The meeting room at Cherry Valley Library was full on August 21st to hear Brian Hale’s recommendations for the best native trees and shrubs to plant in their yards. Brian is the Coordinator of the chapter’s Native Tree & Shrub Sale, is a long-time Wild Ones member, gardener, volunteer for the Boone County Conservation District, and teaches Master Naturalist classes.
Brian started his presentation by explaining why to plant native trees:
- Trees add value to your property
- Trees shade the house and reduce the costs of cooling
- Trees add beauty and diversity to the landscape
- Trees provide food and shelter to birds, butterflies, bees, and other wildlife
- Trees provide lumber, firewood, fruit, and other useful materials
The Morton Arboretum has a handbook online that provides useful guidelines for planting trees and shrubs, Brian said. Be sure to plant at the right depth so the base of the trunk is at ground level. Mulch around the base, but do not pile mulch against the bark of the tree, as it will cause rot and attract rodents and insects that damage the trunk. Water the newly planted tree well and as needed until the ground freezes. Fall is the best time to plant trees; the roots will continue to grow until the ground freezes, giving the trees a good start in the spring. It is important to put wire cages around young trees and shrubs to prevent damage by rabbits and deer until the plants are large enough to withstand browsing.
Brian then listed the trees and shrubs that are for sale this year and his recommendations for where to plant them. His first choice are the native oaks: White Oak, Swamp White Oak, Bur Oak, Chiquapin Oak, and Red Oak. White Oak needs drier soils and is slow-growing, while Swamp White Oak will tolerate some flooding and grows rapidly. Bur Oak tolerates drought and needs room to spread it branches while Chiquapin Oak will grow on rocky or gravel soils, but grows quickly when planted on deeper soil. Pin Oak and Black Oak do not make good shade trees and do not grow well in our region.
Sycamore is a favorite of Brian’s because of its beautiful white and brown bark and large leaves. It grows quickly but is subject to a fungus that kills the young leaves in cold, wet springs. The leaves will resprout when the weather warms up. Several small tree species that Brian recommends for home yards are: Paw Paw, American Plum, and Serviceberry or Juneberry. These all have flowers in early spring and produce fruit for birds and animals, including people if you can get it before the animals do. The plums will sucker and form thickets so allow enough room for them to spread if you plant them.
Of the species of native shrubs that are available for sale this year, Brain recommended planting False Indigo, Black Chokeberry and American Hazelnut. The Indigo should be cut back every few years to form denser stands, while the Hazelnut needs room to spread. Black Chokeberry produces beautiful white flowers in the spring and attractive black berries in the fall that birds love. New Jersey Tea is a low-growing shrub that has sweet-smelling flowers in the spring, but the plants must be protected from rabbits! Gray Dogwood will grow anywhere and produces abundant flowers and berries, but it will spread and form large clones. Northern Bush Honeysuckle is an attractive, low-growing shrub with pretty, yellow flowers that attract bees and butterflies, and Elderberry has showy flowers and produces abundant clumps of berries in the fall. Smooth Hydrangea is a native hydrangea that needs shade, and Ninebark is a large attractive shrub for sunny areas. Nannyberry is a native viburnum that has beautiful flowers, good fall color and showy berries. Snowberry and Coralberry are smaller shrubs that produce attractive berries in the fall and winter.
If you’d like to see if other plants are available, you can call Brian at 815-289-2384 or email him at treeandshrubsale@gmail.com.
Recap by Jerry Paulson
