Try a New Tree!
15 rare, uncommon, and less commonly planted trees or tall shrubs
If you are excited about native plants and gardening for wildlife, you probably know at least a little bit about the concept of keystone species. These species play an outsized role in their ecosystems, supporting large numbers of other organisms, and without them, the ecosystem would degrade. Doug Tallamy has popularized the concept among backyard wildlife gardeners in the US with his books such as Bringing Nature Home1 and the Homegrown National Park movement. Through scientific studies as well as years of independent observation, Tallamy and others identify certain species or genera that act as keystones. Oak trees, especially white oaks (Quercus alba) top the list, acting as larval hosts to well over 500 species of lepidoptera. After oaks, cherries (Prunus spp.), willows (Salix spp.), and birch (Betula spp.) represent the hosts with the mosts.2
It’s crucially important that we as ecological gardeners plant and protect keystone species. In choosing them, we get the most “bang for the buck” in terms of attracting a wide variety of insects, birds, and other wildlife.
However, I believe it is also important to plant some less common species as well in order to support biodiversity. Besides, it can be really fun to discover and get to know a slightly more unusual tree! If you too have “plant collector” leanings, read on!
Reasons to plant less common trees
There are certain species that get put on “tried and true” lists by landscapers, garden designers, and conservationists. Here in the Mid-Atlantic, we see a lot of red maple (Acer rubrum), white and red oaks (Quercus alba and Q. rubra), flowering dogwood (Benthamidia florida), and Eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis) in the landscape, to name a few.
This makes sense when you consider what an investment in time and money planting a tree involves. For property owners who might not have a lot of expertise, a “tried and true” option sounds like a good bet. Landscapers and designers don’t want to make recommendations for species that could fail. They also want to recommend trees that are readily available in the nursery trade.
On the other hand, if you are someone who likes to experiment, you might consider planting a lesser-known species. We need to promote biodiversity in different ways, and planting a diversity of trees is another form of doing so. When too many “tried and true” species are planted, and a new pest or pathogen comes along that threatens them, the landscape quickly changes. Witness the effects of Dutch elm disease, the chestnut blight, emerald ash borer, and now sudden oak death, all of which hugely affected ubiquitous tree species over the last century and changed our landscapes significantly.
Another reason to choose an uncommon tree could be to attract a particular insect, bird, or other animal. For example, while the pawpaw tree (Asimina triloba) does not qualify as a keystone species, it is the only larval host of the zebra swallowtail butterfly! So if you want to see fresh and minty zebras, you must have pawpaws around.
Planting less common species can also strengthen the gene pool. The more genetically different individuals that make up a population, the stronger the species will be over time, as the slight variations provide the necessary characteristics to help the species continue to thrive. It’s important to plant seed-grown (sexually reproduced) straight species in order to achieve this. Cultivars are genetically selected and vegetatively propagated versions of trees that do not contribute to genetic diversity. In fact, they can weaken the gene pool. You can easily recognize a tree as a cultivar if the tag has a common word or phrase in single quotes, such as Acer rubrum ‘October Glory.‘ Straight species will only have a two-word botanical name, like Quercus alba.
Finally, more unusual trees contribute to ornamental and aesthetic interest, such as leaf shape and texture, flowers, fruit, fall foliage color, interesting bark, or architectural qualities. If you have a silky camellia (Stewartia malacodendron) blooming in your yard, it may become a topic of conversation with your neighbors, a way to engage others, and a focal point for a gorgeous native planting!
15 Rare, uncommon, and less commonly planted trees to try
Here are 15 species of trees you might consider planting if you have room in your landscape. Some are full-size canopy trees, while others range in size down to what might be considered tall shrubs, so there are plenty of options!
This is only a brief introduction to these species. If any of them catch your eye, research them to determine their native range, growing condition preferences, and other characteristics to make sure that you can offer them the best chance for success in your landscape.
You can download this list for later reference.
