Native Trees
Please note: we do not ship plants. We sell retail to the area only.
We will expand our selection of trees gradually. We may be able to special order some varieties - please inquire. Most trees are in 1-3 gallon pots, and are between 2' - 6' tall.
Acer rubrum, Red Maple | PA Native | Wide distribution
Red Maple is an attractive shade tree that is adaptable to a range of conditions. Rounded outline at maturity, and fast growth rate of 10' over 5 years. The species exhibits lots of variation in fall color, from yellow to red. Red buds and flowers in early spring are another attractive feature.
Culture: Plant in full sun to light shade in moist, acid soil. Also tolerates wet or compacted soils. Found in dry to wet soils, swamps and bogs. Height: 40-60'h x w. More images
Acer saccharum, Sugar Maple | PA Native | Wide distribution
Consistently beautiful fall color is the signature trait of Sugar Maples - ranging from yellow, to orange, to red. The outline is upright and oval. Growth rate is slow to medium. Takes about 20 years to get to the maturity level needed to tap for sap to make maple syrup.
Culture: Plant in full sun to light shade in well-drained, moderately moist soil; no pH preference. Does not tolerate crowded or urban conditions. Height: 60'-70'h x 40'w. More images
Asimina triloba, Paw Paw
Carpinus caroliniana, American Hornbeam, Ironwood | PA Native | Wide distribution
American Hornbeam is a multi-stemmed or single-stemmed smaller tree that performs well in shade. Leaves turn yellow-green, or occasionally orange, in fall. The smooth, gray bark appears muscled at maturity, giving rise to its other common names, Ironwood or Musclewood.
Culture: Plant in shade in rich soils; tolerates drier soils and periodic flooding, as well. Often found at a stream edge. Transplant in spring. Height: 20'-40'h. More images
Carya laciniosa, Shellbark Hickory
Celtis occidentalis, Hackberry
Cercis canadensis, Eastern Redbud | PA Native | limited distribution - southern PA only
This beautifullly-shaped tree is a harbinger of spring. The branches appear to burst into bloom in early spring, before the leaves emerge. Flowers are a rosy-purple; new leaves emerging are maroon, later turning green. Fall color can be a good yellow. Wide vase shape gives it good form.
Culture: Best in light shade, but tolerates full sun. Prefers moist soil, but adapts to dry soil; any pH. Does not tolerate wet soils or damage to the trunk. Height: 20'-30'h x w.
Cornus alternifolia, Pagoda Dogwood | PA Native | wide distribution
This is an extremely beautiful and underused native tree. Pagoda Dogwood has a strongly horizontal branching habit, giving it a layered appearance, like the tiers of a pagoda. Large white flowers in late spring are fragrant; fruit changes color from green to red to blue-black in late summer.
Culture: Plant in part shade to full sun in moist, acid, well-drained soil. Mulch with shredded leaves or compost to keep the root zone cool. Height: 15'-20'h x 20'-30'w.
Cornus florida, Dogwood | PA Native | moderate distribution
Flowering Dogwood is a small tree with four solid seasons of interest. A long flowering period in late spring of white flowers that fade to pink as they age; clusters of bright red berries in fall; consistently excellent fall color of red to purple; and unique blocky bark for winter interest.
Culture: Plant in partial shade to full sun in moist, acidic, well-drained soil. Mulch or use a groundcover to keep the roots cool. Ideally suited for edge of the woods. Height: 25'h x 25'w.
Diospyros virginiana, Common Persimmon | PA Native | limited distribution
Persimmons give you delicious fruit right from your backyard in late fall and early winter! The soft yellow to orange fruits are edible to humans after the first frosts; other wildlife enjoy them before then. Upright, oval shape, green to yellow fall color, and distinctive black, blocky bark.
Culture: Plant in full sun to partial shade in moist, well-drained soil; also adaptable to poor, dry soil and urban conditions. May sucker to form thickets. Height: 30'-60'h x 20'-35'w.
Fraxinus americana, White Ash, American Ash | PA Native | Wide distribution
White Ash is a very large, wide-spreading shade tree with fall color that is often purplish to maroon. Rounded outline, and medium growth rate of 1-2' per year over a 10-15 yr period; thick, coarse twigs and branches. A handsome tree that is also easy to transplant.
