Archives

Quercus montana

Chestnut Oak is a medium-large, deciduous tree of the white oak group. It has oblong, toothed leaves, which turn orange-yellow or yellow-brown in fall. The acorns provide food for birds and wildlife. Oaks are host to numerous beneficial insects, which in turn provide food for birds. It provides nesting space, cover, and shelter for wildlife. Use Chestnut Oak as a street tree or shade tree, and in parks or natural areas.

Quercus phellos

Willow Oak is an attractive, medium-sized, deciduous tree, which offers good texture and form. It is monoecious; insignificant separate male and female catkins appear in spring. It has cascading, narrow, willow-like leaves, which turn yellow, bronze-orange, yellow-brown, or russet-red in fall. It tolerates a wide range of soil conditions and some salty conditions. The acorns provide food for birds and wildlife. Oaks are host to numerous beneficial insects, which in turn provide food for birds. Willow Oak is a host plant for butterfly larvae (caterpillars) of White M Hairstreak (Parrhasius m-album). It provides nesting space, cover, and shelter for wildlife. Use Willow Oak as a street tree or shade tree, and in parks or in natural areas.

Quercus palustris

Pin Oak is a medium-sized, deciduous tree of the red oak group. It is monoecious; greenish-yellow flowers bloom on separate male and female catkins in April. Its dark green leaves have five bristle-tipped lobes, and turn deep red in fall. It tolerates poorly-drained soils and some flooding. It may take 15-20 years until the tree matures to bear acorns, which provide food for birds and wildlife. Oaks are host to numerous beneficial insects, which in turn provide food for birds. Pin 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. Use Pin Oak as a shade tree in the yard, park, or natural area, or as a street tree.

Quercus marilandica

Black-jack Oak is a small to medium, deciduous tree of the red oak group. It is monoecious; male catkins and female spikes bloom separately on the same tree in May. Its dark green leaves are leathery with 3-5 bristle-tipped lobes. Foliage turns brown in fall. Black-jack Oak grows in sandy, infertile soil where it is hard for other plants to grow. The acorns provide food for birds and wildlife. Oaks are host to numerous beneficial insects, which in turn provide food for birds. Black-jack Oak provides nesting space, cover, and shelter for wildlife. Use it in natural areas or native plant gardens around your yard. This tree is worth saving if it is already growing in your yard.

Quercus ilicifolia

Scrub Oak, or Bear Oak, is a small, shrub-like, deciduous tree in the red oak group. It is monoecious; separate male and female catkins appear on the same tree. Its smooth leaves have 3-7 bristle-tipped lobes. Fall foliage is reddish-purple. Biennial acorns are bitter and reportedly only eaten by bears. It provides nesting space, cover, and shelter for wildlife. Oaks are host to numerous insects, which in turn provide food for birds. Scrub Oak is a host plant for butterfly and moth larvae (caterpillars), including Sleepy Duskywing (Erynnis brizo) and Eastern Buckmoth (Hemileuca maia). Use it as a street tree or shade tree in your yard, neighborhood park, or natural area.

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.

Quercus alba

White Oak is a large, wildlife-friendly, deciduous tree of the white oak group. Mature White Oak trees are wide and spreading. It is monoecious; greenish-yellow flowers bloom on separate male and female catkins in April. It tolerates occasional flooding and drought, and has medium-high wind resistance. Acorns provide a valuable food source for birds and wildlife. White Oaks are host to numerous, inconspicuous insects, which in turn provide food for birds. It is a host plant for butterfly and moth larvae (caterpillars), including Edwards Hairstreak (Satyrium edwardsii). White Oak provides nesting space, cover, and shelter for wildlife. Use White Oak as a shade tree for your large yard, neighborhood park, or naturalized area. It can be used as a street tree, but needs room to spread.

Prunus serotina

Black Cherry is a medium-large, wildlife-friendly, flowering shade tree. White flowers bloom in May, followed by small, edible berries. The fruit changes from red to black as it ripens in August-September. It is used for making wine and jelly. Fall foliage is yellow-red. Black Cherry offers much value for birds, butterflies, bees, and wildlife. It is a host plant for butterfly and moth larvae (caterpillars), including Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus), New England Buckmoth (Hemileuca lucina), Viceroy (Limenitis archippus), Columbia Silkmoth (Hyalophora columbia), Cherry Gall Azure (Celastrina serotina), Promethea Moth (Callosamia promethea), Small-eyed Sphinx Moth (Paonias myops), Wild Cherry Sphinx Moth (Sphinx drupiferarum), Banded Tussock Moth (Halysidota tessellaris), and Spotted Apatelodes (Apatelodes torrefacta). Use Black Cherry as a specimen tree or shade tree in your yard.

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.

Pinus rigida

Pitch Pine is a wildlife-friendly, New Jersey native, and is the dominant pine tree of the New Jersey Pine Barrens. This medium-sized, evergreen conifer features an irregular form. Bundles of three, yellowish-green, stiff needles sprout from branches, and sometimes from the trunk. The bark is thick and layered, offering extreme fire-tolerance. It will re-sprout after a fire or from the stump. Twigs, leaves, and seeds offer a valuable food source for wildlife. Pitch Pine prefers nutrient-poor, dry, sandy soils, and will grow where other trees cannot. It takes about five years to establish, then grows quickly. Plant Pitch Pine in woodland borders around your yard.