For additional information and more uncommon trees and shrubs to try, also consult my spreadsheet: Rare, Uncommon, and Less Commonly Planted Trees Native to Eastern US.
Aesculus pavia, Red buckeye: an understory tree about 10-20’ tall with droopy 5-part leaves that look like segmented umbrellas. It blooms in the spring with upright spikes of bright red tubular flowers that attract hummingbirds. The flowers give way to large, smooth brown fruits. Red buckeyes appreciate rich, medium moisture soil and some shade. This is a great choice for a rich woodland garden edge.
Red buckeye (Aesculus pavia) preparing to bloom. Castanea pumila, Allegheny chinquapin: another small tree/large shrub, the Allegheny chinquapin is sometimes called the dwarf chestnut because it is in the same genus as the American chestnut. It produces spiky burs that protect nuts enjoyed by wildlife such as turkeys, opossums, squirrels, and deer. It tends to naturally grow as a multi-stemmed shrub and can spread by suckers, but you can train it to a single stem and grow it as a tree that will reach 20-30 feet in height. The chinquapin can take poor, dry soil and is quite adaptable to various conditions. Not to be confused with the chinquapin oak (Quercus muehlenbergii) which is a full-sized oak tree that produces acorns like other oaks.
Castanea pumila, Allegheny chinquapin. Photo by Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Cladrastis kentukea, American yellowwood: I love this tree. It actually has bright yellow wood! With smooth bark and beautiful, fragrant chandelier-like white flowers in late spring, followed by stunning golden fall foliage, it is attractive at all times of the year. It is in the Fabaceae, or legume family, but unlike others in that family, it does not fix nitrogen in the soil because it lacks the symbiotic relationship with rhizobium root nodules. The genus name, Cladrastis, means “brittle branch” in Greek. Branches naturally form very narrow angles where they join the trunk, which makes for weak attachments. Protect this tree from high winds and breakage with careful pruning while it is young: encourage a central leader and prioritize branches with wider angle attachments. Despite this vulnerability, the American yellowwood is well worth adding to your landscape.
A young American yellowwood (Cladrastis kentukea). Crataegus viridis, Green hawthorn: A small, spreading tree with many fine branches and twigs, interesting peeling bark, white flowers and fruits loved by wildlife. There are a confusingly large number of hawthorn species native to North America (100 to 200) that readily hybridize in nature. Many have thorns, hence the name hawthorn. In this case, I am only familiar with a particular cultivar (despite what I said above), which I can recommend. It is called ‘Winter King,’ and displays fewer thorns than the straight species. The cultivar was also developed to be resistant to cedar-hawthorn rust. The green hawthorn would be a perfect alternative to a redbud, dogwood, or crabapple tree. Birds love them for nesting, caterpillars, and berries.
A green hawthorn (Crataegus viridis ‘Winter King’) at Mt. Cuba Center, Hockessin, DE. See the bird nest? Gordonia lasianthus, Loblolly bay: Gordonia is a medium tall tree, reaching up to 40’-60’ at maturity, although it is slow-growing and may remain more shrub sized in a garden setting. It is native to the coastal plain of the southeastern US and needs rich, moist but well-drained acidic soil to thrive. The fragrant flowers are white and cup-shaped with yellow centers, and bloom in the summer. A member of the tea (Theaceae) family, Gordonia wood exudes a strong aromatic scent when cut. The evergreen leaves are shiny, elongated ovals that grow in a whorled pattern. If you can give this plant what it needs, it is an absolute star!
