Mid to large size deciduous tree. Fast-growing.
Large, spreading canopy. 5-lobe leaves, 5-10"
across. Yellow-orange in autumn. Beautiful dangling
yellow flowers clusters. "Winged" seeds.
Important food source for local critters.
Where Found Widespread.
Found on dry to moist soils.
Notes Beautiful spread canopy.
Flowers are one of first signs of Spring. Excellent
overstory tree for sites that can accommodate branches
and roots. Used as street trees a century ago for
luxury homes and public buildings.
Incense Cedar Thuja
plicata
Large conifer. No true leaf or needle, but connected
waxy "scales". Scales are "fluted."
Branching is more erect than in western red cedar.
Bark has gently twisting vertical strips.
Where Found Widespread.
Found in low- to mid-elevation conifer and mixed
forests.
Notes One of four cedars
in Pacific Northwest (Port-Orford, western red,
yellow). Good overstory plant. Often available in
2-5 gallon containers. Consider also western red
cedar.
Cascara Rhamnus purshiana
Small-size deciduous tree to 25'. Oval, ribbed leaves 3-4". Upright, spreading growth. Smooth gray bark, fissures w/ age. Clusters of white flowers, with edible thumb-nail size red-blue-black berries.
Where Found Dry to wet soils
and full sun to shade. Found in mixed conifer-deciduous
forest at low to middle elevations.
Notes Due to its smaller size, an ideal tree for many urban sites, narrow park strips, close to houses, etc. Berries are very important to resident and migratory birds.
Oregon Ash Fraxinus
latifolia
Mid-size deciduous tree to 45-65'. Soft, green leaves
composed of 5-7 leaflets. Male and female flowers
on separate plants (female flowers lead to winged
seeds). Upright, spreading growth. Smooth gray bark,
fissures w/ age.
Where Found Widespread.
Found in moist to average soils at lower elevations,
valley floor, riparian zones. Tolerates standing
water.
Notes An excellent, versatile
tree for home, commercial and rural sites, and park
strips. Can be overstory or understory plant. Soft
green leaves provide good shade, while permitting
air flow.
Oregon White Oak Quercus garryana
Beautiful, slow growing mid to large size deciduous tree with "charming" character. Branched, upright growth. Rounded, multi-lobed 3-4" leaves, shiny dark green. Edible 1" acorns. Great "tree swing" tree.
Where Found Drier grasslands,
rocky slopes and also on rich, well drained soils.
Full to partial sun. Lower elevations.
Notes Disappearing due to fire suppression. We need to plant more! Acorns valuable to squirrels and other wildlife.
Quaking Aspen Populus tremuloides
Mid-size deciduous tree to 40-60'. Beautiful rounded 1-2" pale-green leaves that shimmer in the wind. Branched, narrow growth. Silvery-white bark.
Where Found Moist to average
soils, often in streamside areas and rocky slopes.
Grow in clusters. Full to partial sun.
Notes Best planted in small groups (2-5) to capture "quaking" leaf affect. Tolerates full sun. Can serve as overstory tree.
Red Alder Alnus
rubra
Mid-size deciduous tree to 40'-65'. Upright, spaced
branches. White to grayish bark. Glossy green leaves
2-5", cerrated oval shape, yellow in Fall.
Flowers include catkins. New growth appears red.
Where Found Widespread.
Found in moist to average soils at low and mid elevations.
Often near streams (less hydrophilic than Cottonwood
or Willow).
Notes An excellent, versatile
tree for home, commercial and rural sites, and park
strips. Can be overstory or understory plant. Fixes
nitrogen-improves soil.
Douglas Fir Pseudotsuga
menziesii
Large, common conifer. Fast-growing. Needles 1-2"
spaced around branch. Cones 2-4" with "mouse-tails."
Bark deeply furrowed with age. Our most common conifer
and often a Christmas tree.
Where Found Widespread
on dry to moist soils. Low to mid elevations. Does
not tolerate shade well.
Notes Important tree for
nesting birds and other critters. Good overstory
tree if space permits. An outdoor Christmas tree?
Also Consider:
Black Hawthorne, Western Hemlock, Western Red Cedar
