Nyssa sylvatica

Black Tupelo Family:  Family: Nyssaceae Native Region: Eastern North America Plant Community: New England Barrier Beach Size: 30-50’ tall but up to 90’, 20’-30’ wide Hardiness Zone: 3-9 Habitat: Low wet woods, bottomlands and pond peripheries, but also can be found on dry rocky wooded slopes and ravines, moist woodland gardens, low spots subject to periodic flooding or inContinue reading “Nyssa sylvatica”

Rhododendron vaseyi

Pinkshell Azalea Family: Ericaceae Native Region: Mountains on NC, naturalized to MA Size: 5-15’ tall Hardiness Zone: Habitat: Ravines, bogs, wetlands, forest edges, and streambanks. Prefers moist, well-drained, slight acidic (pH<6.8) soil and shade. Leaf: Medium green in summer and dark red in fall. Flower: Pink to pure white with yellow throat, blooming in April Ecosystem services: Because itContinue reading “Rhododendron vaseyi”

Sambucus canadensis

American Elder Family: Adoxaceae Native Region: Central to eastern North America, Northeast Canada, California Size: 5-12’ tall and wide Hardiness zone: 3-9 Habitat: It typically occurs on streambanks, wetland margins, moist woodlands, thickets, fence rows, roadsides, alluvial forests, bogs, ditches, and old fields. Prefers medium to wet, well-drained, cirumneutral (pH 6.8-7.2) soil in full sun to part shade. Leaf:Continue reading “Sambucus canadensis”

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”

Cornus sanguinea / Swida sanguina

Cultivar of Bloodtwig Dogwood Family:  Family: Cornaceae Native region: Northern Region and NW Asia Naturalized region: Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Washington Size: 5′-15′ tall and wide Hardiness Zone: 5-7 Habitat: Found in meadows, fields, and disturbed/man-made areas. Prefers consistently moist, well-drained soil and sun to partial shade. This species if tolerant of a wide range of soils butContinue reading “Cornus sanguinea / Swida sanguina”

Betula papyrifera

Paper Birch Family: Betulaceae Native region: NE US, Canada, stretching to the Rocky Mountains Plant Community: Northern Hardwood Swamp Size: 50-70′ tall, 25-50′ wide Hardiness Zone: 2-6 Habitat: Found in forests and forest edges. Prefers medium to wet, well-drained soils in sits with northern or eastern exposure that receives some afternoon shade. It needs consistently moist soilsContinue reading “Betula papyrifera”

Betula alleghaniensis

Yellow Birch Family: Betulaceae Native region: Northeastern US and Canada Plant Community: Red Maple Swamp Size: 50’-100’ tall Hardiness Zone: Habitat: Forest edges, inland forests, swamps, and stream banks. Prefers moist, well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade. It is not tolerant to heat and serves as the main canopy in a forest. Leaf: Dull green aboveContinue reading “Betula alleghaniensis”

Aronia melanocarpa

Black Chokeberry Family: Rosaceae Native region: Eastern Canada, central and eastern US, eastern North America, Newfoundland to southern Ontario and Minnesota south to Missouri, Tennessee and Georgia Size: 3-6’ tall and wide Hardiness Zone: 3-8 Habitat: Low woods, swamps, bogs, cliffs, ledges, roadsides, peatlands and moist thickets but occasionally to dry upland areas. Prefers well-drained soils of medium moistureContinue reading “Aronia melanocarpa”

Oxydendrum arboretum

Sourwood Family: Ericaceae Native region: SE, E US Plant Community: Size: 20-50′ tall, 10-25′ wide Hardiness Zone: 5-9 Habitat: Found in rocky wooded slopes, grows well with rhododendrons. Prefers acidic, moist, well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade. Flowering and fall color most pronounced with full sun. Intolerant to drought and urban pollution. Leaf: Green in the summer toContinue reading “Oxydendrum arboretum”

Cotinus coggyoria

European Smoketree Family: Anacardiaceae Native region: Temperate Asia and Europe Plant Community: Size: 10-15′ tall and wide Hardiness Zone: 5-8 Habitat: Found in anthropogenic zones (man-made or disturbed habitats), roadsides, and waste areas. Tolerates a wide range of soil conditions, but thrives in infertile soils, rocky soils of medium moisture, sharp drainage, and full sun. Drought tolerant. Leaf: Dark green,Continue reading “Cotinus coggyoria”

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