air pollution tolerant – Plants Identified

Betula nigra

River Birch Family: Betulaceae Native Region: Eastern US Plant Community: Urban growth Size: 40-70′ tall, 40-60′ wide Hardiness Zone: 4-9 Habitat: Found in floodplains, swampy bottomlands, along streams, and anthropogenic sites. Prefers moist, acidic, fertile soil including semi-aquatic soil but can also tolerate dry ones, tolerates bad drainage situations. Most heat tolerant of all birches. Leaf:Continue reading “Betula nigra”

Magnolia ‘Elizabeth’

Cultivar of “Magnolia” Family: Magnoliaceae Native Region: Garden origin but can be planted along the central range of the US from West to East. Plant Community: Size: 20-35′ tall, 12-20′ wide Hardiness Zone: 5-8 Habitat: Prefers rich, neutral to slightly acidic, moist, well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade. Tolerates air pollution but should beContinue reading “Magnolia ‘Elizabeth’”

Ulmus hollandica

Dutch Elm Family: Ulmaceae Native Region: Europe Plant Community: Size: 120′ tall, 80′ wide Hardiness Zone: 5-7 Habitat: Found in parks and some other urban conditions. Prefers rich, moist, well-drained and consistently moist soil in full sun to partial shade. Tolerant of smog and short period of drought. Also tolerates a range of soil conditions, likeContinue reading “Ulmus hollandica”

Acer platinoides “Crimson King”

Cultivar of Norway Maple Family: Sapindaceae Native Region: Europe, Naturalized: Northeastern and northwestern US and Canada Plant Community: Urban Growth, INVASIVE Size: 30-40′ tall, 20-40′ wide Hardiness Zone: 3-7 Habitat: Found in anthropogenic and urban areas, streets, forests, and forest edges. Prefers moist, well-drained soil in full sun but tolerates most difficult conditions like heat,Continue reading “Acer platinoides “Crimson King””

Tsuga canadensis

Eastern Hemlock Family: Pinaceae Native Region: Eastern US and Canada Plant Community: Red Maple Swamp, Northern Hardwood Size: 40-70′ tall, 25-35′ wide Hardiness Zone: 3-7 Habitat: Found in moist woods, moist slopes, rocky hillsides and ridges, wooded ravines, stream valleys, and other moist woodland conditions. Prefers medium moisture, well-drained soils in partial shade to fullContinue reading “Tsuga canadensis”

Carpinus betulus

European Hornbeam Family: Betulaceae Native Region: Europe, Naturalized: New York, New Jersey, Kentucky Plant Community: Size: 30-40′ tall, 20-30′ wide Hardiness Zone: 4-8 Habitat: Prefers moist, well-drained soil in full sun but tolerated dry, alkaline, acidic, and poorly drained soil. Also can tolerate partial shade. Leaf: Medium green in the summer, greenish yellow in theContinue reading “Carpinus betulus”

Ilex opaca

American Holly Family: Aquifoliaceae Native Region: Eastern, Southeastern, Central US Plant Community: Barrier Beach Size: 15-30′ tall, 10-20′ wide Hardiness Zone: 5-9 Habitat: Found in rich bottomlands, swamp margins, moist woods, and some coastal dunes. Prefers acidic, well-drained soil in fulll sun to part shade. Warning: Stay away from cold winter winds; loses density in too much shade.Continue reading “Ilex opaca”

Amelanchier arborea

Common Serviceberry, Downy Shadbush Family: Rosaceae Native Region: Eastern US and Canada Plant Community: Oak Hickory, Red Maple Swamp, Hardwood Forest Size: 15-25′ tall and wide Hardiness Zone: 4-9 Habitat: Found in rocky woods, bluffs, wooded areas, forests, meadows and fields, ridges or ledges, woodlands and anthropogenic areas with medium, well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade.Continue reading “Amelanchier arborea”

Gleditsia triacanthos

Common Honeylocust Family: Fabaceae Native region: All US except PNW, lower NE Canada Size: 30-75’ tall Hardiness Zone: 3-8 Habitat: Found in moist woods, stream banks, dry sites, upland sites, forest edges, river and lake shores, and shrublands. Prefers organically rich, moist, deep, well-drained soils in partial shade to full sun. While this species can grow in loam andContinue reading “Gleditsia triacanthos”