7 Flood-Resistant Trees for Your Northern Virginia Landscape

Flood conditions can cause extreme stress and potentially kill a tree if the conditions last long enough. Some of our trees in Northern Virginia can quickly die from flood damage, while others can survive for a time in flood conditions.

In this article, we will explore common flood-resistant trees in Northern Virginia that are capable of surviving flood conditions. We’ll examine the basics of the tree and why you should consider them in your yard.

PRO TIP: Want to learn about more trees worth planting in Northern Virginia? We’ve published several articles on the subject in the past, including:

• Best Spring-Flowering Trees for Northern Virginia
• 10 Wind-Resistant Trees to Keep Homes Safer in Northern Virginia
• Top Five Landscape Trees for Fall Color in Northern Virginia
• Best Small Trees for Small Spaces in Northern Virginia
• 5 Best Shrubs to Plant This Fall
• Best Fruit Trees to Grow in Northern Virginia

Key Takeaways

• Hurricanes and tropical storms can cause flash flooding in Northern Virginia, damaging trees.
• Some trees are more durable in floods than others and can survive longer.
• Fairfax County has the Flood Mitigation Assistance Program to help residents prepare for floods.
• Red maples are some of the most versatile trees you can grow in Northern Virginia, and they have demonstrated high tolerance for flooding.
• Other trees that can withstand occasional flooding include sweetgum, silver maple, swamp magnolia, river birch, hackberry, and overcup oak.

Flood Concerns in Northern Virginia

While we may love living in Northern Virginia, our area is threatened by floods in the summer. Though Northern Virginia hasn’t seen massive flooding since Hurricane Fran in 1996, our community is susceptible to flash flooding during hurricane season, as seen with Hurricane Debby in 2024.

Trees can bear the brunt of flood damage if your yard becomes water-logged. Planting flood-resistant trees can give them a chance to survive while conditions improve.

PRO TIP: In July 2024, the Fairfax County government unveiled a new program to provide financial assistance to homeowners to prepare their property for floods. Funding is available through the Flood Mitigation Assistance Program.

7 Flood-Resistance Tree Species that Thrive in Northern Virginia

All these trees have some tolerance to floods and should grow nicely on your Northern Virginia property, whether you live in Fairfax Station or McLean.

WARNING: While these trees tolerate flooded conditions, they are not immune to flood damage or guaranteed survival. Always use caution around flooded trees, as they can become unstable due to the water-logged soil and rotted roots, leaving them unable to tether to the ground.

1. Red Maple (Acer rubrum)

The red maple is one of the most versatile trees in North America, with a native range that extends across most of the eastern part of America. This versatility and range make them perfect to thrive in Northern Virginia and during flood conditions.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) reports red maple seedlings were very tolerant of flooding, showing no symptoms or damage after 60 days of flooding. Red maples may develop adventitious roots (roots that form from non-root tissue) during a flood, but they will recover when the yard is drained.

Red Maple Basic Information

• Mature Height: 40-60 feet
• Mature Width: 35-45 feet
• Light Exposure: Full sun (6 hours) or partial sun (4-6 hours)
• Growth Rate: Moderate
• Hardiness Zones: Zones 3-9

2. Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua)

Sweetgums are popular trees across the southeast that go by many names. These shade trees take up plenty of room, so plan an appropriate amount of space for them when planting. The leaves have an instantly recognizable star shape and produce beautiful fall colors.

While not invulnerable to flooding, sweetgums can withstand the occasional flood conditions with few long-term consequences. The tree also tolerates wet areas in general, though it prefers well-drained soil.

Sweetgum Basic Information

• Mature Height: 60-75 feet
• Mature Width: 40-75 feet
• Light Exposure: Full sun (6 hours)
• Growth Rate: Fast
• Hardiness Zones: Zones 5-9

3. Overcup Oak (Quercus lyrata)

Although not native to most of Virginia, you shouldn’t have much trouble growing an overcup oak in our area. They are perfect if your yard is consistently flooding, as they are one of the most flood-resistant trees you can have.

