Summer Blooming Trees Q&A

Summer Blooming Trees

By Pat Curran, Horticulture Educator, Tompkins County Cooperative Extension
(Originally published June 2011)

Question: Are there any trees that bloom in summer?

This is a great question, because diversity is a great thing in tree-planting. Even if the motivation is extended ornamental interest, after the burst of spring bloom, planning and planting a diversified landscape is a great way to reduce the possible impact of disease and insect problems.

Here are some trees that bloom after the spring 'rush':

For earlier summer, mostly June:

Horsechestnut and red horsechestnut , fringetree, pagoda dogwood, black locust, golden chain tree (Laburnum), Japanese tree lilac, yellowwood, Kousa dogwood, catalpa

For later summer, July-August:

Amur maackia, Evodia daniellii, golden rain tree (Koelreuteria), Stewartia, Japanese pagoda tree (Styphnolobium japonicum), sourwood (Oxydendrum arboreum)

Each tree species has its own site preferences, so be sure to check soil pH, tree size, space available, and so on, before deciding which tree to add to your landscape.

Fore more information about gardening, including trees, consult the Cornell gardening website or call the horticultural hotline at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County at 272-2292.

Last updated January 29, 2021