Recommended Canopy Tree List

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Common Name	Scientific Name	Mature Height (in feet)	Mature Width (in feet)	Site	Form	Special Considerations	Images
American beech	Fagus grandifolia	50-80	40-60	Sun to partial shade; moist, well-drained soil	Dense; broad with wide spreading crown	Deciduous; native; casts very dense shade; shallow roots; difficult to grow plants underneath; seeds poisonous if ingested (low-toxicity); no serious pests; younger trees hold leaves in winter
Atlantic white cedar	Chamae- cyparis thyoides	40-85	10-20	Sun; range of soil types, including damp soil	Tall, slender columnar tree; loses lower branches with age	Evergreen; native; not shade tolerant; salt tolerant
Bald cypress	Taxodium distichum	50-100	20-30	Sun; grows in variety of soils (wet, dry, and compacted)	Pyramidal in youth; broad open crown at maturity	Deciduous; native; casts light shade; cypress knees produced when grown in or near water; large taproot; heat and drought tolerant; no serious pests
Black gum, Black tupelo, Sour gum	Nyssa sylvatica	40-60	20-30	Sun to partial shade; prefers moist, well-drained soil; provide shelter from wind	Pyramidal when young; opens with age; some branches are pendulous	Deciduous; native; long taproot; spectacular fall color, no serious pests
Crepe (Crape) myrtle [Basham Pink, Fantasy, Kiowa, and other large varieties]	Lagerstroemia (Large Varieties)	35-50	25-35	Six hours or more of direct sun to maximize blooming; sand, loam, or clay	Multi-stemmed; rounded crown; dense branching	Deciduous
Dawn redwood	Metasequoia glypto- stroboides	50-90	15-25	Sun; moist, well-drained soil	Pyramidal, conical with single straight trunk	Deciduous; casts medium shade
Deodar cedar	Cedrus deodara	30-50	30-40	Sun to partial shade; well-drained, somewhat dry site; needs protection from wind	Pyramidal with pendulous branches	Evergreen; cones on female tree
Eastern redcedar	Juniperus virginiana	30-40	42663	Sun; prefers well-drained soil but tolerates wide range of soil types	Densley pyramidal; becomes irregular and slightly pendulous with age	Evergreen; native; cones (resemble berries) and leaves are poisonous if ingested (low-toxicity); drought and heat tolerant; may be susceptible to bagworm
Giant arborvitae, Western red cedar	Thuja plicata	50-80	15-25	Sun to partial shade; moist, well-drained soil but does well in clay; needs protection from wind	Conical; narrow to broad pyramidal	Evergreen; cone production begins at age 10-20 years; bagworms can be a problem
Ginkgo, Maidenhair tree	Ginkgo biloba	40-70	20-40	Sun; range of soil types except wet soil	Irregular horizontal branches; pyramidal	Deciduous, plant only male trees; messy fruit; drought, heat, air pollution, and salt tolerant; outer pulp of seeds and raw seed kernel are poisonous if ingested in large quantities
Green ash	Fraxinus pennsylvanica	50-60	25-30	Sun; tolerates wet to dry soil	Pyramidal in youth; upright; spreading; irregular crown	Deciduous; drought, wind, and salt tolerant
Pignut hickory	Carya glabra	50-60	25-35	Sun to partial shade; range of soil types, however, prefers well-drained acidic soils	Regular, open, oval head; slender, contorted branches	Deciduous; drought tolerant; deep taproot
Thornless common honeylocust	Gleditsia triacanthos vari. Inermis	30-70	20-40	Sun; range of soil types	Short trunk; open spreading crown	Deciduous; drought tolerant; casts light shade; some varieties' root systems will lift sidewalks
Japanese black pine	Pinus thunbergiana	40-70	15-25	Sun; range of soil types but prefers well-drained soil	Pyramidal when young; irregular, asymmetrical, spreading crown with pendulous branches with age; dense	Evergreen; heat and drought tolerant; very tolerant to salt spray
Lacebark elm, Chinese elm, Drake elm	Ulmus parvifolia	40-50	30-40	Sun; prefers moist, well-drained soil; tolerates poor soil	Round-headed tree, pendulous branches	Deciduous; durable tree; resistant to Dutch Elm disease and air pollution; bark sheds
Loblolly pine (non-dwarf variety)	Pinus taeda	50-90	30-40	Sun to partial shade; tolerant of poor soils	Horizontal, ascending branches; oval-rounded crown; loosely pyramidal in youth	Evergreen; native; most rapid growth of all pine trees; good wind break
Oak: White oak	Quercus alba	60-100	50-90	Sun; prefers moist, well-drained soil but tolerates a range of soil types, including clay	Pyramidal in youth; broad crown with age; massive, spreading tree with thick trunk	Deciduous; native; avoid planting near paved areas; does not withstand construction damage well; drought tolerant; acorns and young leaves are poisonous if ingested (low-toxicity)
Oak: Willow oak	Quercus phellos	60-80	30-40	Sun; prefers moist, well-drained soil, but will grow in a wide range of soil conditions, including compacted soil	Conical in youth; rounded crown; dense	Deciduous; native; tolerant of heat, drought, air pollution, and standing water; acorns and young leaves are poisonous if ingested (low-toxicity)
Red maple	Acer rubrum	40-60	25-45	Sun to shade; range of soil types	Pyramidal when young; ascending branches with an irregular, rounded crown	Deciduous; native; some air pollution tolerance
River birch	Betula nigra	40-70	20-60	Sun to partial shade; moist, well-drained soil	Multi-stemmed, pyramidal in youth, rounded at maturity	Deciduous; native; best not to prune in spring - sap "bleeds"; heat tolerant
Sassafras	Sassafras albidum	30-60	25-40	Sun to partial shade; moist, well-drained soil but is adaptable	Pyramidal in youth; irregular rounded crown with age	Deciduous; native; bark poisonous if ingested (low toxicity)
Southern magnolia	Magnolia grandiflora	40-80	25-40	Sun to partial shade; well-drained soil; tolerates high moisture	Symmetrical, sweeps to ground	Evergreen; native; dense and shallow roots make it difficult to grow plants; should be planted where lowest branches can grow to ground; difficult to grow anything underneath
Sweetgum	Liquidambar styraciflua	60-100	50-75	Sun to partial shade; dry to moist soil	Pyramidal in youth; upright; semi-conical to spreading with age	Deciduous; non-fruiting variety, such as Rotundiloba, preferred; resistant to insect attack; provide large areas of shade; capable of fixing nitrogen in soil
Sycamore	Platanus occidentalis	70-100	60-80	Sun to partial shade; prefers moist, well-drained soil	Large massive trunk; wide-spreading open crown; crooked branches	Deciduous; subject to anthracnose and lace bugs
Tulip poplar, tuliptree, yellow poplar	Liriodendron tulipifera	40-100	20-40	Sun; moist, well-drained soil	Tall, straight trunk; upper branches create a rounded crown; in an open landscape has upright, oval shape	Deciduous; native; branches are brittle; not a true poplar

