Native Trees For Mississippi Landscapes - Mississippi State University

Cassine HollyAmerican HollyA small evergreen tree, cassine holly can reach 30 feetin height. Found along streams, wet pinelands, and swampedges, cassine grows next to swamp bay, wax myrtle, andyaupon. Abundant reddish-orange fruits are produced infall on new wood. This holly has a broad, oval form that isclean and neat in appearance, and it can easily be trimmedfor narrow spaces. The linear leaves are yellow-green andcontrast well against darker evergreens.Sunlight needed: Full to partialWildlife value: HighSoil type: Wet to moistTree type: EvergreenFruits: Winter fruitsAmerican holly is a large evergreen tree that grows up to50 feet in height. Found in many habitats across the easternUnited States, it is prevalent in rich woods and bottomlands.Associate species include the tulip tree, American beech,and red maple. The red fruit produced in fall is an importantwildlife food. American holly has a dense pyramidal formwhen young, becoming less regular with age.Sunlight needed: Full to partialWildlife value: HighSoil type: MoistTree type: EvergreenFruits: Winter fruitsIlex cassine Linnaeus var. cassineFamily: AquifoliaceaeIlex opaca AitonFamily: AquifoliaceaeYaupon HollyDeciduous HollyIlex vomitoria AitonFamily: AquifoliaceaeIlex decidua WalterFamily: AquifoliaceaeDeciduous holly is a small understory tree that growsup to 25 feet in height. Native to lowlands, rich woods,swamp margins, and stream edges, this holly is often foundon moist soils with water oak, swamp red maple, and waxmyrtle. Bright red fruits mature on females in late fall andare consumed by many birds and mammals. This tree ismulti-stemmed and has an upright to spreading form.Deciduous holly is a good specimen tree for winter display.Sunlight needed: FullWildlife value: HighSoil type: Moist to wetTree type: DeciduousFruits: Winter fruits5

Yaupon holly is an evergreen that grows to 30 feet inheight. Tolerant of both wet and dry conditions, yauponcan be found in many habitats. Typically multi-stemmed,this holly can form thickets in sunny environments. Femaleplants bear red fruits in fall and persist throughout thewinter. Yaupon holly has an upright, oval form in sun andan irregular, sculptural form in shade. It is a tough, durableplant ideal for many urban conditions.Sunlight needed: Full to partialWildlife value: HighSoil type: Wet to dryTree type: EvergreenFruits: Winter fruitsThe tulip tree is a large deciduous tree that grows to100 feet and is found in many woodlands of the easternUnited States. Unusual greenish-to-yellow flowers appearin April, with persistent seed stalks lasting throughoutthe year. Tulip tree is oval to pyramidal in form with atall, straight trunk. The large, tulip-shaped leaves turna clear, yellow color in fall and are coarse-textured. Thetulip tree is stately and formal in appearance. Branches aresusceptible to wind damage.Sunlight needed: Partial sun to shadeWildlife value: MediumSoil type: MoistFlowering: Spring flowersTree type: DeciduousOther features: Showy barkSweetgumLiquidamber styraciflua LinnaeusFamily: HamamelidaceaeSouthern MagnoliaMagnolia grandiflora LinnaeusFamily: MagnoliaceaeSweetgum is a large deciduous tree that can growto a height of 100 feet. Native to the eastern UnitedStates, sweetgum can be found in most woodland areas.Prominent male flower spikes appear in late winter,and showy, spiny fruits are produced in late summer.Sweetgum has a striking narrow, pyramidal form whenyoung and becomes oval with age. The easily recognizedpalmate-lobed leaves turn yellow, red, or purple in fall,and several fruitless cultivars are available.Sunlight needed: Full to partialWildlife value: MediumSoil type: Wet to dryTree type: DeciduousFruits: Winter fruitsTulip TreeLiriodendron tulipifera LinnaeusFamily: MagnoliaceaeSouthern magnolia is a large evergreen tree that growsto 100 feet in height. Tolerant of both wet and dry soils,it grows in older woods, in hammocks, and on slopes.Associated species include American beech, red oak, andwhite oak. Large, showy, white flowers appear in springand are followed by scarlet seeds in late summer. Southernmagnolia casts dense shade, so it is best to place these treesin areas that do not require under-planting.Sunlight needed: Full sun to shadeWildlife value: HighSoil type: MoistFlowering: Spring flowersTree type: EvergreenFruits: Summer fruit6

