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Taxus baccata

English Yew is an evergreen tree, which can be grown as a shrub or hedge. The berries are attractive to birds, but poisonous to humans. It is dioecious; both male and female plants are needed to produce fruit. English Yew prefers shady areas and needs protection from cold winter winds. Use English Yew for foundation plantings, screens, and topiaries.

Taxodium distichum

Bald Cypress is a tall, pyramidal-shaped, deciduous tree. The foliage turns yellow-brown in fall before it drops. Its small seeds attract some birds. Bald Cypress prefers wet areas, but can adapt to dry sites. Bald Cypress offers high-wind resistance, but it is flammable; plant a minimum 30 feet from buildings in wildfire-prone areas.

Syringa reticulata

Japanese Tree Lilac is a small to medium, deciduous tree with large clusters of creamy-white, fragrant flowers. The flowers bloom in June, later than most other lilac shrubs. For best blooms, plant Japanese Tree Lilac in full sun. The flowers provide a rich nectar source for native bees and butterflies. Use Japanese Tree Lilac as an ornamental specimen tree in your yard, or a street tree in your neighborhood.

Stewartia ovata

Mountain Camellia is a small, flowering, deciduous tree. Its white flowers with orange anthers bloom July-August. This tree offers orange to scarlet fall foliage. Mountain Camellia is sensitive to drought and prefers moist, organically rich soil. Use it as a small specimen tree or tall shrub in shady areas of your yard.

Staphylea trifolia

American Bladdernut is a fast-growing, suckering, small tree or large shrub. Greenish-white, bell-shaped flowers bloom April-May, leading to showy fruit in the fall. The dried seed capsules, called “bladders,” hang in clusters from the tree and offer late fall and early winter interest. The dried seed capsules also add ornamental value to dried flower bouquets.

Sassafras albidum

Sassafras is a slender, flowering tree. Yellow flowers blooming April-May provide a nectar source for bees. Fruits ripen in September and are attractive to birds. It is dioecious; both male and female plants are needed to produce fruit. This tree has stunning fall foliage in shades of yellow, orange, scarlet, and purple. Sassafras is an important host plant for butterfly and moth larvae (caterpillars), including Spicebush Swallowtail (Papilio troilus), Promethea Silkmoth (Callosamia promethea), and Pale Swallowtail (Papilio eurymedon). The best results for fruit and foliage color are achieved if planted in groups. Use Sassafras in naturalized areas or as a specimen tree.

Salix nigra

Black Willow is a fast-growing, flowering tree. Yellow-green flowers bloom April-May, providing a nectar source for native bees, honeybees, bumblebees, and beneficial predatory insects, which prey on garden pest insects. It is a host plant for butterfly and moth larvae (caterpillars), including Viceroy (Limenitis archippus), Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa), Red-spotted Purple (Limenitis arthemis), Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus), and Acadian Hairstreak (Satyrium acadica). Black Willow has attractive, deeply furrowed bark. Use it as specimen tree in moist areas around your yard, or along streambanks for erosion control.

Quercus velutina

Black Oak is a medium-tall, deciduous tree of the red oak group. Its shiny dark green leaves have deeply cut lobes. The bark is almost black on mature trunks, giving it its common name. It prefers moist, organically-rich soil, but tolerates nutrient-poor, dry soil. Acorns provide food for birds and wildlife. Oaks are host to numerous beneficial insects, which in turn provide food for birds. Black Oak is a host plant for butterfly and moth larvae (caterpillars), including Edwards Hairstreak (Satyrium edwardsii). It provides nesting space, cover, and shelter for wildlife. Use Black Oak as a street tree, shade tree in large lawns or parks, or in natural areas around your yard.

Quercus stellata

Post Oak is a medium-sized, deciduous tree of the white oak group. It has rough, leathery, dark green leaves with a cross-shaped appearance. Fall colors are variable, and can be bright yellow. It takes up to 25 years for Post Oak to reach maturity and bear acorns, which provide food for birds and wildlife. It is a host plant for butterfly and moth larvae (caterpillars), including Northern Hairstreak (Satyrium favonius ontario), and Horaces Duskywing (Erynnis horatius). Post Oak tolerates a wide variety of soils, is low-maintenance, and long-lived. Use Post Oak as a street tree, shade tree, or lawn tree in your yard.

Quercus rubra

Red Oak is a medium-sized, deciduous tree. It is monoecious; insignificant separate male and female catkins appear in spring. The acorns mature in early fall and provide food for birds and wildlife. Fall foliage is russet-red to bright-red, but occasionally yellow-brown. It prefers fertile, dry, sandy soil. Red Oak provides nesting space, cover, and shelter for wildlife. Oaks are host to numerous beneficial insects, which in turn provide food for birds. Red Oak is a host plant to butterfly and moth larvae (caterpillars), including Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus). Use it as a specimen in your yard, a street tree, or lawn tree.