 

Images from the North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension Plant List Database, the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension Southern Tree Fact Sheets, and the US Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service Plant Database

Recommended Understory Tree List

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Common Name	Scientific Name	Mature Height (in feet)	Mature Width (in feet)	Site	Form	Special Considerations	Images
American holly	Ilex opaca	25-50	15-35	Sun to partial shade; moist to dry soil	Upright; conical; pyramidal in youth; with age open, irregular with high branches at wide angles	Evergreen; native; both male and female plants needed for berry production; berries toxic in large quantities (low-toxicity)
Carolina cherry laurel	Prunus caroliniana	20-40	15-20	Sun to partial shade; moist, well-drained soil	Pyramidal in youth; dense; rounded crown with age	Evergreen; native; foliage is poisonous to livestock; withstands heavy pruning; wilted leaves, twigs (stems), and seeds poisonous if ingested (highly toxic; may be fatal)
Chastetree	Vitex agnus-castus	15-20	42658	Sun; range of soil types	Rounded; oval; open; shrubby	Deciduous; prefers hot weather; withstands heavy pruning in spring
Chinese pistachio	Pistacia chinensis	25-40	25-35	Sun; prefers moist, well-drained soil but tolerates a wide range of soils	Oval; rounded; spreading; vase shape	Deciduous; drought tolerant
Crepe (Crape) myrtle	Lagerstroemia	Aug-35	6-15	Sun; moist, well-drained soil	Multi-stemmed; rounded crown; dense branching	Deciduous; select powdery mildew resistant cultivars; depending on the location, small or medium (non-dwarf) varieties may be desirable
Dwarf palmetto; swamp palmetto (or any other palm suitable to site conditions)	Sabal minor	8-10		Sun to light shade; moist, well-drained soil	Alternate, palmately compound, fan-shaped blue-green leaves	Evergreen; salt and drought tolerant
Eastern redbud; Redbud	Cercis canadensis	15-30	15-25	Sun to partial shade; prefers moist, well-drained soil but tolerates a range of soil types	Dense; flat-topped to rounded crown; often multi-stemmed; zig-zag horizontal branches	Deciduous; native; prone to root rot in wet soils; Trees look better when they receive some irrigation in summer dry spells
Florida anise tree	Illicium flordanum	10	8	Partial shade; average to moist soil	Broad-leafed; compact stature	Evergreen; foliage and fruit are poisonous to livestock; should be mulched and watered during prolonged dry spells as it has a tendency to wilt
Crabapples	Malus	15-25	10-20	Sun; tolerates a range of soil types but prefers moist, well-drained soil	Most have a round to spreading crown; vase shaped; varies with species and cultivar	Deciduous; plant only disease-resistant cultivars; best located away from patios or other hard surfaces, as fruits can drop and cause a mess
Flowering dogwood	Cornus florida	15-30	15-20	Partial shade; moist, well-drained soil	Semi-rounded top; horizontal low branches creating a layered look	Deciduous; native; shallow root system; mulch to maintain moist soil; may be subject to leaf and flower diseases, cankers, and root rot; may be trained to grow with a single trunk
Fringe tree	Chionanthus	20-Dec	12-20	Sun to partial shade; average moisture; tolerates dry soil	Spreading, open crown; often multi-stemmed	Deciduous; native
Hedge Maple	Acer campestre	25-35	25-35	Sun to light shade; moist, well-drained soil but tolerates slightly wet and compacted soil	Low-branched with a rounded form	Deciduous; tolerates drought, air pollution, and wind; casts dense shade; shallow root system
American hornbeam, Ironwood, Muscel wood, Blue beech*	Carpinus caroliniana	20-30	20-30	Sun to partial shade; does well in moist to wet soil	Wide-spreading flat or round top; single or multi-stemmed	Deciduous; native; Slow grower, very interesting, muscular tree
Japanese Maple	Acer palmatum	20-25	15-20	Sun to modest shade; prefers moist, well-drained soil but tolerates a range of soil types including sand and heavy clay	Dense, rounded top; spreading branches	Deciduous; drought tolerant
