Did you know that evergreen trees are like nature’s soldiers, standing tall and strong 365 days a year, guarding the landscape with their year-round structure, green foliage, and wildlife benefits? Evergreen trees provide stability, texture, and contrast to the backyard as our deciduous trees cycle through their colorful costumes each season. These woody plants offer versatility to any garden and truly shine when they are native evergreen trees in our local environments.
Evergreen trees are always one of the foundation plants in my native plant designs. Let me tell you why, and share my top native evergreen trees for landscaping.
Native Evergreen Trees: Seasonal Heroes
Native evergreen trees are my go-to choices when landscaping because they’re locally adapted to our soil and climate, offer year-round structure and wildlife benefits, and usually require less maintenance than their imported exotics.
For example, the Eastern Red Cedar(Juniperus virginiana) is a native evergreen tree in most of the eastern United States. They’re a conifer, so they add the needles and “evergreen” to the forests all around us!
Eastern Red Cedar trees are often a tree of choice because they make a fast evergreen trees for privacy screen, they provide excellent wildlife habitat, they take sun to shade and can endure clay soil or rocky outcroppings. This tree is a favorite food and cover for over 50 species of birds and is found in the understory or edges of many native forests. They have great form and keep their deep green needles in the winter, when other plants have gone dormant.
White Pine Trees are my favorite fast-growing evergreen trees, hands down. They’re the largest and tallest native conifer on the Eastern Seaboard and are known for their pale, soft blue-green needles and iconic stature. White Pine Trees make a great evergreen trees for privacy screen because they grow so fast, are fast-growing, and provide year-round coverage. Shop White Pine Trees at TN Nursery and find a variety of stock options ready to ship.
Benefits of Evergreen Trees
In addition to their form and foliage, evergreen trees for landscaping are tough, wind-breaking trees that stabilize soils with their year-round roots, and buffer our homes from winter winds to keep our heating bills down. In the coldest parts of winter, when animal life goes on a quest to find shelter, native evergreen trees are critical cover for beneficial insects, and perching and nesting birds. Evergreen trees help the birds and the bees all year long!
If you’re looking for a classic, native evergreen tree to add some seasonal color to your yard, the American Holly (Ilex opaca) is a great choice. Native to the Southeastern U.S., holly has glossy green leaves, red berries, and provides an iconic winter green whenever it’s planted in a garden. It is often used as a living fence, windbreak, and is beloved by songbirds as a wildlife cover. This evergreen tree also tolerates partial shade and poor soil, so if you’re not sure how these trees do well in your yard, American Holly is a great place to start.
Best Practices for Planting Native Evergreens
Proper evergreen tree planting ensures long-term health and success. Native evergreen trees prefer well-drained soil and, like most of our native trees, they respond well to mulching, especially during establishment. Bare-root planting is the most economical and environmentally friendly way to plant your natives. For the first year, keep soil consistently moist (not soggy!) and make sure you give your trees room to grow to their mature height and width to avoid future crowding. Avoid planting too close to your house or outbuildings, and keep in mind that a good spacing rule for windbreaks is 2 or 3 staggered rows of trees, 10–20′ apart depending on the tree species.
Acidic soil can be necessary for some evergreen trees, like our native White Pines, while others, like Holly, prefer neutral to slightly alkaline soil. Take note of the soil pH and moisture of your yard before selecting trees for your landscape.
For conservation or reforestation projects, Virginia Pine Seedlings are a native, resilient option.
Maintenance Essentials: Pruning, Pest Control Longevity
Even though evergreen trees for landscaping are low-maintenance, they benefit from basic care:
- Mulch and water during establishment
- Prune lightly to remove damaged or diseased branches
- Monitor for pests and diseases
These steps ensure your evergreen trees maintain their shape, vigor, and wildlife benefits year after year.
Mixing Native Evergreens With Native Perennials
Don’t forget that a layer of native understory plants beneath your native evergreen trees can give you the most value in terms of ecosystem services! Native wildflowers, ferns, and groundcovers all have a place in your evergreen-rich forest. From Wild Ginger, ferns, and Spring Beauty to Liatris and Monarda for pollinators in the warmer months, you’ll find a native perennial for each niche of the forest.
Native evergreen trees and shrubs, when used in a multi-season landscape, set the stage for a garden that not only looks amazing, but gives back to the planet year-round. By investing a little time and money in evergreen trees for your yard, you’re investing in a long-term, hard-working solution that returns structure, shelter, and serenity for decades to come.
In Conclusion
Native evergreen trees are ideal for creating a natural privacy screen, providing cover and food for wildlife, and cutting down on yard maintenance. These trees don’t just survive the winter—they flourish, and as they do, they provide a boost to the health of your yard and the environment around you.
Nothing is quite as peaceful as walking through a grove of pine trees on a snowy day, or watching your local songbirds play among the branches of a winter holly tree in your own yard. Try planting some native evergreen trees this season to bring that beauty, practicality, and native power to your landscape. You’ll be part of an American tradition of land stewardship that spans centuries and help shape a greener, healthier future.
FAQ
Which trees are evergreen trees?
Pines, cedars, hollies, and spruces are all examples of evergreen trees that keep their leaves all year.
What is the most common evergreen tree?
The most prevalent trees in North America are the White Pine and the Eastern Red Cedar.
What is the easiest evergreen tree to grow?
American Holly and Cedar are easy to care for and can grow in many places.
What are evergreen trees?
Trees that stay green all year long and provide shelter, structure, and beauty.
Where to buy evergreen trees?
TN Nursery has a wide range of native evergreens, including as Cedar, Holly, and Virginia Pine.
