The Oakland Lakes region from Lake Orion to Northville has two USDA Planting Zones 6a and 6b, as declared by USDA latest update in 2023. Average minimum winter temperatures here range from -10°F to 0°F (-23.3°C to -17.8°C).
The coldest zone here is USDA zone 6a (-10°F to -5°F / -23.3°C to -20.6°C) which covers most of the region including Commerce Township, Holly, Lake Orion, Milford, Northville, Ortonville, Oxford, South Lyon, Walled Lake, and Wixom. The warmest zone is USDA zone 6b (-5°F to 0°F / -20.6°C to -17.8°C) which appears only in parts of Plymouth.
Most communities in this Oakland Lakes corridor are in the USDA zone 6a with winter lows of -10°F to -5°F, making it the predominant hardiness zone for the area, only Plymouth spans two USDA zones (6a-6b).
Pinpoint your USDA growing zone of Oakland Lakes region in Michigan, using our interactive planting zones map or hardiness zones table, both given below.
USDA Zones Map of Oakland Lakes & Towns, MI
Select or type your Oakland Lakes & Towns location in selection box below, to find its USDA Growing zone.
Select a location
USDA Planting Zone
This zone’s data comes from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), with the most recent zone updates released in 2023
Planting Zones
Planting Zones
Planting Zones Table of Oakland Lakes & Towns, MI
The table below lists all the cities and towns in Oakland Lakes region, Michigan, along with respective USDA Hardniess zones.
| Location | USDA Hardiness Zone |
|---|
No items found matching your search
Try a different search term or clear the search field.
What Are the 2 Primary USDA Hardiness Zones in Oakland Lakes Towns?
Zone 6a and zone 6b are the 2 primary USDA hardiness zones in Oakland Lakes region of Michigan. The 11 primary USDA planting zone locations in Oakland Lakes from Lake Orion to Northville are Commerce Township, Holly, Lake Orion, Milford, Northville, Ortonville, Oxford, Plymouth, South Lyon, Walled Lake, and Wixom. The 11 primary USDA planting zone locations in Oakland Lakes from Lake Orion to Northville are listed below.
1. Zone 6a in Commerce Township
Commerce Township in Michigan lies within USDA planting zone 6a, experiencing average winter minimums between -10°F to -5°F (-23.3°C to -20.6°C).
The township’s position in the Detroit metropolitan area generates mild urban heat island effects, and the Huron River creates microclimates through thermal mass effects. The water bodies, including Fox Lake and Proud Lake, moderate temperature extremes here.
2. Zone 6a in Holly
Holly in Michigan occupies USDA planting zone 6a, where average minimum winter temperatures reach -10°F to -5°F (-23.3°C to -20.6°C).
Holly’s 922-foot elevation and position at Shiawassee River headwaters with the glacial topography creates usda zone 6a conditions here. Zone 6a conditions support cold-hardy species like Oakland Holly (Ilex ‘Magland’).
3. Zone 6a in Lake Orion
Lake Orion in Michigan belongs to USDA planting zone 6a, where average winter minimums reach -10°F to -5°F (-23.3°C to -20.6°C).
The 493-acre lake at 981-foot elevation within Paint Creek watershed generates thermal moderation through its 80-foot depth. Urban development increases local temperatures by 1-2°F, but northwest winds provide cooling effects that maintain microclimate stability.
Zone 6a supports cold-adapted species like northern red oak (Quercus rubra) and eastern white pine (Pinus strobus), which tolerate these minimum temperature thresholds.
4. Zone 6a in Milford
Milford in Michigan lies in USDA planting zone 6a, where average winter minimum temperatures drop to -10°F to -5°F (-23.3°C to -20.6°C). This hardiness classification determines plant survival limits during coldest periods.
Located at 961 feet elevation in central Oakland County, Milford sits along the Clinton River watershed near Oakland Lake, a 255-acre waterbody with depths reaching 64 feet. This lake network creates thermal mass that moderates local temperatures here despite the city’s elevation.
