Evergreen Trees
| Scientific Name | Common Name | Natural Habitat in Illinois1 | Regions Where Native in Illinois2 | Pollination3 | Fruit Type4 | Wildlife Attracted5 | Special Features6 | Establishment & Problems6 | Adaptability & Growth Rate6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Juniperus virginiana | eastern redcedar | bluffs; rocky outcrops; old fields; dry woods; moist woods | N, C, S | dioecious; wind | fleshy, dark blue berry-like cones, 1/4″ in diameter, with several seeds | songbirds, small and game mammals; high value; nesting cover | pyramidal shape; fine, scale-like leaves; exfoliating bark; 40-50′ tall | transplants easily, B & B; can be mass planted for windbreaks; host for cedar apple and cedar hawthorn rusts | very adaptable from very dry to moist soils; don’t plant near apples and hawthorns; medium growth rate |
| Pinus strobus | eastern white pine | moist woods | N, c, s | monoecious; wind | cones, 6-8″ long, winged seeds | songbirds, game birds, small mammals; high value | pyramidal shape with horizontal layers; fine texture; 50-80′ tall | transplants easily; white pine blister rust, white pine weevil; don’t plant near Ribes species | best on moist, well-drained soils but adaptable to dry soil; intolerant of air pollution and salt spray; fast growing |
Deciduous Small Trees
| Scientific Name | Common Name | Natural Habitat in Illinois1 | Regions Where Native in Illinois2 | Pollination3 | Fruit Type4 | Wildlife Attracted5 | Special Features6 | Establishment & Problems6 | Adaptability & Growth Rate6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aesculus pavia | see “Shrubs” table | ||||||||
| Amelanchier arborea(Amelanchier canadensis of some authors) | downy serviceberry, juneberry, shadbush, servicetree | wooded slopes; open rocky woods; edge of cliffs | N, C, S | flowers perfect; long-tongued bees (6), short-tongued bees (27), other Hymenoptera (1), Diptera (17) | fleshy pomes, purple- maroon, 1/4-1/3″ in diameter | songbirds, gamebirds, small and game mammals; high value in early summer | beautiful form; white flowers; red fall color; smooth gray bark | transplants fairly easily, B & B; several rusts, fire blight, minor insect pests | needs well to moderately drained, moist soil; medium growth rate |
| Aralia spinosa | devil’s-walking stick, Hercules’ club | rich woods; edges of streams and woods | n, c, S | flowers perfect or polygamous; insects, probably many Diptera and Hymenoptera | fleshy, black drupes, 1/4″ in diameter, with several small stones, produced in great quantity | songbirds, small and game mammals; high value | unusual habit with spiny, coarse stems and very large leaves; huge clusters of white flowers; produces suckers | transplants easily, BR; no serious diseases or insect pests | very adaptable to poor conditions; thrives with neglect; use with caution where people present due to spines; fast growing |
| Asimina triloba | pawpaw | low woods; wooded slopes; along streams | N, C, S | flowers perfect; Diptera (8) | fleshy, large, yellow berries, 2-5″ long, with few seeds | wild turkey, game mammals; low value for others | unusual flowers; yellow fall color; root suckers, form colonies | somewhat difficult, transplant small trees B & B or container in early spring; few pests | best in moist soil; medium growth rate |
| Carpinus caroliniana | American hornbeam, blue-beech, musclewood | moist woods; ravines; rocky slopes along streams | N, C, S | monoecious; wind | small nuts, 1/3″ long, covered by larger green bracts, the cluster 1″ long | songbirds, gamebirds, small mammals; minor importance | smooth, gray bark; showy fruit clusters; yellow or orange fall color | somewhat difficult, transplant small trees B & B or container in early spring; minor diseases, none serious | best in moist soil, but can tolerate drier conditions; slow growing |
| Cercis canadensis | eastern redbud | rich woods; edges of woods; along streams; rocky openings; often withCornus florida | N, C, S | flowers perfect; long-tongued bees (22), short-tongued bees (19), Diptera (4), Lepidoptera (5) | brown, flat pods, 2-3″ long, persisting through winter | generally unused by wildlife | flowers in early spring; yellow fall color | transplants well B & B; cankers,Verticilliumwilt | suitable for many soil conditions, except poorly drained, clay; medium growth rate |
| Cornus alternifolia | alternate-leaved dogwood, Pagoda dogwood | rich woods; wooded slopes and bluffs | N, C, S | flowers perfect; insects, probably Diptera and Hymenoptera | dark blue drupes, 1/4-1/3″ in diameter, on red pedicels | upland gamebirds, songbirds, mammals; very important in late summer; nesting cover | beautiful horizontally layered habit; white flowers; maroon fall color | transplants easily B & B, slow to reestablish; many minor fungal diseases and insect pests, rarely serious | best in moist, acid to neutral soils; growth rate initially slow, becoming medium |
