THE LEAFLET

Brighten your view, yard, and mood with these trees that bring some much-needed winter interest to your property. Better yet? They are all eligible for at least one of our residential planting programs!

American Holly | Ilex opaca

The American holly is a pyramid-shaped tree symbolizing the holiday season with its dark green leaves and red berries that birds appreciate. It adds a splash of green in our otherwise leafless winters and is prized in many gardens throughout the DC area. The fast-growing “Nellie R. Stevens” holly is about half the size of the American holly and is also common in our area. The American holly grows slowly, typically taking 30 years to reach a height of 20 feet. It will grow in full sun but prefers partial shade. They’re available through our residential planting program, RiverSmart Homes. You can also get up to $50 back for planting this tree yourself through our tree rebate program.

Arborvitae | Thuja occidentalis

Latin for “tree of life,” the arborvitae is a dense, conical tree with yellowish-green leaves that can add some privacy to your yard as a hedge or screen. Graceful and symmetrical, the scale-like leaves turn darker green with age and may bronze up in the winter. While full sun is the ideal condition for this tree, the arborvitae tolerates some light afternoon shade and reaches a height of 30 feet. You can get up to $100 back for planting this tree yourself through our tree rebate program.

Cryptomeria | Cryptomeria japonica

Slender and symmetrical, the cryptomeria is a lovely evergreen conifer with peeling reddish-brown bark, blue-green needles, and branching that is slightly pendulous at the tips. A prized timber tree in its native habitat of Japan and China – the wood is strongly rot-resistant and is used for buildings, bridges, ships, lamp posts, furniture, and paper manufacture. Best grown in full sun but can tolerate late shade, cryptomerias usually grow to about 50 feet. You can get up to $100 back for planting this tree yourself through our tree rebate program.

Deodar Cedar | Cedrus deodara

A graceful tree with bluish-green needles, the deodar cedar is an exceptionally beautiful evergreen that many consider the most striking tree found in the DC Metro area. It grows pyramidal when young, but its crown flattens as it ages, with pendulous branches flowing from its trunk. Deodar cedars need full sun and typically will attain 50 feet in height in 30 to 50 years. You can get up to $50 back for planting this tree yourself through our tree rebate program.

 Loblolly Pine | Pinus taeda

The loblolly pine is a relatively fast-growing evergreen known for its straight trunk, upright form and distinctive bark. Its narrow form allows it to occupy a variety of yard spaces, and over time its crown of attractive green needles spread out to provide shade below. Loblolly pines need full sun and will attain a height of 40 feet in about 30 – 40 years. You can also get up to $50 back for planting this tree yourself through our tree rebate program.

Southern Magnolia | Magnolia grandiflora

This elegant tree has large fragrant flowers that bloom from March to June, striking seed pods that drop bright red seeds in the fall, and bold, beautiful leaves. Southern magnolias are a much sought-after, durable evergreen tree that grace gardens and yards throughout the District. Southern magnolias reach approximately 50 feet in height in about 50 years. It thrives in full sun or partial shade. This tree is available through our residential planting program, RiverSmart Homes. You can also get up to $100 back for planting this tree yourself through our tree rebate program.

Sweetbay Magnolia | Magnolia virginiana

A small evergreen tree in our area, sweetbay magnolias have lemon-scented flowers and blooms in spring forming bright-red seeds in the fall. This tree is a favorite among gardeners throughout DC. At home in sun or partial shade, this small tree will reach 15 to 20 feet in height in approximately 30 years. This tree is available through our residential planting program, RiverSmart Homes. You can also get up to $50 back for planting this tree yourself through our tree rebate program.

 Virginia Pine | Pinus virginiana

Often used as a bonsai specimen, the Virginia pine is a unique and attractive tree with a sinuous trunk and orange-red bark. It will grow in poor, dry soils. The Virginia Pine Requires full sun where it may reach 20 to 30 feet in height in approximately 40 years. This tree is available through our residential planting program, RiverSmart Homes. You can also get up to $50 back for planting this tree yourself through our tree rebate program.