USDA Zone 2 is known for its extremely cold climate, where average winter temperatures range between −50°F and −40°F (−45.6°C to −40°C). Like Zone 1, it experiences long, freezing winters and very short summers, making it one of the most difficult regions for plant growth. Only the most cold-tolerant species can survive the conditions, and gardeners must adapt with specialized techniques to sustain vegetation.
Zone 2 includes parts of interior and northern Alaska, the northernmost sections of Minnesota and North Dakota, northern parts of Montana, and much of northern and central Canada, especially near the Arctic Circle. It may also include isolated high-altitude regions in the Rocky Mountains where temperatures can mimic subarctic conditions.
The growing season in Zone 2 typically lasts about 45 to 75 days, with mild days and cool nights. The soil often thaws late in spring and freezes early in fall, leaving very little time for plants to mature. However, the long daylight hours during summer help certain hardy plants make the most of this short window.
Gardeners in Zone 2 rely heavily on hardy perennials, shrubs, and conifers adapted to subarctic climates. Greenhouses and indoor growing setups are common tools to protect tender plants from frost. Cold frames, raised beds, and soil insulation techniques are often used to extend the limited growing period.
Trees For USDA Zone 2
Colorado Blue Spruce (Picea pungens)
This tree has a slow-to-medium growth rate initially but becomes moderately fast, growing 1-2 feet per year once established, reaching 50-75 feet tall. It is renowned for its stunning silvery-blue to green needles and a classic, pyramidal conical shape that is dense and formal.
Many cultivars, such as the ‘Fat Albert’ or ‘Hoopsii’, are exceptionally cold-hardy and thrive in Zone 2. It provides superb year-round color and a strong structural presence in the landscape, making it an excellent, hardy windbreak or specimen tree with a faster growth than other spruces.
White Spruce (Picea glauca)
White Spruce has a moderately fast growth rate for a northern conifer, adding 1-2 feet per year to a mature height of 40-60 feet. It has bluish-green needles and a narrow, pyramidal form that is less dense than the Colorado Blue Spruce.
As a cornerstone of the boreal forest, it is perfectly adapted to the cold and wind of Zone 2. It is more tolerant of dry soils than many other spruces and its relatively quicker growth makes it a top choice for a reliable and fast-evergreen screen.
Red Pine (Pinus resinosa)
This pine exhibits a fast growth rate for an evergreen, often growing over 2 feet per year when young, maturing to a height of 50-80 feet. It is characterized by its long, dark green needles (in pairs) and a tall, straight trunk that forms an oval-rounded crown.
Red Pine is an extremely hardy tree that thrives on well-drained, sandy soils. Its rapid growth and tall, straight habit make it ideal for quick windbreaks and timber, and it is notably resistant to many common pine diseases.
Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris)
Scots Pine grows at a medium-fast rate of 1-2 feet per year, reaching 30-60 feet tall with a broad, open, and often picturesque form. It is known for its distinctive orange-brown, flaking bark on the upper trunk and twisted blue-green needles.
This is one of the most adaptable and cold-hardy pines in the world. It tolerates a wide range of poor soil conditions, including sandy and acidic sites, and its fast, rugged growth provides a quick evergreen presence.
Plains Cottonwood (Populus deltoides)
This is one of the fastest-growing trees in North America, capable of growing over 3 feet per year, ultimately reaching a massive 75-100 feet tall. It has large, triangular, glossy green leaves that flutter in the wind and a broad, open crown.
While it prefers moist river bottoms, it is remarkably cold-tolerant and adaptable. Its phenomenal growth rate provides shade and a large presence faster than any other hardy tree, making it a classic for shelterbelts on the prairies and in cold regions.
Siberian Crabapple (Malus baccata)
This tree has a medium-fast growth rate of 1-2 feet per year, forming a rounded crown 20-40 feet tall and wide. It is renowned for its profusion of fragrant white flowers in spring and small, yellow or red crabapples that persist into winter.
Selected hardy cultivars like ‘Dolgo’ are exceptionally cold-hardy and reliable in Zone 2. It provides vital food for birds and much-needed spring beauty after a long winter, all while withstanding the deep cold.
