To understand the capacity of tree species and cultivars in the area to adapt to other effects of climate change like changes in disturbances, pests, and diseases, we relied on a scoring system developed by researchers. Scores were generated for all species listed as occurring in the Chicago area according to the recent Regional Tree Census. In addition, we included several other species that are being considered on planting lists for the City of Chicago and the Chicago Region Trees Initiative. For species that are only present in a cultivated setting, we only generated one score. Native species, even if not currently used in cultivated settings, were given both a planted and naturally-occurring score. Scores were then converted to categories of high, medium, and low adaptive capacity. Common native species with high adaptability scores in planted environments include northern red oak, eastern hophornbeam/ironwood, hackberry, northern white cedar, and red maple. Many invasive species such as European buckthorn, Amur honeysuckle, and tree of heaven also had high adaptability scores. Some very common native species had low adaptability scores for planted environments, including black cherry, eastern cottonwood, and white ash. Siberian elm was the most common nonnative species to receive a low adaptability score. Native species that received a high adaptability score for natural areas but not in planted environments include American elm, white oak, bur oak, boxelder, silver maple, and sugar maple. All invasive species received a high adaptability score.