Horticulture: Deciduous Trees

Norway Maple

The Norway Maple is a large tree that is beautiful for your yard. Despite this, they are an invasive species and are regulated. It should only be planted in areas where you are able to eradicate seedlings that fall from the planted tree. The seeds are dispersed by wind, meaning that Norway Maples cannot be planted within 100 feet of a natural area such as a park or forest.

This tree can grow up to 40-60 feet tall and can grow in both the sun and the shade. Their thick canopies make for good shade, though they are easily able to remove plant diversity in the area due to this (MDA).

Red Maple

The Red Maple is a native to North America. This beauty is the fastest growing tree on the East Coast with a rate of 18 inches per year. The Red Maple can grow to 70 feet tall.

Despite its name, the Red Maple isn’t always red. However, it does get its name due to its fierce red foliage in the fall. Other times of the year it has a green color. The Red Maple is unique, as it is not toxic to humans, cats or dogs. It is, however, toxic to horses and ponies (The Spruce).

River Birch

The River Birch is a gorgeous deciduous tree that lives in the floodplains of the Eastern United States. This highly adaptable tree can easily live in drier soil and warmer conditions.

The River Birch has the classic peeling white bark, showing a deep red trunk underneath. These trees love the full sun, and are best kept in moist soil (The Spruce).

Sugar Maple

The Sugar Maple is a medium to large tree. The flowers on this tree bloom in April and May and mature into fruit in August through October. The Sugar Maple is where many get their maple sugar and syrup. You can learn to tap trees and get some free breakfast sauce!

Wildlife loves the Sugar Maple and their seeds provide a diet for many birds and small mammals. Their canopy gives a safe shade for animals as well (MDC).

White Ash

The White Ash is an essential part of the North American landscape. However, it is highly discouraged to plant more because of the spread of emerald ash borer insects.

During maturation, the White Ash has a pyramidal shape that widens out and becomes rounder as it matures. The White Ash grows to a height of 60-80 feet tall. It gets its name from pale undersides of its green leaves (The Spruce).