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Recommendation for native trees in SW Michigan #867398

Asked May 07, 2024, 11:04 AM EDT

Hello! I would like to plant some native trees, plants, flowers, and shrubs in the SW michigan area. The soil is sandy. I am interested in oak trees, some flowering trees, some fast growing shrubs for privacy, and some trees that change to beautiful colors in the fall. What are some great native trees that meet those goals? Go green!

Van Buren County Michigan

Expert Response

Thank you for contacting Ask Extension. I have made a list of good choices, some are evergreens and some are deciduous. I have also included a list of trees/shrubs from the DNR that tells you whether native or not, and invasive or not.

Serviceberry, Fringe Tree, Redbud and crabapple (disease resistant), are all flowering varieties and native. “Kwanzan cherry’ provides spring blooms. Black Gum has the pretty red color in the fall. Fast growing would be a river birch and it is native also.

Good choices, that are fast growing are: (Also, fast growing is dependent on the conditions on where and how it is planted. )

Native Trees: Riverbirch will grow well. Abies concolor- also known as White or concolor fir, 30-50 feet and quite adaptable. Grows best with evenly moist soil.

1. White Spruce- grows 40-60 feet, drought tolerant after established. Has silvery blue green needles. Native

2. Eastern Red Cedar will grow 40-50 feet and has reddish wood and grows berries appealing to birds. Tolerate of heat and wild range of soils. Native

3. Douglas fir** (Pseudotsuga menziesii): This tree grows well in sun to part shade and is drought tolerant once established. It's a popular choice for screens and can reach several feet in growth per year.
4. Juniperus virginiana**: This densely branched juniper is great for urban screens and rural windbreaks. It's adaptable to various conditions and can grow quickly .
5. Leyland cypress** (Cupressocyparis leylandii): Leyland cypress is a fast-growing evergreen that matures at 60 to 70 feet if not topped at an early age. It prefers moist, well-drained soil and can tolerate full sun or part shade.
6. Holly**: Hollies are a good choice for a living fence due to their upright growth habit and dense, dark green foliage. They are drought tolerant once established and can grow quickly.

Please note that the growth rate of these trees can vary based on the specific conditions in your location, such as soil type, climate, and care practices. Some are native.

7. Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis), native

8. Scarlet Oak ( Querus coccinea), native

9. Pin Oak (Querus palustris), native

10. Bald Cypress (Taxodium distichum), native

11. Lacebark Elm ( Ulmus parvifolia)

12. Linden (Tilia) , some are native

13. American Sweetgum, fall color native

14. Sour gum or Tupelo, native and red fall color.

I have included these publications for your reference:

https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/managing-resources/forestry/urban/recommended-trees

https://www.canr.msu.edu/uploads/234/84939/Tree_Planting_in_Michigan.pdf

https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/native_plants_for_michigan_landscapes_part_1_trees

https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/native_plants_for_michigan_landscapes_shrubs

https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/dont_forget_about_newly_planted_trees_and_shrubs

If we can be of further help, please contact us back.

Thank you for contacting us! Replied May 08, 2024, 8:06 PM EDT

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