Native Trees for Busy Landscapes: Why They Matter

Native Trees on our yard

Native Trees in the Mid Atlantic

Native Trees grow naturally in a certain regions or ecosystems without beingNative Trees on our yard brought there by people. They are species that have adapted over time to the local climate, soil, and wildlife. These trees play an important role in supporting the natural balance of that area.

It is easy to be drawn to exotic or unusual trees when planning a landscape project. Uncommon tress have their place but native trees are often the best choice for homeowners. Additionally, beauty, resilience, and low-maintenance care. make Native Trees ideal for today’s busy lifestyles.

Native Tree Benefits

Low Maintenance
A native tree is already suited to our region’s rainfall, temperature swings, and soil conditions. This means they require less watering, fertilization, and long-term upkeep compared to many non-native options.

Support for Wildlife
From songbirds to pollinators, native trees provide food and shelter for local wildlife. Planting them helps restore natural habitats right in your own backyard.

Seasonal Beauty
Far from being ordinary, many of these trees offer spectacular seasonal displays. Spring blooms, rich fall colors, and striking winter silhouettes add year-round appeal.

Resilience
Another reason to consider, native trees are more resistant to local pests and diseases. This reduces the need for chemical treatments because these trees are also more tolerant of weather extremes, from summer heat to winter cold.

Recommended Native Trees for Landscape Projects

In the Mid-Atlantic (Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, New Jersey, and surrounding areas), native trees represent the smart choice for landscaping because they’re already adapted to local weather, soils, and pests. That means they require less maintenance and provide better habitat for birds, pollinators, and other wildlife. Here are some top recommendations and why they’re most often used:

Redbud (Cercis canadensis) – Beautiful pink spring flowers, heart-shaped leaves, and excellent for small yards.
Redbud Native Trees

White Oak (Quercus alba) – A classic shade tree with strong wildlife value and stunning fall foliage.
White Oak Native Trees

Serviceberry (Amelanchier spp.) – Multi-season interest with spring blooms, edible summer berries, and fiery fall color.
Serviceberry Native trees

River Birch (Betula nigra) – Distinctive peeling bark, fast-growing, and adaptable to wet soils.
River Birch Native trees

Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana) – Evergreen privacy tree that provides food and cover for birds.
Eastern Red Cedar Native Trees

Choosing local trees is not just good for the environment — it’s good for you too. They save time, reduce maintenance headaches, and ensure your landscape thrives for years to come.

If you’re ready to bring the beauty and resilience of native trees into your yard then stop by Country Springs Wholesale Nursery. Our team can help match you with the right tree for your space and lifestyle.

Choosing the Right Tree for Your Landscape Project

Choosing the Right Tree

Choosing the right tree for your Landscape Project starts with asking the right questions. What kind of sunlight does your planting area receive? How much space is available—both above and around the spot? What type of soil are you working with, and which trees thrive in your local climate zone?

Beyond site conditions, it’s also important to think about what you want your tree to provide. Are you looking for fast shade, seasonal color, long-term durability, or added habitat value?

Understanding these factors can help narrow your options and guide you toward trees that will grow well and serve your goals.

In the sections that follow, we’ll walk you through key considerations—from evaluating your planting site to identifying popular, proven choices. You’ll also find simple planting tips and ongoing care practices to support long-term success.

Ready to get started? Let’s take a closer look at what matters most when selecting a tree.

Assess Your Site Conditions

The following 4 considerations should be taken into account when choosing the right tree before you fall in love with a tree’s form or foliage. Getting to know the basics of the planting location is paramount to the success of the Right Tree for Your Landscape Project.

  • Sun Exposure: Is the area in full sun, part shade, or mostly shady? While many shade trees tolerate full sun, some (like red maples) prefer at least a few hours of direct light each day.
  • Soil Type: Sandy, loamy, or clay? Well-draining loam is ideal for most trees, but if your soil leans heavily to clay or sand, choose species known to adapt—like oak (for clay) or Kentucky coffeetree (for sand).
  • Available Space: Measure both overhead clearance (under power lines or eaves) and width. A mature canopy spread of 30–50 feet is common for large shade trees—so be sure you have room!
  • Climate Zone: Check your USDA hardiness zone. Native trees not only thrive in local temperature ranges but also support wildlife and demand less maintenance.

Match Tree Characteristics to Your Project Needs

When choosing the right tree, different trees offer unique benefits. Here is a chart to help with important questions:

Perfect Tree Features

Top Picks for Homeowners when Choosing the Right Tree

Here are three versatile, attractive shade-tree favorites.
When it comes to choosing a shade tree that delivers both beauty and resilience, a few timeless options rise to the top. Whether you’re looking to create a cooling canopy with a big tree, support local wildlife, or simply add standout foliage to your landscape, the right tree can make all the difference. Below, we highlight three versatile favorites—each with its own unique appeal. From the stately and ecologically rich White Oak to the light-filtering Honey Locust and the striking, low-maintenance Ginkgo, these shade trees offer lasting value for a wide range of environments.

