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Ginkgo biloba

Gingko is a deciduous tree with unique, fan-shaped leaves. It is dioecious (separate male and female trees), but only male trees should be planted, since the fruit of female trees is messy and malodorous. Its yellow fall leaves can persist for weeks, then suddenly drop within a day. This cold-hardy tree is usually deep-rooted and resistant to wind and snow damage. It tolerates salt and poor soil and air quality, making it a good choice for urban conditions. Use Gingko as a lawn tree or street tree.

Fagus grandifolia

American Beech is a large deciduous tree with smooth, light-gray bark and prominently veined, toothed, dark green leaves. The leaves turn a bronze color in the fall and remain on the tree well into winter. American Beech is monoecious (separate male and female flowers on the same tree). Its yellowish-green flowers bloom April-May. Female flowers are followed by edible, triangular-shaped nuts enclosed in a spiny husk. The nuts ripen in the fall and are an important food source for many species of birds and mammals. The tree canopy is a favored nesting and roosting site for birds and wildlife. American Beech is a host plant for butterfly and moth larvae (caterpillars), including Early Hairstreak (Erora laeta). This tree casts a dense shade, useful as a cooling technique for homes. Its shallow root system can make it difficult to grow plants underneath, so avoid planting it near flower beds and vegetable gardens. Give this tree ample space to grow. Use American Beech in large yards or parks.

Diospyros virginiana

Persimmon is a deciduous tree known for its edible fruit. Its white to whitish-green, fragrant flowers bloom in the spring. Persimmon is usually dioecious (separate male and female trees); a female tree needs a male in the area for pollination and fruit production. The green fruit is astringent, but becomes sweet when fully ripe. The orange to dark red, mature fruit is attractive and provides late fall/early winter color to the yard. Persimmon fruit is a food source for wildlife. This tree is also a host for larvae (caterpillars) of the Luna moth (Actias luna). The wood is especially heavy, hard, and strong, and is used for golf club heads, billiard cues, and flooring. Persimmon tolerates drought, air pollution, and a variety of soil conditions; it grows well in urban environments. Use as a specimen tree with edible fruit.

Crataegus crus-galli

Cockspur Hawthorn is a small, low-branched tree, also grown as a tall shrub. Flat clusters of white flowers with a somewhat unpleasant odor bloom in late spring, followed by bright red fruits in late summer. The fruits persist into winter, providing a food source for birds. The shiny green leaves turn bronze to red in the fall. This plant has 2-inch-long thorns, so avoid planting in areas with small children. Crus-galli in Latin means “leg of a cock,” referring to the resemblance of the formidable thorns to a cock

Cornus florida

Flowering Dogwood is a lovely, spring-blooming deciduous tree. Its showy, white flowers appear April-May, offering a valuable nectar source for native bees. The flowers are followed by oval-shaped fruits, which mature to a bright red color in late summer; the fruits are a food source for birds.

Cornus alternifolia

Alternateleaf Dogwood is a small, deciduous tree, sometimes planted as a shrub. Its horizontal branches give it a layered appearance. Clusters of fragrant, white flowers bloom May-June, followed by blue-black fruits, which ripen in late summer. The fruits provide food for birds and other wildlife. The leaves turn red-purple in the fall. Alternateleaf Dogwood is a host plant for butterfly and moth larvae (caterpillars), including Spring Azure (Celastrina “ladon”). Water during periods of drought and mulch to keep the roots moist. Use as a specimen tree for small yards, or plant in masses in shrub borders or woodland gardens.

Chionanthus virginicus

White Fringetree is a small, deciduous tree with a spreading, rounded crown. It is usually dioecious (separate male and female trees); a male tree must be in the area to pollinate females for fruit production. Drooping clusters of slightly fragrant, showy, white flowers bloom May-June on both male and female trees; the male flowers tend to be showier than the female ones. The female flowers are followed by round fruits, which ripen to a dark bluish-black in late summer. The fruits provide food for birds and other wildlife. The wide, dark green leaves turn yellow in the fall. White Fringetree is a host plant for butterfly and moth larvae (caterpillars), including Rustic sphinx (Manduca rustica). Use it as speciman tree in small yards, or grow in groups as a border, tall hedge, or screen. It makes a good urban tree due to its high tolerance of air pollution.

Chamaecyparis thyoides

Atlantic White Cedar is a medium to large, aromatic evergreen tree with a tall, narrow form and straight trunk. The scaled, blue-green leaves have a flat, fan-like structure. The wood is decay-resistant and has traditionally been used to make boats, shingles, and other building materials. This tree prefers acidic, organically-rich sandy soils. It naturally grows in low, wet areas, including freshwater swamps, river banks, and wet woodlands. Atlantic White Cedar is often used for bog and wetland restorations. Use it in rain gardens and other moist areas of the yard, or as a specimen tree.

Cercidiphyllum japonicum

Katsura Tree is a deciduous understory tree with beautiful, heart-shaped leaves. It is dioecious (male and female flowers appear on separate trees); a male must be in the area to pollinate females for fruit production. Tiny, red male and green female flowers bloom March-April. If pollinated, female flowers are followed by greenish seed pods. The leaves emerge reddish-purple in spring and change to a blueish-green in summer. Fall foliage turns vivid shades of yellow, apricot, and red, and the fallen leaves have a pleasant, spicy fragrance. Katsura Tree tolerates full sun, but prefers some shade protection in the late afternoon. It grows best in moist, well-drained soils, and is not drought-tolerant. Use as specimen tree, shade tree, or street tree.

Cercis canadensis

Eastern Redbud is a New Jersey native tree. It is covered with dense clusters lavender-pink flowers that bloom directly from branches before the leaves emerge. The flowers are a nectar source for native pollinators.