Trees with Red Berries: 12 Beautiful Varieties to Brighten Your Garden Year-Round

Few sights are more uplifting than the flash of scarlet berries against bare branches on a grey winter’s day. Trees with red berries bring vibrant colour when much of the garden lies dormant, and they offer far more than just visual appeal. Many varieties are valuable food sources for birds and pollinators, some produce edible fruit, and others hold centuries of symbolism and tradition.

Whether you’re looking to attract wildlife, add seasonal cheer, or simply enjoy a splash of year-round interest, berry-bearing trees are an excellent addition to your outdoor space. The beauty of these trees is that they offer something in every season: delicate spring blossom, lush summer foliage, fiery autumn leaves, and clusters of berries that persist well into winter.

In this guide, we’ll explore 12 of the most striking trees with red berries. From small options for compact gardens to grand, ornamental species, there’s a variety to suit every style and setting.

1. Trees with Red Berries: Rowan (Mountain Ash)

The rowan tree is a true all-rounder. Its clusters of bright red berries appear in late summer and persist into autumn, providing food for birds such as thrushes and waxwings. In spring, you’ll enjoy frothy white flowers, and by autumn the foliage turns a striking orange-red.

Rowans are hardy, tolerant of poor soils, and perfect for small to medium gardens. With their elegant, feathery leaves, they bring both lightness and structure to planting schemes.

2. Trees with Red Berries: Holly

Holly is perhaps the most iconic of berry trees, synonymous with winter festivities. Its glossy evergreen leaves and bright berries provide both shelter and sustenance for wildlife.

While traditional spiky-leaved holly is well-loved, there are also smooth-leaved varieties for a softer look. Female trees produce the berries, so you’ll need a male nearby for pollination unless you opt for a self-fertile cultivar.

3. Trees with Red Berries: Crab Apple

Crab apples are compact, ornamental trees ideal for smaller gardens. Their fruit ranges from yellow through orange to vivid red, often hanging on branches long after the leaves have dropped.

These berries can be left for birds or harvested to make crab apple jelly. In spring, crab apples also produce an abundance of blossom, making them a double-win for both gardeners and pollinators.

4. Trees with Red Berries: Cotoneaster

Technically a large shrub or small tree, cotoneaster is unbeatable for sheer berry production. Dense clusters of tiny red fruits cover the branches in late summer, remaining into winter if the birds don’t strip them first.

Cotoneasters are also excellent for wildlife, offering nectar-rich flowers in spring and berries in autumn. They tolerate most soils and require very little maintenance once established.

5. Trees with Red Berries: Strawberry Tree (Arbutus unedo)

The strawberry tree is a standout for its unusual appearance. Unlike many other berry trees, it produces both flowers and fruit at the same time in autumn. Its strawberry-like red fruits add charm, while creamy white blossoms attract bees late in the year.

With evergreen leaves and peeling bark, it provides texture and year-round interest. Perfect for milder areas of the UK, it thrives best in sheltered spots.

6. Trees with Red Berries: Hawthorn

A staple of hedgerows, hawthorn is equally at home as a single specimen tree. Its bright red “haws” appear in late summer, lasting well into winter.

Hawthorn is deeply rooted in folklore and often associated with protection and good luck. In spring, it bursts into a froth of white flowers, earning it the nickname “May tree.” It’s also excellent for wildlife, attracting pollinators and providing cover for nesting birds.

7. Trees with Red Berries: Cherry

Cherry trees aren’t just about spring blossom – many produce striking red fruits through summer. Ornamental cherry species bring both beauty and structure, while fruiting cherries provide a harvest for the kitchen as well as wildlife.

Choose a compact, self-fertile variety if you want something manageable for a smaller garden. Their seasonal cycle of blossom, fruit, and autumn leaf colour makes them a joy throughout the year.

8. Trees with Red Berries: Pyracantha (Firethorn)

Pyracantha is a vigorous, spiny shrub often trained against walls, but it can also be grown as a small tree. In autumn, its branches are laden with clusters of red berries, which can persist well into winter.

Its thorny growth provides shelter for nesting birds, and its flowers in spring attract pollinators.

Firethorn is ideal for adding colour to awkward spaces, and its dense structure makes it an excellent security plant.

9. Trees with Red Berries: Viburnum opulus (Guelder Rose)

Though technically a shrub, viburnum opulus can be trained into a small tree shape. Its translucent red berries catch the light beautifully in late summer and autumn, contrasting with maple-like leaves that blaze orange and red in the autumn.

It also produces pretty white “snowball” flowers in spring, making it a multi-season beauty. This variety thrives in damp soil, making it perfect for wetter areas of the garden.

10. Trees with Red Berries: Yew

The ancient yew tree carries bright red arils (fleshy berry-like fruits) in autumn, contrasting dramatically with its dark evergreen needles. While most parts of the yew are toxic to humans and livestock, birds eat the berries safely.

Yews are long-lived and steeped in history, often found in churchyards. As garden specimens, they make excellent hedging or striking evergreens when clipped into shape.

11. Trees with Red Berries: Serviceberry (Amelanchier)

Serviceberries produce small red fruits that ripen into purple-black, but in early summer they often appear bright red. These berries are edible, with a sweet flavour similar to blueberries.

Amelanchiers are loved for their star-shaped spring flowers and fiery autumn foliage, making them a versatile choice for year-round beauty. Compact cultivars fit neatly into smaller gardens.

12. Trees with Red Berries: Toyon (Christmas Berry)

Native to California but sometimes grown in the UK’s milder regions, Toyon earns its nickname from the masses of bright red berries that appear in winter, often used in festive decorations.

With leathery green leaves and a drought-tolerant nature, it’s a good option for warmer, drier parts of the country. Its berries provide food for birds, while clusters of white summer flowers attract bees.

FAQ: Trees with Red Berries

Q: Are all red berries on trees safe to eat?A: No. While some are edible (like cherries and serviceberries), others, such as yew, are toxic. Always confirm the species before consuming any berries.

Q: Which trees with red berries are best for wildlife?A: Rowan, hawthorn, and holly are excellent for supporting birds and pollinators, offering both food and shelter.

Q: Can I grow trees with red berries in a small garden?A: Absolutely. Compact varieties like crab apple, amelanchier, or cotoneaster are perfect for smaller spaces.

Q: Do I need more than one tree for berries?A: Some species (like holly) require a male and female tree, while others (like self-fertile cherries) produce berries alone.

Add Colour and Character with BY Design And Viz

If you’re inspired to bring vibrant seasonal colour into your outdoor space, our team at BY Design And Viz can help you create a tailored garden design. Whether you want wildlife-friendly planting, year-round interest, or a complete transformation, we’ll guide you every step of the way.

Get in touch today to start designing a garden that feels as beautiful in winter as it does in summer.