Choosing and caring for your new tree from FLOW

Quick Facts

• Mature size: 50-75 Feet
• Growth rate: Medium
• Oval shape
• Sun preference: Full Sun
• Soil and water: Acidic, Clay, Drought, Loamy, Moist, Sandy, Silty Loam, Well Drained, Wet

Attributes

• Is a deciduous conifer
• Features short needles arranged in pairs along slender branchlets; their coloring ranges from yellow-green in spring to soft green in summer to reddish- or orangish-brown in autumn
• Yields cones that appear as little globes approximately 1″ in length that contain triangular seeds and are attractive to wildlife
• Grows in a pyramidal shape
• Adapts well to wet and dry conditions
• Develops “cypress knees” only in wet conditions

Wildlife Usage

Baldcypress forms characteristic groves in swampy areas that support complex and variable ecosystems and are used by many wildlife species.

Source: Arbor Day Foundation

Quick facts

• Mature size: 20-40 Feet
• Growth rate: 
• Round canopy
• Sun preference: Full to partial sunlight
• Soil and water: Grows in acidic, moist, well-drained soil
• State tree of Ohio  

Attributes

• Early Spring Flowers
• Fall leaves turn bring orange and yellow
• While highly poisonous, buckeye seeds contain much protein and were used as a food source by Native Americans who boiled and leached them to remove their toxins.

Wildlife Usage
Despite the poisonous properties to humans and livestock, squirrels are known to eat the raw seeds.

Source: Arbor Day Foundation, USDA Plant Database

Quick Facts

• Mature size: 70-80’, 50’ spread
• Growth rate: Slow to Medium 
• Sun preference: Full to partial sun 
• Soil and water:  Deep, moist, alkaline soils, but thrives almost anywhere it is planted, except for permanently wet soils. 
• Extremely tolerant to many stresses ( drought, poor soils, high pH soils, occasional brief flooding, and air pollution)
  

Attributes:

• Easily recognized in summer by its huge compound leaves and in winter by its bold outline
• The thick fruit pods containing large seeds are found only on female trees, and often hang during winter

Wildlife/Human Usage:

Native Americans used the roasted seeds for food, ceremonial and recreational uses. Unroasted or only partially roasted beans and pods are considered poisonous and are reputed to contain the alkaloid cytisine. The plant can be toxic to some animals, and can intoxicate dogs. (Wikipedia).

Quick Facts

• Mature size: 9 to 40′ tall.
• Sun preference: They can be planted in the shade of tall, open trees or in partial shade, although they fruit best in sun.
• Soil and water: Pawpaws grow in humid climates and are highly frost tolerant. They grow in the shade in open woods usually in wet, fertile bottomlands, but can grow in upland areas on rich soils. The plants prefer moist, slightly acidic soils and require regular watering, but are adaptable to many conditions. 

Attributes

• The fruit, which is the largest edible fruit native to America, is high in amino acids.
• At least two plants are needed for cross-pollination.
• The plants are disease and pest resistant and they are not browsed by deer.

Wildlife Usage
Opossums, raccoons, foxes and squirrels eat the fruits. Larvae of the Zebra Swallowtail butterfly (Eurytides marcellus) feed exclusively on the leaves.

Source: USDA Plant Database

Quick Facts

• Mature size: 30-80 ft. tall, 20-35 ft. wide
• Growth rate: slow to medium
• Shape: Oval
• Sun preference: Full sun, partial sun/shade
• Soil and water: Moist, well drained, sandy; will tolerate hot, dry conditions, poor soils, urban conditions, and wind.

Attributes:

• Produces round, orange fruit, around 1-2 inches in diameter with a honey-like flavor.
• Bears fruit in 4-9 years.
• Both male and female trees are needed to produce fruit.
• Deep taproot makes it hard to transplant.
• Thick, dark gray bark resembles a checkerboard or alligator skin.
• Fall leaf color can be yellow, orange, or bright red.

Wildlife Usage:

Attracts small animals, birds, white-tailed deer, foxes, and black bears. Host plant for Luna moth and Hickory Horndevil. 

