Tree Care - The Unseen Dangers That Threaten The Life Of Your Garden Trees

A List of a Few Fine Trees to Be Planted in Gardens

A Fungal Disease of Shade Trees

Anthracnose is a name for a group of diseases caused
by several closely related fungi that attack many of our
finest shade trees. It occurs most commonly and severely
on sycamore, white oak, elm, dogwood, and maple.
Other host plants that are usually only slightly affected
include linden (basswood), tulip tree, hickory, birch, and
walnut. Each species of anthracnose fungus attacks only
a limited number of tree species. The fungus that causes
sycamore anthracnose, for example, infects only
sycamore and not other tree species. Other
anthracnose-causing fungi have similar life cycles, but
require slightly different moisture and temperature
conditions for infection.
Symptoms
Anthracnose fungi may cause defoliation of most maple,
oak, elm, walnut, birch, sycamore, and hickory species
and, occasionally, of ash and linden trees. Damage of this
type usually occurs after unusually cool, wet weather
during bud break. Single attacks are seldom harmful to
the tree, but yearly infections will cause reduced growth
and may predispose the tree to other stresses. Damage
may be in the form of:
• killing of buds, which stimulates the development of
many short twigs or “witches’ brooms;” these may spoil
the shape of the tree
• girdling and killing of small twigs, leaves, and branches
up to an inch in diameter
• repeated early loss of leaves, which over several
successive years weakens the tree and predisposes it
to borer attack and winter injury
• premature leaf drop, which lessens the shade and
ornamental value of the tree
Specific symptoms of anthracnose vary somewhat
depending on the tree species infected:
• On sycamore, leaves and growing tips of the twigs may
die as they emerge from the bud. This damage is often
confused with late frost injury. Sudden browning and
killing of single leaves or leaf clusters may occur as the
leaves expand. The disease continues to develop later
in the season, resulting in irregular brown to nearly
black, dead areas between or along the main leaf veins
and extending to the margin (Fig. 1). Infected leaves
fall when the
petiole is girdled
or when several
lesions enlarge
and coalesce to
form large, dead
blotches. After
defoliation from
spring infections,
the tree may
appear bare
except for tufts
of leaves at
branch tips.
Regrowth
appears by
midsummer.
Sunken cankers
form on larger
twigs during
cooler weather
in fall, winter,
and spring (Fig.
2). Twigs may die
as a result of
canker
formation.
When terminal twigs are killed, lateral twigs take over
as leaders. Thus, repeated twig dieback results in the
formation of crooked branches.
• On oak, small scattered brown spots or large light
brown blotches form along veins. The leaves look
scorched.
• On maple, purplish brown areas form along the veins
or larger, irregular, light to dark brown spots form
along or between veins (Fig.3), extending to the leaf
Fig. 2. Twig canker caused by the sycamore
anthracnose fungus.
(Photo by E. Dutky-U. Md.).
Fig. 1. Blighting of leaf tissue caused by the
sycamore anthracnose fungus.
(Photo by E. Dutky-U. Md.).
Disclaimer
Commercial products are named in this publication for informational purposes only. Virginia Cooperative Extension does
not endorse these products and does not intend discrimination against other products which also may be suitable.
margin.
• On ash, large,
irregular, light
brown spots
appear, most
often along leaf
margins (Fig. 4).
• On linden, large
brown areas with
black margins
appear, especially
along main leaf
veins. The areas
are small to
large and
circular to
elongate.
• On birch, small,
irregular,
circular, brown
spots with dark
brown margins
are apparent.
• On hickory, large, irregular, reddish brown spots
appear on the upper leaf surface and a dull brown
area is apparent on the lower leaf surface.
• On walnut, irregular, circular, dark brown to black
spots are visible on leaves.
• On dogwood, two different anthracnose diseases may
occur. Symptoms of spot anthracnose include tiny
leaf and bract spots, about the size of a pinhead, with
whitish centers and purplish borders. Symptoms of
Discula anthracnose (dogwood anthracnose)
include irregular, small to large brown blotches with
purplish borders on leaves and bracts, lower branch
dieback, and trunk cankers that culminate in death of
the tree.
Disease Cycle
Anthracnose fungi overwinter in infected leaves on the
ground. Some canker-causing anthracnose fungi, such as
the sycamore anthracnose fungus, also overwinter in
twigs on the ground or in cankered twigs that remain on
the tree. Microscopic spores of most anthracnose fungi
are produced in infected tissues during April and May.
The spores are blown and splashed to the buds and young
leaves and, with favorable moisture conditions, penetrate
and infect the swelling buds and unfolding leaves. Long
rainy periods help the fungus to spread rapidly.
Control
Disease control measures for different trees vary slightly
because the period of infection is different depending on
the fungal species involved. If fungicides are used, sprays
must be applied on a preventative basis, beginning before
infection takes place. Spraying large trees for many
anthracnose diseases may be impractical and
unnecessary, especially in dry springs. Sanitation is
important in reducing the amount of fungal inoculum
available for new infections. For large, high-value
sycamore
trees,
injection
with the
fungicide,
thiabendazole
hypophosphite
(e.g.
Arbotect
20-S), on a
3-year basis
is also an
option
(Fig 5).
For effective anthracnose control of most anthracnose
diseases:
• Rake up and remove infected leaves in the fall. Leaves
may be shredded and composted or burned.
• Prune out and burn or bury dead twigs and small
branches. Prune to thin the crown. Thinning will
improve air movement and promote faster drying of
the leaves.
