Trees/shrubs – Zone 5, New Hampshire
| Characteristics | Acer sp. Acer saccarum Sugar Maple, Acer palmatum Japanese | Aeschelus x carnea /A. pavia Red Buckeye or Horse Chestnut | Amelanchier sp. (arborea), Shadbush or Serviceberry |
| Mature Height | 60-75’, up to 120’ potential | 16-20’ (A. pavia), 30-40’ (A.carnea) or more | 15-25’ |
| Mature Width | 2/3 of height | 10-20’ | Variable width |
| Sun/shade Moisture Needs | Well drained moderately moist soilFull sun to part shade. Color better in acid soils | Very tolerant of shade so effective under shade trees, moist but well drained soil | Full sun or part shadeMoist, but well drained soils |
| Landscape Value (S, Su, F) | S: Buds are soft pastel shades, flowers light green, subtly attractive, Su: Leaves med. to dark green, F: brilliant yellow to orange, variable. | S: Light green leavesSu: Dark green midsummerF: yellowFlower panicles up to 12” long in spring, white or pink. Very showy | S: Very early, white or light pink flowers, perhaps first flowering tree in springF: Yellow to apricot to deep red |
| Other redeeming Qualities | Shade tree, excellent hardwood, maple syrup, shelter for birds and mammals. Hundreds of varieties and sizes | Nuts are food source for wild life but harmful to humans unless boiled to remove toxins, yellow dye from bark | Roots non invasive, produces nice light shade. Other plants easily grow underneath. Good transition tree from lawns to woods. Even George Washington planted at Mount Vernon |
| Pollinators | Mostly Wind. Trees contain both male and female flowers, Bees can collect pollen | Hummingbirds, bumblebees. Blossoms seem custom made for hummingbird beaks | Bees; Tree have both male and female blossoms |
| Pests | Winter Moth, other moths, Spindle and other galls. Damage generally not fatal | Leaf blotch, powdery mildew. Many insects eat it, but showy nonetheless | Most are free from serious diseases/insect pests |
| Usefulness to Birds, other animals | Baltimore Orioles eat winter moth caterpillars, sap for birds | Shelter for birds, nesting sites. | Goldfinch, blue jay, titmouse, cardinal, robins, etc. love red to purple/black berries in June. Humans too. Some say tastes better than blueberry |
| Characteristics | Betula sp. Betula nigra River Betula papyrifera White or Paper | Calycanthus floridus Carolina Allspice | Catalpa speciosa |
| Mature Height | nigra: 40-70,’ papyrifera: 50-70’ | 6-12’ | 40-60’ |
| Mature Width | nigra: 40-60,’ papyrifera: ½-2/3 H | 12’ or wider spread | 20-40’ |
| Sun/shade Moisture Needs | nigra: moist soil, full sunpapyrifera: well drained acid soil, full sun | Shade; adapts to many soil types | Very soil tolerant but prefers deep moist soils, sun or part shade |
| Landscape Value (S, Su, F) | Handsome specimen tree, S: pale yellow/green catkins, Su: lustrous, dark green, F: nigra: not effective, papyrifera: clear yellow. Pretty in winter against evergreens | Glossy deep green aromatic leaves are deer proof. Easily grown, even in deep shade. Handsome leaves | Difficult to use well because of large leaves, but useful in many landscapes. Grows wild along banks of Souhegan River. Flowers are large attractive white panicles. Showy. Leaves almost last to open in S. |
| Other redeeming Qualities | Pioneer species after fires. Excellent softer hardwood. Shade tree. | Pineapple or camphor scent from all parts of plant. Oils from flowers used in some perfumes | Southern species home to Sphinx Moth. Caterpillars prized for fishing. Tough skin, freeze well. |
| Pollinators | Wind pollinated catkins | Beetles and other insects attracted by the floral scent | Bumblebees by day, moths at night, mostly. Produces nectar for pollinating insects |
| Pests | Bronze birch borer, gypsy moth caterpillars | Very disease resistant | Catalpa sphinx moth; usually doesn’t kill tree |
