Native Trees
Native trees can be found growing in maritime forests or other wooded areas along the coast. Many are found on the ECU Outer Banks Campus, and they can also complement a yard or garden in residential settings. Hover over each photo to see the common name, or click to view full screen and learn more about each one.
American Holly
Ilex opaca- American Holly: This majestic, evergreen tree can be grown in a variety of soils in full to partial sun. Can grow to 60 feet. Insignificant white spring flowers attract pollinators. Red berries on the female plants are beautiful and help feed wildlife.
Atlantic White Cedar
Chamaecyparis thyoides- Atlantic White Cedar: Evergreen tree that grows to 80 feet tall, usually found in wet areas of the coastal plain. Important forest habitat for wildlife, providing food and shelter.
Bald Cypress
Taxodium distichum- Bald Cypress: Large, picturesque, deciduous, conifer grows to over 100 feet tall. Famous for the “knees” and the widely-buttressed trunks, cypress trees are found primarily in wet, swampy areas, where they provide good habitat for a variety of wildlife. Adaptable to average soils.
Black Cherry
Prunus serotina- Black Cherry: Medium sized, deciduous tree common in open woods and fields. Has racemes of white flowers in spring followed by reddish black berries that attract birds. The foliage turns a nice yellow to orange color in fall. This is a tree worth having for the many attributes but it is rather messy so plant it away from driveways, etc.
Cherry Laurel
Prunus caroliniana- Cherry Laurel: Semi-evergreen shrub or small tree grown as screen plants and for the clusters of fragrant, creamy-white early spring flowers which attract pollinators and the fall fruits that attract birds. Grow in full to partial sun and moist, well-drained soil.
Common Persimmon
Diosporos virginiana- Common Persimmon: Small to medium sized deciduous tree common in open woodlands and forest edges. Edible fruit attracts wildlife. This tree is messy so plant in a suitable location.
Eastern Red Cedar
Juniperus virginiana- Eastern Red Cedar: This evergreen shrub or small tree is a common sight on the Outer Banks, where it thrives despite the sandy soils, salt, wind and hot sun. Provides fruits for wildlife in fall and winter. Makes a good screen.
Eastern Redbud
Cercis Canadensis- Eastern Redbud: Small deciduous tree known for the spectacular display of pink flowers in spring. Heart-shaped leaves turn yellow in fall. Best grown as an understory plant.
Flowering Dogwood
Cornus florida- Flowering Dogwood: Small, deciduous tree known for the beautiful spring flowers and for red berries and foliage in fall. Berries are an important food for birds and other wildlife. Best grown as an understory tree.
Fringetree
Chionanthus virginicus- American Fringetree: Large shrub or small tree usually 15-25 feet tall. Prefers the understory in dry soils. Beautiful display of fragrant, white, lacy flowers in spring. Produces purple fruit in late summer that is eaten by birds.
Live Oak
Quercus virginiana- Live Oak: Symbolic of the deep south, this large tree is also common on the outer banks, where it is salt, sand and wind tolerant. Considered an evergreen, it sheds its leaves in the spring when the new foliage is forming. Provides great habitat and food for wildlife, as do all our native oaks.
Loblolly Pine
Pinus taeda- Loblolly Pine: Large, evergreen conifer very common in our area. Easily grown in moist or dry soils. Seeds in cones provide a valuable food for wildlife and trees provide good habitat, as well. Commonly cultivated for lumber.
Loblolly-bay
Gordonia lasianthus- Loblolly-bay: Medium sized, evergreen tree usually found in moist, swampy areas. Showy, fragrant flowers from May through September. Worth trying if you have a moist area and if you can find one!
Longleaf Pine
Pinus palustris- Longleaf Pine: Large, evergreen conifer most common in the sandhills. Formerly covered millions of acres of “Longleaf Pine savannah,” important habitat for many rare species of plants and animals.
Pond Cypress
Taxodium ascendens- Pond Cypress: Like the common Bald Cypress; foliage is different. A large deciduous conifer found in wet areas but adaptable to average soils.
Prickly Ash
Zanthoxylum clava-herculis- Prickly Ash: Small, prickly tree suitable for the dry, sandy, salty habitats of the outer banks. Produces fall fruit for birds and is the host plant for the Giant Swallowtail Butterfly. A most interesting and attractive tree worth having in hot, dry areas.
Red Buckeye
Aesculus pavia- Red Buckeye: Small, deciduous shrub or tree with striking red spring flowers that attract hummingbirds. Prefers partial shade and protection from high winds.
Red Maple
Acer rubrum- Red Maple: Deciduous, medium-sized tree for moist to average soils. Red spring blooms followed by red, winged seeds. Yellow, orange and red fall foliage.
Sassafras
Sassafras albidum- Sassafras: Deciduous, small to medium sized tree, once used to flavor root beer. Produces late summer fruits loved by birds and has nice fall color.
Serviceberry
Amelanchier Canadensis- Serviceberry: Shrub or small tree found in moist habitats in sun or shade. Attractive white spring blooms followed by edible berries that provide food for wildlife.
Sourwood
Oxydendrum arboretum- Sourwood: Small, slender tree produces fragrant white flowers from May to July, which attract bees. Nice orange to red fall color. Best grown as an understory tree.
Southern Magnolia
Magnolia grandiflora- Southern Magnolia: Medium to large evergreen tree known for the thick, leathery leaves and large, showy, fragrant white flowers in spring and summer. Produce cones of red berries enjoyed by wildlife. This tree needs plenty of room to spread out!
Sweet Bay
Magnolia virginiana- Sweet Bay: Semi-evergreen small tree found in moist habitats in full sun to partial shade. Produces fragrant, showy white flowers from March until July and red fruit for the birds in the fall.
Sweetgum
Liquidambar styraciflua- Sweetgum: Medium to large tree (to 95 feet) commonly seen in a variety of habitats. Produces prickly seed balls which in fall and winter provide food for birds. Sweetgums also produce beautiful fall foliage in yellow, orange, red and purple.
Based at the Coastal Studies Institute (CSI), the North Carolina Renewable Ocean Energy Program (NCROEP) advances inter-disciplinary marine energy solutions across UNC System partner colleges of engineering at NC State University, UNC Charlotte, and NC A&T University. Click on the links below for more information.
ECU's Integrated Coastal Programs (ECU ICP) is a leader in coastal and marine research, education, and engagement. ECU ICP includes the Coastal Studies Institute, ECU's Department of Coastal Studies, and ECU Diving and Water Safety.
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