Source: NC Extension Gardener

Quick Facts

• Mature size: The eastern redbud grows to a height of 20–30′ and a spread of 25–35′ at maturity.
• Growth rate: This tree grows at a medium rate, with height increases of 13–24″ per year.
• Sun preference: Full sun and partial shade are best for this tree, meaning it prefers a minimum of four hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight each day.
• Soil and water: The eastern redbud grows in acidic, alkaline, loamy, moist, rich, sandy, well-drained and clay soils.

Attributes

• Pink to reddish purple flowers are grown on old twigs, branches, and trunks. Flowering occurs in March to May before leaf growth.
• Begin flowering at a young age, sometimes as early as 4 years.
• Features somewhat heart-shaped leaves 2–6″ in length. They emerge a reddish color, turning dark green as summer approaches and then yellow in the fall.
• Makes a bold landscape statement, with its irregular branching and graceful crown.
• Yields brown to brownish-black pods that are 2–3″ in length, remaining on the tree throughout winter.
• Grows in a rounded, vase shape.

Wildlife Usage
The Henry’s elfin butterfly (Callophyrus henrici) and hummingbirds utilize eastern redbud for nectar. Honeybees use the flowers for pollen. Whitetail deer browse the foliage and twigs during the spring and summer. Squirrels occasionally eat the buds, bark, and seed. Bobwhite quail and songbirds eat the seeds. However, for the animals which utilize eastern redbud, it is considered a less desirable or emergency food. The flowers can be fried and eaten.

Source: Arbor Day Foundation

MORE INFO – PDF

OVER 400 SPECIES OF BUTTERFLIES AND MOTHS USE BIRCH TREES AS A HOST PLANT

Quick facts

• Ohio Native Tree &  Host Plant to over 411 species of moths and butterflies!
• Mature size: The river birch grows to a height of 40–70′ and a spread of 40–60′ at maturity.
• Growth rate: This tree grows at a medium to fast rate, with height increases of anywhere from 13″ to more than 24″ per year.
• Sun preference: Full sun and partial shade are best for this tree, meaning it prefers a minimum of four hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight each day.
• Soil and water: The river birch grows well in acidic, loamy, moist, sandy, well-drained, wet and clay soils. It will tolerate moderate flooding as well as some drought.

Attributes:

• Features glossy green leaves that are 2–3″ long and somewhat triangular. Margins are double-toothed and leaves are arranged alternately.
• Produces brown and green catkins in April and May.
• Yields a large number of tiny nutlets after female catkins mature, typically in May and June.
• Develops a cinnamon-colored bark that curls and peels (once mature).
• Can grow as either a single- or multi-stemmed tree.
• Is the most borer-resistant birch.
• Works well for holding stream banks and keeping erosion in check.
• Grows in an oval shape.
• Should not be planted in very alkaline soil.

Wildlife Usage
River birches are great companions to wildlife, attracting butterflies, moths, songbirds and small mammals.  It hosts 411 species of moths and butterflies whose caterpillars eat the foliage. The caterpillars include butterflies such as Mourning Cloak and moths including Luna, Io, Polyphemus, and Cecropia.

The catkins of the River Birch are used by redpolls and pine siskins. The foliage is eaten by deer and other browsers. The small but plentiful seeds are appreciated by a wide range of songbirds.

Source: Arbor Day Foundation

Quick facts

• Mature size: Typically 40-50’ tall
• Mature Spread: 30’
• Sun preference: full to partial sun 
• Growth rate: Fast 
• Soil and water: prefers moist, well-drained, acidic, deep soils of average quality, but adapts to soils that are neutral in pH and dry. In alkaline soils, it tends to become slight chloritic.

Attributes:

• Native to the eastern half of the United States 
• Oil of sassafras can be distilled from the trunk bark or roots for use in perfuming soaps, while sassafras tea is made by building the bark of roots
• Its brittle green twigs have a spicy aroma when rubbed or crushed, as one would expect from a member of the laurel family, which includes the closely related spicebush
  

Wildlife Usage
Pollinated flowers give rise to clusters of small green fruits, which turn blue-black in midsummer and are quickly eaten by wildlife.