Gordonia lasianthus, Loblolly bay. Photo by Kristof Zyskowski, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Gymnocladus dioicus, Kentucky coffee tree: When I think of the Kentucky coffee tree, I think of a friendly gnarled Ent. These are tall canopy trees with scaly bark, blunt twigs, and knobby joints. They produce compound leaves, white flowers in early summer, and bean pods. As the scientific name suggests, this species is dioecious, meaning that individual trees are either male or female. Only the female produces seed pods. The seeds themselves are large and smooth. Traditionally they are roasted and ground up for use as a coffee substitute. In order to grow a tree from seed, you have to scarify (scratch) or soak the seed before planting because the seedcoat, or testa, is so tough. I have done this and it is quite fun! While not exactly a rare tree, I don’t think these are all that widely planted. They are nitrogen fixers and their blossoms attract bees and butterflies. The Kentucky coffee tree acts as a larval host to several moths. Makes a nice shade tree with its feathery leaves, as well as offering architectural winter interest.
A young Gymnocladus dioicus, Kentucky coffee tree. Photo by Ser Amantio di Nicolao, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Halesia tetraptera/diptera, Carolina/Two-winged silverbell: Silverbells are the fairy trees of the understory. Growing as tall shrubs or small trees, these are tidy, unassuming species. When they bloom in late spring, though, it is magical: pendulous white bell-shaped flowers twinkle and sway in the breeze. The flowers give way to either four-winged or two-winged fruits that persist for quite some time. A very ornamental tree to try! Native to moist woods and wet areas in the south and southeastern United States, they prefer partial shade and rich, slightly acidic soils.
A bee enjoys visiting a Halesia diptera, Two-winged silverbell at Mt. Cuba Center in Hockessin, DE. Ostrya virginiana, American hophornbeam: Another small to medium-sized tree, hophornbeams are very adaptable and perhaps underplanted in cultivated landscapes. In the Betulaceae, or birch family, they have very strong wood and medium-sized, finely serrated leaves that look very birch-like. Hophornbeams can take some dry and some wet conditions, although they don’t do well with salt. They have a nice spreading canopy and peeling, shaggy bark that offers winter interest. The dangling fruit capsules also persist well past the growing season and add ornamental flair. This is an unsung star!
The seed capsules of Ostrya virginiana, American hophornbeam, resemble the hops used in beer-making. Oxydendrum arboreum, Sourwood: Sourwood is a medium sized tree of Applachian forests, the sole member of its genus. It belongs to the Ericaceae, or heath family, like blueberries and rhododendrons. Bees love its prolific white, urn-shaped blooms that appear in summer on feathery fronds above the glossy green foliage. Sourwood comes into its own in the fall, when its leaves turn a brilliant red. The flower panicles turn into persistent decorative seed capsules for additional visual interest. It is happiest in full sun to part shade and acidic, moist, well-drained soil, although it can take some drought and some shade. This is definitely one to try if you have a protected spot. It does not do well with pollution, soil compaction, or disturbance.
I was fortunate to get above the canopy to see this flowering Oxydendrum arboreum, Sourwood tree. It was growing in New River Gorge National Park in West Virginia. Prunus americana, American plum: If you want a small tree or large shrub that feeds bees, birds, and mammals, the American plum could be a perfect choice. When happy, it can spread by suckers, so be prepared to either welcome your very own plum thicket, or just remove the suckers as they pop up. You can train it to a single trunk with some attention to pruning. Either way, you’ll have beautiful, delicate white spring flowers just before the leaves emerge, small leaves that do not create much mess, and if you are lucky, some small plums that birds and mammals love! The fruit are also edible for humans and can be used in jams and jellies. The American plum provides excellent cover and nesting habitat for birds, and as a member of the Prunus genus, you know it is a valuable larval host for lepidoptera.
Prunus americana, American plum in bloom, Easton, MD. Quercus imbricaria, Shingle oak: I will be honest, I am not closely familiar with the shingle oak, but I met one about a year ago on a guided walk at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in Vienna, VA (they have a fabulous oak collection!). Perhaps one reason it is unfamiliar is that, unlike most oaks in our region, it has unlobed glossy leaves that look more like a magnolia! It is native across the central Midwest and eastern US, at home in a variety of conditions. With strong wood and a nice rounded habit, this could make an excellent shade tree - why not try a new kind of oak?
