Author Archives: vlm

Dogwoods are native to New Jersey which makes them a perfect choice for any landscape. They grow moderately to about 15-25 ft. tall and like partial sunlight. There are many different varieties of Dogwoods. Many hybrids have been created, but the white petal, blood red tipped variety is the favorite of most people. They are deciduous trees that bloom in spring and have plump red berries in the fall. Definitely a popular tree with year round appeal.

Red Buds are rising to become another favorite tree, sometimes making them hard to find. Their bright purple flowers in early spring always attract interest. Best of all, their leaves are an attractive tree throughout the season. They grow to be about 20-30ft. tall and will acclimate themselves to most types of soil. They requires full to partial sun. A Red Bud’s quick spurt of spectacular color put then in the category of “almost” specimen trees.

Plum trees are not as well known as other varieties of trees. Their leaves are a deep purple and in mid spring they bloom with fragrant light pink flowers. Plums need full sun to maintain their purple color. They usually grow to be between 15-25 ft. tall.

Weeping cherries are a perfect addition for spring color. They bloom with delicate white or pink flowers about late April and last about 2 weeks. Weeping cherries have a normal trunk, but a large umbrella of flowers and leaves that make the tree appear to “shower” the surrounding area. In the fall their leaves turn a beautiful shade of bronze. They require full sun and usually only grow to about 15 ft. tall. Sandy and acidic soil is fine, but if you have heavy clay, it is a good idea to aerate the soil with some peat moss.

Pears are on of the most popular flowering trees because they are always one of the first trees to bloom and are resistant to many diseases and are easy to take care of. The white blooms can last about 2-3 weeks, depending on the weather. This tree can be placed anywhere there is enough sunlight and lots of room. You can line your sidewalk with them or put one in your backyard for shade. It will look good wherever you put it!

This evergreen has been an under used tree in recent years but is making a comeback as availability and new varieties have become available. Its very thick foliage provides an instant fence and a beautiful backdrop to any back yard garden. There are color variations within the species with some having a rich green color to more of a blue hue. It requires full sunlight and good soil to thrive. With some quick soil amendments though, that is quickly remedied. A Leland Cypress provides choice to a field of trees mainly dominated by the White Pine, so it is definitely a beautiful option that we recommend.

This popular evergreen is used mainly for screening and privacy. It is one of the few screening trees that can be used in the shade, so it’s a very adaptable plant. It grows about 6-12” a year, so it is a little slower to fill in, but considering the wide variety of conditions it will grow in, it is truly a winner.

The color of the blue spruce stands out no matter where you put it. A slow growing tree, the Colorado blue spruce is native to the Rocky Mountains. They need to be placed in a spot where it will have full sun conditions or the blue color will fade. They grow to be about 30-60 ft. tall and will spread to be about 10-20 ft. wide. They work well in a privacy screen mixed in with other evergreens.

Atlas’s are tall slender trees that are a good choice for smaller yards. They need to be placed in full sun to show off the full beauty of their needles. They are slow growing evergreens that are generally easy to take care of.

A White birch is a large ornamental tree, with beautiful white bark. Birches tend to like acidic soil, which is no problem for planting in Southern New Jersey. They are not hard to get established but need persistent care to maintain their beauty. Birches can grow to be 40-70 ft. tall and will serve well as an attractive tree.