thinking about planting a tree?

Updated: Apr 9, 2022

why should I plant a tree?

it increases the value of your property and makes your yard look great! (see more info below)
it helps offset your carbon footprint (see more info below)
it can attract birds and wildlife to your yard
a shade tree can help save on summer cooling costs

size of space: select trees based on mature size of your species and cultivar and make sure you can allow adequate space away from your house and any septic field, or other obstructions etc. Remember that tree roots are concentrated within the top foot of soil and can extend three times the distance of the dripline (extent of branches)
cultural requirements: pick a species that will thrive based on site conditions such as sunlight/ shade, amount of area for roots; soil conditions and pH; and drainage
design considerations: do you need screening of an adjacent property or roadway; design to enhance your home architecture or entry; use of trees to define space or create shaded use areas; etc.?

There are many great tree species that are native to Northern Virginia! https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/natural-heritage/nativeplants Below are a few ideas:

Red Maple/ Acer rubrum ‘October Glory' Native, fast growing, tolerates wet sites, bright red fall foliage
American Elm Hybrids / Ulmus Americana ‘Princeton’,‘Valley Forge’ Native, tolerates wet sites and limited soil area, beautiful upward branching (image at right)
London Planetree / Platanus acerifolia ‘Bloodgood’ Fills niche of native sycamore, tolerates wet sites and limited soil area, bark interest
American Beech / Fagus grandifolia Native upland sites, large spreading tree, bark interest
Willow Oak / Quercus phellos Native, tolerates wet sites, golden foliage, upward branching
White Oak / Quercus alba Native, beautiful form, upland sites
Red Oak / Quercus rubra Native, beautiful form, upland sites
Swamp White Oak / Quercus bicolor Native, tolerates wet sites, balanced form, hardy

American Holly / Ilex opaca Native, balanced form, red berries attract birds (American Holly is monoecious so plant approx. 1 male tree per 5-6 female trees for berries on the female trees)
Eastern Red Cedar / Juniperus virginiana Native, attracts birds for berries and habitat. Sunny location. Not suggested if need ornamental appearance.
Little Gem Magnolia / Magnolia grandiflora 'Little Gem' broadleaf evergreen with showy blossoms (Southern Magnolia / Magnolia grandiflora is native but has very large mature size; while Little Gem cultivar is compact)

Allegheny Serviceberry / Amelanchier laevis Native, compact form, berries attract birds, fall color

Eastern Redbud / Cercis canadensis Native, tolerates wet shady conditions, bright spring blossoms; wide spreading form
White Flowering Dogwood hybrids / Cornus florida hybrids Native, fall color, white spring blossoms. Select hybrids (such as Appalachian Spring) for disease resistance; good understory tree at woodland edge (see image)
Sweetbay Magnolia / Magnolia virginiana Native, spring blooming, tolerates full shade and wet conditions
Crapemyrtle cultivars / Lagerstroemia indica cultivars Not native, but provides good summer color. Select for final size, color, and disease resistance.(image below)

-Chinese proverb