Value-Added Riparian Zone Planting at CSC | Catawba Landcare

Value-Added Riparian Zone Planting at CSC | Catawba Landcare

• Persimmon (Diospyros virginiana): a small tree with a crown width around 35 feet and typical height of around 50 feet. The tree has handsome dark green foliage and dark blocky bark. It produces an orange colored fruit about the size of a cherry tomato that ripens in late autumn. The fruit can be used in breads, puddings, cakes, cookies, and butters. A rule of thumb is to wait until the first frost to harvest the fruit. If it is eaten before it is ripe the fruit tastes very bitter. When the fruit is ripe it is typically very soft and falls from the tree.

• American Plum (Prunus Americana): a small tree that often has multiple stems. It gets around 20 feet in height and 20 feet wide. The tree does well in poor soils. It produces a plum-like fruit that is about the same size as a persimmon and varies from shades of orange, red, and purple. The fruit is tart and fantastic for jams, jellies, syrups, and combined with sweet cherries or apples in pies.

• Hickory (Carya spp.): large trees getting around 75 feet tall and 40 feet wide. Pecans are a type of hickory, but are not native to this region. There are three different native species that produce quality nuts, shagbark (ovata), mockernut (tomentosa), and pignut (glabra). The nut is sweet tasting and can be used in any recipe for walnuts or pecans.

• Black Walnut (Juglans nigra): a large tree that typically grows 80 feet tall and around 50 feet wide. It has thick chocolate brown bark and leaves that give lovely shade. This species emits juglon through the decomposing leaves, fruits and nuts, which can stunt the growth of some surrounding plants. This is only an issue for species that are sensitive to this chemical; blueberry is one of these species. This tree produces a nut about the size of a tennis ball that starts out green and turns to brown after it falls. The inside part of the nut looks very similar to the English walnut, but tastes a bit stronger. The nut can be used in cookies, cakes, brownies, and ice cream.

• Serviceberry, Juneberry (Amelanchier canadensis): a small tree that gets around 35 feet tall and 35 feet wide. This species can be pruned to be more shrub-like if desired. It has smooth dark bark with delicate leaves. It has small white flowers in the spring and produces a fruit that looks very similar to a blueberry. The fruit can be used in pies, jams, and scones.

• Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis): A shrub that gets around 5-10 feet tall and 3-8 feet wide. It can tolerate wet soils and dry soils. It has large clumps of beautiful tiny flowers, which are edible and can be used to make wine. It also produces large clumps of bb-like dark round berries that can be used to make jellies, syrups, and wine. The fruit is said to have anti-viral qualities. Important note: all other parts of the plant are toxic (stem, leaves, bark).

• American Hazelnut (Corylus americana): A shrub that can handle dryness, but does not like wet feet. Gets 5-12 feet tall and 4-8 feet wide. It produces a small nut that is covered by a leafy-fringed sheath. The nut is very similar to the commercially sold filbert (hazelnut) and can be used in any general hazelnut recipe. They are especially good for baking and granola.

• Pawpaw (Asimina triloba): a small tree that gets around 20 feet tall and around 20 feet wide. It is sensitive and must be in moist rich soils. It has a beautiful dark burgundy flower and produces a 3-5 inch greenish yellow fruit that has the consistency of a banana. The fruit can be used in puddings, pies, and breads.

• Red Mulberry (Morus rubra): A medium tree that gets around 40 feet tall and 40 feet wide. It produces a fruit that looks similar to a blackberry. The fruits are good for jams, scones, breads, and pies.

• Highbush Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum): a shrub that gets 3-10 feet tall and 3-10 feet wide. It needs very acidic soils (ph 4.8-5.5). It produces a tasty dark berry.

• Black raspberry (Rubus occidentalis): a bramble that gets 3-6 feet tall and 4-8 feet wide. The canes are purple colored. The fruit looks similar to a blackberry and can be used in pies, cobblers, breads, jams, and jellies.

• Allegany blackberry (Rubus alleganensis): a bramble that gets 3-6 feet tall and 4-8 feet wide. It prefers moist soils and produces a flavorful fruit that can be used in pies, jellies, jams, and cobblers.