Native trees are the species that grew in Virginia long before anyone planted a yard here, and they are built for our soil, our summers and our storms.
A tree that evolved here already handles humid heat, heavy clay or sandy coastal soil, and the swings between drought and downpour. Once it is established, that means less watering, fewer sprays and fewer surprises.
What Native Trees Do for Your Property
- Less upkeep. A native planted in the right spot usually needs little more than mulch and water in dry spells after its first two years.
- Better storm performance. Many natives, like live oak, bald cypress and American holly, have strong wood and deep roots suited to coastal wind.
- Food for birds and wildlife. Native oaks, cherries and maples feed the caterpillars songbirds raise their young on. Dogwood, holly, black gum and red cedar berries feed birds through fall and winter.
- Shade and lower cooling bills. A large shade tree on the south or west side of a house can noticeably cut summer heat.
- Stormwater control. Tree canopies and roots soak up rain that would otherwise run into streets and low spots, which matters in flood-prone parts of Hampton Roads.
Good Native Trees for Hampton Roads and Central Virginia
Large Shade Trees
- White oak
- Willow oak
- Southern red oak
- Live oak (best in the warm coastal areas of southeastern Virginia)
- Tulip poplar
- Black gum
- Red maple
- Bald cypress
Small and Medium Trees
- Flowering dogwood, Virginia's state tree
- Eastern redbud
- American holly
- Sweetbay magnolia
- River birch
- Serviceberry
- Fringetree
Evergreens for Year-Round Screening
- Loblolly pine
- Eastern red cedar
- American holly
- Live oak
Trees for Wet or Low Spots
- Bald cypress
- Black gum
- River birch
- Sweetbay magnolia
- Red maple
Invasive Trees to Avoid Planting
Some trees sold or seen around Virginia spread aggressively into woods and fields and crowd out native plants. They are on the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation's invasive plant list:
- Callery pear, including Bradford pear. It splits apart in storms and spreads thorny seedlings into open land.
- Tree-of-heaven. It is the favorite host of the spotted lanternfly and sprouts back hard from roots when cut.
- Mimosa.
- Princess tree (Paulownia).
If you already have one of these, replacing it with a native is one of the best upgrades you can make to your yard.
Right Tree, Right Place
Most tree problems we're called out for started with a tree planted in the wrong spot. Before you plant, check the tree's size at maturity, not the size in the pot.
- Plant large shade trees at least 20 feet from your house, and farther for oaks and tulip poplars.
- Under or near power lines, choose small trees that top out under about 25 feet, like dogwood, redbud, serviceberry or fringetree.
- Give trees room from driveways, sidewalks and septic fields, where roots and pavement fight each other.
- Match the tree to the site. Put bald cypress and black gum in wet ground, and red cedar and southern red oak in dry, sandy spots.
A native tree in the right place can outlive the house it shades. It is worth a few minutes of planning.