Little Gem magnolia	Magnolia grandiflora 'Little Gem'	15-20	8-10	Sun to part shade	Compact, upright growth habit more typical of a multi-stemmed shrub than a single-trunked tree	Evergreen; dwarf cultivar of Southern magnolia; ideal for low-maintenance landscape
Loquat	Eriobotrya japonica	25-Oct	8-10	Sun to partial shade; moist, well-drained soil	Short, slender trunk; dense rounded form	Evergreen; cold sensitive; modest drought tolerance; usually does not fruit in NC; can be used in areas where overhead space is limited; pit kernel from cracked seeds toxic in large quantities
Nellie R. Stevens Holly	Ilex x 'Nellie R. Stevens'	30-40	10-15	Sun to partial shade; prefers well-drained soil but tolerates a range of soil types (heavy clay; damp); best to avoid wet sites	Oval; pyramidal; upright; dense	Evergreen; allow room for spreading; drought and heat tolerant
Common persimmon	Diospyros virginiana	30-60	20-35	Sun to light shade; prefers moist, well-drained soil but tolerates dry soil	Pyramidal in youth; slender, oval rounded crown	Deciduous; native; deep tap root; drought tolerant
Possumhaw holly	Ilex decidua	20-30	7-15	Sun to partial shade; moist to dry soil	Loose; rounded; many horizontal and ascending branches	Deciduous; native berries persist through winter
Red buckeye; scarlet buckeye; firecracker plant	Aesculus pavia	10-30	10-20	Sun to partial shade; moist, well-drained soil; dislikes dry soil	Clump forming; round top	Deciduous; native; leaf scorch possible in hot sunny, dry summers
River birch	Betula nigra	40-70	20-60	Sun to partial shade; moist, well-drained soil	Multi-stemmed, pyramidal in youth, rounded at maturity	Deciduous; native; best not to prune in spring - sap "bleeds"; heat tolerant
Savannah holly	Ilex x attenuata 'Savannah'	25-30	10	Sun; well-drained soil	Loosely pyramidal; upright	Evergreen
Serviceberry	Amelanchier arborea	25-Oct	10-15	Sun to partial shade; prefers moist soil but will tolerate a range of soil types (dry, clay, sand, wet)	Irregular branching; narrow, rounded crown	Deciduous; native; fire blight can be problem
Sourwood, Lily of the valley tree, Sorrel tree	Oxydendrum arboreum	20-30	10-15	Sun to partial shade; well-drained soil but does well in dry soil	Pyramidal; slender trunk; drooping branches; narrow crown	Deciduous; native
Star Magnolia	Magnolia stellata	20-Oct	10-15	Sun; range of soil types (clay, sand)	Typically branching close to the ground, the multi-stemmed form develops with a dense head of foliage	Deciduous; frost-sensitive; plant in protected site; tolerates heat; Intolerant of root competition or dryness
Swamp magnolia, Sweet bay, Sweetbay magnolia	Magnolia virginiana	Oct-60	10-20	Sun to partial shade; moist to wet soil	Conical narrow, rounded crown; multi-trunked; upright spreading habit	Evergreen; native; shallow roots;
Trident maple	Acer buergerianum	25-35	20-30	Sun; well-drained soil; tolerates dry, infertile sites	Upright; rounded crown	Deciduous; tolerant of wind, salt, drought, air pollution, and soil compaction; may suffer breakage with ice storms
Waxmyrtle, Southern waxmyrtle	Myrica cerifera	15-Oct	8-10	Sun to partial shade; range of soil types (sand, clay, poor fertility)	Irregular; rounded; dense	Evergreen; native; drought and salt spray tolerant; fixes atmospheric nitrogen; spreads by suckers; can be severely pruned
Wild olive; Devilwood	Osmanthus americanus	15-25	10-20	Sun to partial shade; range of soil conditions	Symmetrical, round, and dense crown	Evergreen; native; drought resistant once established; salt tolerant
Witchhazel*	Hamamelis virginiana	15-30	15-25	Sun to shade; moist, well-drained soil; avoid extremely dry sites	Open spreading; irregular branching; multi-stemmed	Deciduous; native; roots are sensitive to disturbance
Yaupon Holly	Ilex vomitoria	15-25	15-20	Sun to part shade	Round; vase shape	Evergreen; sprouting plants underneath can be difficult if soil beneath canopy is disturbed; needs to be pruned to ground two or three times a year to maintain neat appearance

