Species Descriptions Frequently Asked Questions
Common name (Latin name)
B = Borders or windbreaks
F = Firewise species (resistant to fire)
O = Ornamental
W = Wildlife food or cover
PINES
Hardwoods Shrubs-Perennials
Loblolly Pine (Pinus taeda) and Slash Pine (Pinus elliotti)
Longleaf Pine (Pinus palustris) (W)
Longleaf is perhaps the most distinctive of the southern yellow pines. Its long, clear bole, open crown, long needles clustered at the ends of the branchlets, and large silvery buds identify longleaf from a distance. It is a medium to large tree, 80-120 feet in height and 24-30 inches in diameter. It grows best on deep, well-drained, acid, sandy soils, although it can tolerate a variety of sites. Longleaf pine is very intolerant of shade. Its first few years are characterized by little or no above ground growth. A dense tuft of needles is all that appears above the soil surface. This "grass stage" continues until the root system is sufficiently established to support rapid above ground growth. Trees in the grass stage are surprisingly resistant to fire damage, as are the thick-barked mature trees. Longleaf produces valuable lumber and is one of the two species with major roles in the naval stores industry.
Shortleaf Pine (Pinus echinata)
Shortleaf pine grows naturally in the mountains, piedmont, and upper coastal plain. It reaches an average height of 80-100 feet and 2-3 feet in diameter. It has a clear, well-formed bole, and a small narrowly pyramidal crown. It is generally found on dry upland soils which are neither highly acidic nor strongly alkaline. The species may be less tolerant than loblolly pine, but young trees will endure suppression for many years and yet respond quickly to release. Shortleaf pine is considered slower growing than the other southern pines, and is generally disfavored where other pines are well adapted. It is the most common species regenerated in the northern and western parts of its range and is a valuable timber and pulp species. Shortleaf pine seeds are eaten by squirrels and birds and very mature trees with red heart disease are favored nesting sites for the red-cockaded woodpecker.
Virginia Pine (Pinus virginiana) (B)
A small to medium sized tree that reaches 40-70 feet in height and 12-18 inches in diameter. Virginia pine grows naturally in the upper piedmont and lower elevations of the Appalachian Mountains. Though it occurs on a wide variety of sites, from heavy clays to dry rocky soils, its best development occurs on well-drained loams. It grows poorly on sandy soils. Virginia pine has a shallow root system and is susceptible to wind throw and damage from ice and snow. The species is valued as a source of pulp and its seeds are eaten by birds, squirrels, and other wildlife. Its growth is inferior to the other southern pines and it should not be planted commercially below the upper piedmont. The branches of virginia pine commonly extend to the ground making it valuable as a Christmas tree, and, at close spacing, it makes an excellent hedge or screen.
HARDWOODS
Pines Shrubs-Perennials
Baldcypress (Taxodium distichum) (O,W)
A coastal plain species found in river bottoms and swampy areas characterized by frequent and prolonged flooding. Baldcypress is a large, long-lived, deciduous tree reaching 100-150 feet in height and 3-6 feet in diameter. It grows best in full sunlight. It can be grown on many upland soils and can tolerate a wide climatic range making it increasingly popular in cities and urban areas as an ornamental or shade tree. Commercially, baldcypress should not be planted above the coastal plain, but for ornamental purposes its range can be extended considerably. The heartwood of old growth baldcypress is very resistant to rot. This is not true with younger second growth trees. In exposed situations the wood should be treated if rot resistance is essential. Baldcypress has long been favored for lumber, exterior siding, paneling, fences, furniture, cabinetry, flooring, shingles, and other uses.
Catalpa (Catalpa bignonioides) (F,W)
A small tree found naturally in the southern and gulf states. Catalpa is often planted as an ornamental because of its showy white or purple-tinted flowers and its unusual long, cigar-shaped, seed pods. It is frequently a host to caterpillars that are used for fishing bait.
Cherrybark Oak (Quercus falcata var. pagodifolia) (F,W)
Cherrybark is a massive, well-formed oak tree often reaching 120-130 feet in height and 3-5 feet in diameter. It is among the largest and fastest growing of the southern red oaks. It produces extremely high quality wood. Its common name comes from the mature, rough bark that is similar to that of black cherry and its scientific name from the pagoda shaped leaves. Its small acorns are valued by wildlife.
Crabapple (Malus angustafolia) (F,W)
A shrub or small tree, 20-30 feet in height, with a short trunk 8-10 inches in diameter. Crabapple is a moderate grower and performs best on moist soils, but can successfully adapt to drier sites. The wood is commercially unimportant. It is becoming increasingly popular as an ornamental tree because of its exceptionally fragrant, pinkish flower clusters that emerge in the early spring. It is also widely planted as a food source for many wildlife species especially deer and hogs. The tart fruit is often used to make jelly.
