Suitable Native Trees for Westchester County
Medium Sized Trees (25-50 feet tall)
Abies balsamea (Balsam fir). Exposure: sun/part shade. Soil requirements: moist/well-drained. Deer resistance: high. Habitat: moist woods/boreal forest. Specifics: evergreen, classic Christmas tree, specimen tree, keep away from roadside air pollution. Varieties available.
Asimina triloba (Pawpaw). Exposure: part shade/shade. Soil requirements: Rich/average. Deer resistance: medium. Habitat: woodland/understory Specifics: Native to the Southeast, edible fruit, multiple trees are needed for fruit production.
Betula nigra (River birch). Exposure: shade/part shade. Soil requirements: moist/wet. Deer resistance: medium/high. Habitat: forest/ravine/along streams. Specifics: fast growing, showy, good erosion control, single or multi-stemmed.
Betula papyrifera (Paper birch). Exposure: part sun/full shade. Soil requirements: cool/moist. Deer resistance: high. Habitat: forest edge. Specifics: very pretty delicate tree with showy white bark, prone to snow damage, short-lived.
Catalpa sp. (Northern and Southern Catalpa). Exposure: sun/part shade. Soil requirements: moist/rich. Deer resistance: medium. Habitat: disturbed sites/rain garden/roadside. Specifics: Catalpa species are introduced and common in the Northeast. Large leaves and tall seed pods. Nitrogen fixing, easy to grow. Can handle pollution and road salt.
Cladrastis kentukea (Kentucky yellowwood). Exposure: sun. Soil requirements: average/well drained. Deer resistance: medium. Habitat: woodland-edge/thickets. Specifics: Native to the Southeast. Grown as an ornamental tree for its attractive flowers.mGood for use in urban areas.
Cotinus obovatus (American smoke tree). Native to the south. Exposure: sun. Soil requirements: medium/well drained. Deer resistance: medium. Specifics: A striking accent tree with very few problems.
Gleditsia triacanthos (Honey/Thorny Locust). Exposure: sun. Soil requirements: moist/rich. Deer resistance: high. Habitat: along waterways/roadsides Specifics: Fast growing and long lived. Deer are deterred by thorns, suitable as street tree.
Diospyros virginiana (Common persimmon). Exposure: part sun/shade. Soil requirements: dry/medium/moist. Deer resistance: low. Habitat: old fields. Specifics: glossy leaves and edible fruit, long taproot, suitable as street tree.
Gymnocladus dioica (Kentucky coffee tree). Exposure: sun/part shade. Soil requirements: rich alluvial. Deer resistance: medium. Habitat: woodland edge/field/roadside. Specifics: Showy fruit. large pods on females can be messy, suitable as street tree.
Ilex Opaca (American Holly). Exposure: Sun/part shade. Soil requirements: moist, acidic. Deer resistance: medium. Habitat: woodland edge. Specifics: Evergreen, conical growth, slow grower, specimen tree, prone to diseases, nice red berries.
Magnolia acuminata (Blue magnolia, cucumber tree). Exposure: sun/part shade. Soil requirements: loam/medium/moist. Deer resistance: medium Habitat: woodland/valleys. Specifics: fast growing, long lived, shade tree, flowering tree.
Morus rubra (Red mulberry). Exposure: sun/part shade. Soil requirements: moist /rich/well drained. Deer resistance: low. Habitat: fields/urban landscapes. Specifics: edible fruit, fruit can be messy.
Pinus rigida (Pitch pine). Exposure: sun. Soil requirements: dry/well drained/poor. Deer resistance: high. Habitat: old fields/slopes/ridges. Specifics: Evergreen, irregular, globular form; twisting, gnarled, drooping branches, copes well with climate change.
Pinus virginiana (Scrub pine). Exposure: sun. Soil requirements: dry/well drained/poor. Deer resistance: high. Habitat: old fields/slopes/ridges. Specifics: Evergreen, straggling, scrubby, fast grower, forms thickets.
Quercus bicolor (Swamp white oak). Exposure: part sun/shade. Soil requirements: moist/well drained; acidic, avoid calcareous soils. Deer resistance: low. Habitat: wetland edge/moist fields. Specifics: slow growing, specimen, important tree for wildlife, suitable as street tree.
Populus tremuloides (Quaking aspen). Exposure: sun. Soil requirements: dry/medium/moist/well drained. Deer resistance: low. Habitat: disrupted sites. Specifics: Forms tree communities, nice white bark, beautiful yellow fall color.
Quercus incana (Blue Jack oak). Exposure: sun. Soil requirements: Sandy loam. Deer resistance: low. Habitat: Sandy soils of barrens and ridges. Specifics: Native to the Southeast, good landscaping tree, suitable for roadsides, important tree for wildlife.
Source: Healthy Yards www.healthyyards.org Feel free to use and copy our tree information, contact us at info@healthyyards.org