Juniperus virginiana

Acidic, Attracts birds, Attracts butterflies, Attracts pollinators, Clay, Deer-resistant, Dry, Dry Meadow, Food source, Full sun, Good for urban sites, Mesic, Moist, Noteworthy foliage, Overstory, Part shade, Rocky, Sandy, Screening, Tree, Wet Meadow, Wide amplitude

eastern redcedar

Cupressaceae (Cypress Family)

overview

A moderate to long-lived evergreen tree that is a tough-as-nails pioneer species. The foliage of scale-like needles is attractive but prickly. In late summer and fall, many junipers have blue-green berry-like fruits, which are actually modified cones, that attract birds.

Can grow up to 50 feet tall in ideal conditions

Because they are quite salt-tolerant, they can be used near roads, driveways, and sidewalks.

For a recommended comprehensive overview, please visit: https://piedmontmastergardeners.org/article/the-pros-and-cons-of-the-eastern-redcedar/

wildlife value

A significant source of food and shelter for wildlife. The blue fruits on the female trees are consumed by a wide variety of wildlife, including the Cedar Waxwing songbird, which is named for this tree.

Cedar waxwings go crazy for the berries of their namesake

maintenance

Tolerant of dry, windy conditions once established. Prune in early spring.

Regularly mow or dig out unwanted young seedlings. The seedlings can rapidly take over unmanaged meadows or sites.

The eastern redcedar should be planted a minimum of 500’ away from apple trees as it is also an alternate host for cedar-apple rust, a Gymnosporangium pathogen that is destructive to pome fruit trees such as apple, pear, and quince.

While relatively free of serious problems, they are susceptible to bagworms which should be picked off and destroyed before the eggs hatch. Don’t put the bagworms in the compost. The eggs can live in the compost and hatch out later. Seal them in a plastic bag and put them in the trash or place them in a pail of soapy water so that they drown.

sources

Availability	Vendor	Website
X	Earth Sangha (VA)	https://www.earthsangha.org/
	Hill House Farm & Nursery (VA)	http://hillhousenativeplants.com/plant_list
	Nature By Design (VA)	http://www.nature-by-design.com/plantlist2019.html
X	Chesapeake Natives, Inc. (Region)	http://chesapeakenatives.org/plant-list/

There are many cultivars of the native species commercially available, though not advised — this is in reference to the “straight” species only.

references

Liriodendron tulipfera

Alluvial Floodplain Forest, Attracts birds, Attracts butterflies, Attracts pollinators, Food source, Full sun, Good for urban sites, larval host, Low-Elevation Dry to Dry-Mesic Forest, Low-Elevation Mesic Forest, Mesic, Moist, Overstory, Part shade, Sandy, Tree, Wet, Wide amplitude, Wildlife habitat

tulip tree

Magnolia family (Magnoliaceae)

overview

A large, common, hardwood, deciduous tree with a tall, straight trunk, a narrow crown that spreads with age, and large showy flowers resembling tulips. In spring, yellow-orange, cup-shaped flowers followed by scaly cone-shaped brown fruits. In the autumn, big bright green four-lobed leaves turn golden yellow.

wildlife value

A favorite nesting tree for birds and the flowers attract hummingbirds and bees. Seeds are a food source for birds and small mammals. Larval Host for Eastern Tiger Swallowtail and Tuliptree silkmoth.

maintenance

Potential diseases include verticillium wilt, mold, mildew and canker. fast-growing and susceptible to limb breakage in high winds or from ice/snow. Shallow root system limits the types of plants that may be grown within the drip line.

sources

Availability	Vendor	Website
X	Earth Sangha (VA)	https://www.earthsangha.org/
	Hill House Farm & Nursery (VA)	http://hillhousenativeplants.com/plant_list
X	Nature By Design (VA)	http://www.nature-by-design.com/plantlist2019.html
X	Chesapeake Natives, Inc. (Region)	http://chesapeakenatives.org/plant-list/

references

Diospyros virginiana

Alluvial Floodplain Forest, Attracts birds, Attracts pollinators, Dry, Edible parts, Food source, Full sun, Good for urban sites, larval host, Low-Elevation Mesic Forest, Moist, Noteworthy blooms, Overstory, Part shade, Sandy, Tree, Understory, Wet Meadow, Wide amplitude

common persimmon

Ebenaceae (Ebony Family)

overview

A deciduous tree that varies from a low, shrubby tree in fields, to a large tree in rich, moist soil. Bell-shaped, yellow flowers are hidden by half-grown leaves. Leaves become yellow-green in fall. On old trunks the bark is thick and dark-gray to almost black and broken into scaly, squarish blocks. Best-known by its sweet, orange fruit in autumn.