• If fertilizer is needed, fertilize in the fall about a month
after the average date of the first frost or in early spring
about a month before the date of the last frost to
increase tree vigor.
• If chemical control is desired, spray with a fungicide
containing mancozeb (e.g. Manzate 200, Dithane M-45)
at budswell and twice again during leaf expansion (in
most years, this would be at 10-14 day intervals).

Bacterial Leaf Scorch in Landscape Trees

Bacterial leaf scorch is a chronic disease caused by
a bacterium, Xylella fastidiosa, that grows in the xylem of
the tree and physically clogs these water-conducting ves-
sels. As the bacterium multiplies, water transport becomes
more limited. The tree suffers water stress, especially in
mid to late summer, resulting in leaf scorch; a browning
or discoloration of the margins of the leaves with interior
portions of the leaves near the veins remaining green. The
bacterium is spread by leafhoppers, spittlebugs and other
xylem-feeding insects.
Hosts and Symptoms
Bacterial leaf scorch has a wide host range including
many herbaceous and woody species (goldenrod, alfalfa,
clover, blackberries). Tree species most affected are elm,
sweetgum, sycamore, dogwood, mulberry, red maple, sugar
maple and particularly, many species in the red oak fam-
ily – pin, northern red and scarlet oaks. Symptoms usually
appear on one branch and progressively spread throughout
the crown in subsequent years. On large trees, it may take
five to 10 years for the disease to progress through the entire
crown. Infested branches generally releaf for several years
following the onset of scorch disease symptoms. Leaves will
appear normal in the spring, but later show scorch symp-
toms. Growth is reduced and tree crowns become progres-
sively sparse as the tree declines. Eventually, infected trees
will succumb from the disease.
Diagnosis
Symptoms of bacterial leaf scorch are often mis-
taken for those produced by vascular wilt diseases such as
oak wilt and Dutch elm disease. The difference is that the
scorch and decline occurs progressively over several years
rather than occurring over a period of two or three months
with the wilt diseases. Sometimes bacterial leaf scorch is
difficult to diagnose on symptoms alone, since the symp-
toms are similar to other related tree responses to drought,
salt damage or root injury. Early fall coloration of leaves
often coincides with leaf scorch. Therefore, a plant tissue
analysis lab must perform a positive diagnosis to determine
if the bacterium is present.
Integrated Management
Unfortunately, no cure
or treatment for infected trees
or a strategy for preventing
infection is presently avail-
able. Leafhoppers and other
insects that spread the dis-
ease are active for most of
the growing season. This
makes disease prevention by
controlling the insect vector
with insecticide treatments
impractical.
The life of infected
trees can be prolonged with
judicious management. Trunk
injections with antibiotics
Bacterial leaf scorch on northern red oak. leaf scorch on a sycamore leaf. Note the live tissue near the veins of the leaf
and the dead tissue at the leaf margins.
have been shown to suppress the symptoms. Treatments must
be made annually in late May or early June. Antibiotics only
cause a remission of the symptoms, not a cure. Injections
must be applied each year. The continual wounding made by
these injections raises concerns whether the wounds provide
an entrance to secondary disease organisms.
Pruning is another possible treatment if the disease
is detected early. Pruning of infected branches can delay
the spread of the disease within the crown. Mulching and
watering during drought periods may reduce moisture stress
and possibly delay scorch development. The effects of fer-
tilization are unclear with this disease. Fertilization treat-
ments are recommended when a soil or leaf analysis shows
a nutrient deficiency.
Summary
Since there is no effective treatment or cure for bac-
terial leaf scorch, one should expect diseased trees to be
gradually lost over the years. The eventual best remedy for
bacterial leaf scorch is tree replacement once the tree no lon-
ger adds to the landscape. However, the life of the tree can
be prolonged somewhat with judicious management since
tree death is not immediate. Thus, tree replacement can be
done before the infected tree dies, allowing tree establish-
ment before infected trees are removed.

Bacterial Wetwood Disease of Trees

Wetwood is a water-soaked condition of wood in the
trunk and branches of trees. This condition has been attrib-
uted to bacterial infection in the inner sapwood and outer
heartwood area of the tree. Infection is normally associated
with wounding or environmental stress on the tree. The
bacteria, Enterobactor cloacae, has been implicated as the
cause of wetwood in elm, but numerous other bacteria have
been associated with this condition in other trees such as
cottonwood, willow, ash, maple, birch, hickory, beech, oak,
sycamore, cherry and yellow-poplar. Bacteria alter wood
cell walls, causing moisture content of the wood to increase.
Infected wood may also have a high (basic) pH and a high
concentration of microelements.
The most common evidence of wetwood is bleeding
or “fluxing” of sap from the trunk or larger limbs of a tree.
Often this fluxing is associated with a wound, but has also
been observed where no obvious wound existed. Bacteria
associated with wetwood are common in soil and water
Stain associated with bacterial wetwood disease on the trunk
of pin oak.
Closeup of damage to bole (pruning scar) where fl ux of sap
is exuding. Notice the bird peck hole where birds are either
hunting for insects attracted by the fl ow of sap or actually
feeding on the sap. The flux of sap may be the result of insects boring, animal rubbing
or mechanical injuries to the tree, such as frost cracks or
pruning. During extended drought periods, the condition
has been noticed at the base of larger, older trees, espe-
cially oaks.
