Hardy Rubber Tree
Eucommia ulmoides The hardy rubber tree is a medium shade tree that gets its name from the latex that exudes when its lustrous, glossy green leaves are torn. It has …
Trees
Information on urban hardy species that have been tested for success.
Pecan
Carya illinoinensis The pecan is a beautiful tree with a straight trunk, light green leaves and, of course, pecans in the fall. Several large specimens of pecans grow in the …
Northern Red Oak
Quercus rubra The red oak, considered a sentinel shade tree, has a strong and enduring form, striking dark bark, and beautiful red fall foliage with acorns prized by wildlife. Size …
London Planetree
Platanus x acerifolia Known for its canopies over the boulevards of Europe, the London planetree is a tough and majestic shade tree with attractive, mottled grayish-white bark that peels in …
Pitch Pine
Pinus rigida An undervalued and overlooked landscape specimen, pitch pines are an architecturally striking, small to medium-sized evergreen tree, often having a crooked trunk, asymmetrical branches and striking orange-plated bark. …
Bald Cypress
Taxodium distichum A graceful tree with dark shaggy bark, light-green leaves, and a grand pyramidal shape, the baldcypress is a tough, urban tree valued by wildlife for its seed. It …
Willow Oak
Quercus phellos Named for its unusual leaves resembling those of a willow tree, the willow oak is one of the toughest urban shade trees around. Its tiny acorns are prized …
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 …
Chinkapin Oak
Quercus muehlenbergii A stout, relatively small shade tree, the chinkapin oak has dark-green, toothed leaves and yellow to orange fall color. If planted with sufficient space, its broad low base …
River Birch
Betula nigra River birches are known for their distinct peeling bark, golden-yellow fall foliage, and their ability to tolerate difficult urban conditions. Its ornamental bark is particularly striking after its …
Red Maple
Acer rubrum One of the most popular planted trees, red maples are coveted for their brilliant fall color, ability to withstand challenging soil conditions and their seeds which fall “helicopter-like” to …
Red Cedar
Juniperus virginiana Often seen colonizing abandoned farm fields just outside DC, the red cedar is an evergreen tree with beautiful reddish-brown bark and small cones that are eaten by birds …
Black Tupelo
Nyssa sylvatica The black gum, aka “tupelo,” is famous for its brilliant fall color, small purple fruit, and as the source of tupelo honey! Size and Light Requirements The black …
Common Persimmon
Diospyros virginiana A member of the ebony family, the persimmon is a graceful, slender, and smallish shade tree with dark distinctive furrowed bark and leaves that turn red to purple-red …
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 …