Dogwood (Cornus florida) (F,O,W)
Flowering dogwood is one of the most common and beautiful native trees with its showy, white, petal-like, bracts that form in the spring. It is a small understory tree rarely reaching 40 feet in height with a short trunk 12-18 inches in diameter. The species grows on a wide range of sites varying from deep, fertile, moist soils along streams to light textured, well-drained, upland soils. The species can be adversely affected and even killed by prolonged drought or flooding because of its shallow root system. Its thin bark is easily injured by fire, lawn mowers, and string trimmers. Dogwood is a slow to moderate grower. Its greatest value comes from ornamental and landscape uses. The shiny, bright red seeds that mature in the fall are an excellent food for many wildlife species.
Green Ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica) (F,O,W)
Green ash is the most widely distributed species of the ash family. It is a small to medium sized tree 30-50 feet in height and 20 inches in diameter. It naturally occurs in moist river bottoms and along streams, but once established is extremely hardy even in drier conditions. It has a broad irregular crown with bright green foliage that turns a brilliant yellow in the fall. It is a popular ornamental because of its adaptability, hardiness and coloration.
Persimmon (Diospyros virginiana) (F,W)
A small to medium sized tree occasionally reaching 80 feet in height and 1-2 feet in diameter. Persimmon is found on a variety of sites ranging from deep, rich, moist, bottomland to well-drained uplands. Its best performance can be found on bottomland soils. Though it is shade tolerant, it thrives in full sunlight. The heartwood is used for textile shuttles. The sweet, pulpy fruit is edible when fully ripe and can be eaten raw or made into jellies and puddings. Persimmon trees are often planted as a source of food for deer, hogs, and other wildlife.
Northern Red Oak (Quercus rubra) (F, W)
A moderate to fast growing tree found in the mountains and piedmont, rarely in the coastal plain. Red oak is a medium to large tree reaching 80-100 feet in height and 3-4 feet in diameter. Open grown trees tend to have short boles and massive crowns. In the forest environment trees develop a tall, straight bole with a small, round, compact crown. Red oak makes its best development on deep, well-drained, loamy soils. It is classified as intermediate in shade tolerance. Northern red oak is one of the most important lumber producing species in the red oak group. It is used for flooring, furniture, and heavy construction timbers. The large acorns are an important food source for many wildlife species. Northern red oak has been extensively planted as an ornamental because of its spreading crown and deep red autumn color.
Redbud (Cercis canadensis) (F,O,W)
A shrub or small tree seldom reaching 50 feet in height and 12 inches in diameter. It grows well in a wide range of sites from moist bottomlands to dry slopes and ridges. It thrives in partial shade or full sunlight. It is prized for ornamental use with its showy purplish flowers that bloom in the spring before the leaves emerge.
Red Cedar, Eastern (Juniperus virginiana) (B,O,W)
A medium sized, aromatic tree growing 50-80 feet in height and 12-18 inches in diameter. Eastern redcedar has the ability to grow under varying and extreme climatic conditions on a wide variety of soils ranging from dry, rocky outcrops to wet, swampy land. Like most species, eastern redcedar grows best on moist, well-drained sites. It prefers acid soil although it will grow on slightly alkaline soils as well. It is considered intolerant of shade. The crown is dense and pyramidal to columnar in shape. It provides good nesting and roosting cover for birds and its seeds are eaten by many wildlife species. When planted at close spacing, redcedar makes an excellent hedge, blind, or wind break. Eastern redcedar is one of the top five species for Christmas tree plantings. It is considered a moderate grower.
Red Maple (Acer rubrum) (F,O,W)
Average mature trees are 60-90 feet in height and 18-30 inches in diameter. Red maple is shade tolerant but not as tolerant as flowering dogwood. Seedlings are more tolerant than larger trees. Red maple can thrive on a wider range of soil types, textures, moisture, pH, and elevation than any other forest species in North America. It grows on diverse sites from dry ridges to swamps, although its best development is on moderately drained, moist sites. It is prized as an ornamental because of its rapid growth, brightly colored seeds in the spring, and red autumn colors. Red maple seeds are a good source of food for many wildlife species. Seed production may begin as early as age four.