5. Zone 6a in Northville
Northville in Michigan experiences USDA planting zone 6a, where winter temperatures reach -10°F to -5°F (-23.3°C to -20.6°C). This zone classification determines which plants can survive winter conditions in the area.
The city’s 846-foot elevation and varied topography create microclimates influenced by northwest winds. Recent river restoration enhances thermal moderation by replacing concrete infrastructure with natural channels.
Zone 6a conditions support cold-tolerant species like sugar maples (Acer saccharum) and white pines (Pinus strobus), which adapt well to Northville’s climate patterns.
6. Zone 6a in Ortonville
Ortonville in Michigan belongs to USDA planting zone 6a, with winter minimums reaching -10°F to -5°F (-23.3°C to -20.6°C). This hardiness zone indicates which plants withstand local winter conditions.
Ortonville is located within Oakland County’s elevated terrain at 950-1,100 feet, but the Clinton River flowing through 255-acre Oakland Lake, generates thermal mass effects that moderate temperature extremes here.
Zone 6a hardiness allows cold-tolerant species like sugar maples (Acer saccharum), white oaks (Quercus alba), and eastern white pines (Pinus strobus) to flourish in these glacially-formed soils.
7. Zone 6a in Oxford
Oxford resides in USDA planting zone 6a, where average winter minimums reach -10°F to -5°F (-23.3°C to -20.6°C). This hardiness zone determines frost tolerance requirements for local vegetation.
The area’s 1,053-foot elevation and glacial topography, featuring clay-rich sediments, creates colder zone 6a climate. Oxford Township contains 14 lakes, including Cedar Lake and Clear Lake, which influence climate by thermal mass effect.
Zone 6a here supports cold-hardy species like northern red oaks (Quercus rubra) and white pines (Pinus strobus).
8. Zone 6a and 6b in Oakland County Lakes
Oakland County Lakes in Michigan span USDA planting zones 6a and 6b, with average minimum winter temperatures ranging -10°F to 0°F (-23.3°C to -17.8°C).
Elevation differences in Oakland County between higher glacial deposits at 800-1,000 feet and lower lake basins below 500 feet create temperature variations which creates 2 USDA planting zones here, 6a and 6b. Also Lake Oakland reaches 64 feet deep, providing thermal mass that moderates nearby temperatures.
Both zones support cold-tolerant species like sugar maple (Acer saccharum), eastern white pine (Pinus strobus), and northern red oak (Quercus rubra), adapted to these temperature ranges.
9. Zone 6a in South Lyon
South Lyon in Michigan belongs to USDA planting zone 6a, where average winter temperatures drop to -10°F to -5°F (-23.3°C to -20.6°C).
Located at 928 feet elevation on glacial moraines, the city’s hummocky topography creates varied microclimates. South Lyon’s growing population of 11,746 residents with urban infrastructure generates urban heat, though northwest winds help moderate temperatures.
Zone 6a conditions support cold-hardy species like sugar maple (Acer saccharum) and white pine (Pinus strobus).
10. Zone 6a in Walled Lake
Walled Lake in Michigan occupies USDA planting zone 6a, where winter temperatures plunge to -10°F to -5°F (-23.3°C to -20.6°C).
The city’s 942-foot elevation, 670-acre spring-fed glacial lake and the lake’s 53-foot depth creates area’s cold climate characteristics.
11. Zone 6a in Wixom
Wixom in Michigan is in USDA planting zone 6a, where average winter minimums reach -10°F to -5°F (-23.3°C to -20.6°C).
Positioned near 1,980-acre Wixom Lake reservoir, the area’s sandy glacial till soils and lake proximity generate stabilizing thermal effects. Zone 6a here allows mesic species like swamp white oak (Quercus bicolor), American elm (Ulmus americana), and white ash (Fraxinus americana).