White Oak (Quercus alba)

Mature Size: 80–100 ft tall; 60–80 ft spread

Highlights: Long-lived, deep lobed leaves, supports hundreds of insect and bird species

Choosing a Big Tree

Honey Locust (Gleditsia triacanthos var. inermis)

Mature Size: 30–70 ft tall; 30–60 ft spread

Highlights: Light, dappled shade; tolerant of city conditions and poor soils

Choosing a low Maintenance Tree

Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba)

Mature Size: 50–80 ft tall; 30–40 ft spread

Highlights: Unique fan-shaped leaves, stunning golden fall color, extremely disease resistant

Choosing a colorful Tree

Planting & Early Care Tips

Giving your new tree a strong start sets the stage for decades of healthy growth. Proper planting and early care practices are essential for helping roots establish, trunks strengthen, and canopies develop naturally. From digging the right hole to knowing when—and how—to prune, a few simple steps can make a big difference. Follow these foundational tips to ensure your tree not only survives but thrives in its new home.

  • Dig the Right Hole:
    Make it as deep as the root ball and twice as wide. This encourages roots to spread into native soil.
  • Backfill Gently:
    Mix native soil with a bit of compost, but avoid heavy mulch piles at the trunk (“volcano mulching”).
  • Stake If Necessary:
    Young trees may need staking in windy sites—remove ties after the first year to allow natural movement and trunk strengthening.
  • Water Consistently:
    During the first two growing seasons, aim for 1 inch of water per week (from rain or irrigation). Soaker hoses or drip irrigation work best.
  • Prune Thoughtfully:
    Remove dead or crossing branches in late winter or early spring. Avoid heavy pruning; let the tree establish a natural form.

Long-Term Maintenance

Caring for your tree doesn’t stop after it’s established—long-term maintenance is key to ensuring lasting health and beauty. Even mature shade trees benefit from occasional deep watering during prolonged dry periods, helping them stay resilient through stress. Keep an eye out for early signs of pests or disease, such as leaf spots, cankers, or borer activity, as prompt treatment can prevent serious damage. Finally, refreshing mulch each year with a 2–3 inch layer of shredded bark or hardwood helps conserve soil moisture, suppress weeds, and protect the root zone—keeping your tree strong for seasons to come.

By matching your property’s conditions with the right species, and giving your new tree attentive care when choosing the right tree, you’ll enjoy years of cool shade, wildlife visits, and seasonal beauty. Ready to explore our current shade-tree inventory? Stop by Country Springs Wholesale Nursery and pick the perfect one for your home!

Moving a Big Tree

It takes an expert when it comes to moving a Big Tree. We have the people & we have the tools. We recently moved a Big Tree from our Leesburg Branch and we documented the process with our local photographer.  The tree is a Prunus cer Thundercloud 5-5.5”. The results are below.

 

Getting Started with Big Tree Landscaping – A Short Guide

big tree landscaping - Country Springs Wholesale Nursery

Actual trees at our farm

The Iconic Big Trees

Big trees in the U.S. are most notably from California, where the redwood and sequoia trees are found. tunnel-treeSince their discovery during the Gold Rush in the middle of the 19th century, big tree finds have spread throughout the world, particularly in the US and Europe, but also in Australia, New Zealand, Asia, Africa and South America.

Interestingly enough, sequoias will reach a height of 30ft (10m) after one decade, and after 5 decades will usually reach a height of 130 ft (40m). Some of them can grow over 300 feet tall, as tall as a city skyscraper.

What Are The Requirements For Big Tree Landscaping?

The biggest trees are strong and hardy; they aren’t easily affected by insects or diseases. Because of this, they can live for many years.

However, big trees take many years to mature & the success of big tree landscaping depends a lot on the matching of the region’s climate to that of the tree family’s location. Oaks, maples, cypress, & cherry trees are examples of trees that fall into the category for our region.

So, you won’t grow the large tree you want within your lifetime if you are just now considering planting a seed.

Unless you use an already existing large tree…

How You Can Get Started With Big Tree Landscaping Now

Big tree sales create a feel of maturity when transplanting existing big trees into your landscape. This isbig-tree-landscaping-cypress the fastest method for big tree landscaping. A big tree nursery raises strong and healthy large trees for transplanting.

So, what are some of the benefits of big tree landscaping?

  • Privacy
  • Blocking noise
  • Blocking wind and shading the house can reduce heating and cooling utility bills
    A fully matured large tree can be worth anywhere between $1,000 and $10,000 (small trees were found to have no effect on sales prices)
  • A big tree will give a newly built house the illusion of maturity and steadfastness with a large tree or two planted around it.
  • Underneath certain types of big trees is a good place to grow certain types of plants. The types of trees that don’t cut off all light to anything growing underneath are good candidates for this. Many plants that do well with partial sunlight or shade will grow very well under big trees. Ask your local nursery for advice about these “base” plantings.

Our farm has an excellent selection of mature trees which include Autum Blaze Maples, Pin Oaks, & Yoshino Cherry trees. You can view examples of these and others on our BIG TREES page.

There are many different factors to take into consideration with big tree landscaping. For more information on these other factors, check out this thorough article on the subject.