wildlife value

The flowers are cross-pollinated by long-tongued bees seeking nectar and pollen. Some insects feed on the foliage, wood, and other parts of Persimmon. The caterpillars of many moths feed on this tree. Some mammals consume the fruit of this tree, and play an important role in distributing its seeds to new locations.

Among birds, the fruit is eaten by the Wild Turkey, Bobwhite, Catbird, Cedar Waxwing, Starling, Northern Mockingbird, and Pileated Woodpecker.

maintenance

Promptly remove root suckers unless naturalized effect is desired.

Two trees are necessary for the production of fruit. Fruit is not edible until exposed to frost or consistent low temperatures.

Persimmon is adaptable to varying pH and soil moisture regimes and is usually free of disease or insect problems.

Because of a deep root system, successful underplanting is possible.

sources

Availability	Vendor	Website
X	Earth Sangha (VA)	https://www.earthsangha.org/
	Hill House Farm & Nursery (VA)	http://hillhousenativeplants.com/plant_list
X	Nature By Design (VA)	http://www.nature-by-design.com/plantlist2019.html
	Chesapeake Natives, Inc. (Region)	http://chesapeakenatives.org/plant-list/

references

Salix nigra

Alluvial Floodplain Forest, Attracts birds, Attracts butterflies, Attracts pollinators, Clay, Full shade, Full sun, larval host, Moist, Noteworthy foliage, Overstory, Part shade, Sandy, Tree, Understory, Wet, Wet Meadow, Wildlife habitat

Black Willow

Salicaceae (Willow Family)

overview

A fast-growing tree, 10-60 ft., with an open crown often with several trunks growing out at angles from one root and deeply furrowed bark. Long, tapering narrow leafs and yellow catkins grow on bright green twigs. Inconspicuous clusters of flowers appear in March and April, much to the delight of pollinators.

Its many stems make it ideal for erosion control

wildlife value

Larval host of Mourning Cloak, Viceroy, Red-spotted Purple, and Tiger Swallowtail butterflies. Bee floral visitors include honeybees, bumblebees, little carpenter bees, cuckoo bees, Halictid bees, and Andrenid bees. Both the Snapping Turtle and Wood Turtle feed on fallen willow leaves and/or catkins. Some birds, including the Rusty Grackle, Yellow Warbler, and Warbling Vireo, occasionally use willows as the location for their nests.

maintenance

Soils should not be allowed to dry out. Wood is weak and tends to crack, with branches often damaged by ice and snow. Prune as needed in late winter to early spring.

sources

Availability	Vendor	Website
X	Earth Sangha (VA)	https://www.earthsangha.org/
	Hill House Farm & Nursery (VA)	http://hillhousenativeplants.com/plant_list
X	Nature By Design (VA)	http://www.nature-by-design.com/plantlist2019.html
	Chesapeake Natives, Inc. (Region)	http://chesapeakenatives.org/plant-list/

references

Quercus palustris

Alluvial Floodplain Forest, Attracts birds, Attracts butterflies, Attracts pollinators, Food source, Full sun, Good for urban sites, larval host, Moist, Noteworthy foliage, Overstory, Part shade, Tree, Wet, Wide amplitude, Wildlife habitat

pin oak

Fagaceae (Beech Family)

overview

A large, elegant pyramidal deciduous oak tree with fabulous orange to red fall color that persists into winter.

wildlife value

Attracts songbirds, water birds, ground birds, butterflies, hummingbirds and mammals. Larval host of Gray Hairstreak.

maintenance

A relatively fast-growing and low-maintenance; hardy and easily transplanted – lacks tap roots.