Bacterial fermentation of the sap during warm
weather produces gases (often methane), causing pressure
in the affected wood. The pressure forces the sap out of the
tree by the path of least resistance. This is why the fluxing
is usually found near wounds and openings in the bark.
The exuding sap will run down the side of the tree, soak-
ing a large area of bark. Once exposed to the air, the sap
will become contaminated with other bacteria, yeasts and
fungi, resulting in a foul-smelling, slimy, foamy substance.
Fluxing of the sap is sometimes referred to as slime flux.
The flux associated with wetwood should not be confused
with the normal bleeding that may occur after pruning.
If slime flux runs down the tree for extended periods,
it may cause the bark to decay and eventually may damage
the cambium. The cambium is the regenerative layer of tis-
sue between the bark and the wood that is responsible for the
tree’s diameter growth. The cambium produces new wood
and bark each year and is directly related to tree vigor.
Fluxing of sap may also cause toxicity in the sap that
is carried to the branches, thus resulting in wilting and
defoliation of the leaves. Plants adjacent to the tree trunk
may also be killed or damaged by toxic sap exuded from
wetwood wounds. Wetwood alone rarely causes tree death,
but may lead to secondary pathogens that combine for con-
tinued tree decline and eventual death.
Wood-infesting and other insects are attracted to the
flux exudates. These insects may lay eggs and reproduce in
the fluxing material. Wood-infesting insects are likely to
invade the tree after being attracted to the slimy exudate.
There is no control for wetwood disease. Preventing
damage and stress to tree roots and stem is probably the best
way to avoid a wetwood problem. Drought conditions tend
to increase wetwood problems, so it is important that the
tree receives adequate water during the growing season.
Treatments for trees already infected with wetwood
are generally only cosmetic and of no remedial value. Trees
affected with wetwood will compartmentalize around the
wetwood-affected area, and limit its spread to other parts
of the tree. This is nature’s way of protecting trees from
infections.
A previously recommended practice of installing
drain tubes in the wetwood-affected area to relieve sap
pressure and remove lateral liquids has been challenged by
researchers in recent years. Research has found that the ben-
efits of tube installation are offset by the injury the instal-
lation causes. In fact, the spread of the infection to other
tree parts may be increased by using drain tubes. Also, the
removal of the internal liquids can create conditions favor-
able for invasion by wood-decay fungi.
For these same reasons, research has shown it is better
not to scrape the wound and clean out the infected wetwood
areas. Wetwood will cause only a small amount of injury
for most healthy trees if they are allowed to compartmen-
talize the diseased area. It is far better for the tree to have
a small section infected by wetwood than to be invaded by
wood-decay fungi that could cause far more damage and
structurally weaken the tree.
Use preventative measures to avoid wetwood disease.
Follow good pruning techniques that result in minimum
injury to the tree. Prune only as required for shaping the
tree and removing the dead wood. Never cut behind the
bark ridge when pruning a branch; i.e., do not make flush
cuts. Protect trees, especially the roots, during construction
projects. Fertilize and water as needed to avoid nutritional or
moisture stress. Trees usually do not require watering unless
prolonged drought occurs. Trees growing in lawns do not
need additional fertilizer if the lawn grass is fertilized.
For trees with wetwood disease, wash the slime flux
from the surface and apply insecticidal spray to protect the
tree from insect infestations. Loose, dead bark or limbs
should be removed. Cutting or scraping the fluxing area is
not recommended. Increased applications of nitrogen fertil-
izer have increased the growth rate and recovery of some
wetwood-affected trees.

Trees, Shrubs, and Vines That Attract Wildlife

When designing landscapes for urban environ-
ments keep in mind the following principles:
• Use native plants whenever possible.
• Consider the ecological growing requirements of
the plant so it can be placed in a similar habitat.
• Reduce the amount of lawn area and replace with
woody plants and a variety of wildflowers.
• Use a variety of different plant groups and types
(Figure 1).
• Use a variety of plant species within each group.
• Use a variety of plants that will flower and pro-
duce fruit at various times of the year.
• Plant in clusters (Figure 2).
• Plant conifers or dense tall shrubs on the north and
northwest locations if at all possible (Figure 3).
• Follow proper planting techniques (Figure 4).
• Maintain your plants after planting.
T
Figure 1.
Plant varieties provide for diversity of feeding niches for
different bird species.
4
In addition to the species listed in this report, there
are other native trees that help protect genetic diversity
or have showy blooms or interesting foliage. Many of
these species may not be particularly attractive to wild-
life, but they definitely add interest to the urban land-
scape. These species include our state tree, the Ken-
tucky coffeetree (Gymnocladus dioica), as well as leath-
erwood (Dirca palustris), wild hydrangea (Hydrangea
arborescens), redbud (Cercis canadensis), bladdernut
(Staphylea trifolia), sourwood (Oxydendrum
arboreum), fringe tree (Chionanthus virginicus), Ameri-
can snowbell (Styrax americana), Carolina silverbell
(Halesia carolina), witch hazel
The good arrangement on the right is preferred for backyard planting.
Figure 2.
Clustering of viburnums.
virginiana), New Jersey tea (Ceanothus americanus), wisteria
(Wisteria macrostachya), and yellowwood (Cladrastis lutea).
5
The most ideal situation involves planting a recently dug balled-and-burlapped
tree with a sufficiently sized root ball into noncompacted, well-drained soil with 50
percent solid material and 50 percent pore space. Before trees are purchased and
planted, it is important to assess the planting site, make design and site modifica-
tions, choose plants that match the specific site, and
use good transplanting techniques.