| Cornus drummondii | see “Shr ubs” table | ||||||||
| Cornus florida | flowering dogwood | woods; wooded slopes; ravines; along bluffs; edges of prairies | C, S | flowers perfect; long-tongued bees (3), short-tongued bees (15), other Hymenoptera (2), Diptera (7) | fleshy red drupes, ovoid, 1/3″ long, 3-4 in a cluster | wild turkey, bobwhite, songbirds; very high value in fall | showy white flower clusters; red fruits; red fall color | somewhat difficult to transplant, B & B in early spring; many potential diseases and pests, but trees generally do well anyway | prefers moist, well-drained acid soil; sensitive to pollutants; avoid strong drying summer and winter winds; growth rate initially slow, becoming medium |
| Crataegus crus-galli | cockspur hawthorn | wooded slopes; thickets; rocky areas; hill prairies | N, C, S | flowers perfect; long-tongued bees (9), short-tongued bees (26), other Hymenoptera (10), Diptera (23), Lepidoptera (3), Coleoptera (4) | fleshy, deep red pomes, 3/8-1/2″ in diameter | upland game birds, songbirds; not relished, mostly late winter emergency food; good nesting cover | attractive flowers and fruits; glossy leaves | B & B in early spring as a small tree; cedar hawthorn rust and other rusts, fireblight | does well in poor, dry soil and city conditions; don’t use where people are present due to thorns, thornless cultivar available; slow to medium growth rate |
| Crataegus mollis | downy hawthorn, red haw | moist woods; thickets; woodland borders | N, C, S | flowers perfect; long-tongued bees (4), short-tongued bees (28), other Hymenoptera (4), Diptera (30), Coleoptera (6) | fleshy, dull red pomes, 1/2-1″ in diameter | see C. crus-galli above | attractive flowers and fruits | rather difficult to transplant, B & B in early spring; cedar hawthorn rust and other rusts, fireblight | does well in poor, dry soil; don’t use where people are present due to thorns; slow growing |
| Crataegus phaenopyrum | Washington hawthorn | open woods; woodland borders; thickets | n, C, S | flowers perfect; insects | fleshy, bright red, glossy pomes, 1/4″ in diameter, abundant | see C. crus-galli above | attractive flowers and fruits; lustrous dark green foliage turning orange to purple in fall | transplants well B & B in early spring or late autumn; cedar hawthorn rust and other rusts, fireblight | does well in poor, dry soil; don’t use where people are present due to thorns; fast growing |
| Hamamelis virginiana | common witchhazel | moist woodlands; ravines | N, C, S | flowers perfect; insects | capsules, 1/2″ long, maturing 1 year after flowering | upland game birds, fox squirrel; limited value | fragrant yellow flowers in fall; yellow fall color | rather difficult to transplant, B & B or container in early spring; no serious problems | avoid dry soils; somewhat tolerant of city conditions; medium growth rate |
| Ilex decidua | possomhaw, swamp holly, winterberry | bottomland woods; bases of bluffs; shaded cliffs | C, S | dioecious; insects | fleshy drupes, red, 1/4-1/3″ in diameter, with several small pits; need a few male plants for fruit set | wild turkey, bobwhite, songbirds; high value | red fruits persist through winter on bare gray branches; forms thickets | transplants easily, B & B; no serious problems | adapts to open conditions with dry soil; slow to medium growth rate |
| Malus coronaria | sweet crab apple | woods; edges of fields; edges of prairies | N, C, S | flowers perfect; insects | fleshy, yellow-green pomes, fragrant, waxy, 1-1 1/2″ in diameter | bobwhite, pheasant, songbirds; high value; nesting cover | large pink flowers before leaves unfold; forms thickets | transplants easily B & B; cedar apple rust, apple scab, fire blight | adaptable to dry soils; don’t plant near junipers; medium growth rate |
| Malus ioensis | prairie or Iowa crab apple | edges of prairies and woodlands; rocky hillsides; fields | N, C, s | flowers perfect; insects | fleshy, yellow-green pomes, fragrant, waxy, 1-1 1/2″ in diameter | see M. coronariaabove | large pink flowers before leaves unfold; forms thickets; host to cedar apple rust; susceptible to apple scab & fire blight | transplants easily B & B; cedar apple rust, apple scab, fire blight | adaptable to dry soils; don’t plant near junipers; medium growth rate |
| Ostrya virginiana | Eastern hophornbeam, ironwood | dry soil on rocky slopes; upland woods | N, C, S | monoecious; wind | nutlets, 1/4-1/3″ long, enclosed in a hop-like sac, the cluster 1- 1 1/2″ long | songbirds, small mammals; limited value | beautiful habit; ornamental fruit pods; yellow fall color | difficult to transplant, slow to recover, B & B or container as small tree in early spring; no serious problems | sensitive to salt spray; best planted in moist soils, although tolerates dry conditions when established; slow growing |
