
Native Trees
Native trees are very important for wildlife, especially for butterflies and moths to reproduce.
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Cascara
Cascara (Rhamnus purshiana, aka Cascara sagrada) A beautiful smallish tree, 15-36 feet. Cascara’s leaves are bright green in spring, turning dark and glossy in the summer. When in bloom, it is humming with bees. Yellow fall foliage is shed to reveal a picturesque branching pattern in winter. Part shade, drought tolerant.
http://nativeplantspnw.com/cascara-frangula-purshiana/ -
Douglas Fir
Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) 70–330 feet, give it space away from buildings. Has thick, fire-resistant bark. Classic PNW tree. It is said that the Doug fir once gave shelter to the mice during a forest fire, and you can still see them in the cones.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas_fir -
Douglas Hawthorn, aka Black Hawthorn
Douglas Hawthorn, aka Black Hawthorn (Crataegus douglasii) 20-45 feet tall, good to hold slopes. A Keystone plant, with 85 species of butterflies or moths using it as a host plant. Birds love the berries. Hawthorn is used to help protect against heart disease and control high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Plant away from paths.
http://nativeplantspnw.com/black-hawthorns-crataegus-douglasii-c-suksdorfii/
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Douglas Maple
Douglas Maple (Acer glabrum var. douglasii). Grows to 30 ft, drought tolerant, good fall color. Sun to part shade.
http://nativeplantspnw.com/douglas-maple-acer-glabrum-var-douglasii/ -
Garry Oak
Garry Oak (Quercus garryana) Acorns eaten by wildlife. Long lived. Sun loving. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quercus_garryanaIt is the very best keystone plant for pollinators in our area. 436 species of butterflies and moths use this plant as a host plant! https://www.nwf.org/-/media/Documents/PDFs/Garden-for-Wildlife/Keystone-Plants/NWF-GFW-keystone-plant-list-ecoregion-7-marine-west-coast-forest.pdf
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Paper Birch
Paper Birch (Betula papyrifera). Paper Birches are best planted in groves, creating a woodland effect that especially highlights their distinctive white trunks. It is best, however, to avoid planting birches next to where cars will be parked because the resident insect population may drip sticky honeydew throughout the summer! Can grow to 65-90 feet, and in the cooler part of the property, as Puget Sound is the southern edge of its range.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Betula_papyrifera
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Red Alder
Red Alder (Alnus rubra). Red Alder grows to 40-80 ft tall. It is the first choice for ecological restoration. It is a host to nitrogen-fixing bacteria that form nodules on tree roots. Because of this association, the introduction of Red Alder to disturbed sites can quickly improve the fertility of soils, making the site more amenable to colonization by longer-living conifers. Red Alder can form attractive groves in young forests, especially along rivers and streams. http://nativeplantspnw.com/red-alder-alnus-rubra/
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Shore Pine
Shore Pine (Pinus contorta var.contorta) 30-60 ft, sun, moist or dry soil. Tolerant of poor nutrients. Pines are the most valuable plants for wildlife in the Pacific Northwest. 200 species of butterflies/moths use pines as host plants in our eco-region. Great for slopes with a view.
http://nativeplantspnw.com/shore-pine-pinus-contorta/ -
Vine Maple as a Tree
Vine Maple (Acer circinatum) Small tree, 16-26 feet tall. Shade or moist sun. Prefers moist shade. Colorful fall foliage, understory plant, excellent tree for the home landscape, planted in masses or singly. Does well in shade of conifers. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acer_circinatum
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Western Crabapple, Pacific Crabapple
Western Crabapple, Pacific Crabapple (Malus fusca) To 36 feet. Sun or part shade. Moist soil. A Keystone plant! Hundreds of butterflies/moths use it as a host plant. Birds and others eat the apples. It’s our only native apple tree in the Pacific Northwest. https://burkeherbarium.org/imagecollection/taxon.php?Taxon=Malus%20fusca
It is also a keystone plant for pollinators. Many species of caterpillars or moths use this plant as a host plant: https://www.nwf.org/-/media/Documents/PDFs/Garden-for-Wildlife/Keystone-Plants/NWF-GFW-keystone-plant-list-ecoregion-7-marine-west-coast-forest.pdf -
Western Redcedar
Western Redcedar (Thuja plicata) 120-150 ft. Moist or wet soil. THE most important tree to indigenous people in our area. Clothing, shelter, tools, Vitamin C tea, antimicrobial oil, and more. http://nativeplantspnw.com/western-red-cedar-thuja-plicata/
