Having moved to Brunswick County two years ago from the Ohio River Valley I knew I had a lot to learn about gardening in our climate made even more evident by the fact that I didn’t recognize much of the vegetation around my new home.
Since I wanted to learn about our plant hardiness zone 8b, I joined the Coastal Garden Club (member of National Garden Club and the Garden Club of North Carolina) where members share their institutional knowledge and resources about a variety of topics including all phases of home gardening and floral design, and engage in the study of better horticultural practices while advocating for civic beautification, preservation of native habitats and conservation of natural resources.
With the rapid development of our area, hardly a day goes by that we don’t pass by acres of land that just yesterday were anchored by majestic longleaf pine forests and today are cut down, carted away or reduced to a smoldering pile of ash. The trees that make up our wilderness are essential for wildlife as they provide food, water, and shelter. They also contribute to our community by reducing pollution, helping to regulate temperature and improve both water and air quality. Trees help to prevent flooding by trapping water rather than letting it rush into lakes and streams and by helping to buffer coastal communities from storm surges.
I am not alone in mourning the loss of our forests. Many are saddened by the practice of clear cutting and frustrated that there appears to be no end in sight. Some national insurance companies even require homeowners to remove trees to obtain or keep property coverage. Since homeowners’ yards added together represent an area nearly as large as all our country’s national parks combined, we can improve our own space by making beneficial plant selections by adding or saving our native trees. Native plants have evolved naturally and have adapted to our local conditions. They are heartier, more resilient and are more likely to thrive. Here is a list of some common beneficial native trees that you may find in your backyard or consider planting:
Longleaf pine (Pinus palustris): fire-resistant pine for sandy, well-drained coastal areas.
Southern live oak (Quercus virginiana): the most iconic coastal tree, highly wind-resistant, drought tolerant, and provides massive, shady canopies. Oak trees of any variety are considered to be the most beneficial tree to have in your yard.
Loblolly pine (Pinus taeda): a fast growing evergreen capable of handling acidic clay and coastal conditions.
Southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora): features glossy evergreen leaves and large, fragrant white flowers
Wax myrtle (Myrica cerifera): versatile, fast-growing, salt tolerant evergreen shrub or small tree.
Sabal palm (Sabal palmetto): quintessential coastal palm, highly salt-tolerant
Red maple (Acer rubrum): vibrant red foliage in the fall and early spring add a splash of color to the coastal landscape.
Flowering dogwood (Cornus florida): classic spring-flowering tree.
Eastern redcedar (Juniperus virginiana): hardy evergreen withstands salty air, drought and poor soil conditions.
American holly (Ilex opaca): durable, evergreen tree provides winter berries.
Leyland cypress (Cupressocyparis leylandii): fast-growing evergreen, dense columnar shape.
This is a great time to plant new native trees in your yard! When selecting trees in particular consider the mature size of the tree. All too often developers and homeowners plant a tree that gets too big for the space, too large to transplant, ending up needing to be removed sometimes at a high cost. A great place to start is to identify existing trees with the help of the list above or by using a phone app. Some of the best apps to identify trees by leaf shape include: Leafsnap, PlantNet, PictureThis, iNaturalist, Google Lans and TreeID.
How many trees do you have in your yard? Are they hearty natives? There’s always room for one more! Happy planting!
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