A GUIDE TO BETTER TREE PLANTING WITHIN YOUR COMMUNITY

The following list has been compiled to assist landowners in deciding what native Acadian Forest trees and shrubs to plant on their property, in their buffer zones, or along their shoreline. This list is composed of plants normally available to the watershed groups throughout the spring-fall seasons.

PLEASE NOTE: availability may change from year to year, and more species are available in early spring than in later seasons. In order to have the greatest variety to choose from, it is recommended that orders be submitted as early as possible. You may contact Kelley Arnold at stratfordwater@gmail.com or at 367-3605 to order trees for your property.

Visit http://sawig.wordpress.com or www.macphailwoods.org for further information on our native trees, shrubs and wildflowers.

HOW TO PLANT A TREE

1. Get permission (if needed)

2. Choose a suitable tree for the area, light, space and moisture of the area. Please see below for ideas on what to plant and where. E.g. white spruce’s love to be out in the bright sun in a dry location; don’t put it down next to the stream in a shady floodplain!

3. Prepare the hole. Take a shovel and dig a hole that is about 3-4 times the size of the root ball, more than enough for the tree to fit and give room for the fresh roots to grow without stress. This lets roots grow outwards more easily into the soil. Loosen the sides of the hole with a shovel or cultivator, making it easier for roots to penetrate into the ground.

Try to dig a small ‘pedestal’ of dirt in the centre of the hole where the tree will rest. The hole should be a little deeper around the edges, but there should be a little ‘hill’ in the

centre. This prevents the tree from sitting in water, which can actually cause a tree to drown. The area where the tree comes out of the ground should be slightly higher than the ground around it (1/4 – 1/2 inch). This also prevents water from collecting and sitting next to the base of the trunk.

4. Prepare the tree for planting. If it’s a small tree, you can tip it upside down to remove the pot; you can also use small scissors to cut it off of the tree. Do not leave the tree roots exposed for very long, as it will dry out!

5. Put the tree into the hole. Place it in gently; ensuring the hole is not too deep or shallow.

Ground level of the tree should match up with the ground level after you fill in the hole. DO not

bury the crown or leave roots exposed. Use compost or manure if needed. Backfill the hold ¾ of

the way with existing dirt, and ¼ with compost or manure if desired.

6. Water the newly planted tree and mulch a ‘donut’ around the tree base. Water your tree

regularly (or as much as the particular species prefers) for the first year or two. Use mulch around

the base (keeping 2-3 inches from the tree trunk), which will prevent mowing or trimming it by

accident. Do not over mulch!

WET AREAS IN FULL SUNLIGHT (6-8+hours of sunlight per day)

Examples: swamps, open floodplains

TREES:

Black Spruce – can grow up to 50ft tall and has a distinctive bluish-green appearance

Figure 1 Black Spruce (photo: MacPhail Woods)

Eastern Larch (Juniper, Tamarack) – can reach 60ft and is the only evergreen to shed its needles in winter

Eastern White Cedar – smaller tree (40ft) with beautiful small and scale-like leaves

Figure 2 Eastern Larch (photo: Green Thumb Photography)

Figure 3 Eastern White Cedar (photo: MacPhail Woods)

Red Maple – can grow to 70ft tall with its signature colour seen, in some way, in all four seasons

White Ash – a fast-growing tree (up to 12inches/year) with compound leaves and diamond-patterned bark

Figure 4 Red Maple (photo: Newfoundland and Nature)

Figure 5 White Ash (photo: Treescape Canada)

SHRUBS:

Willow – there are many native species; the most recognizable being the ‘pussy willow’ with its soft fuzzy catkins in spring

Wild Raisin (withe rod) – a common shrub that can grow up to 12ft tall and has pretty umbrella-shaped clusters of white flowers, loves getting its feet wet

Figure 6 Pussywillow (photo: Wikimedia)

Figure 7 Wild Raisin (photo: Wikimedia)

