Archives

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 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 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 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.

Ptelea trifoliata

Common Hoptree is a small, deciduous, flowering tree or pruned shrub. Tiny, white flowers bloom in June. The flowers can have an unpleasant fragrance, and are pollinated by carrion flies. The fruit can be used as a substitute for hops. Common Hoptree is a host plant for butterfly and moth larvae (caterpillars), including Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus) and Giant Swallowtail (Papilio cresphontes). Plant Common Hoptree as a specimen or in groups in your yard. It can also be used as a hedge or for a screen.

Pseudolarix amabilis

Chinese Golden-larch is a slow-growing, broadly-conical-shaped, deciduous conifer tree. It is monoecious; male and female cones appear separately on the same tree. The soft green needles turn golden yellow in fall before dropping. Chinese Golden-larch needs a large space to expand over time. It tolerates some shade, but not full shade. Chinese Golden-larch makes an attractive specimen tree for large yards. It is sometimes used for bonsai. This tree may be difficult to find commercially. Tell your local garden center or nursery about your interest in this plant.