There are numerous native trees which are both beautiful and easy to care for. The following list describes 9 native deciduous trees which provide gardeners with low maintenance and attractive additions to the landscape.
River Birch (Betula nigra) a wonderful native tree that is treasured for its unique bark and graceful silhouette. Its bark, which peels and flakes, is reddish brown in color. The River Birch has dark green summer foliage that turns a golden yellow in the fall. Easy to grow, the river birch is tolerant a wild range of soil conditions. Planted in a group, the river birch could create a interesting interlacing of delicate branches. On its own, its silhouette is dramatic against a stand of evergreens or the sky. The river birch is great tree for year round interest.
White Birch (Betula papyrifera)trees are the most widely distributed of all North American birches. The graceful form and attractive white bark of paper birch make it a ideal species for specimen plantings. On young trees, trunk bark is reddish-brown but turns to its characteristic white color as the tree matures. The trunk of this fast growing tree generally divides into several arching branches which creates a wonderful silhouette, adding winter interest to the landscape.
Sourwood (Oxydendrum arboreum) is a native tree treasured for its summer flowers and brilliant scarlet-orange fall color. The Sourwood makes a nice small specimen tree for small gardens. The leaves are deciduous, up to 8″ in length and turn scarlet in the fall. The fruit is a small and gray appearing in spike-like clusters. Its has Lily-of-the-Valley like flowers in mid-summer. Plant in full sun to partial shade in acid, organic, moist, well-drained soil. Great for a small yard, patio or lawn tree.
Ironwood (Carpinus caroliniana), also known as musclewood and American hornbeam, is a great native tree that’s easy grow and shade tolerant. A common understory tree in forests of eastern North America, ironwood is a perfect tree for the woodland garden. The leaves are blue green above and yellowish green below in summer. In fall its foliage turns vibrant yellows, oranges and reds. The bark of the ironwood tree is gray with muscle-like ripples. Its attractive silhouette provides winter interest in the garden.
Sugar Maple (Acer saccharin) is a classic ornamental shade tree and is the reason many people travel to New England in fall. This very shade tolerant and long lived tree can reach 100‘ or more. It is one of the best trees for fall color as the leaves turn a vibrant red or yellow-orange. It’s is widely used as a specimen tree or shade tree in a large lawn.
Red Maple (Acer rubrum) is a smaller maple species reaching 40‘-60′. As the name suggests, the color red appears is a dominant feature. Its early spring flowers which bloom in late March to early April are red, as are its stems, twigs and buds. In the fall its foliage turns a vibrant orange-red. Red maple trees are widely planted in home gardens and as street trees.
Northern Red Oak (Quercus rubra) is noted for its brilliant fall color. Northern Red Oaks are great specimen trees, particularly when planted in a large lawn. Fall colors range from yellow-brown to bright red. New leaves have a reddish tinge in the spring. Does best in well-drained soils.
Serviceberry Allegany (Amelanchier laevis) is the perfect tree for a natural garden. This small, multi-stemmed, upright tree blooms in early spring with fragrant white flowers. The purplish-blue fruit attracts wildlife and makes wonderful pies and jams. This serviceberry prefers medium, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Allegheny Serviceberry makes an attractive understory tree for lawns, shrub borders, woodland margins or native plant areas.
Tulip Tree (Liriodendron tulipifera) is the tallest hardwood tree in eastern North America, reaching up to 200 feet in height. Both the lustrous green leaves and large greenish-yellow flowers are tulip-shaped. Its attractive foliage turns yellow in the fall. very fast growing. The Tulip Poplar is fast growing and can grow 15 to 20’ over a 6 to 8 year period. An ideal specimen shade tree for the large lawn.
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