Red-Osier Dogwood – this low spreading shrub seldom reaches over 4ft, and is easily recognizable by its bright red bark

Bayberry – Common on PEI, this shrub is tolerant of a variety of conditions. The sweet aroma of this plant is an easy identifier, and it can grow up to 1-2m

Figure 8 Red Osier Dogwood (photo: Fine Gardening)

Figure 9 Bayberry (photo: MacPhail Woods)

WET AREAS WITH PARTIAL SHADE (6 hours or less of sunlight per day)

Examples: high areas within a swamp, upper edges of floodplains, partially wooded streambanks

TREES:

Eastern Hemlock – this rare species can grow to 70ft and has small flat needles

Yellow Birch – common tree on PEI has golden bark; can reach 70ft tall. One of the first trees to

grow in new fields

Figure 10 Eastern Hemlock (photo: ClintJCL)

Figure 11 Yellow Birch (photo: Jeffrey Pippen)

Red Maple – can grow to 70ft tall with its signature colour seen, in some way, in all four seasons

SHRUBS:

Wild Raisin (withe rod) – a common shrub that can grow up to 12ft tall and has pretty umbrella-shaped clusters of white flowers

Figure 12 Red Maple (photo: Plant Dex)

Figure 13 Wild Raisin

DRY AREAS WITH FULL SUN (6-8+ hours of sunlight per day)

Examples: old fields, upper banks of streams, open and/or newly landscapes lawns, some ditches

TREES:

White Spruce – this tree is seen throughout PEI, and can be recognized by its rounded needles (it will roll when you rub it between your fingers). This is often one of the first trees in abandoned fields.

Figure 14 White Spruce (photo: SFU)

Balsam Fir – a common tree can reach 60ft tall with flattened needles and smooth bark

Red Pine – found mainly down east, it can grow to 60ft tall and is identified by having 2 needles per ‘bunch’

Figure 15 Balsam Fir (photo: MacPhail Woods)

Figure 16 Red Pine (photo: Captiva Beach Villa)

White Birch – is found in most regions of the island with white peeling bark and the ability to reach up to 70ft

Red Oak – PEI’s provincial tree can achieve heights of 60ft and can be a fast growing tree (rumored to grow over a ft/year in some cases). Can be a slow-growing tree.

Figure 17 White Birch (photo: MacPhail Woods)

Figure 18 Red Oak (photo: MacPhail Woods)

White Ash – a fast-growing tree (up to 12inches/year) with compound leaves and diamond-patterned bark

SHRUBS:

Highbush Cranberry (occasionally available) – this shrub can grow to 15ft with clusters of white flowers in late spring and edible bright-red berries later in the season

Figure 19 White Ash (photo: AMC-NH)

Figure 20 Highbush Cranberry (photo: Morden Nurseries)

Serviceberry (Saskatoon, shadbush) – this shrub is unusual as its height can vary from a 2ft shrub to a 25ft tree. It has striking white flowers in May and edible, dark purple berries in late summer

Wild Rose – these flowers come in a variety of shapes, colours and sizes, and is low-growing (2-6ft)

Figure 21 Serviceberry (photo: 20 Minute Garden)

Figure 22 Wild Rose (photo: Wikimedia)

Wild Raisin (withe rod) – a common shrub that can grow up to 12ft tall and has pretty umbrella-shaped clusters of white flowers

Red-Berried Elder – Often confused with common elder, this shrub is taller and stockier; it can grow up to 12ft. Fruit is thought to be poisonous. Does best in full sun, but can grow elsewhere.

Figure 23 Wild Raisin (photo: Nova Scotia Museum)

Figure 24 Red-Berried Elder (photo: Metal Carver)

Staghorn Sumac – One of many types of sumac, this native species grows bird-loving flowers and berries, with thick hairy ‘stag’-like branches. They are hearty plants, capable of growing up to 8 metres tall.

