Delaware Valley Native Trees

All trees in this page are listed as native species to the Delaware Valley Region by either BONAP or USDA research/literature.

The Greater Delaware Valley Regional Area straddles two of the most ecologically diverse areas of the east coast. Please select either the Atlantic Coastal Plain or the Piedmont to narrow down native plant recommendations for your EcoRegion.

We care about the provenance/origin of our trees and shrubs, and give you the information you need to make an informed decision about what you would like to plant in your landscape:

Straight Species

• Local Native Wild - GENETICALLY local wild seeds sourced specifically from within the Greater Delaware Valley Region. For maintaining local indigenous genetics. Level 3 Ecoregion and State origin will be listed on their tags. Strict and rigorous methods are used to ensure seeds are from local wild sources, not planted by man.

• Regional Native Wild - These are native wild trees from anywhere within the species original native range, and sourced from within our shared Level 2 Ecoregions so that they will grow well in our area and support our local ecology. Can be used to specifically add genetic variability, or for targeted climate change native seed population transfers (see USDA seed-transfer guidelines). Level 2 Ecoregion and state of origin will be stamped on plant labels.

• Captured Native Wild - native wild trees that have been moved or or sourced from outside our shared Ecoregions. Usually this is for special conservation work or research, such as evaluating differing genetics, adding genetic diversity, or re-capturing disjunct populations of threatened species.

Horticultural

• Select - Native species bred or selected from seeds of cultivated sources in landscaped setting. Selections of a native species bred for vigorous growth, health, and taste. Open pollinated in a non-orchard setting.

• Improved - Native species bred or selected from seeds of cultivated sources in orchard settings. For superior landscape or production traits. Offspring can carry over varying degrees of disease resistance, taste, color, and other desirable traits from their original cultivars or variety, and are typically open pollinated by other cultivars.

• Locally Adapted - Seed is specifically sourced from cultivated native mother trees within the Delaware Valley region. These trees have proved that they are able to thrive in our local Eco-Region.

• Cultivars - These are native species that have been propagated as identical genetic copies in order to preserve specific desirable traits, such as vigorous growth, disease resistance, fruit/nut quality or timing, flowering habits, and taste. For consistent results on the farm or garden, these are what you want.