Culture: Plant in full sun in deep, moist, well-drained soils. Adaptable to different soil pH levels. Height: 60-80'h x 60'w. More images
Ilex opaca, American Holly | PA Native | limited distribution; protected in PA
American Holly is rarely seen in PA - habitat loss has put it on the endangered species list. Spiny, evergreen leaves show off red berries on female plants in late fall. Old leaves may turn yellow and drop in spring, but they will be followed by new growth. Ultimately big, but slow-growing.
Culture: Plant in partial shade to full sun in a site protected from strong winds. Prefers moist, acidic, well-drained soil, but also tolerates drought. Height: 30'-40'h x 20'-30'w.
Magnolia virginiana, Sweetbay Magnolia
Nyssa sylvatica, Sour-gum, Black Tupelo | PA Native | moderate distribution
Sour-gum is possibly the best native tree for fall color, which is consistently gorgeous in shades of yellow, orange, red, or purple. It also has a very attractive habit, with pendulous lower branches, and branches that radiate horizontally from the center. Very special!
Culture: Plant in full sun to partial shade in moist, acid soils; also tolerates wet and dry soils. Transplant in early spring; has taproot, so don't move after planting. Height: 30'-50'h x w. More images
Quercus alba, White Oak | PA Native | wide distribution
A tall, handsome oak with lobed, rounded leaves, and red, wine, or brown fall color. Rounded outline with horizontal lower branches. Medium to slow growth rate: 10-12' in a 10 year period.
Culture: Plant in full sun in rich, moist, well-drained acid soil. Also found in drier soils. Height: 50'-80' h. More images
Quercus coccinea, Scarlet Oak | PA Native | wide distribution
Possibly the most attractive oak for fall color, Scarlet Oak turns shades of red or russet in late fall. Lobed leaves have pointed, bristled tips. Pyramidal in youth, more rounded outline at maturity. Fast growth rate: 1.5'-2' per year.
Culture: Plant in full sun in in well-drained, acid soil. Often found on poor, dry soils. Height: 70'h x 40'w. More images
Quercus palustris, Pin Oak | PA Native | moderate distribution
The most popular variety of oak for home landscapes, Pin Oak has an attractive form that is characterized by drooping lower branches, horizontal branches mid-tree, and upward branches at the top. Brown to red fall color. Fast growing: 12-15' over 7 years.
Culture: Plant in full sun in rich, moist, well-drained acid soil. Tolerates wet areas and standing water. Does not tolerate alkaline soils. Height: 60'-70'h x 25'-40'w. More images
Quercus rubra, Red Oak | PA Native | wide distribution
A fast-growing oak that is very tolerant of urban conditions, including pollution. Pointed, lobed leaves with red to russet fall color. Rounded outline. A very easy oak to transplant. Fast growth rate: 2' per year.
Culture: Plant in full sun in sandy loam, acid soil. Found on moist to dry sites. Height: 60-75'h x 40'w. More images
Prunus serotina, Black Cherry | PA Native | wide distribution
Black Cherry is an important native tree that offers a high wildlife value to songbirds and small mammals, which use the fruits and other parts of the tree for food. Pendulous white flowers appear in May, and are followed by red fruits in late summer. Fall color is often a good yellow to red.
Culture: Plant in full sun in moist to dry soil; no pH preference. Can be weedy in a garden; best used in natural forest settings. Height: 40'-60'h x 20'w.
Sassafras albidum, Sassafras | PA Native | wide distribution
Sassafras is one of our most beautiful native trees for fall color, turning shades of yellow, orange and red. The leaves and bark have a spicy fragrance when bruised. Three different leaf shapes can be present at any one time! Attractive growth habit provides winter interest.
Culture: Plant in full sun to partial shade in moist, acidic soil. Height: 30'-60'h x 25'-40'w.
Tilia americana, American Basswood | PA Native | wide distribution
American Linden is a large tree with an upright, oval outline. The flowers in June are perhaps its most remarkable feature; the yellow flowers are not showy, but they are very fragrant, and are an important food source for bees. Fall color is variable yellow. Medium growth rate.
Culture: Plant in full sun to partial shade in moist, rich soil; adaptable to drier soils and wide pH range. Not pollution tolerant. Height: 60'-80'h x 30'-40'w. More images