Hedgerows: Bringing the Countryside to the City - Part 3
By Maria MacRae

Plant type

Common name

Scientific name

Required site conditions

*Approximate height/width at maturity (metres)

Wildlife benefits

Comments

Tree

American beech

Fagus grandifolia

Shade tolerant, moist, well-drained soil

25/18

Fall nuts for birds and mammals.

Slow-growing. Beautiful bark.

Ash

Fraxinus americana, F. pennsylvanica

Sun, shade tolerant when young, rich, moist soil

25/12, 20/12

Fall seeds for birds and small mammals

Long lifespan. Pollution tolerant. Subject to storm damage. Lots of seeds.

Birch

Betula species

Sun. Variety of soils depending on species.

Varies according to species.

Catkins, buds and seeds food for birds. Browse for mammals.

Medium to fast growth. Short lived. Interesting bark. Susceptible to pollution.

Cherry

Prunus emarginata, P. pennsylvanica, P. serotina

Sun to part shade, depending on species. Moist, well-drained soil.

3–10/1–4, 12/10, 21/15

Summer and fall fruit for birds and mammals. Browse for mammals. Cover for roosting and nesting. Attracts pollinators.

Moderate growth rate. Relatively short lived. Beautiful spring blossoms. Nice bark.

Chokecherry

Prunus virginiana

Sun to part shade. Rich, moist soil.

8/6

Fruit for birds and mammals. Browse for mammals. Shelter for birds. Attracts pollinators.

Fast-growing. Short lived. Beautiful blooms in spring.

Flowering crabapple

Malus species

Sun. Well-drained soil.

2–15/1.5–12 depending on species or cultivar

Fall and/or winter fruit for birds and mammals. Attracts pollinators.

Slow to medium growth rate. Medium to long lived. Beautiful spring blossoms. Attractive bark. Many cultivars with varying disease resistance.

Hackberry

Celtis occidentalis

Sun. Dry to wet soil.

18/12

Late fall or winter fruit for birds and mammals.

Drought tolerant.

Hawthorn

Crataegus species

Sun to partial shade. Well-drained soil.

6/4–7

Fruit into winter for birds and mammals. Favourite nesting site for many birds.

Beautiful flowers. Very thorny branches.

Hickory

Carya cordiformis, C. glabra, C. ovata

Sun to part shade depending on species. Dry to moist soil depending on species.

18–24/to 25, 20–25/8–12, 18/9

Spring catkins and fall nuts for birds and mammals. Shelter.

Slow-growing. Long lived. Nice bark.

Juniper

Juniperus virginiana, J. scopulorum

Full sun, dry, sandy soil

6/varies, 12/4.5

Fall and winter fruit for birds and small mammals. Browse for mammals. Important roosting, nesting and winter cover.

Tend to be slow growing and long lived. Many cultivars varying in size.

Fir

Abies amabilis, A. balsamea, A. grandis, lasiocarpa

Sun to shade depending on species. Moist, well-drained soil.

18–40 metres in height depending on species.

Buds and fall seeds for birds and mammals. Shelter, especially in winter.

Slow to medium growth rate. Medium to long lived. Require space. Prefer sheltered locations.

Maple

Acer species

Sun to shade depending on species. Soil needs vary.

Small to very tall depending on species.

Spring catkins and summer and/or fall seeds for birds and mammals. Nesting sites.

Fast to slow growing depending on species. Medium to long lived. Most have vibrant fall colour.

Mountain ash

Sorbus americana, S. decora, S. sitchensis

Sun. Moist, well-drained soil.

7-10/5-6, 6-9/5, 1-6/up to 5

Fall and winter berries for birds and small mammals. Shelter.

Bright spring flowers. Attractive red fruit. Susceptible to insects.

Oak

Quercus species

Sun. Soil preferences vary among species.

Varies with species, but generally tall trees with heights from 15 to over 20 metres.

Buds and fall acorns important food source for many birds and mammals. Provide shelter and nesting material for birds and other animals.

Long lived. Attractive trees. Many have good fall colour.

Pine

Pinus species

Sun. Dry to medium, well-drained soil.

Varies with species and cultivars. Can reach heights of over 20 metres.

Seeds important food source for extensive list of birds and small mammals. Good year-round shelter.

Long lived. Medium to slow growing. Beautiful trees. Most require large space.