| Prunus americana | see “Shrubs” table | ||||||||
| Ptelea trifoliata | common hop tree, wafer-ash, stinking-ash | low woods in ravines; rocky open woods; hill prairies; limestone cliffs | N, C, S | flowers polygamous; long-tongued bees (5), short-tongued bees (28), other Hymenoptera (14), Diptera (19), Lepidoptera (2) | flat, round samaras, yellow-green, 2/3-1″ in diameter, produced in clusters | songbirds, upland ground birds, small mammals; intermediate value; nesting cover | glossy foliage; conspicuous fruits; tendency to sucker | transplants easily; no serious problems | adaptable to dry soil, full sun to shade; slow to medium growth rate |
| Rhus copallina | see “Shrubs” table | ||||||||
| Rhus glabra | see “Shrubs” table | ||||||||
| Rhus typhina | see “Shrubs” table | ||||||||
| Salix interior | sandbar willow | along streams; sandbars; bottomlands | N, C, S | dioecious; insects | capsules,1/2-3/4″ long, produced in catkins, seeds with a ring of silky hairs | songbirds, game mammals; nesting cover; seeds used to line bird nests | fine textured, narrow foliage | transplants easily, BR or B & B; many bacterial and fungal diseases and insect pests | one of several native willows to consider planting in wet areas; fast growing |
| Viburnum lentago | nannyberry, sheepberry | moist woods; borders of streams; wooded slopes; uplands | N, C, S | flowers perfect; probably many Hymenoptera, Coleoptera, and Lepidoptera | fleshy drupes, red turning blue-black, oval, 1/2″ in diameter; produced in clusters on red pedicels | upland gamebirds, songbirds, small and game mammals; high value in winter | creamy white flowers; fruit display; suckers to form thickets | transplants easily, B & B; no serious problems | very adaptable from moist to dry soils and shade to full sun; medium growth rate |
| Viburnum prunifolium | blackhaw, nannyberry | rocky upland woods; bluffs; upper slopes of ravines; edges of woods | N, C, S | flowers perfect; long-tongued bees (11), short-tongued bees (27), other Hymenoptera (2), Diptera (36), Lepidoptera (7) | fleshy drupes, red turning blue-black oval, 1/2″ in diameter, produced in clusters on red pedicels | see V. lentagoabove | creamy white flowers; fall color often red; appearance similar to hawthorns (Crataegus) | transplants easily B & B; no serious problems | very adaptable from moist to dry soils and shade to full sun; slow to medium growth rate |
Deciduous Medium Trees
| Scientific Name | Common Name | Natural Habitat in Illinois1 | Regions Where Native in Illinois2 | Pollination3 | Fruit Type4 | Wildlife Attracted5 | Special Features6 | Establishment & Problems6 | Adaptability & Growth Rate6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acer rubrum | red maple | swamps; low woods; uplands, slopes; bluff tops | N, C, S | flowers polygamous; primarily wind | samaras, 3/4-1″ long | songbirds, bobwhite small and game mammals; high value in early summer | often outstanding fall color; smooth gray bark | transplants easily BR or B & B in larger sizes; minor insect pests | adaptable to different soil types, but does best in moist conditions; medium to fast growth rate |
| Aesculus glabra | Ohio buckeye | moist woods, bottomland woods, | N, C, S | flowers perfect; insects, especially Hymenoptera | leathery, prickly capsule enclosing 1-3 nut-like seeds, each 1-1 1/2″ in diameter | squirrels; low value; poisonous to humans | greenish-yellow flowers in late spring; unusual palmately compound leaves | moderately difficult to transplant, B & B; leaf blotch, minor fungal diseases and insect pests | best in moist soils; develops leaf scorch in windy, hot, droughty conditions; medium growth rate |
| Diospyros virginiana | common persimmon | dry woods; rich bottomlands; edges of fields; fence rows | n, C, S | flowers polygamous, often dioecious; long-tongued bees (6), short-tongued bees (2), Lepidoptera (1) | fleshy berries, 1-1 1/2″ in diameter, dull orange | songbirds, gamebirds, small and game mammals; valuable winter food | checked bark; yellow to reddish purple fall color; forms thickets | difficult to transplant, B & B as small tree in early spring; no major problems | very adaptable to dry, infertile soils; tolerant of city conditions; slow to medium growth rate |
| Morus rubra | red mulberry | edge of woodlands; lowland to upland woods; thickets | N, C, S | dioecious; wind | fleshy, clusters resembling blackberries, 1″ long, composed of tiny drupes, red turning purple | songbirds, gamebirds, game and small mammals; high value in summer | glossy leaves; broad spreading habit; wildlife spread fruits widely and species becomes weedy | transplants easily BR or B & B; many bacterial and fungal diseases and insect pests | very adaptable to city conditions and poor soil, but best in moist soil; fast growing |
