Tree of the Month Blog

Quercus falcata Southern red oak, sometimes called Spanish oak due to it being native to the southeastern United States, in what started out as some of the Spanish colonies.  A large shade tree with a rounded habit, achieving 80-120’ in...

The Oriental, or Picea orientalis, is a fantastic and under- utilized evergreen in the landscape.  Native to the Caucasus mountains in eastern Europe, it performs quite well in the Eastern United States in USDA Hardiness zones 4-7.  Growing...

A native of China and carried to the west along the silk road, it was first recorded in England around 1730.  It quickly became established in low wet areas and along streambanks.  It freely cross pollinated with other willow species, and...

The Sweetbay magnolia is a smaller native tree, usually found as an understory tree in semi-wet areas in the Eastern United States from New York to Florida.  Also known as the Beaver Tree as its fleshy roots were once used by trappers to attract...

Japanese Katsura (Cercidiphyllum japonicum) The Japanese Katsura, sometimes called the Judas Tree, is a medium-sized shade tree growing to 40-60’ tall in cultivation and just as wide when provided with adequate space but may attain heights...

When most people think of dogwoods, they think of those familiar, bright spring blooms in white or pink, but not many consider this underutilized early flowering relative that offers some of the earliest glimpses of the spring revival.  A native...

This unique conifer, in a genus by itself, is a bit of a misnomer, since it is not a pine, but takes its’ name from the Greek for umbrella and pine with whorled branches, makes a great specimen for most yards or gardens. A native of Japan, it...

A large stately tree native to the eastern United States and Canada from the Great Lakes to Nova Scotia and south to Georgia.  It is the “State Tree” of New Jersey.  A healthy red oak can grow 1-2 feet per year and attain a...

The Korean, Japanese, Chinese, or sometimes just Kousa dogwood, is native to east Asia and is a highly used ornamental planted across much of the US.  A bit hardier than our native flowering dogwood, it tolerates full sun locations better and is...

The Little-leaf Linden is a native of Europe and closely related to American Basswood (Tilia Americana).  It is a medium to fast growing shade tree attaining heights of 60-80 feet and a spread of 30-60 feet.  Pyramidal when young turning...

Black Locust, sometimes called Yellow Locust, is native to the Allegheny Mountains, but was liked so well by farmers and shipbuilders that it was planted all over the U.S. and exported to South Africa, Asia and Europe.  Some regions now consider...

This common shade tree is often used in parks and gardens but is also prized for its toughness and is frequently planted in parking lots and as street trees in urban and suburban neighborhoods.  Native to Japan and eastern China, it was...