Douglas Fir – Pseudotsuga menziesii

Douglas Fir is a fast-growing, sun-loving conifer that is famous for its presence in the rare old-growth forests of the Pacific Northwest. Although it is native to the Western United States, this iconic tree has been introduced and naturalized across the globe as a valuable source of timber, as well as a popular Christmas tree. Its fragrant green needles provide winter interest, and it is a wonderful addition to natural woodland landscapes.

Eastern White Pine – Pinus strobus (Native!)

Eastern White Pine is another conifer known for its economic value, and it once covered most of north-central and northeastern North America. Rapid-growing and long-lived, this tree can serve as a source of timber, a landscaping feature for lawns and parks, or as a valuable source of food and cover for wildlife; its seeds make up a large part of the diet of red squirrels, and it is also attractive to songbirds. Eastern White Pine is tolerant of a range of soil conditions and is resistant to deer and rabbits. It can be found in the wild growing alongside Red Maple, Sugar Maple, and Red Oak.

Colorado Blue Spruce – Picea pungens ‘Glauca’

The silvery-blue “glaucus” needles of the Colorado Blue Spruce make this evergreen an attractive choice for a windbreak or screen, or a stand-alone accent in lawns and meadows. While the Colorado Blue Spruce prefers moist soil in its early years, it will mature into a tree that is more drought-tolerant than other spruces, and the notorious spikiness of its needles results in a hardy deer- and rabbit-resistant tree. The Colorado Blue Spruce hails from the Rocky Mountains of North America and is an excellent choice for the moist soils along streams and the edges of meadows.

Norway Spruce – Picea abies

The Norway Spruce is native to the mountains of northern and central Europe and is considered the quintessential British Christmas tree. It has been planted across the northern hemisphere and is used for paper production and timber. Young spruce tips are used in syrups, herbal teas, and medicines in some European cultures. While the Norway Spruce enjoys moist, well-drained soils, it does not like wet feet. It can be used as an accent or specimen in meadows, woodlands, or winter gardens and can also serve as a windbreak or screen.

White Oak – Quercus alba (Native!) (Edible!)

This long-lived oak can be found anywhere along the east coast of North America from Quebec to northern Florida. It is debated whether the White Oak gets its name from the color on the underside of its leaves or the beautiful white of its finished wood, which is used for flooring and woodwork. This hardwood species is prized for its vivid purple-red coloration in the fall, and its acorns are a source of food for more than 180 species of wildlife including red squirrels, white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, and woodpeckers. While the acorns of the White Oak are edible to humans after the tannins are removed, they are toxic if consumed raw and are also harmful to horses.

Sugar Maple – Acer saccharum (Native!)

The only tree species that is commercially used for maple syrup production, the Sugar Maple is also responsible for giving New England its reputation for stunning fall colors. While they are slow-growing and cannot be tapped for maple syrup until they are around 40 years old, Sugar Maples are loved by upland game birds, songbirds, porcupines, and pollinators as a source of food and shelter. They can also be used as shade trees in lawns and will make a beautiful impression in the fall with their red, orange, or yellow foliage.

Red Maple – Acer rubrum (Native!)

Red Maple is one of the most widespread trees in eastern North America and is often found growing in association with Eastern White Pine, Sugar Maple, and Red Oak. Red Maples are cold-hardy and able to tolerate wet soil and grow faster than their relative, the Sugar Maple. They are a popular landscaping tree due to their red fall foliage but should be used with caution around sidewalks and driveways as their roots can buckle concrete if planted too close. The nectar of the Red Maple is important to bees and other pollinators, and its sprouts are a valuable source of food for white-tailed deer, although this tree is moderately resistant to damage from browsing.

American Elderberry – Sambucus canadensis (Native! Edible!)

The American Elderberry is a deciduous shrub with beautiful white blooms that form from June to July. Its purple-black berries are edible when cooked and can be used in pies, pancakes, and jellies, while its hollow stems can be fashioned into flutes or whistles. This shrub is incredibly valuable to wildlife; it provides nectar for butterflies and other insects, fruits for mammals and many species of songbirds, cover for quail and pheasants, browse for white-tailed deer, and its stems are even used as winter homes for native bees. As a suckering plant, American Elderberry can be used to form hedges and thickets and is also a useful tool in streambank stabilization.

White Flowering Dogwood – Cornus florida (Native!)