Figure 25 Staghorn Sumac (photo: Canadian Wildlife Federation)

DRY AREAS WITH PARTIAL SHADE (6 hours or less of sunshine per day) Examples: woodlands needing additional diversity TREES: Eastern Hemlock - this rare species can grow to 70ft and has small flat needles

Figure 26 Eastern Hemlock (photo: Denison)

White Pine – Once common, this tree has been known to reach 100ft with needles in whorls of 5

Balsam Fir – a common tree can reach 60ft tall with flattened needles and smooth bark. Balsam is among the first species to grow in an old fields or open spaces. “Christmas tree” tree!

Figure 27 White Pine (photo: Botany, Wisconsin University)

Figure 28 Balsam Fir (photo: mtpmcg, wordpress)

Sugar Maple – this ‘sweet’ tree can be as high as 80ft, and is known for its delicious sap

Yellow Birch – common tree on PEI has golden bark and can reach 70ft tall; one of the first trees

to grow in new fields

Figure 29 Sugar Maple (photo: NCRA Railroad)

Figure 30 Yellow Birch (photo: Emergency Outdoors)

Red Oak (light shade) – PEI’s provincial tree can achieve heights of 60ft and can be a fast growing tree (rumored to grow over a ft/year in some cases)

White Ash (light shade) – a fast-growing tree (up to 12inches/year) with compound leaves and diamond-patterned bark

Figure 31 Red Oak (photo: DocStoc)

Figure 32 White Ash (photo: Point59)

Red Spruce (light shade) – Red spruce grows best in mixed woods along the sides of streams in rich soil, and can reach up to 70ft tall in ideal locations. Its hairy reddish twigs are giveaways for tree identifiers.

SHRUBS: Wild Raisin (withe rod) – a common shrub that can grow up to 12ft tall and has pretty umbrella-shaped clusters of white flower

Figure 34 Wild Raisin (photo: Ontario Wild Flower)

Figure 33 Red Spruce Twig (photo: MacPhail Woods)

Highbush Cranberry (occasionally available) – this shrub can grow to 15ft with clusters of white flowers in late spring and edible bright-red berries later in the season

Staghorn Sumac – One of many types of sumac, this native species grows bird-loving flowers and berries, with thick hairy ‘stag’-like branches. They are hearty plants, capable of growing up to 8 metres tall.

Figure 35 Highbush Cranberry (photo: M. Hopson)

Figure 36 Staghorn Sumac (photo: Whittleddown)

SHORELINE PLANTINGS Must be tolerant of salt spray and wind TREES:

1) White Spruce – this tree is seen throughout PEI, and can be recognized by its rounded needles

2) White Pine – Once common, this tree has been known to reach 100ft with needles in whorls of 5

3) Red Oak – PEI’s provincial tree can achieve heights of 60ft and can be a fast growing tree (rumored to grow over a ft/year in some cases)

4) White Birch – is found in most regions of the island, with white peeling bark and ability to reach 70ft

5) Red Maple – can grow to 70ft tall with its signature colour seen, in some way, in all four seasons

6) White Ash – a fast-growing tree (up to 12inches/year) with compound leaves and diamond-patterned bark

Shrubs:

1) Northern Bayberry – often underrated due to its commonality, this shrub has leathery leaves that have a pleasant and strong aroma

2) Wild Rose – these flowers come in a variety of shapes, colours and sizes, and are low-growing (2-6ft)

3) Wild Raisin (withe rod) – a common shrub that can grow up to 12ft tall and has pretty umbrella-shaped clusters of white flowers

4) Mountain Ash – this shrub can grow to the size of a small tree, with white flowers and orange berries later in the season

5) Willow – there are many native species; the most recognizable being the ‘pussy willow’ with its soft fuzzy catkins in spring

6) Red-Osier Dogwood – this low spreading shrub seldom reaches over 4ft, and is easily recognizable by its bright red bark

7) Bayberry – Common on PEI, this shrub is tolerant of a variety of conditions. The sweet aroma of this plant is an easy identifier, and it can grow up to 1-2m.