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“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.” This age-old Chinese proverb resonates deeply, especially when considering the lush, biodiverse landscapes of the North Carolina Piedmont. Whether you’re a novice gardener or a seasoned horticulturist, knowing which trees thrive in this region can transform your surroundings into a haven for wildlife and a testament to sustainable gardening.

The Piedmont is blessed with a temperate climate that supports a vast variety of native trees. One of the standouts is the iconic Flowering dogwood, an understory beauty that paints the springtime landscape with its dazzling white blooms. Southern live oak, white oak, red oak, willow oak, post oak, black oak, and their relatives have established their grandeur in the region for centuries, providing shade and habitat. Likewise, the aromatic Eastern red cedar and stately American beech enrich the Piedmont’s forest tapestry.

Water bodies or wetter areas in the Piedmont find friends in the River birch, with its distinctive peeling bark, and the Black gum, renowned for its fiery fall foliage. As for fruit-bearing species, the American persimmon and native Red Mulberry are delightful choices, their bounty relished by both humans and wildlife. Serviceberry, and the springtime favorite Eastern Redbud, with its range of captivating cultivars also produce edible berries and flowers respectively.

Beyond these, the Piedmont’s diverse ecosystem is dotted with trees like Cherry laurel and black cherry trees, while the delicate needles of the Eastern hemlock offer a peaceful green vista. The ethereal blossoms of Fringe Tree, Silverbells, and tulip tree paint the spring landscape with strokes of white and yellow. The evergreen giants like Magnolia grandiflora, bay magnolia, and the historical Longleaf pine stand tall year-round, as do the resilient American elm and versatile American hophornbeam.

Trees like American linden, basswood, and the intriguing Osage orange, once planted by settlers for hedgerows and bow-making, also find their place. Meanwhile, Chickasaw plum and Sassafras trees bring a touch of whimsy to any garden or forest edge with their unique shapes and seasonal offerings. Linden and basswood in particular attract pollinators by the hundreds.

Planting a tree is more than just an act of gardening; it’s an investment in the future. In the North Carolina Piedmont, the choices to plant native, beautiful, and water wise trees are both abundant and rewarding. If you want to learn more, feel free to swing by The Gathering Garden in Mount Gilead at the corner of W Allenton St and School St, if you want to discuss gardening with us, you can find out more about or workdays on our facebook page.

In these weekly columns, I will share the science of gardening and so many more interesting tidbits. Check back here every week for tailored Montgomery County garden advice, sharing our garden updates, and more.

Let’s grow together!

This article was originally published in the Montgomery Herald and is reused here with permission by Mary Poplin.