Quick facts

• Mature size: 20-30′
• Sun preference: Full Sun to Part Shade
• Growth rate: Medium 
• Soil and water needs: Water needs low; drought tolerant; thrives in dry, rocky, acidic soils

Attributes:

• Often a colonizer that prepares disturbed sites for later forest species.
• Yellow-green flowers bloom July-September

Wildlife Usage
Its dense, suckering growth creates impenetrable thickets that provide essential cover for wildlife, and its persistent winter fruit sustains birds through the cold months when other food is scarce.

Source: PlantNative.org

Quick facts

• Mature size: 60-75 Feet
• Growth rate: Med to Fast
• Oval shape
• Sun preference: Full Sun
• Soil and water: Acidic, Clay, Drought, Loamy, Moist, Sandy, Well Drained, Wet
  

Attributes

• Features star-shaped leaves with 5 lobes (occasionally 7) that are lustrous medium green in color, toothed along the margins, and 4–7½” in length
• Provides brilliant fall color, with leaves turning brilliant shades of yellow, orange, red, and purple
• Yields long-stemmed, woody, burr-like fruit that is approximately 1½” in diameter
• Grows in a pyramidal shape, becoming more oval or rounded with age
• Needs plenty of space for root development
• Does not tolerate pollution

Wildlife Usage: American sweetgum seeds are eaten by eastern goldfinches, purple finches, sparrows, mourning doves, northern bobwhites and wild turkeys. Small mammals such as chipmunks, red squirrels and gray squirrels also enjoy the fruits and seeds.

Source: Arbor Day Foundation

Quick Facts

• Mature size: Very large- 75-100’, 50-70’ spread
• Growth rate: Fast
• Sun preference: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil and water:  Grows best in rich, wet, well-drained alkaline soil. Tolerant of acidic soil, wet sites, occasional flooding, clay soil, and road salt. Sycamore is often a natural early colonizer of disturbed sites.

Attributes

• Bark peels away in patches, creating a patchwork of browns, greens, and yellows, overtop a white background
• Sycamore produces brown, burr-like fruit that are about 1” in diameter
• Flowers are mostly inconspicuous
• Produces star-shaped leaves
• Can be messy- drops leaves, twigs, and fuzz-covered seeds

Wildlife Usage
Songbirds eat the seeds, along with beaver, squirrel, and muskrat. White-tailed deer occasionally browse the leaves. The tree attracts birds and is used for many purposes.

Source: Arbor Day Foundation

Quick facts

• Mature size:  The tuliptree grows to a height of 70–90′ and a spread of around 40′ at maturity.
• Growth rate: This tree grows at a fast rate, with height increases of more than 24″ per year.
• Sun preference: Full sun is the ideal condition for this tree, meaning it should get at least six hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight each day.
• Soil and water: The tuliptree grows well in acidic, loamy, moist, sandy, well-drained and clay soils. It prefers normal moisture but can tolerate drought in humid regions.

Attributes

• Blooms in May and June, producing tulip-shaped flowers 1½–2″ in diameter with greenish-yellow petals and a splash of orange at the base.
• Provides vibrant yellow color in the fall.
• Produces alternating leaves that are 3– 6″ long with distinctive lobes, a flat base and two ear-like tips.
• Yields colorful seeds held upright in the tree throughout the summer and into autumn.
• Features aromatic stems.
• Grows in an oval shape.

Wildlife Usage
This tree provides food in many forms for many animals. In fall and winter, young trees are browsed by white-tailed deer and rabbits. The spring flowers provide nectar for ruby-throated hummingbirds. Tuliptree seeds, maturing in summer and persisting into winter, provide food for both birds and mammals, including finches, cardinals, quail, mice, red squirrels, gray squirrels and rabbits.

