Looking to expand your tree knowledge or simply love learning about plants? Here’s a list of 35 amazing trees that start with the letter C. From flowering beauties to shade-giving giants, these trees are a mix of ornamental, fruit-bearing, and exotic varieties that you might just want in your backyard someday.
Let’s explore them all one by one!
35 Trees That Start With C
🌿 1. Cedar (Cedrus spp.)
Zones: 6–9
Height: Up to 70 ft
Sun: Full sun
Highlights: Fragrant wood, drought-tolerant, ornamental structure
🌳 2. Cherry (Prunus spp.)
Zones: 4–7
Height: 15–30 ft
Sun: Full sun
Highlights: Spring blossoms, sweet fruits, beautiful ornamental
🌿 3. Chestnut (Castanea spp.)
Zones: 5–9
Height: 40–60 ft
Sun: Full sun
Highlights: Edible nuts, shade tree, wildlife-friendly
🌳 4. Chinese Pistache (Pistacia chinensis)
Zones: 6–9
Height: 25–35 ft
Sun: Full sun
Highlights: Brilliant fall color, drought-tolerant
🌿 5. Chokecherry (Prunus virginiana)
Zones: 2–7
Height: 20–30 ft
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Highlights: Edible berries, spring flowers, attracts birds
🌲 6. Coast Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens)
Zones: 7–9
Height: 70–300 ft
Sun: Full sun
Highlights: Tallest trees on Earth, evergreen, majestic
🍃 7. Catalpa (Catalpa speciosa)
Zones: 4–8
Height: 40–70 ft
Sun: Full sun
Highlights: Large heart-shaped leaves, white flowers, shade
🌿 8. Crabapple (Malus spp.)
Zones: 4–8
Height: 15–25 ft
Sun: Full sun
Highlights: Spring blooms, ornamental fruit, pollinator-friendly
🌳 9. Chinese Hackberry (Celtis sinensis)
Zones: 5–9
Height: 40–60 ft
Sun: Full sun
Highlights: Urban-tolerant, drought resistant, hardy
🌿 10. Chinese Tallow (Triadica sebifera)
Zones: 8–10
Height: 30–40 ft
Sun: Full sun
Highlights: Fall color, adaptable, waxy seeds
🌳 11. Cucumber Tree (Magnolia acuminata)
Zones: 4–8
Height: 40–80 ft
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Highlights: Magnolia family, cucumber-shaped fruits, large tree
🌴 12. Coconut Palm (Cocos nucifera)
Zones: 10–11
Height: 50–80 ft
Sun: Full sun
Highlights: Tropical fruit, iconic palm, salt tolerant
🌳 13. Camphor Tree (Cinnamomum camphora)
Zones: 9–11
Height: 40–60 ft
Sun: Full sun
Highlights: Aromatic leaves, evergreen, medicinal oil
🌲 14. Cypress (Cupressus spp.)
Zones: 5–10
Height: 40–70 ft
Sun: Full sun
Highlights: Tall evergreen, windbreaks, ornamental form
🌿 15. Cinnamon Tree (Cinnamomum verum)
Zones: 10–12
Height: 20–30 ft
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Highlights: Cinnamon bark, glossy leaves, fragrant
🌳 16. Coral Tree (Erythrina spp.)
