Connecting people to a sustainable landscape
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Connecting people to a sustainable landscape |
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All are native species
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CONIFERSBALSAM FIR –
Abies balsamea – Soft, waxy, deep green aromatic fir prized for
holiday decoration. Commonly found in cool, moist, well-drained soils.
Prefers full sunlight. Useful to birds for roosting and nesting, seeds
are eaten by chickadees and others; deer & moose browse twigs. Mature
height 40-60' with 20-25' spread.
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EASTERN
WHITE PINE – Pinus strobus – Hardy evergreen with soft green
foliage that grows majestically tall. Prefers moderately well-drained soils. Moderately
drought tolerant. Tolerates full sun to partial shade. Excellent food
and cover for red squirrels, many birds, small mammals and deer. Mature
height 75-100'.
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NORTHERN
WHITE CEDAR – Thuja occidentalis – Very hardy, easily transplanted
ornamental evergreen. Grows well in a variety of soils, prefers loamy
moist soils. Likes full to partial sun. Used as screen or hedge in landscaping,
favorite browse for deer and rabbits & winter cover for many songbirds.
Mature height 25-50' with 10-15' spread.
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EASTERN HEMLOCK – Tsuga Canadensis – Dark green and graceful, this evergreen can make an attractive screen or a nice contrast to deciduous trees. Likely found on moist, well-drained acidic soils, rocky ledges, or sandy soils. Shade tolerant & often found in the understory, but does not prefer high winds or droughts. It is a preferred nesting site for wood thrushes, warblers and robins; chickadees, pine siskins and goldfinches enjoy its seeds; provides winter cover for deer. Mature height of 60-75' H ó DECIDUOUS TREESAMERICAN ELM – Ulmus americana
– A treasured ornamental and shade tree that is reduced in numbers
due to Dutch elm disease. This
tree source is from a Dutch elm disease resistant stand; please help us
replace our lost elms! Enjoy the
graceful spreading form and arching crowns. Prefers full to partial sun. Prefers
moist to wet soils. Buds, blossoms, and winged seeds invite birds during
the spring months when little else is available. Mature height 100'.
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AMERICAN
MOUNTAIN ASH –Sorbus Americana – Attractively shaped trees ideal for lawns; brilliant
red-orange fall foliage, showy white flowers, and clusters of bright red
berries are each offered throughout the season. Commonly found in moist
soils along lowlands and swamps but also enjoyed as an ornamental. Early
fruit eaten by grosbeaks and bluebirds. Mature height of 30' tall.
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BLACK CHERRY – Prunus serotina
– Wonderful specimen tree in any yard. Beautiful white flowers in late
May are appreciated by humans and the black cherries, lasting from summer
to fall, are enjoyed by 54 species of birds, also bear, raccoon, deer,
squirrel and rabbit. Fruit is also great for making wine and jelly. Grows
in a variety of sites, resistant to drought and heat but intolerant to
shade and flooding. Mature height 60'.H ó
‚ BLACK WALNUT –Juglans nigra
– A fast growing hardwood tree, with compound yellow-green leaves, that
provides good shade and produces sweet, hard-shelled nuts eaten by both
humans and wildlife. Black walnut does best when planted in full sun in
moist, well-drained soil. Is intolerant of shade. Native to New England,
not necessarily to Vermont. Mature height of 70-90'.
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BOX
ELDER –Acer negundo – Also called "Ash-leaved Maple," the Box
Elder is a fast-growing, hardy shade tree that will thrive almost anywhere. It is extremely tolerant of drought and cold temperatures, and
does well even in soils that are highly alkaline or compacted, yet prefers
wetter environments. Songbirds and squirrels enjoy the maple-like
seeds of this tree. Tree grows
to 50-70' in height.
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EASTERN COTTONWOOD –Populus deltoids – One of the fastest growing trees in North America and can reach heights of 200'! Prefers moist soils and often found growing naturally along river banks and in low woods. Buds and catkins are preferred food for grouse. Reaches mature height of 80-100'. ó P GREEN ASH –Franxinus pennsylvancia- Most commonly found along rivers and stream where it is known for its bank stabilizing value. Provides an attractive shade tree and vibrant yellow fall foliage. Seeds are enjoyed by birds and mammals. It does best in moist soils and will tolerate periodic flooding. Likes full sun-partial shade. Undergoes rapid growth in ideal conditions and can reach 50-60' in height. These Green Ash were grown locally in Chittenden County from a local seed source to not introduce Emerald Ash Borer. ó P NORTHERN
RED OAK – Quercus rubra – Stately and attractive, wide-spreading tree
when grown in the open. Acorns
are staples for a number of mammals and birds for winter preparation. Prefers sandy, well-drained soils and full
sun but is intolerant of high pH soils. Reaches maximum height of 80' H
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PAPER BIRCH – Betula papyrifera – The best of the white birches.
White peeling bark is aesthetically pleasing. The catkins, buds and seeds are a common food
source for a number of small birds, including goldfinches. Grows best
on well-drained soils but will do fine in moist conditions too. Mature height 50-75+'.
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RED MAPLE –Acer rubrum – Noticeable delicate flowers at the first sign of spring, green leaves in summer that turn the brilliant red in fall that VT is famous for! Often found in moister, lowland soils but tolerates a variety of textures and moisture conditions; prefers to grow in full sun. Provides food for yellow-bellied sapsucker, cardinal, evening grosbeak and browse for deer and rabbits. Grows to 40-70' in height. ó P SILVER
MAPLE – Acer saccharinum – A fast growing shade tree with gracefully,
arching branches and bright green leaves with silvery undersides that
turn yellow in fall. Grows best on well-drained, moist sites and is commonly
found on river floodplains. Maples provide food and cover for a number of
birds and animals. Mature height
75-120'.