Note the following ideal planting techniques:
• The surface soils are better aerated when the
surface diameter is increased and the sides of
planting holes are tapered.
• The tree is placed at the depth grown in the
nursery, and no deeper! Look for the root collar,
and remove soil if necessary.
• A 2- to 3-inch layer of organic mulch replaces
turf around the tree base, ideally to the drip line
of the tree. Grass roots compete significantly
with tree roots and impair tree growth. An 8-foot
circle of mulch quadruples root development of
newly planted trees.
• There is no “pimple” of excess mulch; 4 to 6
inches of mulch is never good; it rots the bark of
the tree trunk.
• There is no excessive saucering.
• If mulch is not used and turf is grown up to the base of the tree, the trunk should
be protected from a lawn mower, string trimmer, or tractor with perforated pipe
at the tree’s base. Check annually, and remove when the tree outgrows it.
• No stakes are used. Stakes are unnecessary in 99.9 percent of plantings.
• There is no tree wrap because tree wrap encourages fungi/bacteria to grow in the
dark, humid environment under it.
• A 4-inch perforated pipe can be installed and connected to a drainage area only
if the clay is extremely heavy or the soil waterlogged.
Once the trees are established they will need to be pruned. For information on
pruning, ask your Cooperative Extension Agent for publication HO-45, Pruning
Landscape Trees. For more information on growing nut trees, ask for publication
ID-77, Nut Tree Growing in Kentucky.
Ideal Planting Techniques
In the following pages, the trees, vines, and shrubs are listed by group. Within each group, the listings are alphabetical by
scientific name. The scientific name is first, followed by the common name in parentheses.
#02#02#02#02#03#03#03#03#7B#7B#7B#7B||||
,,,,
,,,,
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Figure 4.
6
Maple
Acer spp.
A. nigrum (black)
A. negundo (box elder)
A. pensylvanicum (striped)
A. rubrum (red)
A. saccharinum (silver, water)
A. saccharum (sugar)
Notes
Opposite leaf arrangement; dis-
tinctive winged seeds called sa-
maras; brilliant orange to red fall
foliage in sugar, black, and red
maples; grows best in full sun to
partial shade. Cultivars of red
maple suitable for Kentucky in-
clude Armstrong, Autumn Flame,
Bowhall, Columnare, Edna Davis,
Gerling, Karpick, Northwood,
October Glory, Red Skin, and Red Sunset. Cultivars of sugar maple suitable for Kentucky
include Bonfire, Caddo, Commemoration, Columnare, Green Mountain, Legacy, Steeple,
and Sweet Shadow. Silver or water maple is not recommended because it has been
overplanted in the landscape, reseeds, is weak-wooded, trashy, and self-destructs in ice and
wind storms.
Buckeyes
Aesculus spp.
A. discolor (red and yellow)
A. glabra (Ohio)
A. octandra (yellow, sweet)
A. pavia (red)
Notes
Flowers are used as a nectar source by humming-
birds. One of the first species to produce leaves
in spring. No exceptional fall color.
Large Hardwood (Deciduous) Trees
More than 30 feet tall when mature
7
Hackberry
Celtis spp.
C. laevigata (sugarberry, smooth hackberry)
C. occidentalis (common)
C. tennuifolia (dwarf)
Notes
Gray to brown warty bark; small red fruits when ripe; unattractive light
yellow fall foliage; common along fencerows, roadsides, and old fields.
Larval food for snout, question mark, mourning cloak, tawny emperor,
and hackberry butterflies. Extension horticulturalists do not recommend
planting common hackberry because it reseeds and has a witch’s broom
type of growth.
Hickories
Carya spp.
C. aquatica (water)
C. glabra (pignut)
C. illinoensis (pecan)
C. laciniosa (big shagbark, big shellbark, kingnut)
C. ovalis (sweet pignut, small-fruited)
C. ovata (shagbark, shellbark)
C. tomentosa (mockernut, white)
Notes
Shagbark, pecan, big shagbark, pale, and sweet pignut have
edible nuts; subject to disease; slow growing; nuts can be self-
fruitful in some cases, but allowing for cross pollination is
better. Varieties of shagbark hickory recommended for Ken-
tucky include Yoder #1, Bridewater, Silvas, Wurth, Grainger, Wilcox, Porter, and Wilmoth. Variet-
ies of shellbark recommended for Kentucky include Fayette, Bradley, Chetopa, Keystone, Lindauer,
Neilson, Stauffer, Stephens, and Totten. Varieties of pecans recommended for Kentucky include
Chickasaw, Fisher, Greenriver, Hodge, Kentucky, Major, Mohawk, Posey, and Shoshone. Larval
food for hickory hairstreak and banded hairstreak butterflies. Squirrels love these nuts!
Catalpa
Catalpa speciosa (northern catalpa, cigar tree)
Notes
Larval food for tiger swallowtail butterfly; flowers are
used as a nectar source by hummingbirds.
Large Hardwood (Deciduous) Trees
8
Large Hardwood (Deciduous) Trees
Persimmon
Diospyros virginiana (common)
Notes
Orange fruits ripening in fall can be eaten by humans; red to
yellow fall foliage; common along the edges of woodlands,
old fields, and fencerows. The sexes are separate, and both
male and female trees must be present to obtain fruit. Deer,
turkeys, raccoons, and squirrels love these large fruits.
Ash
Fraxinus spp.
