Oaks

• Some native oak species (Quercus spp.) tolerate windy sites. The sand live oak (Q. geminata) grows naturally in coastal areas that often experience high winds. This native tree grows to 20-feet tall and has dark, glossy, narrow foliage with rolled margins. It grows in a variety of soils and light exposures. The live oak (Q. virginiana) also tolerates wind and salt. This evergreen grows to 50-feet tall with an 80-foot spread and has small, leathery foliage. It thrives in full sun and a range of soils. Both oaks are hardy in zones 7 to 10.
  
  

Pines

• Several species in the Pinus genus tolerate windy sites. The jack pine (P. banksiana) grows to 50-feet tall with a slightly narrow spread. This evergreen has small, dark needles that turn yellow-green in winter. It tolerates sand, poor soil and drought as well as wind. The mugo pine (P. mugo) grows slowly to 20-feet tall with a 30-foot spread. It grows best in deep, moist soil and full sun and has small, dark curved needles. The ponderosa pine (P. ponderosa) grows to 100 feet with a 30-foot spread. This pyramidal conifer has long, curved needles and produces clusters of 6-inch long, red-brown cones. Ponderosa pines thrive in sunny sites with moist, well-draining soil. They tolerate wind, drought and salt.
  
  

Other Deciduous

• The hackberry (Celtis occidentalis) tolerates windy sites and a range of soils. This native deciduous tree grows to 80-feet tall with a similar spread and has small, glossy foliage. It attracts birds with its orange-black fruits. The trident maple (Acer buergeranum) tolerates wind, drought, air pollution and compacted soil. This tough tree grows to 35 feet and has small, deciduous, tri-lobed foliage that turns red, orange and yellow in fall. It grows best in sun and well-drained soil. Other wind-tolerant deciduous trees include the American beech (Fagus grandifolia), the blue ash (Fraxinus quadrangulata) and the Kentucky coffee tree (Gymnocladus dioicus).
  
  

Other Evergreens

• The native Rocky Mountain juniper (Juniperus scopulorum) grows to 40-feet tall with a narrow 15-foot spread. This evergreen has dark to blue-green, feathery foliage and produces tiny blue bird-attracting cones. It thrives in sunny, well-drained sites. The eastern redcedar (J. virinigana) tolerates wind, drought, heat and a range of soils. This native tree has tiny, scale-like foliage and attracts birds with its blue berries. Eastern red cedars grow to 40-feet tall with a 20-foot spread. Other wind-tolerant evergreens include sabal palms (Sabal palmetto), Southern magnolias (Magnolia grandiflora) and Douglas firs (Pseudotsuga menziesii).