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SUGAR
MAPLE – Acer saccharum – The Vermont heritage tree provides
sap for maple syrup production, 300 year-old majestic roadside giants,
and autumn foliage's most vibrant colors. Thrives on fertile, moist, well-drained
soils, not tolerant of wet or compacted soils. Shade tolerant. Seeds provide
fair summer food for grouse, snowshoe hare, and porcupine.
Provides good nest sites for robin, vireo, and goldfinches. Mature
height 60-100+'.
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SHRUBS ** Shrubs, due to being less than 30' tall, are generally considered "Utilities Friendly" and are more suitable for planting under or near utility lines. AMERICAN
ELDERBERRY– Sambucus canadensis –A pretty ornamental and fruit
bush with showy white flowers, small blue berries in late summer, and
lovely fall foliage. Berries are ideal for pies, jams and juices and food
for songbirds. Tolerates wet conditions and is extremely cold hardy. Plant
in full or partial sun. Mature height 6-12'.
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BEAKED
HAZELNUT –Corylus cornuta – Great hedgerow species. useful for cover and
as nesting sites. Fruit is fed
on by mammals, grouse, jays and hairy woodpeckers. Mature height of 6-10'
and thrives in sun or shade.
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BUTTONBUSH
–Cephalanthus occidentalis – a large woody shrub-3-10' tall; fragrant flower
forms a pompom -like seed cluster 1" in diameter. Seeds readily eaten
by waterfowl, nectar enjoyed by hummingbirds, and nesting for red-winged
blackbirds. Prefers wetter soils
and lowland areas, can even exist in standing water. Prefers full or partial
sun and can reach 15' in height.
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COMMON
PURPLE LILAC – Syringa vulgaris – One of the showiest
shrubs, ideal for large hedges and providing habitat and food for birds
and other wildlife. Its fragrant, pale purple flower clusters are an indistinguishable
sign that spring is here! Prefers
well-drained soils, partial to full sun. Long-lived and tolerates urban
conditions. Mature height 9-12'. H
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GRAY
DOGWOOD – Cornus racemosa - Great ornamental shrub, when pruned, displaying
white flowers in spring, white berries in summer, deep maroon color in
fall. Well
adapted to either full sun or light shade. Tolerant to wet, dry, or low
fertility soils. Fruits
and flower nectar enjoyed by birds and humans alike.
Reaches a height of 10'.
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NANNYBERRY
–Viburnum lentago- attractive bush bears a sweet flat-seeded berry,
often purplish-black in color, lasting late into winter, which birds (and
people) love to eat. Flat clusters of white flowers bloom late in May
and leaves turn purplish-red in fall. Prefers clay, rich, moist soils
but can grow in drier conditions, prefers either sun or shade. Extremely
hardy species that reaches 10-15' tall with a dense bushey top.
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SERVICEBERRY-Amelanchier
canadensis first to
adorn the spring landscape with small white flowers; summer fruit similar to those of a blueberry; fall brings vibrantly colored foliage.
Approves of full to partial sun and is adaptable to a variety of soil
types. Grows to 20' in height and should be planted 6-8 feet apart.
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SILKY
DOGWOOD –Cornus amomum- Fast growing shrub, reaches mature height of
6-10'. Food and cover for many songbirds, gamebirds and mammals. Good lower streambank, lakeshore protection
species. Prefers full sun or partial shade and grows in a variety of soil types.
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SPECKLED ALDER –Alnus rugosa – Good food and cover for game birds and some songbirds, grows well in nutrient-poor moist to wet soils, and prefers full sun. Good for wetland soils and streambanks. Mature height can be 15-25 feet. ó P WINTERBERRY HOLLY –Ilex verticillata- Male and
female flowers are on separate plants, so both are needed for pollination
and berry production. Scarlet red berries last into winter when most color
has vanished from landscape; these beautiful clusters provide winter food
for birds, decorations for the holiday season. Grows to a height of 6-8';
prefers moist to wet soils, and full to partial sunny sites.
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FRUITS AND BERRIESBLUE RAY x SIERRA BLUEBERRIES –
Vaccinium, spp.- Early to Midseason highbush blueberries- grow
to 4-6 feet tall. Big clusters of large, light blue, sweet berries on
hardy bushes, white flowers in spring, and red foliage in fall. Firm skins
resist cracking. Prefer pH around 5.0. Blueberries are sold in pairs (one
blue ray and one sierra per order) to ensure proper cross-pollination.
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HIGHBUSH CRANBERRY – Viburnum
trilobum – The "Highbush Cranberry" is not a true cranberry but actually
a Viburnum, related to the Nannyberry. This variety is a beautiful 6-10 foot shrub when mature, with white
spring flowers and attractive foliage that turns a striking red in autumn . It produces edible, cranberry-like berries that are perfect for
jams and preserves, or as winter forage for grouse, songbirds and squirrels. Highbush cranberry does well in a variety of
soils, in full sun or part shade.
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=good for rural residence
H
=low maintenance/suburban use
ó= wildlife
food/shelter
P = good riparian (riverside) planting
‚=attractive flowers