Q. I recently heard about Douglas Tallamy’s visit to Fort Wayne, and I am sorry I missed his talk. I have read his book and want to know what native trees are good for landscapes in our area.
A. Douglas Tallamy is a professor of entomology at the University of Delaware. Several years ago, Tallamy wrote “Bringing Nature Home,” a book that discusses the vital need for citizens to plant native plants. Tallamy’s research shows how native plants installed in landscapes support a larger amount of creatures compared with landscapes made up entirely of non-native plants.
More and more species of wildlife are becoming threatened and extinct every year. Once they are gone, they are gone forever. It is also not just about one species; all species are connected by a web of life. If one species becomes rare and extinct, then all the other species dependent upon that species for food also are threatened. We as humans are dependent on plants, animals and insects for our very existence. If we lose insect pollinators, for instance, many of our food crops would be in jeopardy.
Homeowners can help reverse this disturbing trend. Plant your landscapes with at least some native plants and tolerate and enjoy the animals, insects and birds that arrive to find food and shelter. Exclude the animals from making homes where they don’t belong by installing hardware cloth around decks and outbuildings.
There are many native trees that are useful for our area. Sugar maple is a beautiful tree well adapted for our soils. I really like species Red maple. It’s not as easy to find as “fancy” cultivars, but I have seen outstanding specimens in city landscapes. Chinquapin oak is an underused faster growing oak with smaller acorns. Red oak also grows faster than some other oaks. Bur oak is a tree to plant for future generations, but it is a tough and valuable tree. Walnuts even have a place in landscapes, provided you have enough room to place them far away from places where you might grow vegetables.
The Ohio Buckeye is an underused native tree with great fall color. Yes, it produces those pesky nuts, but it is a beautiful, tough tree with few, if any, issues. Eastern Red Cedar is an evergreen that often is seen growing along highways. It is tough and very attractive to birds. Smaller native trees for landscapes include redbud, flowering dogwood, and serviceberry.
Some native trees can be found at area nurseries. Native trees can also be found online through Musser Forests, and also the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, which offers bundles of trees to consumers every year. Order forms for DNR trees can be found at the Allen County Extension office each fall.
No one is asking citizens to completely fill their landscapes with native plants but if you plant natives, you will be doing your part to make the world a better place for us and future generations.
