Every yard needs a tree. All the better if it’s a native species of tree, one that will support native bees, butterflies and other wildlife.
“Fall is a great time for tree planting,” said Spencer Campbell, manager of the Plant Clinic at The Morton Arboretum in Lisle. “It’s cooler, but there is still time for trees to grow some new roots before the soil freezes. As long as you remember to water them, fall-planted trees can get off to a great start.”
A few kinds of tree are better planted in spring, because their roots are slower to establish and they need the whole growing season to get settled. They include bald cypress, American hornbeam, hemlock, sweetgum, tuliptree and willow. Learn more at mortonarb.org/fall-planting.
“Whenever you plant a tree, the most important things are to choose it well and not to plant it too deeply,” Campbell said. “A tree wants a wide, shallow hole that is just the right depth.” For full tree planting advice, see mortonarb.org/planting-trees. Plan to get a tree in the ground before mid-October to give the roots time to grow before winter.
Cambpell has suggestions for native trees that are good choices for a home yard and can be planted in autumn or spring. “Most are relatively small, so they should fit many situations,” he said. If you have a large yard that can accommodate a big shade tree, he also has suggestions.
Whatever your space, there is a native tree (or shrub) that can make a home there. For full information on all these trees’ characteristics and needs, as well as many more good choices for the sun and soil type of your yard, search at mortonarb.org.
Eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis): This lovely small tree is loved for the purplish-pink flowers that line its dark branches in April or May before the leaves open. The flowers are followed by large, heart-shaped leaves and dangling fruits that look like bean pods.
Serviceberry (Amelanchier spp.): Several different species of serviceberry, a small tree or large shrub, are suitable for home landscapes. They all have white flowers in spring, handsome gray bark, colorful leaves in fall and red berries that are loved by birds.
Ironwood (Ostrya virginiana): This tough tree has beautiful birchlike leaves, grayish-brown flaky bark, drooping branches, and attractive fruits that look somewhat like hop flowers. Ironwood has hard wood and is not only ornamental but resistant to many disease and insect problems.
Pagoda dogwood (Cornus alternifolia): Layers of horizontal branches give this small tree a distinctive form that is especially attractive in winter when they catch snow. Although the structure and the common name can evoke an Asian pagoda, the tree is native to the Chicago area. It has white flowers in spring, dark green foliage that turns a beautiful burgundy-red in fall and blue-black berries that attract many birds.
Common witch-hazel (Hamamelis virginiana): Long after most trees and shrubs are done blooming in autumn, small flowers like tiny bundles of yellow ribbons appear on this small tree. It has an irregular branching habit that makes it particularly picturesque, and it is relatively tolerant of road salt and clay soil.
Sugar maple (Acer saccharum): Among large shade trees, sugar maple is loved for its exceptional fall color that can range from brilliant yellow to orange and red. It is a fine choice where there is plenty of space, although it is not suitable for a small yard.
Bur oak (Quercus macrocarpa): If you have a very large yard, consider planting this stately native tree. Its massive spreading limbs bear inconspicuous flowers that develop into very large acorns, making it a prime habitat for many kinds of wildlife, from butterflies to blue jays.
Basswood (Tilia americana): Like other members of the linden family, basswood has fragrant flowers in early summer with plentiful nectar that make it a prime food source for bees and other insects. It is a large tree with a dense canopy of heart-shaped leaves that creates great shade in summer.
For tree and plant advice, contact the Plant Clinic at The Morton Arboretum (630-719-2424, mortonarb.org/plant-clinic, or plantclinic@mortonarb.org). Beth Botts is a staff writer at the Arboretum.
Comments are closed.