Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?

A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?

Share

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

Search Smarty Plants
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
rate this answer
1 rating

Tuesday - May 13, 2008

From: Ithaca, NY
Region: Northeast
Topic: Trees
Title: Small tree to plant with high bush blueberry plants
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

Dear Mr. Smarty Plants, I have four wonderful new highbush blueberry plants. I like to plant a native tree nearby to accent them, but cannot find a suitable one. I'd like a tree that is not going to be gigantic, and preferably an evergreen but am open to other possibilities. Do you have suggestions?

ANSWER:

Congratulations on your Vaccinium corymbosum (highbush blueberry) bushes! You can find a list of trees native to New York by visiting our Native Plant Database and using the Combination Search feature. If you choose New York from the "Select State or Province" category and "Tree" from the "Habit (general appearance)" category, you will find a list of 180 trees from which to choose. I've picked out a few from the list that are moderate in height (most below 60 feet) for your consideration, but there are many more for you to consider.


EVERGREEN

Most of the evergreen trees are taller than 60 feet, but here are a few of the smaller ones:

Chamaecyparis thyoides (Atlantic white cedar) 40-75 feet

Ilex opaca (American holly) 25-60 feet

Juniperus virginiana (eastern redcedar) 30-40 feet

Thuja occidentalis (arborvitae) 40-60 feet and photos and more information


DECIDUOUS

Acer pensylvanicum (striped maple) 20-40 feet and more photos and information

Acer spicatum (mountain maple) 20-35 feet and more photos and information

Here a link comparing features of maples (Acer spp.)

Cladrastis kentukea (Kentucky yellowwood) 30-50 feet

Nyssa sylvatica (blackgum) 30-60 feet

Populus tremuloides (quaking aspen) 35-50 feet

Sassafras albidum (sassafras) 35-50 feet


DECIDUOUS (WITH SHOWY FLOWERS)

Catalpa bignonioides (southern catalpa) 25-40 feet

Cercis canadensis (eastern redbud) 15-30 feet

Cornus florida (flowering dogwood) 20-40 feet

Magnolia tripetala (umbrella-tree) 15-45 feet and more photos and information


Chamaecyparis thyoides

Ilex opaca

Juniperus virginiana

Acer pensylvanicum

Acer spicatum

Cladrastis kentukea

Nyssa sylvatica

Populus tremuloides

Sassafras albidum

Catalpa bignonioides

Cercis canadensis

Cornus florida

Magnolia tripetala

 

 

More Trees Questions

Impenetrable privacy hedge in Wimberly, TX.
July 26, 2011 - I live near Wimberly, TX. I'd like to grow an impenetrable privacy hedge about 200' long and at least 10' tall and 10' deep (or more) using native plants. I'd like it to be evergreen, drought t...
view the full question and answer

Want a source for Mexican redbud in Houston, TX
October 04, 2010 - I live in west Houston and would like to purchase and plant a Mexican redbud in my yard. I have Googled to find one and also searched the Growit site without success. Where can I find one in Texas? I ...
view the full question and answer

Need a shade tree to plant in Houston, TX
November 18, 2013 - Hi, i'm looking for a shade tree to plant on the southwest side of our house, both to make our backyard more enjoyable and to improve energy efficiency. We really like Live Oaks, but they just take t...
view the full question and answer

Decorative Trees for Scenic Bench in Fairhope IL
June 10, 2012 - I am looking for a recommendation for a pair of small trees (does not grow taller than 18-20 feet) that can provide shade on either side of a stone bench. The site is in full sun, western exposure an...
view the full question and answer

Quercus polymorpha botanical name for Mexican white oak
June 19, 2007 - What is the scientfic name for the Monterrey Oak?
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.