2003 - Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis)

The eastern redbud is a small, deciduous tree reaching heights of 20 to 30 feet with an equal spread.  It is often multi-stemmed and has heart-shaped leaves, but perhaps its most noteworthy attribute is the abundance of pinkish flowers that adorn the branches before the leaves appear in the spring.  There are, however, several cultivars that are prized for other attributes including the purple-leaved ‘Forest Pansy’, the variegated ‘Silver Cloud’, and the white-blooming ‘Royal White’.

Able to grow in both sun and shade, redbuds are effective as forest edge trees or front yard specimens.  They are somewhat susceptible to insect and disease pests but can be kept healthy with regular watering and fertilization.

2004 - Common Pawpaw (Asimina triloba)

The pawpaw is one of the more exotic looking trees native to this region.  This understory tree was once common across our landscape but years of clearcutting have all but removed it from its natural setting.  It is prized for a combination of traits that give it all-season interest.  In May, it displays showy, deep reddish-purple flowers that give rise to large, custard-like edible fruits by the end of summer.  It is in its full glory in fall as the green leaves change to bright yellow. 

Grown in moist, well-drained, fertile soil, the pawpaw spreads to form a grove.  It has soft wood and needs protection from the wind, making it an excellent choice as a woodland edge tree.  Planting these trees in full sun will enhance their fall color and allow for greater fruit production.

2005 - American Holly (Ilex opaca)

The American Holly is a native evergreen tree that can grow to 60 feet.  It has plenty to offer throughout the year, but is most spectacular in winter when its dark green leaves and red, berry-like fruits provide wonderful color and contrast to an otherwise leafless landscape.  These traits also make the American holly a popular choice for use in holiday decorations.  They are dioecious (having separate male and female plants) and only females can produce berries, thus requiring a male plant for pollination.  Though toxic to humans, the berries are an important food source for many native wildlife including squirrels, chipmunks, foxes, raccoons, box turtles and several species of songbirds. 

An understory tree, the American Holly grows well in shade, but planting it in more sunny locations will allow for denser foliage.  These trees can tolerate extreme pruning and can be cut back to suit anyone’s vision.

2006 - Carolina Silverbell (Halesia carolina)

The silverbell is considered to be one of the best native trees for shady sites. It is a low-branching tree best used in shade or woodland gardens where it can reach heights of 30-40 feet with a spread of 20-35 feet.  The silverbell prefers moist, well-drained, humus-rich soil.

The Carolina silverbell is another plant that provides year-round interest.  In spring, before the leaves emerge, clusters of bell-shaped, white flowers bloom on the previous year's growth.   In fall, the leaves become golden yellow and persist for two to three weeks and, when they drop, unveil the winged seed pods that dangle from the branches.  The bark which, on younger trees, is dark with light yellow stripes provides winter interest.

2007 - Sourwood (Oxydendrum arboreum)

Sourwood, also called the sorrel tree, is a member of the heath family (Ericaceae) which includes azaleas and rhododendrons.  Like the rest of this family, it grows best in moist, acidic, well-drained soils and can be found growing wild along gravelly stream banks of eastern North America.  The Arboretum has several sourwoods, with the most spectacular specimen featured in the Green Ribbon Garden. 
It is a hardy, 25-30 foot tall tree that can be used in woodland gardens, shade gardens, open islands, or as a specimen plant.  The perfect, white, urn-shaped flowers are fragrant and appear from June to early July, but the sourwood really shines in fall when its leaves turn from dark green to brilliant orange-red.  The best color develops on plants that get the most. 

In addition, bees are attracted to the flowers and sourwood honey is highly prized.

2008 - Sweetbay Magnolia (Magnolia virginiana)

The sweetbay magnolia is a graceful, southern evergreen to semi-evergreen tree. It will tend to be more evergreen the farther south it is planted.  In nature, it is found most often in moist, acid soils near swamps or stream banks in the eastern United States.  It is a small, typically multi-stemmed tree, columnar in shape with a mature height of 20 to 30 feet in the northern and 60 feet in the southern ends of its range.  Its small size makes it an excellent tree for planting next to buildings or in urban areas with little space.

It is prized for its creamy-white, lemon-scented flowers that appear from June through September and are followed by small red seeds which are enjoyed by a variety of wildlife.  Sweetbay magnolia roots easily, is tolerant of droughts and floods, and will grow in part to full sun.

2009 - Fringetree (Chionanthus virginicus)

The fringetree is a small tree or shrub ranging in height from 12 to 20 feet with an equal spread.  The common name refers to the slightly fragrant, spring-blooming flowers which feature drooping clusters (4-6” long) of fringe-like, creamy white petals that appear from May to June.  It is dioecious (meaning separate male and female plants) and the male flowers are the showiest.  The flowers give way to clusters of olive-like fruits which ripen to a dark, bluish black color in late summer and become a food source for birds and other wildlife.  The wide, spear-shaped leaves turn yellow in the fall.

Fringetree grows in moist, fertile soils across hardiness zones 3 to 9. It is best planted as a front lawn specimen or as a shrub or woodland borders.  It is also tolerant of pollution and adapts well to urban settings in both full sun and partial shade.  The fringetree is terrific in native plant gardens or near streams.  In all cases, it is spectacular in full bloom.