sources

Availability	Vendor	Website
X	Earth Sangha (VA)	https://www.earthsangha.org/
	Hill House Farm & Nursery (VA)	http://hillhousenativeplants.com/plant_list
X	Nature By Design (VA)	http://www.nature-by-design.com/plantlist2019.html
	Chesapeake Natives, Inc. (Region)	http://chesapeakenatives.org/plant-list/

references

Quercus bicolor

Alluvial Floodplain Forest, Attracts birds, Food source, Full sun, Good for urban sites, larval host, Low-Elevation Mesic Forest, Mesic, Moist, Overstory, Part shade, Rocky, Screening, Tree, Wet, Wide amplitude, Wildlife habitat

swamp white oak

Fagaceae (Beech Family)

overview

A striking tree with attractive peeling bark, especially on young trees. The lustrous, lobed leaves have a two-tone appearance, dark green on top with a silvery-white underside. Fall color is an orange-gold to yellow in mid-autumn. –Morton Arboretum

Insignificant flowers in separate male and female catkins in spring.

wildlife value

High wildlife value. Provides cover and food for a variety of birds and mammals, and is a food source for many insects and their larvae.

maintenance

One of the easiest oaks to transplant and more tolerant of poor drainage than other oaks. Tolerant of salt, drought and heat. Prune oaks in the dormant season to avoid attracting beetles that may carry oak wilt.

sources

Availability	Vendor	Website
X	Earth Sangha (VA)	https://www.earthsangha.org/
	Hill House Farm & Nursery (VA)	http://hillhousenativeplants.com/plant_list
	Nature By Design (VA)	http://www.nature-by-design.com/plantlist2019.html
	Chesapeake Natives, Inc. (Region)	http://chesapeakenatives.org/plant-list/

references

Acer rubrum

Acidic, Alluvial Floodplain Forest, Attracts birds, Attracts pollinators, Clay, Dry, Food source, Full shade, Full sun, Good for urban sites, larval host, Low-Elevation Dry to Dry-Mesic Forest, Low-Elevation Mesic Forest, Mesic, Moist, Noteworthy foliage, Overstory, Part shade, Rocky, Sandy, Tree, Understory, Wide amplitude, Wildlife habitat

red maple

Aceraceae (Maple Family)

overview

Common medium deciduous understory tree with wide amplitude. Known for its fall color, this tree is true to its name with red flowers, fruit, leafstalks, and autumn foliage. Young trees have smooth, silvery gray bark.

wildlife value

Food source and cover/habitat for variety of mammals and birds. Maples are widely used by inchworms (Geometridae) and relied on by the Rosy Maple Moth, the Oval-based Prominent, the Retarded Dagger Moth, the Orange-humped Maple Worm, the Maple Looper, and the Baltimore Bomolocha.

Moth or drag queen? This is the Rosy Maple Moth

maintenance

Roots in a dense network preventing other plants from growing nearby. Avoid over pruning. Gloomy scale (below) can be a problem. Horticultural oils are an effective treatment during the dormant season on small trees; for larger trees try to improve cultural conditions.

Average age is 60 to 90 years, though they can live up to 200 years,

sources

Availability	Vendor	Website
X	Earth Sangha (VA)	https://www.earthsangha.org/
	Hill House Farm & Nursery (VA)	http://hillhousenativeplants.com/plant_list
X	Nature By Design (VA)	http://www.nature-by-design.com/plantlist2019.html
	Chesapeake Natives, Inc. (Region)	http://chesapeakenatives.org/plant-list/

references

Quercus coccinea

Acidic, Attracts birds, Average, Food source, Full sun, Good for urban sites, Low-Elevation Dry to Dry-Mesic Forest, Low-Elevation Mesic Forest, Noteworthy foliage, Overstory, Plant Community, Rocky, Tree, Wide amplitude, Wildlife habitat

Scarlet oak

Fagaceae (Beech Family)

overview

Fast-growing tree with a rounded, open crown of glossy foliage, best known for its brilliant scarlet fall foliage. Catkins appear before new leaves.

wildlife value

Acorns are food source for birds and mammals; offers wildlife cover and nesting habitat.

maintenance

Difficult to transplant due to a deep taproot. Prune oaks in the dormant season to avoid attracting beetles that may carry oak wilt.

sources

Availability	Vendor	Website
X	Earth Sangha (VA)	https://www.earthsangha.org/
X	Hill House Farm & Nursery (VA)	http://hillhousenativeplants.com/plant_list
X	Nature By Design (VA)	http://www.nature-by-design.com/plantlist2019.html
	Chesapeake Natives, Inc. (Region)	http://chesapeakenatives.org/plant-list/