How do I pick the right native tree for my yard?

Start with the spot, not the tree. Look at how much sun it gets, how much room the tree has to grow up and out, and how wet or dry the ground stays. There's a native plant for every location or ecological niche, so match the tree to the conditions you already have instead of trying to change the site.

Which native tree is best for a large, sunny yard?

Southern red oak (Quercus falcata) and tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera) are both excellent choices. Both need full sun and plenty of space. Southern red oak grows tall and wide with thick leaves that retain moisture and resist heat, and tulip poplar is one of the fastest-growing and tallest trees on the East Coast.

What is a keystone species and why does it matter?

A keystone species supports an outsized share of the wildlife around it. Southern red oak is one: it feeds caterpillars, which in turn feed birds and other wildlife. Planting a keystone tree does far more for your local ecosystem than planting an ornamental of the same size.

Are there native trees that stay small?

Yes. Eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis) tops out around 30 feet and handles dry or drought conditions, with edible purplish-pink blossoms in early spring. Serviceberry stays smaller still, about 15 to 25 feet, and can be grown as either a shrub or a small tree in full sun or partial shade.

Which native trees stay green all winter?

Southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora) is the evergreen on this list. It keeps its thick, waxy leaves year-round, handles full sun and heat well, and can reach up to 120 feet tall. Its large white blossoms have a distinctive lemony scent. The other four trees here are deciduous and lose their leaves in the fall.

Video | 5 Favorite Native Trees & Where to Plant Them

We know it’s difficult to make decisions on what native plants to plant in your yard. We often get asked, how big will this tree get? Will this tree do well in the heat of summer? Will this tree lose its leaves over the winter? Today we’re going to talk about some of our favorite native trees and where you can plant them.

As we know, planting native trees is one of the best things we can do to help heal Earth. But we have to have the right tree in the right place. There’s a native plant for every location or ecological niche. Let me show you some of our favorites.

Here we have southern red oak, Quercus falcata. This tree gets very big, both tall and wide. It has thick leaves which help retain moisture and resist heat. It’s deciduous, so it loses its leaves in the fall. It likes full sun, and most importantly, it’s a keystone species, which means it supports caterpillars, birds, and other wildlife.

Next we have tulip poplar, Liriodendron tulipifera. Fun fact: it’s neither a tulip or a poplar, but it is one of the fastest-growing and tallest trees on the East Coast. It needs sun to thrive, and it will lose its leaves in the fall. So make sure to give this tree plenty of space and plenty of sun.

Here’s a smaller tree. This is the eastern redbud, or Cercis canadensis. It only grows to about 30 feet tall and does well in dry or drought conditions. It’s not an evergreen, meaning it loses its leaves in the fall. The most striking feature of the redbud are its blossoms, which come out in early spring and are beautiful purplish pink, and are also edible.

Here we have an evergreen. This tree keeps its leaves, and they stay green all year round. This is southern magnolia, Magnolia grandiflora. It can get very big, up to 120 feet tall. Its thick, waxy leaves do well in full sun and in the heat. Its distinctive large white blossoms have a beautiful, lemony scent.

And finally, we have the serviceberry. It’s an interesting one because it can be raised as a shrub or small tree like this one. It stays small, about 15 to 25 feet, and it can handle some shade or be in full sun, like this one. Its small white blossoms are really important for pollinators.

With so many options, it can be difficult to pick the right tree for the right place. But deciding to plant even one native plant means you’re in the right direction. Because planting a native tree is an investment in the future and a promise to make tomorrow better than today.