F. americana (white)
F. pennsylvanica (green)
F. quadrangulata (blue)
F. profunda (pumpkin)
Notes
Medium-sized tree; opposite leaf arrangement; winged
seeds; brilliant yellow fall foliage for green ash and red to
maroon color for white ash; grows best in full sunlight.
Cultivars of green ash suitable for Kentucky include
Bergeson, Emerald, Newport, Patmor, Summit, and Ur-
banite. Cultivars of white ash suitable for Kentucky in-
clude Autumn Purple, Autumn Applause, Champaign
County, Rosehill, and Skyline. Extension horticulturalists
do not recommend green ash because of storm damage
problems. Larval food for tiger swallowtail, hickory hair-
streak, and mourning cloak butterflies.
Beech
Fagus grandifolia (American)
Notes
Retains brown fall foliage through the winter; three-
angled nuts; shade tolerant. Squirrels love this nut. Lar-
val food for early hairstreak butterfly.
9
Large Hardwood (Deciduous) Trees
Walnuts
Juglans spp.
J. cinerea (butternut, white walnut)
J. nigra (black walnut)
Notes
Butternuts are not recommended except in the moun-
tains at high elevations because they are susceptible to
bacterial canker that results in a short-lived tree, usually
fewer than 20 years; self-fruitful, although they perform
better when cross pollinated. Cultivars recommended for
Kentucky include Clermont, Emma K, Farrington,
Myers, Sparrow, and Stabler. Extension horticulturalists
do not recommend planting black walnut because it is
the last to produce leaves in the spring, first to drop leaves
in the fall, the nuts are messy, and there is juglone toxic-
ity to other plants. Larval food for banded hairstreak
butterfly. Squirrels love these nuts!
Sweet Gum
Liquidambar styraciflua
Notes
Star-shaped leaves turning red to purple in autumn; female flower forms the hard,
spiny gum balls that encase the seeds. Cultivars suitable for Kentucky include Fes-
tival and Rotundiloba.
10
Large Hardwood (Deciduous) Trees
Magnolia
Magnolia spp.
M. acuminata (cucumber tree)
M. fraseri (Fraser s)
M. macrophylla (big leaf)
M. tripetala (umbrella)
Notes
Large white flowers in late spring to early summer;
cones open in late summer to release bright red seeds;
mostly understory trees. Exceptionally large showy
blooms in May.
Yellow Poplar
Liriodendron tulipifera
(tulip poplar, tulip tree)
Notes
Our state heritage tree; lyre-shaped
leaves; undistinctive yellow fall foliage;
distinctive greenish white flower
marked with orange in spring. Larval
food for tiger swallowtail and spicebush
swallowtail butterflies.
Gum
Nyssa spp.
N. aquatica (tupelo gum, water tupelo)
N. sylvatica (sour gum, black gum, black tupelo)
Notes
Deeply furrowed blocky bark; dark blue fruits usually
in clusters from midsummer persisting to early winter;
deep red and purple fall foliage is one of first to turn
color. A long taproot makes it difficult to transplant.
11
Cottonwood
Populus spp.
P. deltoides (eastern cottonwood)
P. grandidentata (big-toothed aspen)
P. heterophylla (swamp cottonwood)
Notes
Fast-growing; toothed leaves; seed capsule matures
in late spring; each seed attached to a tuft of white
hair; brilliant yellow fall foliage. Extension
horticulturalists do not recommend eastern cotton-
wood because of surface roots and cottony seeds. Lar-
val food for mourning cloak, red-spotted purple, vice-
roy, and tiger swallowtail butterflies.
Sycamore
Platanus occidentalis
Notes
Bark in pattern of browns and whites; shallow-lobed leaves; hang-
ing fruits; brown fall foliage. Large trees often become hollow
and are used as nesting sites for wildlife. Extension
horticulturalists do not recommend this species because it is a
trashy tree.
Large Hardwood (Deciduous) Trees
Cherry
Prunus spp.
P. serotina (black cherry)
P. virginiana (choke cherry)
Notes
White blossoms in spring; small red fruits in late summer; yellow-orange
fall foliage; found frequently in open areas, old fields, fencerows, and pas-
tures. Among our most important wildlife food plants; fruit can be used for
wine or jelly. Extension horticulturalists do not recommend black cherry
because it reseeds, stains walks, and is considered a nuisance in landscape
beds and fencerows. Larval food for tiger swallowtail, coral hairstreak,
striped hairstreak, red-spotted purple, and spring azure butterflies. Birds
love the seeds from these plants!
12
Oak
Quercus spp.
Q. alba (white)
Q. bicolor (swamp white)
Q. falcata (southern red)
Q. imbricaria (shingle)
Q. lyrata (overcup)
Q. macrocarpa (bur)
Q. marilandica (blackjack)
Q. michauxii (swamp chestnut, basket, cow)
Q. prinus (chestnut, mountain chestnut, rock chestnut)
Q. muehlenbergii (chinquapin, yellow)
Q. nigra (water)
Q. pagoda
Q. palustris (pin)
Q. phellos (willow)
Q. rubra (northern red)
Q. shumardii (Shumard)
Q. stellata (post)
Large Hardwood (Deciduous) Trees
Notes
Lobed leaves; fruit as acorns; found in wide range of habitats; wide variety of fall
foliage from red to yellow to purple; the white, willow, and pin oaks are relatively
fast-growing oaks; white oak is difficult to transplant because of a long taproot. Pin
oak is not recommended because it is over-planted, has scale problems, and has
drooping branches that must be removed every year. Larval food for Juvenal’s
duskywing, Horace’s duskywing, Edward’s hairstreak, white M hairstreak, banded
hairstreak, sleepy duskywing, and north-
ern hairstreak butterflies. The red oak
group usually is a consistent producer of
acorns. White oaks do not produce acorns
as consistently; however, wildlife prefer
white oak acorns. Excellent source of en-
ergy for squirrels, deer, turkeys, raccoons,
and numerous other wildlife species.