Source: Arbor Day Foundation

MORE INFO – PDF

Quick Facts

• Mature size: Typically 70-80’ tall, can grow up to 100’. 80’ spread. Sun preference: Full sun
• Growth rate: Slow, less than 1’ per year
• Soil and water: Will grow in many soil types- acidic or alkaline soil, as well as loamy, sandy, or clay soil. Grows well in wet, well-drained soil. 
• Tolerates pollution and heat stress

Attributes

• Provides dense shade
• Yields acorns that are larger than other acorn varieties. Acorns have noticeable burs/caps.
• Can live for more than 200-300 years
• Grows in a rounded shape

Wildlife
The acorns are the preferred food for many birds and mammals, including squirrels, chipmunks, rabbits, mice, deer, black bear, wild turkey, blue jays, and woodpeckers. The trees are also browsed by deer. Red tailed hawks and screech owls nest in the larger trees.

Source: Arbor Day Foundation, USDA Plant Database

(also known as Yellow Oak)

Quick Facts

• Mature size: The chinkapin oak grows to a height of 40–50′ and a spread of 50–60′ at maturity.
• Growth rate: This tree grows at a slow to medium rate, with height increases of anywhere from less than 12″ to 24″ per year.
• Sun preference: Full sun is the ideal condition for this tree, meaning it should get at least six hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight each day.
• Soil and water: The chinkapin oak grows in acidic, alkaline, loamy, moist, sandy, well-drained, wet and clay soils. It tolerates wet conditions and some drought but does best in well-drained areas that do not experience severe drought.

Attributes

• Features simple, oblong to oblong-lanceolate leaves that are dark yellowish green, coarsely toothed and 4–6½” in length. Fall color varies from yellow to orangish-brown to brown.
• Adapts to many soil conditions.
• Yields 1″ round acorns that mature in the first year.
  Grows in a rounded shape.

Wildlife
Chinkapin oak acorns are the preferred food for wild turkeys, grouse, white-tailed deer, black bears, chipmunks, squirrels and hogs. Cattle will eat the leaves.

Source: Arbor Day Foundation

Quick Facts

• Mature size: The northern red oak grows to a height of 60–75′ and a spread of around 45′ at maturity.
• Growth rate: This tree grows at a fast rate, with height increases of more than 24″ per year.
• Sun preference: Full sun is the ideal condition for this tree, meaning it should get at least six hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight each day.
• Soil and water: The northern red oak grows in acidic, loamy, moist, sandy, well-drained and clay soils. While it prefers normal moisture, the tree has some drought tolerance.

Attributes

• Grows more than two feet per year for 10 years.
  Provides great fall color, with leaves turning russet-red to bright red.
• Is easier than most to transplant.
• Features alternating leaves that are 4–8″ long and have 7–11 waxy, spine-tipped lobes.
• Produces pale yellow-green catkins that appear at about the same time new foliage is expanding, typically April–May.
• Yields acorns that are round and ¾–1″ long with a flat, thick, saucer-like cap.
• Offers great shade due to a dense crown.
• Tolerates pollution and compacted soil.
• Grows in a rounded shape.

Wildlife
Acorns from this tree are at the top of the food preference list for blue jays, wild turkeys, squirrels, small rodents, whitetail deer, raccoons and black bears. Deer also browse the buds and twigs in wintertime.

Source: Arbor Day Foundation

Quick Facts

• Mature size: Large- 50-60’ tall, 50-60’ spread
• Growth rate: Medium, 13-24” per year
• Sun preference: Full sunlight
• Soil and water: Grows in acidic, moist, well-drained, and wet soils. It is tolerant of drought, compacted soil and some salt exposure.

Attributes

• Produces beautiful fall color in shades of yellow, bronze, and red-purple.
• Yields oblong acorns in pairs, each about 1” in length
• Is adapted to low-lying areas with poor drainage
• Can experience chlorosis (yellowing of leaves while veins remain green) if soil is not acidic enough
• Flowers are inconspicuous

Wildlife
Swamp White Oak trees provide cover for many animals. The acorns are sweet and a valuable food for squirrels, mice, white tail deer, beaver, and many birds, such as ducks and turkey. Humans can also eat the acorns, and they have been used to make bread.