| Usefulness to Birds, other animals | Bark is winter food source for moose, deer; leaves and seedlings are food source for deer, rabbit, moose. Sap is food source for birds. Birch syrup can be produced from sap. Nesting site for birds and mammals | Fragrance attracts insects that are quickly eaten by birds hiding in the foliage. Deer proof due to toxins | Good protection for birds and bees against wind and rain under the large heart shaped leaves. Nesting sites for various birds |
| Characteristics | Carya ovata Shagbark Hickory | Cerciphyllum japonicum False Redbud or Katsura tree | Clethra alnifolia Summersweet or Sweet Pepperbush |
| Mature Height | Up to 120’ | 40-60,’ 100’ in wild | 3-8’ |
| Mature Width | 25-35’ | 20-30’ | 4-6’ |
| Sun/shade Moisture Needs | Rich, well drained soil in full or part sun | Rich, moist soil; fall colors best in acidic soils, full sun | Will grow taller in moist soil; full sun to heavy shade |
| Landscape Value (S, Su, F) | Stunning exfoliating bark on mature trees. Su: deep yellow green. F: rich yellow with brown tones | “Understated elegance.” Heart shaped leaves. S: reddish purple new leaves, Su: Bluish green leaves, F: soft apricot to orange | Wonderfully scented white or pink 2-6’ long spires in July and August. S: Late to leaf, light green leaves, Su: shiny deep green, F: yellow to golden brown |
| Other redeeming Qualities | Excellent hardwood for building and tools. Put twigs on grill to hickory smoke food. Stately shade tree. | Spicy odor as leaves color and turn in fall. Beautiful shade tree | Late to flower and bring fragrance. Late color change in Fall |
| Pollinators | Wind pollinated and self incompatible | Wind pollinated, no nectar, but lots of pollen | Butterflies, bees, Other insects. Great pollen food source. |
| Pests | Beetles (hickory bark around here, powder post elsewhere.) Usually not fatal | No serious pests | “Tremendously pest free” |
| Usefulness to Birds, other animals | Wood ducks, bobwhites, turkey, mallards, beaver, rabbits, woodpeckers, foxes, squirrels eat nuts. Humans can too but not commercially viable | Shelter from wind and rain. Produces dark red purple fruit that birds love | Seems to be a fine shrub for the middle to back of border. Deer have not eaten mine! |
| Characteristics | Hamamelis virginia Witch hazel | Magnolia sp. (soulangiana) Saucer Magnolia | Quercis sp. Oaks |
| Mature Height | 15-30’ | About 80 different species; typical max. height in zone 5 is 30’ | Many species/varieties- up to 140’ |
| Mature Width | 15-25’ | 20-30’ but variable | Easily the same spread as height |
| Sun/shade Moisture Needs | Sun to partial shade; moist well drained soils; on dry hillsides | Full sun to part shade; Acidic moist soil | Prefer full sun; Older oaks are moderately tolerant of shade but younger oaks must have full sun. various soil types |
| Landscape Value (S, Su, F) | Last flower to bloom in year; bloom Nov-Dec; can look as bright as forsythia. Green leaves in S. Yellow in F. | Fabulous Flowers. Often glossy leaves. Leaves may be two toned | Lustrous dark green leaves in Su.; Most are red/purple in late F or russet to brown. |
| Other redeeming Qualities | Very adaptable. Good transition shrub or small tree; Good wildlife habitat | Shade tree and wildlife nesting and shelter | Excellent shade tree and shelter for birds and mammals. Great hardwood |
| Pollinators | Bees and Flies of late F. gather nectar and pollen. | Beetles only. Lots of pollen, no nectar. Beetles eat pollen for protein | Primarily wind pollinated but bees do collect pollen |
| Pests | Pest free | Mildews, blights, scale; little permanent damage | Galls most common but generally not fatal |
| Usefulness to Birds, other animals | Birds use it for cover. Strong antioxidant and astringent qualities; Connecticut is considered the Witch hazel capital of world but very prevalent in NH woods | Songbirds eat seeds; excellent shelter for birds | Acorns valuable food source for woodpeckers, sapsuckers, jays, many mammals. Wonderful nesting sites and shelter |
The Amherst NH Garden Club 
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