13
Large Hardwood (Deciduous) Trees
Locust
Robinia spp.
R. hispida var. rosea (rose-acacia, bristly)
R. pseudoacacia (black)
Notes
Bristly locust is a thorny, medium-sized shrub with purple
flowers. Larval food for the Zarucco duskywing, com-
mon sulphur, silver-spotted skipper, and dreamy
duskywing butterflies. Extension horticulturalists do not
recommend planting black locust because it produces a
great number of suckers from its roots.
Sassafras
Sassafras albidum
Notes
Leaves can be without lobes or have two or three
lobes; early summer blue-black fruits; fall foli-
age brilliant red, yellow, and orange; common in
open fields, fencerows, and wood edges; tree parts
used in tea and candy; difficult to transplant be-
cause of a long taproot; female tree bears fruit.
Larval food for the spicebush and palamedes
swallowtail butterflies.
14
Holly
Ilex opaca (American)
Notes
Not a coniferous tree; glossy green leaves with spiny
margins; white flowers followed by bright red fruits
persisting until late winter. Cultivars suitable for Ken-
tucky include Cecile, Chief Paduke, Indian Maiden, Julie
Koehler, Judy Evans, Klein #1, Lady Alice, Maryland
Dwarf, Richards, and Virginia Giant. Sexes are sepa-
rate, and both male and female trees must be planted to
obtain fruit. Larval food for Henry’s elfin butterfly. The
berries provide a late winter food source for birds when
other berries may not be available.
Evergreen Trees
Spruce
Picea spp.
P. abies (Norway)
P. glauca (Black Hills; cultivar Densata)
P. pungens (Colorado; cultivars Glauca, Hoopsii,
Thompsonii, Moerheimii, Kosteri, and Fat Albert)
Notes
Not native to Kentucky. Spruce trees can be used in the
landscape, but they do not reproduce; primarily used for
wildlife cover.
Juniper, Red Cedar
Juniperus virginiana (eastern)
Notes
Blue fleshy cones form the berries in autumn; shade tolerant;
pioneer plant found commonly in poor soil sites; cultivars suit-
able for Kentucky include Burkii, Canaerti, and Hillspire. Larval
food for the olive hairstreak butterfly. Birds relish the blue ber-
ries.
15
Pine
Pinus spp.
P. echinata (yellow, shortleaf)
P. rigida (pitch)
P. strobus (White)
P. virginiana (Virginia, scrub)
Notes
Larval food for the eastern pine
elfin butterfly.
Eastern Hemlock
Tsuga canadensis
Notes
Medium to large evergreen trees; small cones
hang from end of branchlets; mature cones re-
lease winged seeds; common in cool, moist slopes
in Eastern Kentucky; very shade tolerant; variet-
ies recommended for Kentucky include Pendula
or Weeping Hemlock and Sargentii.
Evergreen Trees
16
Alder
Alnus serrulata (common)
Notes
Large shrub; flowers are hard, brown catkins;
common along streams and damp areas; grows
best in partial shade.
Small Trees or Large Shrubs
Pawpaw
Asimina triloba
Notes
Fruits are edible by humans. Larval
food for zebra swallowtail butterfly.
Serviceberry, Juneberry, Sarvis,
Shadbush, Shadblow
Amelanchier spp.
A. aborea (downy)
A. laevis (smooth)
Notes
Small tree or large shrub; among the first woody plants
to produce dainty white flowers in the spring; purple
applelike fruits in June; gold to red-orange fall foliage;
adapted to planting along ponds, rivers, and streams; will
grow in full sun, partial shade, or full shade. The culti-
var, Autumn Sunset, of downy serviceberry is recom-
mended for Kentucky. Cultivars of smooth serviceberry
suitable for Kentucky include Prince Charles and Cumu-
lus. Probably the best summer fruit for birds; they abso-
lutely love these berries!
10 to 30 feet tall
17
Birch
Betula spp.
B. lenta (sweet)
B. lutea (yellow)
B. nigra (river)
Notes
Small- to medium-sized tree; relatively short-lived; at-
tractive, flaky bark; hard, brown catkin flowers; clear yel-
low fall foliage. Larval food for mourning cloak and gray
comma butterflies.
Hawthorn
Crataegus spp.
C. crus-galli (cockspur)
C. mollis (red haw)
C. phaenopyrum (Washington)
Notes
Species of hawthorns are numerous, complex, and dif-
ficult to separate; there are more than two dozen spe-
cies in the state; small trees or shrubs; spines along
branches; red fruit remain on tree until late winter; com-
mon on roadsides and old farmland. Larval food for
the gray hairstreak butterfly. Birds love these berries!
Dogwood
Cornus spp.
C. alternifolia (alternate leaf)
C. amomum ssp. amomum (silky)
ssp. obliqua (pale)
C. drummondii (rough leaf)
C. florida (flowering)
C. foemina (stiff)
C. racemosa (gray)
Notes
Small herbaceous plants and shrubs, as well as small
trees; large, showy white flowers in midspring; bright
red berries in fall; crimson autumn foliage; common
understory tree; slow growing; varieties of flowering
dogwood recommended for Kentucky include Chero-
kee Chief, Cherokee Princess, Cloud Nine, First Lady,
Pendula, Purple Glory, Rainbow, Rubra, Summertime,
Sweetwater, and Welchii. Larval food for the spring
azure butterfly. Birds love the berries!