| Populus tremuloides | quaking aspen | woods; along streams; sandy areas | N, C | dioecious; wind, long-tongued bees (1) | capsules 1/4-1/3″ long, produced in catkins, seeds with a tuft of silky hairs | songbirds, pheasant; limited value | leaves flutter in the breeze; yellow fall color; pale gray bark; suckers to form colonies | transplants easily, BR or B & B; many disease and insect pest problems | indifferent to most soil conditions; salt tolerant; fast growing |
| Prunus virginiana | common chokecherry | rich woods; thickets; sandy soil; lakeshores; dunes; dry exposed rocky cliffs | N, C, s | flowers perfect; long-tongued bees (14), short-tongued bees (26), other Hymenoptera (3), Diptera (23), Lepidoptera (7), Coleoptera (3) | fleshy drupes, red turning purple-black, 1/3″ in diameter, abundant in hanging clusters | upland gamebirds, songbirds, small and game mammals; high value | white flowers in long racemes; suckers form colonies | transplants easily B & B; host to many pests, but trees still grow well | does well in moist to dry soils; salt tolerant; especially suitable to northern Illinois; medium growth rate |
| Quercus marilandica | blackjack oak | dry rocky uplands; sandy areas | C, S | monoecious; wind | acorns 3/4-1″ long, maturing in 2 seasons | upland gamebirds, large songbirds, small and game mammals; high value | scrubby tree with interesting coarse winter silhouette | difficult to transplant; B & B in early spring; some fungal diseases, none serious | adapted to dry, poor soils; slow growing |
| Quercus phellos | willow oak | along streams; around lakes and ponds | S | monoecious; wind | acorns 1/2 ” long, maturing in 2 seasons | upland gamebirds, large songbirds, small and game mammals; high value | narrow, willow-like leaves; excellent dense oval crown | easier to transplant than most oaks, B & B when dormant; no serious problems | prefers moist soils, but adaptable to very poor conditions; medium growth rate |
| Quercus stellata | post oak | dry, rocky upland woods; dry bluffs; flatwoods | n, C, S | monoecious; wind | acorns 1/2-1″ long, maturing in 1 season | upland gamebirds, large songbirds, small and game mammals; high value | picturesque twisted limbs, coarse texture; brown leaves persist through winter | somewhat difficult to transplant, B & B in early spring; no serious problems | adapted to dry, poor soils; slow growing |
| Salix amygdaloides | peachleaf willow | edges of streams and ponds; low woods | N, C, S | dioeicous; long-tongued bees (7), short-tongued bees (27), Diptera (7) | capsules 1/4-1/3″ long, produced in 1″ long catkins; seeds hairy | large and small mammals feed on leaves, shoots and bark; moderate value | peach-like leaves; branches somewhat weeping | readily transplanted BR or B & B; many fungal and bacterial diseases and insect pests; weak wooded | can tolerate wet to dry soil, does well in poor compacted soil; fast growing |
| Sassafras albidum | sassafras | dry cliffs; wooded slopes; dry soils at edges of woods and prairies; sandy soil; old fields | N, C, S | dioecious; long-tongued bees (1), short-tongued bees (26), other Hymenoptera (12), Diptera (57), Lepidoptera (1), Coleoptera (3), Hemiptera (1) | fleshy drupes, 1/2″ long, oval, blue-black on red stalks; produced in every 2-3 years | songbirds, gamebirds; high value |
magnificant fall color; small yellowish flowers in spring | very difficult to transplant, B & B or container in early spring; few problems | best in moist soil, will tolerate dry soil when established; some chlorosis in high pH soils; medium to fast growth rate |
| Ulmus alata | winged elm, cork elm, wahoo | rocky upland woods; bluffs; ravine bottoms; along streams | c, S | perfect; wind | samaras, 1/4-1/3″ long | minor use by birds, small and game mammals | winged stems; habit reminiscent of a small American elm | transplants easily, B & B; some individual trees susceptible to powdery mildew | adaptable to moist or dry soils |
Deciduous Large Trees
| Scientific Name | Common Name | Natural Habitat in Illinois1 | Regions Where Native in Illinois2 | Pollination3 | Fruit Type4 | Wildlife Attracted5 | Special Features6 | Establishment & Problems6 | Adaptability & Growth Rate6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acer saccharinum | silver, soft, or white maple | low and bottomland woods; margins of ponds and lakes | N, C, S | polygamous; wind; long-tongued bees (1) | samaras, 1 1/2-3″ long | songbirds, upland game birds, small mammals; high value in early summer | fine-textured leaves that are silver below; very rapid rate of growth | transplants easily BR or B & B; many fungal, bacterial, and insect problems; weak wooded | adaptable to moist or dry soils; fast growing |
