through ten. The berries of this tree are edible, but they’re also known for being on the bland side.
12. Peruvian Pepper
The Peruvian pepper tree is a larger tree with angled foliage. This tree produces red berries which are typically used for looks only. However, they are edible.
This tree can reach heights between twenty-five and fifty feet tall. It needs full sun, and the more sunlight it receives the better this plant should do. If you’re interested in growing this type of plant, it’s hardy in planting zones eight and higher.
13. Sumac
The sumac tree is a smaller tree which produces cone-shaped clusters of red berries. This tree reaches heights ranging from five feet to twenty feet.
If you’re interested in adding sumac to your landscape, it needs well-draining soil and can handle full to partial sunlight. This tree is hardy in planting zones five through eight.
14. Cornelian Cherry Dogwood
I love dogwood trees. They’re smaller and a gorgeous addition to most landscapes. This variety of dogwood produces clusters of yellow blooms.
If you choose to grow this tree, it can grow in most soil types and prefers full sunlight. The tree reaches heights between fifteen and twenty-five feet tall. It’s also hardy in planting zones five through eight.
15. Spindle Tree
The final tree we’ll discuss is the spindle tree. The European spindle tree produces bright pink blooms and red berries that are eye-catching.
This tree will thrive in full sunlight, but it can survive in partial sun as well. It also does well in most kinds of soil. A spindle tree is hardy in planting zones three through eight and will reach heights ranging from twelve to thirty feet.
These are your options for trees which produce red berries. Whether you’re looking for small trees, large trees, or trees with edible fruit this list should have all you need.
Ensure you follow the tips as far as planting in the right soil, sunlight, and planting zone. If you provide what each tree needs, they should do well and add beauty to your landscape for many years.
More About Trees with Red Berries
https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/crataegus-phaenopyrum/
https://communityenvironment.unl.edu/sumac
Also the animals won’t eat the berries. Trying to figure out what this tree is, is driving me crazy!!
The Cornelian Cherry Dogwood is the closest I have come to identifying a tree in my yard in Southern Michigan. Currently the migrating Yellow Rump Warblers are devouring the berries which as you show are encased in a beautiful pinkish red package in fours. When I try to photograph them the shiny berries appear orangey in the pictures rather than a true red which they are in my yard.
I wish I could post a picture.
I am replying to my own post because I can see after further searching that this is actually and invasive species Spindles Euonymus Europaeus which is poisonous to humans.