2715 RT 44, Millbrook NY, 12545
(845) 677-8011 ext. 3
dutch@dutchessswcd.org

Deciduous Trees

PLANT USE KEY

C = Christmas Tree

E= Erosion Control

F = Human Food

H = Habitat/Food Wildlife

N = Native

T = Timber/Wood


Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis)

Conservation Practices: H, N

Soil: Moist to well-drained

Growth Rate: Moderate

Sun: Full to partial

Description: Forms a large shrub or small tree up to 20-30’. With a shirt often twisted trunk and spreading branches. In early spring rose-pink flowers bloom appearing in clusters all along even older stems before the leaves. Flattened, brown, dry legumes, mature in late summer.

Uses: Attractive to wildlife. Can be used as an ornamental or for shrub borders.

Fact Sheet

USDA Plant Guide


Native Birch (Paper Birch) (Betula papyrifera)

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


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


Sweet Gum (Liquidambar styraciflua)

Conservation Practice: H, N, T

Soil: Moist-Well Drained

Growth Rate: Moderate-Fast

Sun: Full

Description: A medium to large tree (50-60’) with a crown shaped cone. It is known for its unique star shaped leaves that turn vibrant red in the fall. Spiny “gumball” fruit which are woody brown spheres.

Uses: Widely used as a wind break, a shade or street tree, and to stabilize water edges.

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


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