| Acer saccharum | sugar, hard, or rock maple | moist upland woods; along rivers and streams | N, C, S | dioecious; wind | samaras, 1 1/4-1 1/2″ long | songbirds, upland game birds, small and game mammals; high value in early fall | outstanding fall color, variable from tree to tree | transplant B & B; leaf scorch in droughts, numerous potential pests, but rarely serious | prefers somewhat moist soil; not very tolerant of compacted soil, salt or air pollution; slow growing |
| Betula nigra | river or red birch | bottomland woods | N, C, S | monoecious; wind | tiny winged nutlets produced within woody cone-like structures, 1-1 1/2″ long | songbirds, gamebirds, small mammals; moderate value | young bark flaking and peeling, light to bright cinnamon brown | transplants easily B & B; leaf chlorosis in high pH soils; few pests | best suited to moist soils, but adapts to dry conditions; medium to fast growth rate |
| Carya cordiformis | bitternut hickory | bottomland woods, swamps, stream banks | N, C, S | monoecious; wind | 3/4-1 1/2″ long, roundish, 4-ridged; husk splitting to release 1 nut; nut smooth, round,, laterally flattened, kernel bitter | songbirds, woodpeckers, upland game birds, squirrels, other small mammals; moderate value | yellow-brown fall color | transplant B & B in spring, easier than other hickories to move; no major disease or pest problems | best in moist soils; slow to medium growth rate |
| Carya illinoensis | pecan | low, shaded woods of floodplains and river valleys | N, C, S | monoecious; wind | 1 1/4-2″ long, oblong, with 4 narrow wings; husk splitting to release 1 nut; kernel sweet | see C. cordiformisabove, but higher value due to sweet kernel | glossy, narrow leaflets; can develop into beautiful shade tree | difficult to transplant, B & B in early spring; no major disease or pest problems | best in moist soils; plants planted in north should come from sources in northern part of range; slow to medium growth rate |
| Carya ovata | shagbark or shellbark hickory | dry upland woods and slopes; moist valleys | N, C, S | monoecious; wind | 1 1/4-2 1/2″ long, round, 4-angled; husk splitting to release 1 nut; kernel sweet | see C. cordiformisabove, but higher value due to sweet kernel | picturesque habit; striking shaggy bark; yellow-brown fall color | difficult to transplant, B & B in early spring; leaf blotch, anthracnose, hickory bark beetle | best in moist soils, but adaptable to many soil conditions; slow growing |
| Carya tomentosa | mockernut or white hickory | dry upland woods and ridges | n, C, S | monoecious; wind | 1 1/2-2″ long, round, 4-angled; husk splitting to release 1 nut; kernel sweet | see C. cordiformisabove, but higher value due to sweet kernel | picturesque habit; yellow-brown fall color | difficult to transplant, B & B in early spring; no major problems | best in moist soils, but adaptable to many soil conditions; slow growing |
| Catalpa speciosa | Northern or Western catalpa | bottomland woods; floodplains | n, c, S | flowers perfect; insects, especially Hymenoptera | narrow capsules, 8-20″ long and 1/2″ in diameter; seeds winged, extremely numerous | low value | beautiful large white flowers in upright clusters; fruits persist through winter | transplant B & B in spring; minor diseases in insect pests; weak wooded | adaptable to wet or dry soils, tolerates high alkalinity; medium to fast growth rate |
| Celtis occidentalis | hackberry | rich woods; river valleys; upland slopes and bluffs | N, C, S | perfect; wind | fleshy drupes, orange-red becoming purple-black 3/8″ in diameter | songbirds, woodpeckers, upland game birds, game mammals; fairly high value | good shade or street tree; light gray bark with corky ridges and warty projections; yellow fall color | transplants easily BR or B & B in larger sizes; witches broom and galls frequent, several other pests, but seldom serious | tolerates many soil conditions, moderately wet to very dry; withstands city conditions; medium to fast growth rate |
| Fagus grandifolia | American beech | bottomlands; rich, moist soils; wooded slopes | n, c, S | monoecious; wind | prickly burs 1/2-3/4″ long, enclosing usually 2 nuts, each 3-angled and 5/8-7/8″ long | songbirds, woodpeckers, upland game birds, small and game mammals; high value | beautiful shape, nearly as broad as tall; smooth gray bark; slow growing and long-lived, plant for future generations | B & B in spring; several pests and diseases, but rarely serious | best in moist, well-drained soils; not suited to wet or compacted soils; slow growing |
| Fraxinus americana | white ash | bottomland forests | N, C, S | dioecious; wind | samaras 1-2 1/2″ long, hanging in clusters; some cultivars are nonfruiting male trees | songbirds, yellow-bellied sapsucker, upland game birds and mammals; fairly high value | large shade tree; leaves dark gloss green in summer, turning yellow to maroon in fall; some cultivars selected for fall color | transplants easily B & B; suseptible to many disease and insect problems but vigorously growing trees generally trouble-free | best in moist, well-drained soil, but drought tolerant; medium growth rate |
