THE LEAFLET

With Winter approaching, we watch as the painted leaves of Fall abandon their branches and leave trees bare for the rest of the season. While there’s this mysterious, undeniable beauty to our leafless trees – the look isn’t for everyone. If you’re someone who appreciates green trees all year-round, you’ve come to the right place! We’re here to share some of the amazing evergreen trees that will keep your yard looking bright and lively even through our coldest months.   

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. It typically grows to 60-80’ tall with a pyramidal to rounded crown. 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.

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.   

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. 

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 are appreciated by birds. It adds a splash of green in our otherwise leafless winters and is prized in many gardens throughout the D.C. 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. 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.