Sweet Bay MagnoliaFlowering: Spring flowersTree type: DeciduousFruits: Summer fruitMagnolia virginiana LinnaeusFamily: MagnoliaceaeWax MyrtleMyrica cerifera LinnaeusFamily: MyricaceaeSweet bay magnolia is a large semi-evergreen treethat grows up to 60 feet tall. It is found in a wide varietyof habitats throughout the eastern United States and oftenoccurs in moist soils. In wet pinelands, it grows with swampbay, swamp red maple, and titi. White, fragrant flowers areproduced in mid-spring, and red seeds appear in summer.Sweet bay magnolia has an upright, columnar form that isuseful in narrow, contained spaces. Light breezes reveal thesilvery-gray color on the underside of the leaf.Sunlight needed: Partial to fullWildlife value: HighSoil type: Wet to moistFlowering: Spring flowersTree type: Semi-evergreenFruits: Summer fruitA small evergreen tree, wax myrtle grows to 25 feet inheight. Found along the Coastal Plain, wax myrtle occursin nearly all habitat types. Often it is found on disturbedsites or fields in early successional stages. Small, bluegray fruits are produced on females in the fall and persistthrough the winter. Wax myrtle has a dense, spreadingcrown and a multiple trunk that can be pruned forsculptural effects. Although short-lived, wax myrtle oftenresprouts from the roots.Sunlight needed: Full to partialWildlife value: HighSoil type: Wet to moistTree type: EvergreenFruits: Winter fruitSouthern CrabappleTupelo GumMalus angustifolia MichauxFamily: RosaceaeNyssa sylvatica Marshall var. sylvaticaFamily: NyssaceaeSouthern crabapple is a small deciduous tree thatgrows to 30 feet in height. Common to the eastern UnitedStates, this crabapple is found growing on drier soilswith red maple, persimmon, and yaupon holly. Pink,fragrant blossoms appear in early spring, followed bysmall, greenish apples that are consumed by many wildlifespecies. Southern crabapple has a broad, mounding form,and it often creates thickets from suckering roots. This lowbranching tree makes a good specimen plant.Sunlight needed: Full to partialWildlife value: HighSoil type: Dry to moistTupelo gum is a large deciduous tree that can grow to80 feet. Distributed throughout the eastern United States,tupelo gum grows on both dry uplands and wet sites. Bluefruits, which appear in late summer, provide food for birdsand mammals. Tupelo gum has an upright, oval form andstrong horizontal branching. It is attractive as a specimentree. In northern regions, this gum is planted for its scarletfall color, which is less showy along the Gulf Coast.Sunlight needed: Full to partialWildlife value: HighSoil type: Moist to dryTree type: DeciduousFruits: Summer fruit7

Black GumSpruce PineNyssa sylvatica var. biflora SargentFamily: NyssaceaePinus glabra WalterFamily: PinaceaeSpruce pine is a large evergreen tree that grows to 70feet. Found in bottomlands, on swamp edges, and alongstreams, this tree accompanies black gum, titi, and waxmyrtle. Spruce pine can be identified by short, twisted,yellow-green needles that occur in pairs and by its oaklike bark. Young trees will branch close to the ground andbecome more irregular and open with age. Spruce pinemakes a good screen and windbreak because of its low,dense branching.Sunlight needed: Full to partialWildlife value: HighSoil type: Dry to moistTree type: EvergreenOther features: Interesting barkLongleaf PinePinus palustris MillerFamily: PinaceaeSimilar to tupelo gum in many respects, black gumhas narrower leaves and is more prevalent in the CoastalPlain. It can reach a height of 80 feet and is found in wetbottomlands, ponds, and sloughs. Associated plants includebald cypress, black willow, and swamp red maple. Becauseof its horizontal branching pattern, black gum is a goodtree for winter silhouettes. Black gum is tolerant of manystressful conditions and makes an excellent street tree.Sunlight needed: Full to partialWildlife value: HighSoil type: Wet or moistTree type: DeciduousFruits: Summer fruitOf the pines, longleaf is Mississippi’s most majestic,growing over 100 feet tall. Once covering most of theCoastal Plain, longleaf now has a reduced habitat. Found inboth dry and moist pinelands, longleaf can be distinguishedby long needles and silvery winter buds. When young,this pine goes through a “grass stage,” when there is littleaboveground growth and the roots become established. Thisis an excellent tree to use in dry, exposed sites.Sunlight needed: FullWildlife value: HighSoil type: Dry to moistTree type: EvergreenSwamp BayCherry LaurelPersea palustris SargentFamily: LauraceaePrunus caroliniana EhrhartFamily: RosaceaeSwamp bay is an evergreen tree of medium size thatgrows to a height of 40 feet. Habitats include bogs and wetpinelands, and this tree accompanies red maple, sweet baymagnolia, and black gum. Squirrels, quail, and seed-eatingbirds eat the dark-blue fruits produced in late summer. Thearomatic leaves are used for seasoning in cuisine. Insectgalls can form on the leaves but do little harm.Sunlight needed: Full to partialWildlife value: HighSoil type: Wet or moistTree type: EvergreenFruits: Summer fruitCherry laurel is a small evergreen tree that grows to30 feet in height. Native to the Coastal Plain, this cherryis widely distributed along sandy streams and sloughs.Small, white flowers appear in early spring, followed byblack fruits in fall. Cherry laurel has a dense, upright,oval form and is used for hedges and screens. Oftenshort-lived, its roots are sensitive to poorly drainedconditions. The glossy, dark-green leaves and oval formprovide a neat appearance.Sunlight needed: Full to partialWildlife value: HighSoil type: Dry8

