Tree Layer

Carolina Willow, Coastalplain Willow: 

The Carolina Willow is a deciduous tree with golden-yellow flowers. It’s sometimes also known as the Coastalplain Willow. The Carolina Willow’s native distribution is from the Southeastern United States south to the Carribean, and west to parts of Central America. It thrives in its native habitats, which include but are not limited to swamps, marshes, floodplains, and glades around alligator holes. The most defining characteristic of this tree is that it is a host plant for many types of butterflies.

False Tamarind:

The False Tamarind, otherwise known as the Wild Tamarind, is a tree native to Southern Florida, South Mexico, Cuba, and the Bahamas. This evergreen tree can reach heights anywhere between 30-60 ft, and have a spread of about 30-50 ft. It’s flowers are white, and the fruits are flat-shaped pods that turn from green to brown as they mature.

Loblolly-bay:

The Loblolly-bay is a flowering evergreen tree that produces white fragrant flowers. When matured, the Loblolly-bay has a height of 40-65 ft, and a spread of about 10-15 ft. Native to the Southern United States, it thrives in wetlands, preferring moist, fertile soils. The Loblolly-bay is also commonly called Sweet-bay, Red Bay, or Gordonia. Significantly, the Loblolly-bay’s bark was once used for tanning leather.

Pop Ash, Water Ash:

The Pop Ash, or Water Ash,  is also known as the Carolina Ash, Florida Ash, Poppy Ash, and Swamp Ash. It’s a deciduous tree, and is native to the southeastern United States. Its native habitats include wet soils of swamps and riverbanks. Most importantly, it’s threatened by the Emerald Ash Borer, an invasive species of beetle that’s originally from Asia.

Red Maple

The Red Maple is the most abundant native tree in eastern North America. It is also known as the Swamp Maple, Water Maple, or Soft Maple. Fully grown, the Red Maple can reach heights of 40-70 ft. It’s a deciduous tree, and is best known for its deep scarlett foliage in the fall. Because it can adapt easily, the Red Maple has the greatest north-south distribution of all tree species along the eastern coast; ranging from eastern Canada south to Florida and the West to east Texas.  

Southern Red Cedar:

The Southern Red Cedar can be distinguished by its smaller blue fruit. When fully grown, it can grow up to 40 feet, and have a spread of up to 25 feet. The Southern Red Cedar’s native habitats are stream and river banks, near lakes and ponds, and in swamps and marshes. It’s an evergreen tree, and its native distribution is coastal areas from North Carolina south to Florida and west to Southeast Texas.

Strangler Fig: 

The Strangler Fig is an evergreen tree. When the tree is fully mature, it can reach a height of 40-60 feet, and have a spread of about 50-70 feet. It is native to Florida, northwestern Carribean, southern Mexico, and Central America south to Paname.

Water Hickory: 

The Water Hickory is the tallest of all hickories. When fully grown, it can reach a height of up to 30-80 feet. It is also known as the Swamp Hickory or Bitter Pecan. It is native to the central and southeastern United States, and thrives in its native habitats such as swamps and river banks. This tree is slow-growing and generally does not produce nuts until after the age of 20. When it does produce nuts, the Water Hickory produces bitter nuts that are eaten by ducks and other birds. 

Sweet Magnolia 

The Sweet Magnolia tree is one of the most iconic trees in the South. It is most notably known for its creamy white flowers that are 2-3 inches wide. These flowers bloom late in spring and hold a light lemon scent. Furthermore, these trees also bear small red fruit that attract wildlife. When fully grown, this tree reaches a height of 10-20ft and has a spread of 10-20ft.