White Flowering Dogwood is a small understory tree that is native from southeastern Canada to eastern Mexico, and blooms in early spring along the edges of woodlands. Its true flowers are small and green but are surrounded by four showy white ‘bracts’ that resemble petals; these flowers are visited by butterflies and bees, and the red fruits that appear in the fall are eaten throughout the winter by songbirds, grouse, quail, turkey, and white-tailed deer. The White Flowering Dogwood makes a wonderful addition to pollinator gardens and can be used to accent patios. It can benefit from a 2-4” mulch layer to keep its roots moist throughout the hot summers.

Allegheny Serviceberry – Amelanchier laevis (Native! Edible!)

This versatile member of the rose family, considered a small tree or deciduous shrub, is native to the thickets and wood margins of eastern North America. It can be pruned into a single stem and used as a small street or shade tree, or it can be allowed to embrace its shrubby nature and used as a hedge or screen. Its fall foliage ranges from gold to burgundy, and its fragrant white flowers attract butterflies and bees. The fruits of the Allegheny Serviceberry are edible to humans and resemble blueberries in taste. They can be eaten raw or used in jams, jellies, and pies, and they are also eaten by songbirds, grouse, and a variety of mammals.

Red Osier Dogwood – Cornus sericea (Native!)

Red Osier Dogwood is native to much of North America and is named after its striking red stems, which contrast with the snow to create winter interest. These stems can be used to easily propagate other plants if desired and were used to weave baskets by Native Americans. In contrast to the White Flowering Dogwood, this species is considered a deciduous shrub and can tolerate consistently moist or swampy soil. It can be planted in low spots, along streams or ponds, or added to a pollinator garden. Its white fruits are attractive to birds and small mammals and its flowers support butterflies and bees.

Eastern Redbud – Cercis canadensis (Native!)

Known for its vibrant pink buds and heart-shaped leaves, the Eastern Redbud has a dramatic effect on the landscape in springtime. This small tree works well alongside evergreens, as they provide both shade for the Eastern Redbud and a pleasantly contrasting color. The spring buds are an important source of nectar for hummingbirds and are also a favorite of butterflies and bees. Birds also love to eat the caterpillars that live among them. Eastern Redbuds can make beautiful street trees and are striking when planted in small groups or along woodland margins, although it is important that they are not exposed to pesticides or drought.

Bur Oak – Quercus macrocarpa (Native!) (Edible!)

One of the largest and slowest-growing oaks, the Bur Oak also distinguishes itself by having the biggest acorns of any North American species. These acorns make up much of the diet of red squirrels and are also eaten by wood ducks, white-tailed deer, and turkeys, but should not be eaten by horses. Ripe acorns become edible once the tannins are removed through a process called leaching. The Bur Oak is drought-resistant and hardy and can be used as a shade tree in large open areas where it has room to grow.

Sawtooth Oak – Quercus acutissima

Sawtooth Oak is an adaptable species native to Asia. It is the favorite food of certain species of silkworms which are used in countries like Japan, India, and China to produce Tussar silk. Although its bitter acorns are not coveted by local wildlife, this tree is tolerant of a wide range of soil and moisture conditions and is often used as street tree or a shade tree. The wood of the Sawtooth Oak can also be used for shiitake mushroom cultivation.

Red Oak – Quercus rubra (Native!) (Edible!)

Like Bur Oak, Red Oak is a drought-tolerant and sun-loving species that does well as a shade or lawn tree; in contrast however, the Red Oak is fast-growing and has more notable autumn foliage, although it is slightly smaller. Its acorns, edible once the tannins are removed, were an important food source for Native Americans. The acorns are eaten by squirrels, white-tailed deer, and birds, although they should not be eaten by horses. It can be found growing in association with Sugar Maple, Eastern White Pine, and Red Maple.

Black Walnut – Juglans nigra (Native! Edible!)

Black Walnut is a highly valuable tree for commercial purposes, as its wood can be used to make furniture, gunstocks, and fine veneers. Black Walnut produces a chemical called “juglone” that inhibits the growth of understory plants within its dripline, so although it makes an excellent shade or lawn tree, your azaleas and peonies will not appreciate being planted underneath it. This tree’s nut meat is edible to humans and can be used in baked goods and confections, and a young tree can begin producing walnuts at 6 years. The husks are poisonous to horses and dogs but can be used to produce rich brown dye. Black walnut is one of the host plants for the iconic Luna moth.