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Deciduous Trees

PLANT USE KEY

C = Christmas Tree

E= Erosion Control

F = Human Food

H = Habitat/Food Wildlife

N = Native

T = Timber/Wood



Black Walnut (Juglans nigra)

Conservation Practices: H, N, T

Soil: Wet – Well Drained

Growth Rate: Fast

Sun: Full (Tolerates Partial)

Description: A medium/large tree that develops a straight, clear trunk with a top that narrows under competition. Branches are quite stout.

Uses: This tree is highly prized as a wood product and provide food and habitat for Wildlife.

Fact Sheet

USDA Plant Guide



River Birch (Betula nigra)

Conservation Practices: E, H, T, N

Soil: Moist – Well drained

Growth Rate: Moderate

Sun: Full to Partial

Description: Forms a medium sized tree up to 70′. The trunk usually divides into several upright trunks. 

Uses: Often used as an ornamental, but also attracts wildlife.  Good tree for riparian buffers and helps reduce stream bank erosion.

Fact Sheet

USDA Plant Guide



Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum)

Conservation Practice: F, H, N, T

Soil: Moist-Well Drained

Growth Rate: Moderate to Fast

Sun: Full

Description: Forms a medium to tall (up to 100’) tree with a dense elliptical crown. Widely known for its maple syrup production and classic maple leaf.

Uses: The production of maple syrup

Fact Sheet

USDA Plant Guide



White Birch (Betula papyrifera)

Can also be known as: Native Birch or Paper Birch

Conservation practices: H, N, T

Soil: Moist, Wide tolerance

Growth rate: Moderate

Sun: Full

Description: A medium sized tree (up to 50’) that forms pyramid shape, sometimes with an irregular crown. Often has several trunks and is a slender tree. Native birch has reddish brown bark on young stems that turns white, with peeling papery strips after 3 to 4 years.

Uses: Makes an attractive ornamental in groups or singularly.

Fact Sheet

USDA Plant Guide



White Flowering Dogwood (Cornus floridia)

Conservation practices: H, N

Soil: Acidic, Moist, Well Drained

Growth Rate: Slow

Sun: Full to partial

Description: Small tree (20-30’) with a short trunk, low branches, and a rounded flat-topped crown. Known for its large white flower with 4 petals that blossoms in early spring. Produces shiny red oval fruit that mature in the fall.

Uses: Can be used as a soil improve. Its leaf litter decomposes more rapidly than most other species. This plant has been planted on abandoned strip mines and used for urban forestry projects.

Fact Sheet

USDA Plant Guide



Fruit Trees:

Liberty Apple Trees (Malus domestica)

Conservation practices: H, N

Soil: Acidic, Moist, Well Drained

Growth Rate: Slow

Sun: Full to partial

Description: A low-mainence tree that produces a large amount of apples that you will be able to pick in September. A sweet to tart tasting, crisp apple that is perfect for fresh eating, cooking and canning. that has yellow-green background with red over top. This apple does require a pollinator and does best in full sun. 

Uses: This tree is a wonderful source of food for both humans and wildlife.

USDA Plant Guide


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