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Native Trees Discount Qualifying Trees

Qualifying Trees

Some trees are native to Montgomery County and most to Maryland. Native tree species in this list are preferred to non-native, invasive tree species. As you select one or more trees for your yard, please choose from this list:

Small trees

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME SUITABLE HABITAT NOTABLE QUALITIES
cedar, Eastern red Juniperus virginiana Moist to dry soil; climate change resilient; deer resistant; full sun Twigs can be used to make juniper tea.
cedar, Northern white Thuja occidentalis Moist to dry soil; full sun to part shade The evergreen nature of this tree provides small mammals with protection from the cold in winter.
cherry, choke Prunus virginiana Moist soil; full sun; somewhat poisonous when ingested by humans and pets The seasonal flowers help to create an ideal habitat for a variety of butterfly species.
dogwood, flowering Cornus florida Moist to dry soil; climate change resilient; deer resistant; part shade to full shade Notable spring blooms make this one of the most popular trees in the program.
fringetree, white Chionanthus virginicus Moist to dry soil; deer resistant; full sun to full shade A hallmark of this tree is its fragrant flower clusters with white fringe-like petals.
hawthorn, green Crataegus viridis Wet to moist soil; climate change resilient; part shade to full shade The flowers and berries provide food for a variety of birds, butterflies, and small mammals.
hornbeam, American Carpinus caroliniana Moist to dry soil; climate change resilient; deer resistant; part shade to full shade Its ridged trunk earned this tree the nickname musclewood. Thrives in a wide variety of conditions.
hornbeam, hop Ostrya virginiana Moist to dry soil; climate change resilient; deer resistant; full sun to part shade This small, slow-growing tree thrives in most soil types.
magnolia, sweetbay Magnolia virginiana Wet to moist soil; climate change resilient; deer resistant; full sun to part shade This evergreen tree produces flowers throughout the summer.
paw paw Asimina triloba Moist soil; deer resistant; full sun Shade tolerant understory tree producing the largest edible fruit native to the United States
redbud, Eastern Cercis canadensis Moist to dry soil; deer resistant; part shade to full shade Known for its pink springtime flowers that attract a variety of pollinators.
serviceberry, Eastern Amelanchier canadensis Wet to moist soil; deer resistant; full sun to part shade Produces showy, fragrant flowers early in the spring.
sourwood Oxydendrum arboreum Moist to dry soil; climate change resilient; deer resistant; full sun to part shade Flowers in the early summer and attracts a variety of pollinators.

Medium trees

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME SUITABLE HABITAT NOTABLE QUALITIES
birch, river Betula nigra  Wet to moist soil; deer resistant; full sun to part shade The peeling, papery bark is an iconic feature of this tree.
cherry, black Prunus serotina Moist soil; deer resistant; full sun; highly poisonous when ingested by humans and pets The seasonal flowers help to create an ideal habitat for a variety of butterfly species.
elm, slippery Ulmus rubra Moist to dry soil; part shade to full shade Birds frequently nest in the thick foliage.
gum, black Nyssa sylvatica Wet to dry soil; deer resistant; full sun to part shade This long-living tree was designated as Montgomery County’s county tree in 2021.
holly, American Ilex opaca Moist soil; full sun to part shade; somewhat poisonous when ingested by humans and pets Shade and sun tolerant tree that produces berries and flowers provide food to a variety of small mammals and birds.
locust, black Robinia pseudoacacia Moist to dry soil; climate change resilient; full sun to part shade; highly poisonous when ingested by humans and pets This tree is known for transplanting well and thriving in a wide variety of conditions.
maple, red Acer rubrum Wet to moist soil; deer resistant; full sun to part shade This is one of the first trees to exhibit fall colors, turning a bright, showy red.
oak, black Quercus velutina Moist to dry soil; climate change resilient; deer resistant; full sun; somewhat poisonous when ingested by humans and pets This grows quickly in otherwise poor soil conditions.
oak, blackjack Quercus marilandica Dry soil; climate change resilient; deer resistant; full sun; somewhat poisonous when ingested by humans and pets This is among the smaller species of oak and turns a brilliant golden in the fall.
persimmon Diospyros virginiana Moist to dry soil; climate change resilient; deer resistant; full sun to part shade With both a male and a female tree, will begin producing fruit at around 4 to 10 years of age.
walnut, butternut or white Juglans cinerea Moist soil; full sun This tree is allelopathic, preventing growth of other plants beneath its canopy.
yellowwood Cladrastis kentukea Moist to dry soil; climate change resilient; full sun Flowers and fruit attract a variety of pollinators.

