Native Trees

Native trees are very important for wildlife, especially for butterflies and moths to reproduce.

  • 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/

  • 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/

    And https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alnus_rubra

  • 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