Introduction
Let your garden be beautiful and useful! Native plants such as wildflowers provide food and habitat for a wide variety of wildlife. Biodiversity - having a variety of many different plant species available - is a key component to nature. Many plants and many animals form an ecosystem, keeping a healthy balance between the plants, animals and even the bacteria and fungi in the soils. Plus, a variety of plants can mean a beautiful garden year-round.
Planting native TREES
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Planting trees is one of the best things you can do for the community. We offer a list of recommended native species to help you pick out the best tree. If you're planting a street tree (between the sidewalk and the road) or a tree near a sidewalk we recommend at least 4 feet of space. In these environments the recommended species are Amelanchier canadensis (commonly known as serviceberry) or carpinus caroliniana (commonly known as American hornbeam or blue-beech).
Trees are available for sale in a wide variety of places including many local nurseries or even online at The Arbor Day Foundation which offers seedling and saplings for sale at very reasonable costs. Planting native trees, rather than non-natives, provides more food and habitat for wildlife, attracting more birds, butterflies, and other creatures to your yard for your enjoyment. What to plant to attract the most species of butterflies and moths. Natives also generally require less maintenance, as they are adapted to the climate of our region. For more information on "Why Native Plants Matter" from the Audubon Society, click here. |
This tree of the carpinus caroliniana species is a great street tree and is regionally native. It is a low maintenance species growing in zones 3 to 9 with a maximum height of 20 to 35 feet and a spread of 20 to 35 feet. It does well in part shade to full sun.
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More Resources
TreesSupporting animals & pollinators |
Rain GardensNative Plants Lists |
Creating Ecosystems (in your backyard and beyond)
According to the National Wildlife Federation, animals (including pollinators) need four basic components to live
1) Food
2) Water
3) Shelter
4) A place to raise their young
Food can be seeds, berries, nectar, foliage, nuts, fruits, sap, pollen, suet, bird feeders, squirrel feeders, hummingbirg feeds, and butterfly feeders. Water can be a birdbath, lake, stream, seasonal pool, ocean, water garden (even in a container), pond, river, butterfly puddling area, rain garden, or spring. Cover can be a wooded area, brample patch, ground cover, rock pile or wall, cave, roosting box, dense shrubs or thicket, evergreens, brush or log pole, burrow, meadow or prairie, water-garden, or pond. Places to raise young include mature trees, meadow or prairie, nesting boxes, wetlands, caves, host plants for caterpillars, dead trees or snags, dense shrubs or thickets, water gardens, ponds, and burrows. You should also employ sustainable practices like soil and water conservation, controlling exotic species, and organic practices.
To learn more see the National Wildlife Foundation Website or download Bringing Conservation From the Countryside to Your Backyard by the National Association of Conservation Districts, Wildlife Habitat Council, and the National Audubon Society.
1) Food
2) Water
3) Shelter
4) A place to raise their young
Food can be seeds, berries, nectar, foliage, nuts, fruits, sap, pollen, suet, bird feeders, squirrel feeders, hummingbirg feeds, and butterfly feeders. Water can be a birdbath, lake, stream, seasonal pool, ocean, water garden (even in a container), pond, river, butterfly puddling area, rain garden, or spring. Cover can be a wooded area, brample patch, ground cover, rock pile or wall, cave, roosting box, dense shrubs or thicket, evergreens, brush or log pole, burrow, meadow or prairie, water-garden, or pond. Places to raise young include mature trees, meadow or prairie, nesting boxes, wetlands, caves, host plants for caterpillars, dead trees or snags, dense shrubs or thickets, water gardens, ponds, and burrows. You should also employ sustainable practices like soil and water conservation, controlling exotic species, and organic practices.
To learn more see the National Wildlife Foundation Website or download Bringing Conservation From the Countryside to Your Backyard by the National Association of Conservation Districts, Wildlife Habitat Council, and the National Audubon Society.
WHAT'S A TREE WORTH?
Planting a tree will raise property values, conserve energy, absorb and avoid air pollutants, reduce atmospheric carbon, and intercept stormwater - reducing flooding and pollution. Trees store stormwater in their canopy and allow it to evaporate. Their roots also help remove contaminants before they reach the water table. Click here to see more benefits and how communities can use trees as part of their stormwater management system.
A 12-inch diameter White Oak growing in a multi-family residential area provides $98 of benefit to the community each year; $110 in a single family residential area. And mature White Oaks can often reach well over 45 inches in diameter, providing $347 (Multi-family) or $356 (single-family) of annual benefit!
That 12 inch White Oak will intercept 1,037 gallons of stormwater runoff this year. A 45-inch White Oak will intercept 7,239 gallons of stormwater runoff this year!
How much is the tree in your yard or neighborhood worth? Go to the National Tree Benefit Calculator to find out. Enter your tree's information to see just how much we're getting from our trees. Even a small tree's worth adds up over time!
A 12-inch diameter White Oak growing in a multi-family residential area provides $98 of benefit to the community each year; $110 in a single family residential area. And mature White Oaks can often reach well over 45 inches in diameter, providing $347 (Multi-family) or $356 (single-family) of annual benefit!
That 12 inch White Oak will intercept 1,037 gallons of stormwater runoff this year. A 45-inch White Oak will intercept 7,239 gallons of stormwater runoff this year!
How much is the tree in your yard or neighborhood worth? Go to the National Tree Benefit Calculator to find out. Enter your tree's information to see just how much we're getting from our trees. Even a small tree's worth adds up over time!
NATIONAL PLANTING DAY & keep america bee-utiful
Organize your group to plant native trees or other native pollinator plants this fall. Keep America Beautiful is asking National Planting Day participants to celebrate the theme of "Keep America Bee-utiful" by focusing their efforts on planting pollinators, in addition to native species. “Promote the Health of Honey Bees and Other Pollinators.
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