Northern hardwoods tree species are expected to respond to climate change in different ways. Several dominant tree species are projected to decline, while other species are projected to remain stable or increase.

Multiple forest impact models tend to agree that several species are more likely to decline in suitable habitat and biomass across a range of climate scenarios by the end of the century, including American beech, eastern hemlock (which can form homogenous pockets), and eastern white pine. American basswood, black cherry, sugar maple, and sweet birch are generally projected to decline under the warmer climate scenario only. Northern red oak and tulip tree are projected to remain stable under both low and high climate scenarios.