Going Native is our gardening series highlighting the contribution of native plants to building resilient landscapes. MyRye.com will introduce you to native plant experts that will tell you ways to get started with a small garden patch, a complete property or just a few garden containers.
Today we speak with Bram Gunther, VP of science and development at Plan it Wild.
MyRye.com: What are good options for native trees for a sunny front yard, where the tree species will top out at 50 feet or less at full maturity?
Gunther: There are many many native species of trees that thrive in sunny conditions and that don’t get taller than 50 feet. We do our best to choose our trees based on their biodiversity value. We use Doug Tallamy’s list.
Some of these native trees will get taller than 50 feet, but this is a good list to follow if you’re planting on your own or to instruct your landscaper to plant.
- Gray birch (Betula populifolia)
- Serviceberry (Amelanchier laevis)
- Eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis)
- American Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua)
- Eastern black cherry (Prunus serotina var. serotina)
Also read: Going Native: Gardening with Plan it Wild’s David Baker and our Going Native series.