 

Images from the North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension Plant List Database, the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension Southern Tree Fact Sheets, and the US Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service Plant Database

Evergreen Planting Recommendation

For the health of the tree stand and protection of landscaping investment, it is recommended that evergreens consist of no less than three (3) different, unrelated species, planted alternately, so that no two (2) plants of the same species or related species is next to one another.

Tree Types to be Planted with Caution

Black alder (Ilex verticillata). Not heat tolerant.

Black cherry (Prunus serotina). Weedy and aggressive.

Bradford pear (Pyrus calleryana). One of the South's most overplanted trees; relatively short-lived; brittle and easily-damaged in storms.

Chinese privet, variegatum (Ligustrum). Invasive.

Locust (Robinia). Can become very weedy; root suckers prolifically.

Long leaf pine (Pinus palustris). Uproots and breaks in half in high winds. Avoid planting near homes and other structures.

Pecan (Carya illinoinensis). Tends to be brittle and lose large limbs in high winds. Avoid planting near homes and other structures.

Silver maple (Populus alba).Weak wood.

Water oak (Quercus nigra). Weak wood; limbs break in wind; weedy.

Yucca (Yucca aloifolia). Not for use where children play; useful where human access is to be discouraged.

(Ord. No. 2017-20, §§ 298—302, 6-13-2017)