Sawtooth Oak (Quercus acutissima) (F,W)
Sawtooth oak is a native of Japan, Korea, China, and the Himalayan area. The species has been extensively planted and performs very well in many eastern states. It is a medium sized tree that commonly reaches heights of 50-60 feet and diameters of 2-4 feet in its natural range. A member of the white oak family, it has a medium to large acorn. It is considered to be a moderate to fast grower. The leaves are chestnut-like in appearance. In the fall they turn a golden yellow before becoming brown. The leaves persist on the tree into the winter. It has been widely planted as a wildlife food source due to its abundant acorn crops. Acorns are highly resistant to insects and disease and production can begin as early as six years of age. Sawtooth oak is adaptable to a wide range of sites, however, it prefers acid, well-drained soils.
Swamp Chestnut Oak (Quercus michauxii) (F,W)
Swamp chestnut oak is a well-formed tree with a massive trunk and narrow crown, averaging 60-80 feet in height and 2-3 feet in diameter. It is found on the best, well-drained ridges and loamy terraces in bottomlands throughout the piedmont and coastal plain. Swamp chestnut oak is intolerant of shade. The quality of its wood is second only to the very best white oak. The wood is used in many kinds of construction and for implements. The acorns are sweet and serve as a food for wildlife.
Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua) (F,W)
Sweetgum can grow to be a large tree 80-120 feet in height and 3-4 feet in diameter with a long, straight stem and a buttressed bole. It can tolerate a variety of conditions, but on moist, fertile sites its growth can be exceptional. It is an important commercial species. Sweetgum has few insect or disease problems and is frequently planted as an ornamental because of its unusual star-shaped leaves and brilliant fall colors.
Water Oak (Quercus nigra) (F,W)
A medium sized tree reaching 60-100 feet in height and 2-3 feet in diameter. Water oak grows across a wide geographic range but is less common in the mountains. It adapts well to a variety of sites from bottomlands to well-drained uplands. It is considered fast growing and intolerant of shade. It is very easily injured or killed by fire or mechanical damage. The wood is utilized as oak lumber, but is generally of lower quality. Water oak frequently produces heavy acorn crops that provide food for many species of wildlife. It is widely planted as an ornamental.
White Oak (Quercus alba) (F,W)
A large, long-lived tree often 80-100 feet in height and 3-4 feet in diameter. In the open it is characterized by a short stocky bole with a wide spreading crown. In forest stands it develops a tall straight trunk with a compact crown. White oak generally has the reputation of being a slow growing tree. It is found on a wide range of soils and sites but more frequently occurs on rich, well-drained soils. Growth is good on all but driest and shallowest of soils. White oak is classified as intermediate in shade tolerance. Its valuable wood is used for furniture, flooring, timbers, handles, barrels, and other specialty products. It produces large, sweet acorns providing an excellent food for wildlife. White oak is often planted as an ornamental because of its broad, round crown, dense foliage, and red to purplish autumn leaf color.
Yellow Poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera) (F,O,W)
One of the largest and economically most important hardwoods of the eastern forest. Yellow poplar often exceeds 100 feet in height and 4-6 feet in diameter. It grows rapidly on many soil types but performs best on moist, rich, well-drained soils. It does not adapt well to very wet or very dry sites. Yellow poplar is very intolerant of shade and requires full sunlight for best growth. Seedlings and young trees are very susceptible to fire and mechanical damage. The wood is straight grained and even textured making it desirable for a variety of uses. Yellow poplar is a prized ornamental with its large, conspicuous flowers, tulip-shaped leaves, and brilliant yellow foliage in autumn. The seeds are eaten by birds and other small wildlife.
SHRUBS-PERENNIALS
Pines Hardwoods
Hairy Lespedeza (Lespedeza hirta L. ) (W)
Hairy lespedeza is a perennial legume with stems up to 6 feet tall. The leaves are trifoliate, 1.5 to 2 inches in length with distinctive parallel veins. It flowers in late summer to early fall. Fruiting occurs September through October. The seeds are an important component of the diet of bobwhite quail, dove, and turkey. White-tail deer will browse on its foliage.
Crape Myrtle ( Lagerstroemia indica) (O)
Crape myrtle (or crepe myrtle) is a small tree or shrub, frequently with multiple stems, that produces blooms lasting 60-120 days. Originally from Asia this species has become naturalized throughout much of the United States. Seedlings of crape myrtle may produce flowers ranging from white to pinkish-red; however, clonal propagation is necessary to guarantee flower color.
Wax Myrtle (Myrica cerifera) (W)
Wax myrtle is an evergreen shrub or small tree that grows to a height of 12-15 feet, frequently having multiple stems. It is a nitrogen fixing species, native to the coastal plain and lower piedmont of Georgia. It provides excellent quail cover and habitat. It is browsed sparingly by white tailed deer. The persistent seeds are consumed by quail, turkey, waterfowl, and songbirds.
