35 Trees That Start with A: Your Guide to Types, Names, and Care Tips

Discover 35 trees that start with A, from Acacia to Aspen. Learn names, types, and growing tips for small trees, maples, pines, and more. Perfect for USA gardeners.

As a gardener with 10 years of experience tending plots in Florida and beyond, I’ve always loved exploring tree names that start with A. These trees bring variety to yards and landscapes. You might search for “trees that start with A” when planning a new garden bed or shading a patio. In this post, I share 35 such trees. I draw from my own plantings and reliable sources. You’ll find types of trees that start with A, including small options and maples. Let’s dive in.

Why Plant Trees That Start with A?

Trees that start with A offer shade, flowers, and fruit. They suit USA climates from zones 5 to 10. I planted my first Acacia in year one of gardening. It bloomed yellow puffs that drew bees. Choose based on your space. Small trees that start with A fit urban lots. Larger ones provide privacy screens.

Data shows trees reduce urban heat by 2-9 degrees Fahrenheit, per the U.S. Forest Service. They also boost property values by 7-20 percent. Pick natives for low care. I link these to my full guide on native trees for more details.

35 Trees That Start with A: Names and Quick Facts

Here are 35 trees that start with A. I list them alphabetically. Each includes height, zone, and a tip from my experience. Use this for “names of trees that start with A.”

1. Acacia (Acacia spp.) – Up to 40 feet, zones 8-11. Fast grower; plant in full sun. I use it for hedges.
2. African Tulip Tree (Spathodea campanulata) – 60 feet, zones 10-11. Red blooms; avoid in dry areas.
3. Alder (Alnus spp.) – 50-70 feet, zones 2-9. Nitrogen fixer; great for wet soil. I planted one near a stream.
4. Almond (Prunus dulcis) – 20-30 feet, zones 7-9. Nut producer; needs chill hours. Harvest in late summer.
5. Apple (Malus domestica) – 20-30 feet, zones 4-9. Fruit tree; prune yearly. My dwarf apple yields 50 pounds.
6. Apricot (Prunus armeniaca) – 15-25 feet, zones 5-9. Early blossoms; protect from frost.
7. Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis) – 40-60 feet, zones 2-7. Evergreen screen; deer resistant.
8. Ash (Fraxinus spp.) – 50-80 feet, zones 3-9. Shade tree; watch for emerald ash borer.
9. Aspen (Populus tremuloides) – 40-50 feet, zones 1-7. Quaking leaves; grows in groves.
10. Australian Pine (Casuarina equisetifolia) – 100 feet, zones 9-11. Windbreak; invasive in some spots.
11. Avocado (Persea americana) – 30-40 feet, zones 9-11. Fruit in warm climates; pollinate by hand if needed.
12. Ailanthus (Ailanthus altissima) – 70 feet, zones 4-8. Tough urban tree; can spread aggressively.
13. Angel’s Trumpet (Brugmansia spp.) – 10-20 feet, zones 9-11. Hanging flowers; toxic, handle with care.
14. American Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis ‘American’) – 50 feet, zones 3-8. Pyramidal shape; for privacy.
15. Amur Maple (Acer ginnala) – 20 feet, zones 2-8. Red fall color; small tree that starts with A.
16. Ashleaf Maple (Acer negundo) – 30-50 feet, zones 2-9. Fast shade; adaptable to poor soil.
17. Atlantic White Cedar (Chamaecyparis thyoides) – 40-50 feet, zones 4-9. Wetland native; blue-green needles.
18. Australian Silk Oak (Grevillea robusta) – 50-80 feet, zones 9-11. Orange spikes; bird attractor.
19. Autumn Olive (Elaeagnus umbellata) – 15-20 feet, zones 3-8. Berries for wildlife; nitrogen fixer.
20. American Basswood (Tilia americana) – 60-80 feet, zones 2-8. Heart-shaped leaves; bee favorite.
21. American Chestnut (Castanea dentata) – 50-100 feet, zones 4-8. Restoring hybrids; blight resistant now.
22. American Holly (Ilex opaca) – 35-50 feet, zones 5-9. Red berries; evergreen for holidays.
23. American Linden (Tilia americana) – 70 feet, zones 3-8. Fragrant flowers; urban tolerant.
24. American Mountain Ash (Sorbus americana) – 20-30 feet, zones 2-6. Orange berries; bird food.
25. American Plum (Prunus americana) – 15-25 feet, zones 3-8. Tart fruit; wildlife hedge.
26. American Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua) – 60-75 feet, zones 5-9. Star-shaped leaves; fall color.
27. Arbutus (Arbutus menziesii) – 30-50 feet, zones 7-9. Red bark; strawberry-like fruit.
28. Argentine Mesquite (Prosopis alba) – 30-50 feet, zones 8-11. Drought tolerant; pod forage.
29. Arizona Ash (Fraxinus velutina) – 30-50 feet, zones 7-9. Heat resistant; golden fall leaves.
30. Arizona Cypress (Cupressus arizonica) – 40-50 feet, zones 6-9. Blue foliage; windbreak.
31. Atlantic Cedar (Cedrus atlantica) – 50-70 feet, zones 6-9. Blue needles; majestic form.
32. Austrian Pine (Pinus nigra) – 50-60 feet, zones 4-7. Dense evergreen; pollution tolerant. This pine tree that starts with A thrives in my rocky soil.
33. Avocado Tree (Persea americana ‘Hass’) – 20-40 feet, zones 9-11. Creamy fruit; graft for best yield.
34. Aromatic Cedar (Juniperus virginiana) – 30-40 feet, zones 2-9. Red heartwood; for closets.
35. Ash Tree (Fraxinus pennsylvanica) – 50-70 feet, zones 3-9. Green ash; river companion.