Amur Maple (Acer ginnala)
This large shrub or small tree has a fast growth rate, typically reaching 15-20 feet tall and wide. It features fragrant, creamy-white spring flowers, brilliant red winged seeds (samaras), and outstanding crimson-red fall color.
The Amur Maple is one of the hardiest and most adaptable maples, thriving in Zone 2. Its fast growth, small stature, and stunning multi-season interest make it perfect for small gardens, hedges, or as a hardy ornamental specimen.
Common Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica)
This tree exhibits a very fast growth rate, quickly reaching 20-30 feet tall. It has a bushy, irregular form with sharp, thorn-tipped branches and dark, glossy green leaves that stay green late into the fall.
Common Buckthorn is a highly invasive species throughout much of North America and should not be planted. It is included here to highlight its hardiness and rapid growth as a caution; its aggressive nature allows it to outcompete native plants, and it is often subject to control programs. Choose alternative trees like chokecherry or serviceberry instead.
Serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia)
This large, multi-stemmed shrub or small tree has a medium-fast growth rate, reaching 12-25 feet tall. It produces showy, upright clusters of white flowers in spring, followed by delicious edible purple berries, and has excellent orange-red fall color.
The Saskatoon Serviceberry is a tough, cold-hardy native that thrives in Zone 2. It provides four seasons of interest, produces fruit for people and wildlife, and grows quickly enough to be an excellent choice for naturalizing or in a mixed border.
Manchurian Alder (Alnus hirsuta)
This tree exhibits a fast growth rate, reaching 40-60 feet tall with a broad, pyramidal form. It has large, rounded, dark green leaves and the characteristic woody, cone-like strobiles of the alder family.
Also known as Alnus sibirica, this alder is renowned for its extreme cold tolerance. It is an excellent nitrogen-fixing species that thrives in moist soils, making it a great candidate for rapid reforestation, erosion control, and improving soil quality.
Hybrid Poplar (Populus spp.)
Hybrid Poplars are among the fastest-growing trees in cold climates, often achieving 3-5 feet of growth per year and maturing at 40-70 feet tall. They have a tall, upright form with light green, fluttering leaves.
Bred specifically for vigor and hardiness, many hybrids are well-suited to Zone 2. They are the premier choice when the goal is the absolute fastest possible growth for a visual screen, windbreak, or timber production.
Chokecherry (Prunus virginiana)
Chokecherry is a fast-growing large shrub or small tree, reaching 20-30 feet tall. It produces elongated clusters of fragrant white flowers in spring, followed by astringent dark purple berries that are excellent for wildlife and jellies.
This native species is widespread across northern North America and is fully hardy to Zone 2. It provides crucial food for birds and pollinators and spreads by root suckers to form dense thickets, ideal for naturalizing and creating wildlife habitat quickly.
Black Cottonwood (Populus trichocarpa)
This is the largest native cottonwood in North America, exhibiting a very fast growth rate of 3+ feet per year, reaching 80-150 feet tall. It features large, glossy, heart-shaped leaves that are dark green on top and silvery underneath.
Native to the Pacific Northwest and intermountain regions, its range extends into cold-hardy areas. It thrives in moist, bottomland soils and its incredibly rapid growth is ideal for quickly establishing a large canopy for shade and shelter in suitable sites.
Quaking Aspen (Populus tremuloides)
This tree exhibits a very fast growth rate for cold climates, often exceeding 2 feet per year, and can reach a mature height of 20 to 50 feet. Its key characteristic is its rounded leaves that “quake” in the breeze, showcasing brilliant yellow fall color.
A quintessential pioneer species, Quaking Aspen is incredibly cold-hardy and one of the first to colonize disturbed land. Its ability to form dense groves via root suckers makes it ideal for naturalizing and providing immediate windbreaks.
Paper Birch (Betula papyrifera)
Paper Birch grows at a fast pace of 1.5 to 2 feet per year, maturing to a height of 50 to 70 feet. It is most famous for its stunning white, papery bark that peels in sheets, providing year-round visual interest.
A cornerstone of the northern forest, its cold tolerance is exceptional. It’s a sun-loving pioneer species that grows quickly to establish new wooded areas, and its bright bark is a beloved feature in the winter garden.