Small Trees or Large Shrubs
18
Burning Bush
Euonymus spp.
E. americana (strawberry bush, hearts-a-bursting-
with-love)
E. atropurpurea (Wahoo, burning bush)
E. obovata (running strawberry bush, running
euonymus)
Notes
Tall treelike shrub; branches have two to four corky wings
making them appear square; small yellow flowers in
spring; purple-capped pods open in fall displaying three
orange-red seeds; brilliant red fall foliage; grows best in
full sunlight. Birds love the berries.
Holly
Ilex spp.
I. decidua (swamp holly, possum haw)
I. montana (mountain winterberry)
I. verticillata (winterberry)
Notes
Glossy green leaves with spiny margins; white
flowers followed by bright red fruits persisting
until late winter. Cultivars of possum haw suit-
able for Kentucky include Council Fire,
Pocahonta, and Warren’s Red; cultivars of win-
terberry suitable for Kentucky include After-
glow, Sunset, and Winterred. Larval food for
Henry’s elfin butterfly.
Small Trees or Large Shrubs
Spicebush
Lindera benzoin
Notes
Deciduous shrub; spicy aroma from crushed leaves; red berries in
late summer; clear yellow fall foliage; grows best in rich moist
soil. Larval food for spicebush and tiger swallowtail butterflies.
Birds will eat the red berries.
19
Small Trees or Large Shrubs
Crab Apple, Apple
Malus spp.
M. angustifolia
M. coronaria (wild)
M. ioensis
Notes
Large shrub or small tree; often branches bear small
spines; early spring pinkish-white flowers; yellow fall
foliage; cedar waxwings are known to prefer Red Jade
cultivar. Cultivars suitable for Kentucky that resist dis-
eases and insects include David, Harvest Gold,
Jewelberry, Red Jade, Red Jewel, and Prairiefire. In
general, crab apples are not good bird food but do pro-
vide excellent food for raccoons, opossums, squirrels,
and deer. Larval food for the gray hairstreak, spring
azure, red-spotted purple, viceroy, tiger swallowtail,
and striped hairstreak butterflies.
Mulberry
Morus rubra (red)
Notes
Heart-shaped or variably lobed leaves; red to dark purple fruits in late
spring; clear yellow fall foliage; grows best in full sun; the fruits are edible
by humans and wildlife love them; they can become invasive in some cases.
Sexes are separate, and male and female trees must be planted to obtain
fruit. This species has been known to attract the most spectacular flocking
of birds of any fruiting tree. Larval food for the mourning cloak butterfly.
American Hophornbeam
Ostrya virginiana
Notes
Small- to medium-sized tree; catkin flowers producing
small nutlet fruits in late summer. Larval food for the
mourning cloak and red-spotted purple butterflies.
20
Plums
Prunus spp.
P. americana (wild plum)
P. angustifolia (chickasaw plum)
P. munsoniana (wild goose plum)
Notes
White blossoms in spring; small red fruits in late summer; yellow-orange
fall foliage; found frequently in open areas, old fields, fencerows, and pas-
tures. Among our most important wildlife food plants; fruit can be used
for wine or jelly. Birds go wild over these berries!
Sumac
Rhus spp.
R. aromatica (fragrant)
R. copallinum (winged, shining)
R. glabra (smooth)
R. hirta (staghorn)
Notes
Large shrub or small tree; wine-red panicles of
fruit in late summer to fall; scarlet fall foliage.
Can be an invasive or aggressive plant in land-
scapes. Larval food for the red-banded hairstreak
butterfly. The berries of sumac are poisonous to
humans at any stage and are generally not eaten
by birds until late in the winter when other food
sources have perished.
Buckthorn
Rhamnus spp.
R. caroliniana (Carolina)
R. lanceolata (lance leaf)
Notes
Large shrub or small tree; lustrous, dark green foliage; clusters of
red berries in fall eventually turn black; yellow fall foliage; grows
best in full sun to part shade. Can become invasive.
Small Trees or Large Shrubs
21
Elderberry
Sambucus spp.
S. canadensis (common)
S. pubens (red-berried elder)
Notes
Large shrub or small tree; white flowers in early spring
to frost; purple-black berries on red stems; grows best
in moist soil; berries can be used in making jellies and
wine. Birds love these early fall berries.
Small Trees or Large Shrubs
Black Haw
Viburnum spp.
V. acerifolium (maple leaf)
V. dentatum var. dentatum (arrow wood)
var. lucidum
V. molle (Kentucky viburnum)
V. nudum var. nudum (possum haw)
var. cassinoides (withe rod)
V. prunifolium (black haw)
V. rafineqsquianum (arrow wood)
V. rufidulum (southern black haw)
Notes
Large shrub or small tree; dark green, glossy foliage; creamy white
flowers in late spring; clusters of dark blue fruit with white sheen
in fall; grows in full sunlight to part shade. Larval food for spring
azure butterfly. Birds absolutely relish these berries!
Chokeberry
Aronia spp.
A. arbutifolia (red)
A. melanocarpa (black)
Notes
Deciduous shrub; shiny red berries that last into the winter. Larval food for the
striped hairstreak butterfly. Berries are generally not preferred by birds, but they
will eat them in late winter when other food is not available.