Flowering: Spring flowersTree type: EvergreenOther features: Interesting barkreach a width of 100 feet in open, sunny conditions. Aprolific acorn bearer, this tree is an important food sourcefor many wildlife species. White oak grows slowly butmakes an excellent shade tree.Sunlight needed: Full sun to shadeWildlife value: HighSoil type: Moist to dryTree type: DeciduousBlack CherryPrunus serotina EhrhartFamily: RosaceaeBlack cherry is a large deciduous tree that can reachup to 80 feet in height. Found in a wide variety of habitatsin the eastern United States, black cherry is often foundalongside white oak and American beech. Small, white,pendulous flowers appear in early spring and are followedby black fruits in summer. This cherry has an upright formand often occurs in clusters due to numerous volunteers.Black cherry has several insect and disease problems, andit is relatively short-lived.Sunlight needed: FullWildlife value: HighSoil type: Dry to moistFlowering: Spring flowersTree type: DeciduousFruits: Summer fruitsOther features: Interesting barkCherrybark OakQuercus falcata var. pagodifolia ElliottFamily: FagaceaeWhite OakQuercus alba LinnaeusFamily: FagaceaeCherrybark oak is a large deciduous tree that growsover 100 feet tall. Found in bottomlands along the CoastalPlain, cherrybark grows alongside water oak and tuliptree. This oak has a broad, oval form with high branchingto the trunk. Because of its tolerance to periodic flooding,this is a good oak for wet soils. Cherrybark gets its namefrom its flaky, reddish bark, which resembles that of blackcherry. This oak is tolerant of many environmental stressesand makes a good street tree.Sunlight needed: Full sun to shadeWildlife value: HighSoil type: Wet to moistTree type: DeciduousThe large, deciduous white oak will reach more than100 feet tall. Native to rich woodlands of the easternUnited States, this oak is associated with the tulip tree andwhite ash. White oak can have an upright, narrow formin dense woods or a majestic, spreading canopy that can9

Swamp Chestnut OakNuttall oak is a large deciduous tree that grows over100 feet tall. This oak is a bottomland species native tosouthern river basins. Companion species include blackwillow, swamp red maple, and water oak. Like mostoaks, nuttall acorn production is heaviest every 4 to 7years (called mast years). Nuttall is a fast-growing, watertolerant oak that makes an excellent shade tree.Sunlight needed: Full to partialWildlife value: HighSoil type: Wet or moistTree type: DeciduousQuercus michauxii NuttallFamily: FagaceaeWillow OakQuercus phellos LinnaeusFamily: FagaceaeThe deciduous swamp chestnut oak can grow to over100 feet tall. Found on wet soils along the Coastal Plain,this oak grows in bottomlands and along swamp andpond edges. Associated species include water oak, willowoak, and swamp red maple. Swamp chestnut oak has anupright, oval form with ascending branches that providean interesting winter silhouette. This oak has a reliable redfall color that contrasts well with its light gray bark.Sunlight needed: Full to partialWildlife value: HighSoil type: Wet or moistTree type: DeciduousNuttall OakQuercus nuttallii PalmerFamily: FagaceaeA large deciduous tree, willow oak grows toover 100 feet in height. Native to the eastern UnitedStates, it grows along streams and swamp edges andin bottomlands. Nuttall, cherrybark, and water oakare associated species. With its upright, oval form andhigh-branching quality, willow oak makes a beautifulshade tree. It is highly tolerant of constricted root space,reflected heat, and poor air quality.Sunlight needed: Full to shadeWildlife value: HighSoil type: Wet or moistTree type: Deciduous10