| Fraxinus pennsylvanica | green ash | rich bottomland forests | N, C, S | dioecious; wind | samaras 1-2 1/2″ long, hanging in clusters; some cultivars are nonfruiting male trees | see F. americanaabove | large shade tree; leaves dark glossy green in summer; fall color variable, usually yellow | transplants easily, B & B; same problems asF. americanaabove | exceptionally adaptable to soil conditions, drought and salt tolerant; fast growing |
| Gleditsia triacanthos | common honeylocust | river floodplains; upland forests | N, C, S | monoecious; insects | flat, twisted pods 6-18″ long and 1-1 1/2″ wide, persisting through winter; most cultivars are nonfruiting male trees | small and game mammals; game birds; minor value | fine textured foliage, does not kill out grass underneath; trunks with massive clusters of thorns; cultivars lack thorns | transplants easily, BR or B & B; a great many disease, insect problems, maybe a result of overplanting this species | extremely adaptable; plant with caution due to diseases and pests; fast growing |
| Gymnocladus dioicus | Kentucky coffeetree | rich bottomlands; ravines; moist lower slopes | N, C, S | monoecious to dioecious; long-tongued bees (3), Lepidoptera (1) | thick large pods 4-7″ long and 2″ wide, persistent through winter | minor use | picturesque coarse habit; persistent pods; large bipinnately compound leaves; flowers fragrant, inconspicuous | transplant B & B; no serious problems | best in moist soils, but very adaptable to dry soils and city conditions; salt tolerant; medium growth rate |
| Juglans nigra | black walnut | bottomland and floodplain woods | N, C, S | monoecious; wind | round drupes, 1 1/2-2 1/2″ in diameter, with a thin green husk enclosing a single large nut | songbirds, woodpeckers, game mammals; high value | large shade tree for open areas; valuable wood | somewhat difficult to transplant, B & B in early spring; caterpillars can defoliate trees; roots produce a chemical toxic to some other plants | best in deep, rich moist soils;Juglans cinerea, butternut, is similar but more tolerant of dry soils; growth fast on good sites |
| Liquidambar styraciflua | sweetgum, redgum | bottomland and floodplain woods; ravines | n, C, S | monoecious; wind | small capsules clustered into a woody round structure 1-1 1/2″ in diameter, persistent through winter | songbirds, upland gamebirds, yellow-bellied sapsucker game mammals; minor value | superb fall color with shades of yellow-purple-red; beautiful shape | somewhat difficult to transplant, B & B in early spring; slow to reestablish; several pests, none usually serious | best in deep moist soil; some chlorosis in high pH soils; medium to fast growth rate |
| Liriodendron tulipifera | yellow-poplar, tuliptree, tulip-magnolia, tulip-poplar | rich woodlands; ravines | C, S | perfect; insects | cone-like, 2-3″ long, separating into many samaras | songbirds, bobwhite yellow-bellied sapsucker, small mammals; intermediate value | orange and green flowers; large shade tree, plant where size is not a problem; golden yellow fall color | transplants easily B & B in early spring; many diseases and insects, especially aphids, but trees generally do well | best suited to moist, well-drained soils, not tolerant of drought or compacted soils; fast growing |
| Magnolia acuminata | cucumber tree or magnolia | moist woods; along streams | c, S | perfect; insects, especially Coleoptera | follicles in a woody cone-or cucumber-like structure, 2-3″ long; seeds hanging from a thread, covered with a fleshy red aril | songbirds; low value because seeds not produced in quantity each year | good shade tree for large areas; excellent habit | transplant B & B in early spring; few problems | best in moist, deep soil; not tolerant of excessive wet or dry conditons or pollution; medium to fast growth rate |
| Nyssa sylvatica | black tupelo, blackgum | bottomland woods; dry ridges | n, C, S | dioecious; insects | fleshy drupes, 3/8-1/2″ long, ellipsoid, blue-black | songbirds, upland gamebirds, woodpeckers, game mammals; high value | glorious brilliant yellow to orange and scarlet fall color | difficult to transplant, B & B in early spring; no serious problems | best in moist soil but adapts to dry; does not tolerate high pH soils; slow to medium growth rate |