Serviceberry

Amelanchier species

Summer fruit for birds and mammals. Attracts pollinators.

Early spring blooms. Good fall colour.

Spruce

Picea species

Sun. Many shade tolerant. Most prefer moist, well-drained soil.

Varies in height and spread among species.

Fall seeds for birds

Slow to medium growth rate. Long lived. Popular garden tree.

Willow

Sun. Tend to prefer moist soils but varies with species.

Varies among species.

Buds and twigs food for gamebirds, mammals and some songbirds. Shelter and nesting sites for birds.

Most fast growing and short lived, though varies among species. Versatile. Tendency to block sewer pipes.

Shrubs

Buffaloberry

Shepherdia argentea, S. canadensis

Sun. Dry soil.

2-5/2-5, 2-3/2-3

Food for birds and small mammals.

Can be an aggressive spreader. Separate male and female plants. Better fruit production if three or more planted together. Silvery foliage provides nice contrast.

Chokeberry

Aronia arbutifolia, A. melanocarpa

Sun to partial shade. Moist to wet soil.

1.5-2.5/1.5

Fruit for birds and mammals.

Nice white flowers in spring. Good fall colour.

Dogwood

Cornus species

Sun to shade, dry to wet, depending on species.

Small trees to large shrubs depending on species.

Late summer, fall and winter fruit for birds (depending on species). Attract pollinators.

Many species have beautiful spring flowers and gorgeous fall colour. Red osier dogwood has bright red stems for winter colour.

Elderberry

Sambucus canadensis, S. racemosa

Sun to partial shade. Well-drained soil.

3.5/3, 3.5/3

Summer fruits for birds and small mammals.

Fast growing. Showy, fragrant flowers.

Hazel

Corylus americana, A. cornuta

Sun to partial shade depending on species. Moist, well-drained soil.

3/2-3, 1-4/2-3

Food for birds and mammals. Shelter.

Adaptable. Doesn’t tolerate strong winds.

Raspberry, blackberry

Rubus species

Light and soil conditions vary with species.

Varies among species.

Well used fruit for birds and mammals. Valuable shelter.

Many species spread aggressively. Some species, such as flowering raspberry, have attractive flowers. Often thorny.

Sumac

Rhus species

Sun to partial shade. Some will grow in shade. Dry to moist soil.

Varies greatly among species.

Important winter and early spring food for birds and small mammals.

Male and female flowers on different plants. Some species sucker extensively. Good for soil stability. Vibrant fall colour. Bright red fruits hold through winter.

Viburnum

Viburunum species

Sun to shade depending on species. Variable soil requirements.

Varies among species.

Fall fruit for birds and mammals. Attract pollinators.

Many have beautiful, fragrant flowers. Attractive fruit.

Wild rose

Rosaspecies

Site requirements vary by species, some will even grow in partial shade or wet soil.

Varies among species but generally 1–2 metres in height.

Rosehips provide food for birds and mammals. Excellent nesting cover

Beautiful flowers. Thorny. Avoid cultivated varieties that no longer produce rosehips or require lots of chemical inputs. Avoid non-native Rosa rugosa and R. multiflora.

Winterberry

Ilex verticillata

Sun to part shade. Moist to wet soils.

2–3/2–3

Fruit for birds

Very showy red berries. Need both male and female plants. May sucker.

Vines

American bittersweet

Celastrus scandens

Sun to partial shade. Dry to moist soil.

6

Food for birds.

Need both male and female plants. Aggressive spreader.

Virginia creeper

Parthenocissus quinquefolia

Sun to full shade. Dry to moist soil.

9–15

Fruit is fall and winter food for birds. Nesting cover and shelter for birds. Attracts pollinators.

Aggressive spreader. Pollution and salt tolerant.

Virgin’s bower

Clematis virginiana

Sun to partial shade. Moist soil.

3.6–6

Food for birds. Attracts pollinators.

Can be an aggressive spreader.

Wild cucumber

Echinocystis lobata

Sun to partial shade. Moist, well-drained soil.

5

Seeds for birds and mammals.

Dies back each year, but self-seeds for new plants.

Wild grape

Vitis riparia

Sun to full shade. Moist soil.

10

Fruit for birds and mammals. Dense foliage is good shelter and nesting cover for birds.

Interesting bark. Drought tolerant. Aggressive spreader. Can suppress other plants.