Native Trees of New Jersey
Let’s talk native plants. Trees in particular. Because native plants are adapted to local environmental conditions, they require far less water, saving time, money, and perhaps the most valuable natural resource, water. In addition to providing vital habitat for birds, many other species of wildlife benefits as well. Restoring native plant habitat is vital to preserving biodiversity. By creating a native plant garden, each patch of habitat becomes part of a collective effort to nurture and sustain the living landscape for birds and other animals. Also, as Lady Bird Johnson said, native plants “give us a sense of where we are in this great land of ours.”
In our increasingly urbanised world, much of the threat to our native wildlife is through loss of habitat due to clearing for urban development or agriculture. This can be seen as a “death by a thousand cuts” for our native bushland, which has become increasingly fragmented as a result. Take a look around your local area. Whether you live in the bush or the city, it is likely you will find the last dying remnants of once magnificent stands of trees.
Look closer – do you see any young trees growing to replace those that remain, or any of the native understorey left? If the answer is no then there is something you can do! Activities such as planting native trees in your landscapes.
Within the images below you will find 49 species of trees that are native to New Jersey and as such are adept at growing within the Bergen County New Jersey growing zone. Utilizing trees from among these species of native plants will help promote a “green” environment and help maintain a “natural” growing habitat for plants and animals alike.
Native Deciduous and Evergreen Trees of New Jersey
48 Tree Species Native to New Jersey
Shown Below is Leaf Structure – Fruit – Twig/Branchlet Growth
The images left and right are reference images relative to the trees species shown below
American Beech
fagus grandifolia
American Elm
ulmus americana
American Linden
tilia americana
American Planetree
plantanus occidentalis
Bigtooth Aspen
populous grandidentata
Bitternut hickory
carya cordiromis
Black Ash
fraxinus nigra
Black Cherry
prunus serotina
Black Gum
nyssa sylvatica
Black Locust
robinia pseudoacacia
Black Oak
quercus valutina
Black Willow
silex nigra
Butternut
juglans cinerea
Chestnut Oak
quercus montana
Common Hackberry
celtis occidentalis
Common Honeylocust
Common Horsechestnut
aesculus hippocastanum
Common Pawpaw
asimina triloba
Common Persimmon
diospyros virginiana
CommonSassafras
sassafras albidum
Cumbertree Magnolia
magnolia acuminata
Eastern Black Walnut
juglans nigra
Eastern Hemlock
tsuga canadensis
Flowering Dogwood
cornus florida
Gray Birch
betula populifolia
Mockernut Hickory
carya tomentosa
Northern Catalpa
catalpa speciosa
Paper Birch
betula papyrifera
Pignut Hickory
carya glabra
Pin Oak
quercus palustris
Quaking Aspen
populus tremuloides
Red Maple
acer rubrum
Red Pine
Red Spruce
picea rubens
River Birch
betula nigra
Shagbark Hickory
carya ovata
Shellbark Hickory
carya laciniosa
Silver Maple
acer saccharinum
Slippery Elm
ulmus fulva
Sugar Maple
acer saccharum
Sweet Birch
betula lenta
Tuliptree
liriodendron tulipfera
Virginia Pine
pinus virginiana
White Ash
fraxinus americana
White Oak
quercus alba
Yellow Birch
betula lutea
Trees, along with shrubs, form the foundation, or (backbone) of any landscape design. They are permanent and at times the focal point of many landscaped beds. If you have any questions or inquiries regarding trees and/or tree services you can refer to our TREE SERVICES page or contact us at 201 389-6979.