| Platanus occidentalis | American sycamore or planetree, buttonwood, buttonball-tree | bottomlands woods; floodplains; along streams; around lakes and ponds | N, C, S | monoecious; wind | many nutlets in a bristly ball, 1-1 1/4″ in diameter | purple finch, goldfinch, rodents; minor value | mottled bark with darker outer layer peeling to expose light inner bark; large shade tree with a thick trunk | transplants easily BR or B & B; anthracnose in moist cool springs, many other diseases and pests | adaptable to many soil conditions; tolerates city conditions; medium to fast growth rate |
| Populus deltoides | Eastern cottonwood | bottomland woods; along streams | N, C, S | dioecious; mostly wind, long-tongued bees (1) | capsules 3/8″ long, produced in catkins, seeds with a tuft of silky hairs | songbirds, yellow-bellied sapsucker; fairly high value | large shade tree for use in areas with lots of space; because of weak wood plant away from buildings and roads | transplants easily BR or B & B; susceptible to many diseases and insect pests; weak wooded | adaptable from wet to dry soils and low to high pH; tolerates city conditions, salt spray; be aware of limitations before using; fast growing |
| Prunus serotina | black cherry | moist woods; edge of woods; roadsides; fence rows | N, C, S | perfect; long-tongued bees (7), short tongued bees (23), other Hymenoptera (2), Diptera (29), Lepidoptera (2), Coleoptera (1) | fleshy drupes, red turning black, 1/3″ in diameter, abundant in hanging clusters | songbirds, upland gamebirds, woodpeckers, small and game mammals; high value in late summer | white flowers in long racemes; yellow to red fall color; wildlife spread fruits widely and plants become weedy | somewhat difficult to transplant, B & B in early spring or late fall; host to many pests, but trees thrive anyway | very adaptable, does well in moist to dry soils; moderately fast growth rate |
| Quercus alba | white oak | mesic woods; wooded slopes; dry upland woods | N, C, S | monoecious; wind | acorns 1/2-1″ long, maturing in 1 season | game birds, small and game mammals; high value | state tree of Illinois; picturesque habit when grown in open; large shade tree; fall color often wine red | difficult to transplant, B & B in early spring; many potential pests and diseases, such as oak wilt, but none usually serious | best in moist soil but tolerates dry conditions; salt tolerant; sensitive to soil compaction and grade changes; slow to medium initial growth rate, becoming very slow |
| Quercus bicolor | swamp white oak | bottomland woods | N, C, S | monoecious; wind | acorns 1/2-1″ long, maturing in 1 season | see Q. alba | large shade tree | fairly easy to transplant, B & B in early spring; few disease or pest problems; chlorosis in high pH soils | best in moist soil but adaptable; tolerates drought; growth rate medium, becoming slow |
| Quercus imbricaria | shingle oak | upland woods; dry exposed sandstone cliffs; moist soils along streams | N, C, S | monoecious; wind | acorns 1/2-3/4″ long, maturing in 2 seasons | see Q. alba | simple, entire, lanceolate leaves; yellow to russet fall color; leaves persist through winter | fairly easy to transplant, B & B in early spring; same problems asQ. alba | best in moist soil but adaptable to dry soils; pH adaptable; slow to medium growth rate |
| Quercus macrocarpa | bur oak | dry ridges to bottomland woods | N, C, S | monoecious; wind | acorns 3/4-2″ long, maturing in 1 season | see Q. alba | large shade tree for spacious areas; coarse interesting habit | transplant asQ. alba; few problems | adaptable to many soil conditions; prefers high pH; tolerates city conditions; slow growing |
| Quercus muehlenbergii | chinquapin oak, yellow chestnut oak | dry limestone cliffs; upland woods | N, C, S | monoecious; wind | acorns 1/2-1″ long, maturing in 1 season | see Q. alba | handsome habit; fall color variable, yellow to orange or brown | transplant asQ. alba; few problems | best in moist well-drained soils, but adaptable to poor dry soils; prefers high pH; initial growth rate medium, becoming slow |
| Quercus palustris | pin oak | mesic soil; floodplain woods; along streams; flatwoods; edges of ponds and swamps | N, C, S | monoecious; wind | acorns 1/2″ long, maturing in 2 seasons | see Q. alba | attractive pyramidal habit with pendulous lower branches; fall color scarlet, russet, or bronze | transplants easily B & B; few diseases and pests; chlorosis in high pH soils | best in moist to wet, well-drained soils; tolerant of city conditions; don’t plant in high pH soils; medium to fast growth rate |
| Quercus rubra (Q. borealis) | northern red oak | rich, upland woods; along river banks; on well drained slopes | N, C, S | monoecious; wind | acorns 1/2-1″ long, maturing in 2 seasons | see Q. alba | excellent shade tree; fall color russet to scarlet | transplants easily B & B in spring; oak wilt, few other serious problems; chlorosis in high pH soils | best in well-drained, moist soil; tolerant of city conditions, salt, and air pollutions; medium to fast growth rate |
