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A look at native yard trees to plant

Last month's article offered reasons to plant yard trees -- even though, it is true, trees require some effort to plant and maintain. This article offers a few specific recommendations regarding trees to consider that fit appropriately into smaller properties.

Arborists call these yard trees.

Consider planting trees which can reach maturity relatively quickly so that they can be enjoyed during one's lifetime. On the other hand, you might be willing to think big picture and plant larger trees such as oaks or maples, which become an investment in your property long term.

This article focuses on recommended smaller trees -- which are no taller than approximately 25 feet, or 15 feet if reaching over a driveway -- and larger shrubs which make our eyes pop with their spring glory. Small trees can be planted under power lines or closer to houses or a shed.

All trees mentioned in this article are native which matters because native trees support more bird, animal and insect species than non-native trees.

Flowering trees

These would be crabapple, redbud, native dogwoods (pink and white, but not Kousa), serviceberry and chokecherry. Redbuds and native dogwoods are spectacular bloomers and also thrive as understory trees, not requiring full sun.

The flowering trees mentioned here prefer full sun, which can be defined as more than four hours per day.

Deciduous trees

Examples would be hedge, striped or amur maple; many kinds of hawthorns; American plum; black jack oak; gray and Carolina willows and American hornbeam.

Don't plant a large tree where it can't successfully grow into its potential height. You will be sad, and so will your wallet when you learn the cost to cut down or top a beautiful tree which has grown too large for your property.

Orchard trees

What better for kids than to pick a piece of fruit from a tree on your property? Peach and pear trees, for example, are relatively small and yet so generous with their gifts: magnificent spring flowers, edible fruit and, in some cases, brilliant fall foliage.

Some edible apple trees also are smaller, but others grow wider and taller than a yard can handle.

Large shrubs

These would be winterberry (must purchase both sexes), beautyberry, red twig dogwood and many types of viburnums. Several edible berries are also large shrubs -- elderberry, high bush blueberries, black or red raspberries, blackberries.

While many plant and tree catalogs probably arrive in your mailboxes with gorgeous pictures meant to entice buying, far better to consult local nursery people to ensure that a given plant will indeed flourish in the Lycoming County area.

Does your property offer the soil type, extent of sun, etc. required to ensure that an expensive tree will thrive?

Thanks to Hunter and Kendra Aycock, the knowledgeable owners of H and K Nursery and Feed Store in Montoursville, for offering their native plant expertise for this article.

Williamsport residents are also welcome to reach out to Chad Eckert, Williamsport's arborist and forester, for information and consultation about free services that the city offers related to planting, pruning and otherwise caring for trees.