 

Large trees

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME SUITABLE HABITAT NOTABLE QUALITIES
beech, American Fagus grandifolia Moist soil; deer resistant; full sun to part shade The nuts attract a variety of small animals.
cottonwood, Eastern Populus deltoides Wet to moist soil; full sun In late summer, the seeds take on the appearance of cotton.
cypress, bald Taxodium distichum Wet to dry soil; climate change resilient; deer resistant; full sun This deciduous conifer is native to swampy areas but is drought tolerant.
elm, American Ulmus americana Moist soil; climate change resilient; deer resistant; full sun Many nurseries are currently offering cultivars that are resistant to Dutch elm disease, which wreaked havoc on elm populations starting in the 1930s.
hemlock, Eastern Tsuga canadensis Moist soil; deer resistant; part shade to full shade The evergreen nature of this tree provides small mammals with protection from the cold in winter.
hickory, mockernut Carya tomentosa Moist to dry soil; deer resistant; full sun This tree is allelopathic, preventing growth of other plants beneath its canopy.
hickory, pignut Carya glabra Wet to dry soil; climate change resilient; deer resistant; full sun to part shade Produces 1 inch, spherical edible nuts starting around 30 years old.
hickory, shagbark Carya ovata Moist soil; climate change resilient; deer resistant; full sun Nuts of this tree are valued by wildlife and sold commercially for humans.
hickory, swamp or bitternut Carya cordiformis  Wet to moist soil; climate change resilient; full sun Produces 1 inch, spherical edible nuts starting around 30 years old.
locust, honey Gleditsia triacanthos Moist soil; deer resistant; full sun This tree has stout thorns that can grow up to several inches long.
magnolia, Southern Magnolia grandiflora Moist soil; deer resistant; part shade This evergreen tree is known for its large, fragrant flowers.
oak, chestnut Quercus montana Moist soil; climate change resilient; deer resistant; full sun to part shade; somewhat poisonous when ingested by humans and pets Produces acorns up to 1.5 inches long that are of high value to birds and other wildlife.
oak, pin Quercus palustris Moist soil; deer resistant; full sun; somewhat poisonous when ingested by humans and pets The acorns of this and other oaks are a food source for many birds and other wildlife.
oak, post Quercus stellata Moist soil; climate change resilient; deer resistant; full sun; somewhat poisonous when ingested by humans and pets Like other oak species, this tree supports the larval stage of a variety of moth species.
oak, red Quercus rubra Moist to dry soil; deer resistant; full sun; somewhat poisonous when ingested by humans and pets This oak is notable for its deep red or burgundy fall color.
oak, scarlet Quercus coccinea Moist soil; climate change resilient; deer resistant; full sun; somewhat poisonous when ingested by humans and pets As the name suggests, this oak is notable for its brilliant scarlet color in the fall.
oak, shingle Quercus imbricaria Wet to dry soil; deer resistant; full sun; somewhat poisonous when ingested by humans and pets The acorns of this and other oaks are a food source for many birds and other wildlife.
oak, swamp white Quercus bicolor Wet soil; deer resistant; full sun; somewhat poisonous when ingested by humans and pets This oak species thrives in swampy areas but is also drought tolerant.
oak, white Quercus alba Dry soil; climate change resilient; deer resistant; full sun; somewhat poisonous when ingested by humans and pets This tree is noted for its bright red fall color and strong branches.
oak, willow Quercus phellos Wet to moist soil; deer resistant; full sun; somewhat poisonous when ingested by humans and pets This fast-growing oak species has leaves similar in shape to those of a willow.
sweetgum Liquidambar styraciflua Wet to moist soil; full sun to part shade This tree is known for its vibrant array of fall colors. Spiny fruits fall annually.
sycamore, American Platanus occidentalis Wet to moist soil; climate change resilient; full sun to part shade This fast-growing tree has a notable mottled bark that provides winter interest.
walnut, black Juglans nigra Moist soil; climate change resilient; full sun This tree is allelopathic, preventing growth of other plants beneath its canopy.

 

Last Updated: November 15, 2022