Source: Arbor Day Foundation, USDA Plant Database

Quick facts

• Mature size: 3-6 Feet
• Growth rate: Slow to Medium
• Irregular shape
• Sun preference: Full Sun, Partial
• Soil and water: Well-drained, Acidic

Attributes:

A deciduous shrub that is native to the eastern part of North America. It grows in an upright and fairly rounded shape. Its glossy, dark green leaves are around 1 to 3 inches long and either lanceolate or elliptical in shape. The foliage turns red to reddish-purple in the fall, providing striking color to the landscape before dropping off the plant for winter. Clusters of small five-petaled flowers appear in the spring, and purplish-black to black fruits that are around the size of blueberries appear in the late summer to fall.

The berries are edible but so astringent and bitter that they make you choke when you try to eat them raw, hence the name, chokeberry.

Wildlife Usage

Native bees, especially mason bees, feed on the nectar and pollen of chokeberry. It is also a host plant for butterflies, moths, and songbirds.

Source: thespruce.com

Quick facts

• Mature size: 10-15 Feet
• Growth rate: Slow
• Irregular shape
• Sun preference: Full Sun, Partial Sun/Shade, Full Shade
• Soil and water: Drought, Wet, Moist, Well Drained, Rich, Alkaline

Attributes:

• Blooms for 7–10 days in late May or early June, with small, creamy white flowers arranged in flat panicles
• Adapts to many soil types and conditions
• Transplants easily
• Features grayish-green to dark green leaves that are narrow-elliptic to ovate-lanceolate and 2–4″ long, turning reddish-purple in the fall
• Produces ¼” white fruit that grows on reddish-pink pedicels and matures in late summer or early fall; the pedicels are exposed when the fruit falls, adding nice fall/winter color
• Grows in an irregular to rounded shape
• Can be cut back to the ground if it becomes too large and woody
• Is occasionally grown as a small tree, where it can be used for foundations, entranceways, borders, or specimen planting

Wildlife Usage

The gray dogwood is a forage plant for white-tailed deer. The berries appear before most other dogwoods, making it popular with the squirrels and over 100 bird species that eat the fruit. It forms a dense thicket, providing cover and nesting sites for wildlife.

Source: Arbor Day Foundation

Quick Facts
This is an ornamental shrub, typically planted for the visual interest and beauty it can bring to landscape.

• Mature size: The redosier dogwood grows to a height of 7–9′ and a spread of around 10′ at maturity.
• Growth rate: This shrub grows at a fast rate, with height increases of more than 24″ per year.
• Sun preference: Full sun and partial shade are best for this shrub, meaning it prefers a minimum of 4 hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight each day.
• Soil and water: The redosier dogwood is very adaptable, growing in acidic to alkaline soils. It prefers moist soils and often grows in wet swamp lands. It does not, however, tolerate excessively dry soil.

Attributes
This shrub:

• Features vibrant red stems that make a bold statement in the wintertime landscape.
• Produces attractive clusters of white flowers in mid- to late spring.
• Yields pea-sized white drupes that mature in late summer to early fall.
• Is easy to transplant.
• Needs to be pruned only once a year.
• Can be cut back to the ground regularly for the red color of the younger stems to be more prevalent.
• Features opposite, simple leaves, ovate to oblong-lancelolate in shape and 2–5″ in length. The medium to dark green summer color changes to a ruddy red or purple in the fall.
• Has slow horizontal growth.
• Grows in a rounded shape.
• Can be planted 3–4′ apart to make a hedge.

Wildlife Usage
The redosier dogwood provides dense cover for wildlife. The white berries are eaten by at least 18 species of birds including ruffled grouse, bobwhite quail, wild turkey and gray catbird. The twigs and foliage are browsed by elk, deer, moose, rabbits and chipmunks.

Source: Arbor Day Foundation

Quick facts

• Mature size: 6-12′ tall; 6-12′ spread
• Sun preference: Partial, shade
• Growth rate: Medium
• Soil and water: Loamy, moist, acidic

Attributes:

• The shrub has an unruly growth habit and forms dense thickets when left on its own.
• The benefits of this shrub are its erosion control properties.
• It has pretty fall foliage and burgundy-colored winter bark.