Zones: 9–11
Height: 20–40 ft
Sun: Full sun
Highlights: Bright red flowers, attracts hummingbirds
🌴 17. Canary Island Date Palm (Phoenix canariensis)
Zones: 9–11
Height: 40–60 ft
Sun: Full sun
Highlights: Feathery fronds, landscape palm, drought-tolerant
🌲 18. Chilean Pine (Araucaria araucana)
Zones: 7–10
Height: 50–80 ft
Sun: Full sun
Highlights: Unusual evergreen, prehistoric look, “Monkey Puzzle” tree
🌳 19. Chitalpa (× Chitalpa tashkentensis)
Zones: 6–9
Height: 20–35 ft
Sun: Full sun
Highlights: Pink trumpet-shaped flowers, heat tolerant
🍃 20. Chinese Elm (Ulmus parvifolia)
Zones: 5–9
Height: 40–50 ft
Sun: Full sun
Highlights: Fast-growing, strong wood, decorative bark
🌿 21. Cork Oak (Quercus suber)
Zones: 8–10
Height: 40–60 ft
Sun: Full sun
Highlights: Cork-producing bark, Mediterranean tree
🌳 22. Common Beech (Fagus sylvatica)
Zones: 4–7
Height: 50–70 ft
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Highlights: Smooth bark, golden fall color
🌲 23. Christmas Tree (Various fir/pine species)
Zones: Varies
Height: 6–70 ft
Sun: Full sun
Highlights: Traditional holiday tree, evergreen
🌴 24. Chinese Fan Palm (Livistona chinensis)
Zones: 9–11
Height: 30–40 ft
Sun: Full sun
Highlights: Fan-shaped leaves, tropical accent
🌿 25. Coffee Tree (Coffea arabica)
Zones: 10–11
Height: 6–15 ft
Sun: Part shade
Highlights: Coffee beans, glossy leaves, small white flowers
🌳 26. Cannonball Tree (Couroupita guianensis)
Zones: 10–12
Height: 50–75 ft
Sun: Full sun
Highlights: Round fruits, fragrant trunk flowers
🌲 27. Canistel Tree (Pouteria campechiana)
Zones: 10–11
Height: 20–40 ft
Sun: Full sun
Highlights: Eggfruit, yellow pulp, tropical tree
🌳 28. Carob Tree (Ceratonia siliqua)
Zones: 9–11
Height: 30–50 ft
Sun: Full sun
Highlights: Edible pods, drought-tolerant, chocolate substitute
🌿 29. Chinese Juniper (Juniperus chinensis)
Zones: 4–9
Height: 20–50 ft
Sun: Full sun
Highlights: Dense foliage, bonsai-friendly, evergreen
🌳 30. Colville’s Glory (Colvillea racemosa)
Zones: 10–11
Height: 25–50 ft
Sun: Full sun
Highlights: Fiery orange blooms, ornamental use
🌴 31. Chinese Parasol Tree (Firmiana simplex)
Zones: 7–10
Height: 30–50 ft
Sun: Full sun
Highlights: Huge leaves, tropical appearance, fast grower
🌿 32. Ceylon Ironwood (Mesua ferrea)
Zones: 10–11
Height: 50–75 ft
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Highlights: Hard wood, fragrant white flowers
🌳 33. Cocoa Tree (Theobroma cacao)
Zones: 10–12
Height: 15–25 ft
Sun: Part shade
Highlights: Source of chocolate, tropical, yellow pods
🍃 34. Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica)
Zones: 6–10
Height: 15–25 ft
Sun: Full sun
Highlights: Summer blooms, exfoliating bark, compact form
🌲 35. Crown of Thorns Tree (Euphorbia milii)
Zones: 9–11
Height: 3–6 ft
Sun: Full sun
Highlights: Thorny stems, red flowers, drought-tolerant
🌱 Basic Care Tips
- Watering: Newly planted trees need consistent watering for the first 1–2 years. Mature trees may require less.
- Soil: Most prefer well-draining soil; amend clay-heavy soil for root health.
- Sunlight: Check each tree’s sun needs — fruiting trees especially need full sun.
- Pruning: Best done in late winter or early spring before new growth.
- Pests: Watch for borers, aphids, and powdery mildew. Neem oil and pruning help.
❓ FAQs (Search-Optimized)
Q1: What is a popular flowering tree that starts with C?
A: Crape Myrtle is one of the most popular flowering trees starting with C, known for vibrant summer blooms.
Q2: Can Citrus trees be grown in containers?
A: Yes! Dwarf citrus varieties like lemon and orange trees do well in pots with good drainage and sunlight.
Q3: Are Cedar trees good for privacy?
A: Yes, cedar trees like Eastern Red Cedar are great evergreen screens for privacy.
Q4: Which “C” trees grow fast?
A: Catalpa and Chinese Elm are among the fastest-growing trees that start with C.
Q5: Are Carob trees edible?
A: Yes. Carob pods are used as a natural sweetener and chocolate substitute.
🏁 Conclusion
Trees that start with C offer an incredible mix of beauty, function, and variety. Whether you want flowering charm, juicy fruits, or a fast-growing shade solution — there’s a “C” tree waiting to enhance your landscape.
👉 Explore your local nursery or online plant shop to find the best match for your space and zone.
What are trees that start with C?
Trees like Cedar, Catalpa, Camellia, and Citrus are common examples. They include evergreens, flowering trees, and fruit-bearing varieties.