The USDA reports the overcup oak can withstand spring flooding thanks to leafing out later than other common species. Tests have indicated it can survive in flood conditions for at least two growing seasons.

Overcup Oak Basic Information

• Mature Height: 30-40 feet
• Mature Width: 30-40 feet
• Light Exposure: Full sun (6 hours)
• Growth Rate: Moderate
• Hardiness Zones: Zones 6-9

4. Hackberry (Celtis occidentalis)

Hackberries are excellent shade trees for rural yards in Northern Virginia, often attracting birds that use them for nesting and feed on the remaining fruits through the winter. They are also easy to grow, as they tolerate many stressors, including flood conditions.

Arborists have observed hackberries surviving a full season of permanent flooding. While these trees typically do not endure consecutive seasons of flooding, there have been reports of hackberries surviving up to three seasons in flooded conditions.”

Hackberry Basic Information

• Mature Height: 40-60 feet
• Mature Width: 40-50 feet
• Light Exposure: Full sun (6 hours) or partial sun (4-6 hours)
• Growth Rate: Fast
• Hardiness Zones: Zones 2-9

5. River Birch (Betula nigra)

The river birch is easy to spot with its distinctive bark and is one of the few heat-tolerant trees in the birch family. River birch grows fast and has a very attention-grabbing yellow color in the fall.

As the name might imply, river birch can withstand temporary flood conditions. Laboratory tests saw birch seedlings survive up to a month while in a flooded environment. Over three-quarters of mature river birch trees survived after 240 days of flooding.

River Birch Basic Information

• Mature Height: 30-40 feet
• Mature Width: 20-30 feet
• Light Exposure: Full sun (6 hours)
• Growth Rate: Fast
• Hardiness Zones: Zones 4-9

6. Swamp/Sweetbay Magnolia (Magnolia virginiana)

Whether you know it as the swamp or sweetbay magnolia, it is a popular tree in Northern Virginia, and its native range stretches across the southeast coast of the United States. This compact tree is perfect for smaller yards in urban areas like Alexandria or Fairfax.

Sweetbay magnolias are relatively flood-tolerant due to the fact that they grow in bay heads and mixed swamps. While they won’t survive long-term flooding, they should be able to withstand flooding long enough for the water to retreat.

Swamp/Sweetbay Magnolia Basic Information

• Mature Height: 10-20 feet
• Mature Width: 10-20 feet
• Light Exposure: Full sun (6 hours) or partial shade (4-6 hours)
• Growth Rate: Moderate
• Hardiness Zones: Zones 5-9

7. Silver Maple (Acer saccharinum)

One of the most common trees in the eastern United States, the silver maple is a perfect shade tree addition to any Northern Virginia yard. The tree is sometimes called the “water maple” due to its high adaptability and knack for surviving in waterways and wetlands.

Silver maples have shown an ability to survive during long periods of flooding and water-saturated soils. They cannot endure forever while inundated, however, as the USDA reported silver maples in the Mississippi River died after two years of flooding.

Silver Maple Basic Information

• Mature Height: 50-70 feet
• Mature Width: 30-50 feet
• Light Exposure: Full sun (6 hours) or partial sun (4-6 hours)
• Growth Rate: Fast
• Hardiness Zones: Zones 3-9

Green Vista Can Help You Care for Your Flooded Trees

In the tree care industry, we have a saying of “the right tree for the right place.” If you live in a part of Northern Virginia prone to flooding, any of these trees will make a perfect addition to your yard.

If you are having trouble with your trees after a flood and need some help getting them to recover, we can help. Our team at Green Vista can give you an honest appraisal of what to do with your tree and whether it can be saved or if removal is the best option.

Ready to get started? Call us at 571-244-3838 or request a free quote online today.