22
Small and Medium Shrubs
Mountain Laurel
Kalmia latifolia
Notes
Requires acid soil and looks best when grown in
combination with Rhododendron species; leaves
are poisonous to livestock and humans. A great
nectar source for butterflies and hummingbirds.
Huckleberry
Gaylussacia spp.
G. baccata
G. brachycera (box)
Notes
Semi-evergreen shrub; flowers in late winter to early spring; small black
fruits ripen unevenly and last for two to three months; fruits are similar to
blueberries and can be eaten by humans, although they contain many seeds.
Larval food for the brown elfin and Henry’s elfin butterflies.
Filbert (American Hazelnut)
Corylus americana
Notes
Easily propagated as seedlings; there are some named varieties, but these
are generally not as hardy, and often their flowers are killed during the
winter. Nuts are relished by humans and wild mammals alike.
Buttonbush
Cephalanthus occidentalis (buttonbush)
Notes
One of top ten butterfly nectar plants.
23
Small and Medium Shrubs
Rose
Rosa spp.
R. carolina (Carolina)
R. palustris (swamp)
R. setigera (climbing)
Notes
Upright, trailing, or climbing shrubs; thorny stems; red berries eaten
by birds.
Rhododendron and Azaleas
Rhododendron spp.
R. arborescens (smooth azalea)
R. calendulaceum (flame azalea)
R. catawbiense (purple rhododendron, mountain rosebay)
R. cumberlandense (red azalea)
R. maximum (great rhododendron)
R. periclymenoides (pinxter flower, pink azalea)
R. prinophyllum (rose azalea)
Notes
Rhododendrons are evergreen; azaleas are deciduous shrubs; brilliantly
colored flowers from late spring to early summer; oblong fruits; fre-
quently understory shrubs; need acidic soil and soil amendments if
grown outside the Cumberland Plateau region. Larval food for the
striped hairstreak and gray comma butterflies. Excellent source of nec-
tar for hummingbirds and butterflies. Honey produced is generally re-
garded as poisonous to humans.
Gooseberries
Ribes spp.
R. cynosbati (prickly)
R. missouriense (Missouri)
Notes
Larval food for the gray comma but-
terfly. Berries are edible by humans.
24
Blueberry
Vaccinium spp.
V. arboreum (farkleberry)
V. pallidum (lowbush)
V. simulatum
V. corymbosum (highbush)
V. stamineum (deerberry, squawbush)
Notes
Bell-shaped, white flowers; blue-purple fruits in sum-
mer; must have an acidic soil; grows best in full sun to
partial shade. Excellent fall color. Larval food for brown
elfin, Henry’s elfin, striped hairstreak, and spring azure
butterflies.
Small and Medium Shrubs
Raspberries, Blackberries, Dewberries
Rubus spp.
R. allegheniensis (blackberry)
R. flagellaris (dewberry)
R. hispidus (swamp dewberry)
R. occidentalis (black raspberry)
R. odoratus (flowering raspberry)
R. pensilvanicus
Notes
Some references list as many as 90 species of Rubus in Kentucky; the
species are difficult for most people to tell apart. The species listed above
are the most common. Most of the species are thorny shrubs growing from
2 to 9 feet tall. Fruits occur in a cluster of fleshy drupelets; roots are peren-
nial; orange-red fall foliage; fruits are edible by humans except for flower-
ing raspberry. If you want some to eat, keep the birds away from this plant!
25
Vines
Trumpet Vine
Campsis radicans (trumpet creeper)
Notes
Vigorous, woody, deciduous climbing vine; orange and scarlet flow-
ers; good ornamental; can escape and become invasive. Excellent
source of nectar for hummingbirds.
Cross Vine
Bignonia capreolata
Notes
Excellent source of nectar for hummingbirds.
Bittersweet
Celastrus scandens
Notes
Commonly used for fall deco-
rations. Berries hang on into late
winter when birds will eat them.
26
Trumpet Honeysuckle
Lonicera sempervirens
Notes
Excellent nectar source for hummingbirds.
Old Man s Beard, Virgin s Bower
Clematis virginica
Notes
Butterflies and hummingbirds will use as a nec-
tar source.
Vines
Passionflower
Passiflora spp.
P. incarnata
P. lutea
Notes
Larval food for Gulf fritillary butterfly.
27
Virginia Creeper
Parthenocissus quinquefolia
Notes
Small white flowers in early summer; small grapelike ber-
ries in fall; crimson fall foliage; be careful where planted
because it can escape and become invasive. Birds love
the berries.
Vines
Greenbrier
Smilax spp.
S. bona-nox (bristly)
S. glauca (sawbrier, catbrier)
S. rotifolia (greenbrier)
S. tamnoides (hispid)
Notes
Thorny stems can be hazardous; difficult to find
at nurseries; difficult to transplant because of a
long taproot.
Grape
Vitis spp.
V. aestivalis (summer)
V. cinerea var. cinerea (graybark, sweet
winter) var. baileyana (Bailey s)
V. labrusca (fox)
V. palmata (catbird)
V. riparia (riverbank)
V. rotifolia (muscadine)
V. vulpina (frost)
Notes
Heart-shaped leaves; small flowers in long clus-
ters; purple berries; common in many habitats;
can be harmful to trees because the vine can grow
up a tree and shade the tree with its broad leaves.
Many cultivated species and varieties are avail-
able at nurseries.