| Quercus shumardii | Shumard oak | bottomland woods; stream banks; limestone ridges | n, C, S | monoecious; wind | acorns 5/8-1″ long, maturing in 2 seasons | see Q. alba | pyramidal habit; fall color russet to red | transplants easily B & B in spring; few problems | adaptable to wet or dry soils; drought tolerant; growth rate medium |
| Quercus velutina | black oak | upland woods; rocky ridges; sandy soil; savannahs | N, C, S | monoecious; wind | acorns 1/2-3/4″ long, maturing in 2 seasons | see Q. alba | can have an unkempt appearance due to dead branches; fall color dull red | transplant asQ. alba; very susceptible to oak wilt, few other problems | prefers moist, well-drained acid soils, but adaptable to very dry conditions; medium growth rate |
| Robinia pseudoacacia | black locust | woodlands; thickets; roadsides | n, c, S | perfect; long-tongued bees (7), Lepidoptera (3) | flat pods 2-4″ long | little used by wildlife | fragrant and showy white flowers; produces suckers forming colonies; nitrogen fixing; spreads into adjacent areas | transplants easily BR or B & B; locust borers a major problem, other minor diseases and pests | very adaptable to most soil types, except those very wet; thrives in poor conditions; tolerates salt & drought; fast growing |
| Salix nigra | black willow | wet ground; frequently along rivers and streams | N, C, S | dioecious; long-tongued bees (14), short-tongued bees (43), other Hymenoptera (3), Diptera (32), Lepidoptera (2), Coleoptera (3) | capsules, 3/16″ long, produced in catkins, seeds with a ring of silky hairs | evening and pine grosbeaks; moderate value | largest North American willow | transplants easily BR or B & B; many diseases and insect pests | grows in almost any soil, wet to dry; growth very fast |
| Taxodium distichum | bald cypress | swamps and low, wet woods | c, S | monoecious; wind | round cones 1″ in diameter | little used by wildlife | deciduous conifer with delicate foliage; attractive pyramidal habit; fall color russet; reddish brown fibrous bark in winter | transplants readily B & B in spring; few diseases or pests; chlorosis in high pH soils | native to southern swamps, but adaptable to dry conditons; salt tolerant; plant in acid soils; medium growth rate |
| Tilia americana | American basswood, or linden | moist woodlands; ravines; upland woods | N, C, S | perfect; long-tongued bees (2), short-tongued bees (11), other Hymenoptera (3), Diptera (11), Lepidoptera (1), Coleoptera (1) | nut-like, 1/2″ in diameter, several in a cluster below a large bract | small and game mammals; low value | fragrant and showy cream flowers; large shade tree for spacious areas | transplants easily B & B in spring; host to many diseases and pests, but not often serious | best in moist, deep soils, but adaptable to rather dry conditions; sensitive to air pollution, drought, and compacted soils; medium growth rate |
1 Information on natural habitat based primarily on: Elias (1989); Fernald (1950); Little (1980); Miller & Tehon (1929); Mohlenbrock (1986).
2 Information on region based primarily on: Mohlenbrock & Ladd (1978); Mohlenbrock (1986); “n” = north of Interstate 80; “c” = central, between Interstate 80 and Interstate 64; “s” = south of Interstate 64. A capital letter indicates that the species is native to that region while a lower case letter indicates that the species can be cultivated in the region although it is not native there.
3 Information on pollinators mostly from Robertson (1929) supplemented by personal observations. Perfect flowers = flowers have both male & female parts; monoecious= separate male and female flowers on the same plant; dioecious = separate male and female flowers on different plants; polygamous =a mix of perfect and/or male and female flowers on the same plant. The numbers in parentheses refer to the number of species reported visiting this species by Robertson (1929)
4 Information on fruit primarily based on: Dirr (1990); Elias (1989); Fernald (1950); Little (1980); Rehder (1940).
5 Information on wildlife primarily based on: DeGraaf & Witman (1979); Ehrlich et al. (1988); Elias (1989); Gill & Healy (1974); Hightshoe (1988); Martin et al. (1951).
6 Information on Special, Establishment & Problems, and Adaptability & Growth Rate based primarily on: Dirr (1990); Flint (1983); Hightshoe (1988); Walker & Giles (1985); Yiesla & Giles (1992). B & B = balled & burlapped; BR = bare root. NOTE: The information on disease and insect pests can be viewed two different ways. In traditional landscape approaches, such problems are considered deleterious and attempts are made to use species with few diseases and pests and to control them with pesticides. However, in the context of Corridors for Tomorrow, native pathogenic organisms are part of the original biodiversity of Illinois, and hence their continued presence in the state could be encouraged.