Here are a few beautiful native trees that will have ecological impact and landscape value in your New York garden.

Amelanchier arborea (downy serviceberry) -

Spring flowers of Amelanchier arborea; photo by Amy Buthod CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

USDA zones 4 to 9, in full sun to partial shade and average, well-drained soil. This delicately structured shade tree grows up to 25 feet tall (about 2 stories) with a medium rate of growth. It produces pollen, nectar and food, supporting birds, bees, butterflies and moths in our region. It bears fluttering white spring flowers, brilliant red, turning black, fruit as well as offering spectacular gold to bronze fall leaf color. Its informal bearing is especially suited to a woodland adjacent setting.

Cercis canadensis (eastern redbud) - 

Cercis canadensis (redbud) at NYBG; photo by Marlon Co

USDA zones 4 to 8, in full sun to partial shade and average, well-drained soil. It is a slightly larger tree than the Amelanchier arborea (up to 30 feet tall and wide at maturity), often multi-trunked, and with brilliant, pink-purple flowers in spring before its leaves emerge that are hard to forget once seen. In the warmer edges of its growing range, a light shade setting works best. It is an excellent source of pollen and nectar for bees and attracts hummingbirds. Water in dry periods to avoid problems.

Chionanthus virginicus (white fringetree) -

Chionanthus virginicus (white fringetree) at NYBG; photo by Ivo Vermeulen

USDA zones 4 to 9, in full sun to partial shade and well-drained, fertile soil. A smaller tree, up to 20 feet tall, with fluttering white flowers that give it the name fringetree. Both leaves and fragrant flowers appear in late spring. Tolerant of city conditions. Dark fruit in fall feeds birds and other wildlife while the low branches make a shelter and nesting site for birds.

Cornus florida (flowering dogwood) - 

Cornus florida (flowering dogwood) at NYBG; photo by Marlon Co

USDA zones 5 to 9, (though the cold margin of zone 5 may be a challenge) in moist, highly organic, mildly acidic, and well-drained soil. These low-branching trees grow about 15 to 25 feet wide and tall, in a rounded form (about two stories high). Delightful spring flowers are followed by attractive red fruit, lovely fall foliage display and, when mature, a distinctive structure that makes a pleasing silhouette in the winter landscape. It is a spring nectar and pollen source for bees, moths, and other pollinators. Its fruit and nesting possibilities are a rich resource for birds and mammals. Must be supported during dry periods and sited well to avoid common problems. Read more about this tree in our Guide to Dogwood Trees.

Oxydendrum arboreum (sourwood) - 

Autumn leaves on Oxydendrum arboreum (sourwood) at NYBG; photo by Marlon Co

USDA zones 5 to 9, in full sun to the lightest partial shade and well-drained, fertile, acidic soil. This tree grows to about 25 feet tall (about two stories), sometimes taller. The value of the plant is felt in all seasons with panicles of  mildly fragrant, white, bell-shaped, early summer flowers, followed by green fruit and persistent silver seed pods. Brilliant, variable fall color and irregular growth habit. Not tolerant of urban conditions or drought. Benefits birds and honey bees as a source of both pollen and nectar.  

Courtesy of NYBG Plant Information Service