Quercus imbricaria, Shingle oak. Photo by Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Stewartia malacodendron, Silky camellia: The silky camellia is a truly uncommon understory tree or tall shrub that is native to the southeastern United States, including the coastal plain of Virginia. It needs a shady, undisturbed spot with decent moisture. Rumor has it that they can be a little finicky and hard to grow, but if you are an adventurous and observant ecological gardener, perhaps this one is for you. The summer-blooming flowers look like (surprise!) camellias: they are white with fuzzy purple stamens, and attract bees and butterflies. Cool! There is another species, Stewartia ovata, or mountain camellia, that is a bit larger and has yellow anthers rather than purple.
Who wouldn’t love to have a Stewartia malacodendron, or Silky camellia? I mean, just look at this bloom. Photo taken at Mt. Cuba Center, Hockessin, DE. Styrax grandifolius, Bigleaf snowbell: Like the silverbells, the snowbells are understory trees or large shrubs that display drooping white flowers in late spring. Besides the bigleaf, there is another species, Styrax americanus, or American snowbell, that occurs in roughly the same range in the southeastern US. The bigleaf snowbell needs shade, and this is one on the list that can take dry shade that many of us have. When content, it can spread by suckers, although you can train it to a single stem if you prefer. The flowers turn into slightly fuzzy round dangling fruit that should definitely be made into earrings at some point. Bees, butterflies, and birds visit this species. I think it could look gorgeous underplanted with ferns and perhaps some Indian pinks (Spigelia marilandica).
Styrax grandifolius, Bigleaf snowbell. Photo by Eric Hunt, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Symplocos tinctoria, Common sweetleaf: A semi-evergreen shrub or small tree with, let’s face it, the coolest fuzzy yellow pompon flowers AND sweet, edible leaves. How could you not try this one? Another name for it is horse-sugar, so I am guessing that you might want to keep your equines away from it. This plant attracts bees, birds, and butterflies - in fact, it is the larval host for the King’s hairstreak butterfly. Which, when it emerges as an adult, just so happens to love the nectar of Oxydendrum arboreum (Sourwood) and Castanea pumila (Allegheny chinquapin) mentioned above! Common sweetleaf prefers moist, acidic, well drained soil.
Symplocos tinctoria, Common sweetleaf. Photo by Joanne Celinski, via NC Extension Gardener Toolbox. Tamala borbonia (formerly Persea borbonia), Red bay: A small, evergreen, single or multi-stemmed tree or tall shrub in the Lauraceae, or laurel, family, the red bay could make an outstanding addition to your landscape if you can protect it from cold weather. It’s native to the coastal southeast region of the United States, where it grows in a variety of conditions. It prefers consistent moisture, especially while becoming established, but after that it can handle some drought. It likes full sun or partial shade, but may not do well with a lot of disturbance. The glossy leaves are aromatic when crushed and can be used like traditional bay leaves in cooking. Oh oh oh! and another wonderful thing about it is that it is a larval host for the Palamedes swallowtail and the spicebush swallowtail butterfly. One note to keep in mind: in its native range, it has been declining due to Red Bay Laurel Wilt disease. You might think that’s a reason to avoid it, but I say it is even more reason to plant it - the more genetically diverse individuals that exist in the world, the greater chance that the population as a whole will develop resistance.
Tamala (Persea) borbonia, Red bay at the US Botanic Garden. Photo by James Steakley, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
So…which ones are you already familiar with or will you try?
I’m really curious to hear from you about these less common trees and shrubs. Do you have any in your own landscape, or have you seen any of these in public spaces? I don’t know about you, but I get so excited learning about new and unusual species. Let’s add more of them to our ecological gardens to boost plant species diversity and draw more wildlife.
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See this chart from Doug Tallamy: 20 Most Valuable Woody and Perennials Native Plant Genera in Terms of Supporting Biodiversity in the Mid-Atlantic Region
Love learning about all these "new" varieties. Thanks for sharing!