Trees

■ Gordonia Lasianthus- Gordonia or  Loblolly Bay (Theaceae. Tea family)

Height: 25' to 40'. Upright growth, dense, evergreen that features white blooms, similar to Magnolia, in the spring and summer. Native to southern parts of the United States and Asia, and they were abundant in northern Florida. Not easily transplanted between native soil type and most cultivated sites. Slow growing, it is found in swampy, acid soils with sweet bay trees. Prefers sun or light shade .Gordonia are not easy to find in the trade. Our tree was donated by Tom Dodd Nursery for this project.

■ Cercis canadensis- Redbud or Eastern Redbud (Leguminosae. Pea family)

Height: Up to 35', average 15'.  Small native trees, from Texas to Canada. Deciduous, heart shaped leaves, will provide yellow autumn color.  The tree will develop a rounded, symmetrical form in the sun and an irregular canopy form in the shade.  Spectacular in spring when covered with tightly packed pink flowers in February and March. Flat green pods will turn from green to brown in the winter. In the lower South, Redbuds are short-lived (15-20 years) but are prolific self seeders and volunteers will be abundant. Prefer well drained, acid soil.  Redbud will be found with oaks, pines, elm and dogwood and are good under-story trees in a woodland garden.

■ Vaccinium arboreum-Tree Huckleberry or Sparkleberry (Ericaceae. Heath family)

Height:  10' average.  Upright, irregular form, native semi-evergreen tree (or shrub) with single or multiple trunks. Mature trees will have a twisted, sculptural form and muscular trunk. Small pinkish white, waxy flowers which are similar to lily-of-the-valley will appear in April and May.  Small, black fruit mature in August to November and provides food for wildlife. Red autumn color and leaves will persist until late winter. Tree huckleberry is adaptable to a wide range of conditions and takes full sun to semi-shade and is excellent at the edge of a woodland setting. It grows well in dry soils. It is not easily transplanted and grows slowly. This tree was difficult to locate for the project.  Our specimen was donated by Mary Jane Jones and the Arthur Jones Nursery, Atlanta