Live OakPond CypressQuercus virginiana MillerFamily: FagaceaeTaxodium ascendens BrongniartFamily: TaxodiaceaeCommon to southern landscapes, the live oak is alarge evergreen tree that reaches over 100 feet in heightand spread. Native to the Coastal Plain, this oak is foundin dry, sandy soils or on slight rises in wetter woods. Liveoak typically has a short, thick trunk with picturesquehorizontal branching. These trees have many surface rootsthat are intolerant of soil compaction.Sunlight needed: Full sun or shadeWildlife value: HighSoil type: Dry or moistTree type: EvergreenPond cypress is a deciduous tree that grows to 45feet in height. Habitats include wet savannas, swamps,and ponds of the Coastal Plain. Associated trees includeswamp red maple, sweet bay magnolia, and titi. Thiscypress is similar in many respects to bald cypress, but itcan be distinguished by its awl-shaped needles and deeplyfurrowed bark. Pond cypress is useful for soil stabilizationat water edges.Sunlight needed: Full to partialWildlife value: MediumSoil type: Wet or moistTree type: DeciduousOther features: Interesting barkWinged SumacRhus coppalina LinnaeusFamily: AnacardiaceaeA small deciduous tree, winged sumac reaches 30feet in height. It is one of the first small trees to appearin disturbed environments throughout the easternUnited States. A pyramidal, yellow-green flower spikeappears in midsummer and grows crimson berries inearly fall. This tree suckers from the roots to form largecolonies and is excellent for erosion control. The narrowwings between leaflets of the compound leaves makethis tree easily recognized.Sunlight needed: FullWildlife value: HighSoil type: Dry to wetFlowering: Summer flowersTree type: DeciduousFruits: Summer fruitsBald CypressTaxodium distichum RichardFamily: Taxodiaceae11

Bald cypress is the sentinel of the southern swamp,reaching over 100 feet in height. Native to the CoastalPlain, bald cypress inhabits bottomlands, oxbows, andsloughs with swamp red maple, tupelo gum, and blackwillow. Strongly pyramidal when young, bald cypressbecomes irregular with age. The reddish, peeling barkand rusty fall color enliven any landscape. Althoughcommonly associated with wet sites, bald cypressperforms well on dry soils.Sunlight needed: Full to partialWildlife value: MediumSoil type: Wet to dryTree type: DeciduousOther features: Interesting barkWinged elm is a large deciduous tree that reaches80 feet tall. Native to the southeastern United States,winged elm is adaptable to various habitats but is mostcommonly found on dry soils or slopes. Associated oakspecies include post, blackjack, and white oak. Its commonname is derived from corky wings that often appear onits branches. With its V-shaped branching, winged elmresembles a smaller version of American elm.Sunlight needed: Full to partialWildlife value: MediumSoil type: DryTree type: DeciduousCedar ElmUlmus crassifolia NuttallFamily: UlmaceaeWinged ElmUlmus alata MichauxFamily: UlmaceaeCedar elm is a large deciduous tree that reaches 80feet in height. It occurs in the wet clay soils of bottomlandsand stream edges. Companion species include water oak,honey locust, and willow oak. Both the cedar and wingedelms are excellent for street plantings. Unlike the Americanelm, these trees are not vulnerable to Dutch elm disease.It is difficult to underplant this tree because of its shallowroots. This species is easily identified by its late summerflowering and fall fruiting.Sunlight needed: Full to partialWildlife value: MediumSoil type: Wet or moistTree type: DeciduousPublication 2330 (POD-07-18)By Robert Brzuszek, Professor, Landscape Architecture.Copyright 2018 by Mississippi State University. All rights reserved. This publication may be copied and distributed withoutalteration for nonprofit educational purposes provided that credit is given to the Mississippi State University Extension Service.Produced by Agricultural Communications.Mississippi State University is an equal opportunity institution. Discrimination in university employment,programs, or activities based on race, color, ethnicity, sex, pregnancy, religion, national origin, disability, age,sexual orientation, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, or any other status protected by applicable lawis prohibited. Questions about equal opportunity programs or compliance should be directed to the Office ofCompliance and Integrity, 56 Morgan Avenue, P.O. 6044, Mississippi State, MS 39762, (662) 325-5839.Extension Service of Mississippi State University, cooperating with U.S. Department of Agriculture. Published infurtherance of Acts of Congress, May 8 and June 30, 1914. GARY B. JACKSON, Director

Mississippi authors Eudora Welty and William Faulkner recognized the importance of Mississippi's native flora and landscapes to help create a sense of place in their writings. Selecting native trees for the home landscape is a wise choice. In addition to their beauty, there are several additional reasons to use Mississippi's native trees.