These names of trees that start with A come from sources like the University of Florida IFAS Extension. I cross-checked with my plant journal.

Types of Trees That Start with A: Breakdown by Category

You may seek specific types. Let’s group them. This helps with “types of trees that start with A.”

Pine Trees That Start with A

Pines provide needles and cones. Two stand out.

• Austrian Pine: Grows 50 feet tall. Zones 4-7. I planted one for winter green. It resists salt spray near roads. Source: USDA Forest Service.
• Arizona Cypress: Acts like a pine with scale leaves. 40 feet. Zones 6-9. Drought hardy in Southwest yards.

Link to my pine care guide for pruning tips.

Small Trees That Start with A

Small trees that start with A suit patios. Under 30 feet.

• Amur Maple: 20 feet. Red stems in winter. Zones 2-8. I use it in containers.
• American Mountain Ash: 25 feet. Clusters of white flowers. Attracts 20 bird species yearly.
• American Plum: 20 feet. Edible plums in July. Zones 3-8.

These fit tight spaces. See my small trees selection.

Maple Trees That Start with A

Maple trees that start with A offer sweet sap or color.

• Amur Maple: Compact, 20 feet. Zones 2-8. Sugar content like sugar maple.
• Ashleaf Maple: 40 feet. Yellow fall hues. Tolerates clay soil.
• Autumn Blaze Maple (Acer x rubrum ‘Autumn Blaze’): 50 feet. Fiery red leaves. Zones 3-8. My favorite for curb appeal.

Visit Missouri Botanical Garden for maple IDs.

Growing Trees That Start with A: My Practical Advice

Plant in spring or fall. Test soil pH first; most prefer 6.0-7.5. Water new trees 10 gallons weekly for year one. Mulch 3 inches deep to retain moisture.

From my Florida yard: Alders thrive in moist spots but yellow in drought. Add compost yearly. For fruit trees like Apple, thin branches to 45-degree angles. This boosts air flow and cuts disease by 30 percent, per Penn State Extension.

Space trees 20-50 feet apart based on mature size. Check zones at USDA Plant Hardiness.

A Story from My Garden: The Amur Maple Surprise

In 2018, I added an Amur Maple to my backyard. It was a small sapling, just 5 feet. I chose it for “small trees that start with A” to shade my deck without overwhelming the space. By year three, it hit 15 feet. The red fall leaves turned heads at neighborhood barbecues. One guest asked, “What’s that tree with the fiery glow?” I shared cuttings; now three friends have one. It dropped seeds, so I potted extras for gifts. That tree taught me patience—growth takes time, but rewards come steady.

External Resources for Deeper Learning

Build your knowledge with these sites:

• Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center for native profiles.
• North Carolina State Extension on tree selection.
• Royal Horticultural Society for Acacia care.
• Dave’s Garden PlantFiles for user photos.
• Tree Browser from Morton Arboretum for zone maps.

Internal Links to My Other Guides

Explore more on my site:

• Fruit Trees for Beginners – Covers Apple and Apricot.
• Evergreen Trees Essentials – Includes Arborvitae.
• Fall Color Trees – Features Aspens and Maples.
• Drought Tolerant Landscaping – Acacia tips.
• Bird Friendly Plants – Mountain Ash details.

Final Thoughts on Your Tree Choices

Trees that start with A add structure to your landscape. Start with one or two that match your zone and soil. Track growth in a journal, like I do. Over 10 years, my garden has 50 trees now. Yours can too. Questions? Drop a comment below. Happy planting.