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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 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.

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 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 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 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 coccinea

Scarlet Oak is a large deciduous tree with a round, open canopy. It is monoecious; separate male and female catkins appear on the same tree April-May. Its scarlet-red leaf color develops in mid-November. Acorns provide food for birds and wildlife. Oaks are host to numerous insects, which in turn provide food for birds. Scarlet Oak provides nesting space, cover, and shelter for wildlife. Use Scarlet Oak as a street tree or shade tree for your large yard, park, or natural area.

Quercus bicolor

Swamp White Oak is a medium-sized, wildlife-friendly, deciduous tree with a short trunk and broad crown. It is monoecious; separate male and female catkins appear on the same tree in April. Fall foliage may be yellow-bronze or purple. Swamp White Oak grows naturally in swampy areas and prefers moist or wet soil, but is surprisingly drought-tolerant. Acorns provide food for birds and wildlife. Oaks are host to numerous, inconspicuous insects, which in turn provide food for birds. Swamp White Oak provides nesting space, cover, and shelter for wildlife. Use Swamp White 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.

Pycnanthemum muticum

Clustered Mountainmint is a wildlife-friendly perennial, which features tubular pink flower clusters blooming July-September. It tolerates bright shade, but produces more flowers in full sun. It grows in densely-leaved clumps that may spread vigorously. Clustered Mountainmint is a valued nectar source for butterflies and bees. It attracts beneficial predatory insects that prey on garden pests. Clustered Mountainmint is most attractive when massed, and can be used in your herb garden, butterfly garden, or in mixed borders around your yard.