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Quercus muehlenbergii

Chinkapin Oak is a medium-sized, deciduous tree of the white oak group. It is monoecious; greenish-yellow flowers bloom on separate male and female catkins in April as leaves emerge. It has narrow, oblong, toothed leaves. Fall leaf color is variable, usually yellow-brown. It may take 30 years for this tree to mature to bear acorns, which provide food for birds and wildlife. Oaks are host to numerous beneficial insects, which in turn provide food for birds. Chinkapin Oak is a host plant for butterfly and moth larvae (caterpillars), including Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus). It provides nesting space, cover, and shelter for wildlife. Chinkapin Oak is a low-maintenance, long-lived tree. This attractive tree is worth saving if it is already growing in your yard. Use it as a shade tree in large yards and parks, or in natural areas.

Quercus michauxii

Swamp Chestnut Oak is a medium to large, deciduous tree of the white oak group. It is monoecious; yellow male catkins and red female flowers bloom separately on the same tree in April-May. It has chestnut-like, oblong, toothed leaves, which are shiny and green above and gray and hairy underneath. Fall foliage is dark red. This tree performs best in full sun, but tolerates some shade when young. It tolerates occasional wet soils; however, continuously wet soils cause root rot. Swamp Chestnut Oak is very tolerant of urban conditions and has medium to high wind resistance. It may take 20-25 years for the tree to mature and bear acorns. When present, acorns ripen in September-October and provide food for birds and wildlife. Oaks are host to numerous beneficial insects, which in turn provide food for birds. Swamp Chestnut Oak provides nesting space, cover, and shelter for wildlife. Use it as a street tree or shade tree in your yard, neighborhood park, or in natural areas.

Quercus imbricaria

Shingle Oak is a medium-sized, deciduous tree of the red oak group. It grows in conical form with a rounded canopy. It accepts pruning well and can also be used as a shrub. It is monoecious; greenish-yellow flowers bloom on separate male and female catkins in April as leaves emerge. The acorns ripen every second year, and provide food for birds and wildlife. Fall foliage is variable, sometimes yellow-brown to red-brown. Browned leaves persist on branches into winter and can help serve as a windbreak and provide winter shelter for beneficial insects. Oaks are host to numerous insects throughout the year, which in turn provide food for birds. Shingle Oak also provides nesting space, cover, and shelter for wildlife. Use it as a street tree or shade tree for your yard, neighborhood park, or in natural areas. It may be pruned to use as a hedge or privacy screen.

Quercus falcata

Southern Red Oak is a medium to large, deciduous tree. It is monoecious; separate male and female catkins appear on the same tree April-May. This tree tolerates drought, as well as brief flooding. Acorns provide food for birds and wildlife. Oaks are host to numerous inconspicuous insects, which in turn provide food for birds. Southern Red Oak provides nesting space, cover, and shelter for wildlife. Use Southern Red Oak as a street tree or shade tree for your large yard, park, or natural area.

Prunus x yedoensis

Yoshino Cherry is a small to medium, deciduous, flowering tree. It features fragrant, pink or white flowers, which bloom March-April. The nectar provides a food source for butterflies and bees. Yoshino Cherry has a weeping form. It tolerates heat and humidity, but not drought. Fall foliage is yellow and bronze. Use Yoshino Cherry as a specimen plant in your yard or around your patio.

Prunus maritima

Beach Plum is a rounded, dense, suckering shrub. Clusters of white flowers bloom April-May, before the leaves emerge, providing an early nectar source for native bees and pollinators. Edible fruits ripen to a dark purple in September and are valued by wildlife as a food source. The berries are used to make jellies and jams. Plant Beach Plum in shrub borders, wild hedges, foundation plantings, or as an ornamental specimen plant in your yard.

Prunus laurocerasus

Cherry Laurel is a broad, spreading, evergreen shrub. Its small white flowers cover erect stems April-May. Black fruits ripen in the summer and provide a food source for birds; however, the berries are inedible to humans. Prune as needed after flowering. Use Cherry Laurel in shrub borders, as pruned hedges, in a shade garden, or along woodland edges in your yard.

Prunus angustifolia

Chickasaw Plum is a thicket-forming shrub with a tendency to form large colonies. It features clusters of white flowers which bloom in March, offering early spring appeal. The nectar provides an important food source for early emerging butterflies and bees. Edible, cherry-like, reddish plums ripen in midsummer and provide an excellent source of food for birds and wildlife. Fruits can be made into jellies and jams. Chickasaw Plum has medium-high wind resistance. Use Chickasaw Plum in sunny woodland areas of your yard, as a screen or hedge, in shrub borders, or along stream banks for erosion control.

Prunus americana

American Plum is a small, wildlife-friendly tree or multi-stemmed shrub. Aromatic clusters of white flowers bloom in mid-March, followed by edible red plums with yellow pulp, which ripen in midsummer. The nectar and fruit provide food sources for butterflies, bees, and birds. The fruit can be used for jams and jellies. American Plum can be used as a hedgerow, along borders, as a screen, or as a specimen in your yard.

Polystichum acrostichoides

Christmas Fern is a clumping evergreen fern. It displays leathery, lance-shaped fronds. Emerging fiddleheads are silver in the spring. Christmas Fern does not spread; instead, the clump will increase in size as the plant ages. Christmas Fern has been known to attract ruffed grouse. Use it as a groundcover or in borders. It adds winter interest to your yard.