Tamarack (Larix laricina)
With a medium-fast growth rate of 1 to 2 feet per year, Tamarack can reach 40 to 80 feet tall. Its key characteristic is being a deciduous conifer; it has soft needles that turn a vibrant golden-yellow in autumn before dropping.
Tamarack is one of the most cold-tolerant trees on the continent. It thrives in cold, swampy conditions where other trees fail, but it also grows well in upland soils, making it a versatile and fast-growing choice for wet sites.
Green Alder (Alnus viridis)
Green Alder is a very fast-growing large shrub or small tree, typically reaching 10-20 feet. It is characterized by its glossy, green leaves and attractive yellow catkins. It fixes nitrogen in the soil, improving fertility.
This species is exceptionally cold-tolerant and thrives in poor soils. Its rapid, dense growth and nitrogen-fixing ability make it perfect for reclaiming difficult sites, controlling erosion, and creating quick, hardy hedges.
Jack Pine (Pinus banksiana)
Jack Pine grows at a medium to fast rate for a conifer, about 1-2 feet per year, reaching 35-50 feet tall. It has an often irregular shape with twisted needles and distinctive, sharp-curved cones that can remain closed for years.
This is an extremely hardy and adaptable pine, thriving on well-drained, sandy, and infertile soils where other trees struggle. Its toughness and relatively quick growth make it a top choice for a low-maintenance evergreen screen.
Siberian Elm (Ulmus pumila)
Siberian Elm is a very fast-growing tree, capable of growing over 3 feet per year, reaching 50-70 feet tall. It has small, dark green leaves and a broad, open crown. It is often one of the first trees to leaf out in spring.
Its primary advantage is its incredible toughness; it is extremely cold, drought, and wind tolerant. While it can be invasive and weak-wooded, its ability to establish and grow rapidly in poor Zone 2 soils makes it a common, though sometimes problematic, shelterbelt tree.
Thunderchild Crabapple (Malus ‘Thunderchild*)
This ornamental cultivar has a medium-fast growth rate, reaching about 20 feet tall and wide with a rounded, upright form. It is prized for its deep purple-red foliage, vibrant pink blossoms, and small, dark red persistent fruit.
Bred for extreme cold hardiness, ‘Thunderchild’ is a proven performer in Zone 2. It offers exceptional ornamental value with its colorful leaves and flowers, a rare trait for trees that can survive these temperatures, making it a standout landscape choice.
Northern Red Oak (Quercus rubra)
This oak has a medium to fast growth rate for an oak, growing 1-2 feet per year and reaching 60-75 feet tall. It features a strong, rounded crown and brilliant red to russet fall color. The leaves have pointed lobes.
While pushing the limits of its range, selected seed sources of Northern Red Oak are sufficiently hardy for Zone 2. It is a magnificent, long-lived shade tree that grows faster than many other oaks, providing a classic hardwood presence.
Showy Mountain Ash (Sorbus decora)
With a moderate to fast growth rate, Showy Mountain Ash reaches 20-30 feet tall. It features attractive compound leaves, showy clusters of white flowers in spring, and large, brilliant orange-red berry clusters that are highly attractive to birds.
This native is even more ornamental than the American Mountain Ash and is very cold-hardy. It is a fantastic smaller tree for providing multi-season interest and a vital food source for wildlife in Zone 2 climates.
Pin Cherry (Prunus pensylvanica)
Pin Cherry is a very fast-growing, short-lived pioneer species, reaching 20-30 feet tall. It is easily identified by its shiny, reddish bark with horizontal lenticels and its bright red cherries on long stems.
This native tree is a classic colonizer of burned or cleared land in the boreal forest. Its exceptional speed of growth provides quick cover for birds and animals, and its fruit is an important food source, making it ideal for naturalizing.
Hawthorn (Crataegus spp.)
Hawthorns are generally small, dense trees with a medium growth rate, reaching 15-25 feet tall. They are known for their clusters of white or pink spring flowers, small apple-like fruit (haws), and often have thorny branches.
Many species, like the native Crataegus chrysocarpa, are extremely cold-hardy. They are tough, adaptable trees that provide excellent food and shelter for birds and can form impenetrable, low-maintenance hedges, perfect for Zone 2 conditions.