Wildlife Usage

It attracts butterflies, birds, and bees with its spring flowers and later berries

Source: The Spruce

Quick facts

• Mature size: Typically 15’ tall
• Sun preference: Full sun to partial shade
• Growth rate: Medium to fast 
• Soil and water: Adaptable to moist or dry, reasonably well-drained soils of variable pH and variable soil quality.
  

Attributes

• Hazelnut is known for their tasty nuts that provide food for humans or wildlife
• In spring, the plant changes to showy, yellow, dropping male catkins, and is among the first woody species to bloom
• This shrub is highly shade-tolerant often growing alongside native Ohio trees
  

Wildlife Usage

The shrub is highly valuable to wildlife. The nuts are eaten by a variety of creatures such as squirrels, chipmunks, Blue Jays, Turkeys, etc. The dense branching habitat and large leaves also offer superb shelter for many nesting songbirds.

Quick Facts

• Mature size: 3-5 Feet, creeping
• Growth rate: slow
• Shape: creeping
• Sun preference: Partial to Full
  

Attributes:

• People often ask about plants that need little care, and the fragrant sumac is one of those plants. 
• The fragrant sumac is even resistant to the allelopathic soil surrounding Black walnut trees. Fragrant sumacs are adaptable and handle a wide pH range from 4.5 to 7.5 
• The species is very drought tolerant and holds well to low moisture environments. Even in the early onset, when the plant needs to establish itself, it can deal with less water than most plants.
• Yes, the red berries of the fragrant sumac bush are edible! They taste lemony and can be used to make a lemonade like drink.

Wildlife Usage:

It excels throughout the year in its ability to sustain pollinators and wildlife.

Source: thespruce.com

Quick Facts

• Mature size: 6-10′
• Water needs: Moderate
• Sun preference: Full Sun to Full Shade
  
• Soil needs: Adaptable to all soil types, but best in rich, moist, well-draining soil

Attributes:

• Deep red to maroon flowers, May – August
• Distinctive urn-shaped fruit capsules that are 1½ to 2½ inches long and brown when mature
• Aromatic bark was used in traditional medicine
• One of the first native plants to be widely cultivated in colonial gardens

Wildlife Usage:

Dense, multi-stemmed growth habit provides excellent nesting sites for small songbirds. Its fragrant flowers provide pollinators with a long season of nectar. It supports a variety of beneficial insects including predatory beetles, parasitic wasps, and other natural pest controllers.

Source: Plantnative.org

Quick Facts

• Mature size: 6′ – 15′ with a 6′ – 15′ spread
• Growth rate: Medium
• Sun preference: Full Sun, Partial Sun/Shade
• Soil and water: Acidic, Alkaline, Clay, Loamy, Moist, Rich, Sandy, Silty Loam, Well Drained

Attributes

• Produces creamy white flowers in flat-topped clusters that are 2–4″ in diameter and bloom from May to early June
• Yields ½” blue-black drupes that appear after the flowers and ripen in the early fall
• Features lustrous dark green leaves with coarsely toothed margins that provide lovely fall color, turning yellow, glossy red, or reddish-purple
• Grows in an irregular, rounded shape

Wildlife Usage
It forms dense thickets and provides excellent cover and nesting sites. Birds consume the abundant fruits. It attracts Red Admiral, Eastern Comma and Question Mark butterflies and is larval plant food for the spring azure butterfly and hummingbird moth.

Source: Arbor Day Foundation

Quick Facts

• Mature size: 15 ft. with about a 15 ft. spread
• Growth rate: Slow
• Sun preference: Full sun to partial shade (will rarely bloom without sun)
• Soil and water: prefers well-drained soils with medium to dry moisture.

Attributes

• Adaptable to various soil types and pHs, tolerates cold winters and periods of drought.
• Will set fruit better with more than one shrub for pollination.
• Berries mature to purplish-black and are eaten by both humans and birds.
• Spring flowers in large white cymes; fall leaf color is red and purple. Prune immediately after blooming, since next year’s buds form in early summer.

Wildlife Usage
Flowers and berries provide high wildlife value.

Source: NC State Extension Gardener