Mt. Cuba Center’s Resilient Canopy project addresses the urgent need to adapt tree planting practices to meet the challenges posed by both climate change and major pests and diseases. The following plant lists can be used to help guide decision making for selecting trees that are predicted to thrive in the Delaware region by the year 2100. For more information on this project, visit our website at https://mtcubacenter.org/research/resilient-canopy/
Level 1 . These species are likely to do well, even in a high warming scenario and do not currently have significant pest and disease concerns.
Level 1- Species with No Concerns (Good in High Warming, No Pest/Disease)
southern sugar maple (Acerfloridanum)
chalk maple (Acerleucoderme)
ash-leaf maple (Acernegundo)
red maple (Acerrubrum)
silver maple (Acersaccharinum)
red buckeye (Aesculuspavia)
American smoketree (Cotinusobovatus)
barberry hawthorn (Crataegusberberifolia)
cock-spur hawthorn (Crataeguscrus-galli)
sour gum (Nyssasylvatica)
American hop-hornbeam (Ostryavirginiana)
sourwood (Oxydendrumarboreum)
Harbison’s hawthorn (Crataegusharbisonii) fevertree (Pinckneyabracteata)
entangled hawthorn (Crataegusintricata) short-leaf pine (Pinusechinata)
forest hawthorn (Crataegusiracunda) pond pine (Pinusserotina) seaside alder (Alnusmaritima)
eastern hawthorn (Crataegusmacrosperma) loblolly pine (Pinustaeda) smooth alder (Alnusserrulata)
downy serviceberry (Amelanchierarborea)
parsley hawthorn (Crataegusmarshallii) scrub pine (Pinusvirginiana)
Washington hawthorn (Crataegus phaenopyrum)
American sycamore (Platanusoccidentalis) pawpaw (Asiminatriloba)
oneflower hawthorn (Crataegusuniflora) eastern cottonwood (Populusdeltoides)
flowering dogwood (Benthamidiaflorida) green hawthorn (Crataegusviridis) swamp cottonwood (Populusheterophylla) river birch (Betulanigra) common persimmon (Diospyrosvirginiana)
American wild plum (Prunusamericana)
American hornbeam (Carpinuscaroliniana) franklinia (Frankliniaalatamaha) black cherry (Prunusserotina) mockernut hickory (Caryaalba/tomentosa) water-locust (Gleditsiaaquatica) wafer-ash (Pteleatrifoliata)
water hickory (Caryaaquatica)
southern shagbark hickory (Caryacarolinaeseptentrionalis)
honey locust (Gleditsiatriacanthos) white oak (Quercusalba)
little silverbell (Halesiacarolina)
swamp post oak (Quercuslyrata)
bitternut hickory (Caryacordiformis) two-winged silverbell (Halesiadiptera) basket oak (Quercusmichauxii)
pignut hickory (Caryaglabra)
pecan (Caryaillinoinensis)
American holly (Ilexopaca)
eastern red cedar (Juniperusvirginiana)
nutmeg hickory (Caryamyristiciformis) sweet gum (Liquidambarstyraciflua)
shagbark hickory (Caryaovata)
sand hickory (Caryapallida)
black hickory (Caryatexana)
tulip tree (Liriodendrontulipifera)
Osage-orange (Maclurapomifera)
yellow chestnut oak (Quercusmuehlenbergii)
post oak (Quercusstellata)
southern swamp dogwood (Swidafoemina)
black locust (Robiniapseudoacacia)
clammy locust (Robiniaviscosa)
southern magnolia (Magnoliagrandiflora) black willow (Salixnigra)
southern catalpa (Catalpabignonioides) bigleaf magnolia (Magnoliamacrophylla)
northern catalpa (Catalpaspeciosa)
gum bumelia (Sideroxylonlanuginosum)
umbrella magnolia (Magnoliatripetala) buckthorn bully (Sideroxylonlycioides)
Mississippi hackberry (Celtislaevigata) sweet bay (Magnoliavirginiana)
common hackberry (Celtisoccidentalis)
eastern redbud (Cerciscanadensis)
Atlantic white-cedar (Chamaecyparis thyoides)
fringe tree (Chionanthusvirginicus)
yellowwood (Cladrastiskentukea)
silky camellia (Stewartiamalacodendron)
southern wild crab apple (Malusangustifolia) sweetleaf (Symplocostinctoria)
red mulberry (Morusrubra) pond-cypress (Taxodiumascendens)
water tupelo (Nyssaaquatica) bald-cypress (Taxodiumdistichum)
swamp tupelo (Nyssabiflora)
Ogeechee tupelo (Nyssaogeche)
Level 2 . These species are slightly less likely to thrive in a high warming scenario and do not currently have severe pest and disease concerns.
Level 2- Species that Will Likely be Fine (Fair in High Warming, No Pest/Disease)
sugar maple (Acersaccharum)
Ohio buckeye (Aesculusglabra)
painted buckeye (Aesculussylvatica)
pear hawthorn (Crataeguscalpodendron)
downy hawthorn (Crataegusmollis)
frosted hawthorn (Crataeguspruinosa)
dotted hawthorn (Crataeguspunctata)
Kentucky coffee-tree (Gymnocladusdioicus)
cucumber tree (Magnoliaacuminata)
bur oak (Quercusmacrocarpa)
chestnut oak (Quercusmontana)
pagoda dogwood (Swidaalternifolia)
American arborvitae (Thujaoccidentalis)
American basswood (Tiliaamericana)
Level 3 . These species will likely be stressed in a high warming scenario and/or have the potential to be afflicted by severe pest and disease concerns. We recommend that they be used cautiously.
Level 3 - Use Cautiously & Monitor
Stressed in High Warming
black maple (Acernigrum)
yellow buckeye (Aesculusflava)
kingnut hickory (Caryalaciniosa
blue ash (Fraxinusquadrangulata)*
white walnut (Juglanscinerea)*
Fraser's magnolia (Magnoliafraseri)
wild crab apple (Maluscoronaria)
prairie crabapple (Malusioensis)
table mountain pine (Pinuspungens)
choke cherry (Prunusvirginiana)
swamp white oak (Quercusbicolor)
scrub oak (Quercusilicifolia)*
mountain camellia (Stewartiaovata)
Possible Pest/Disease
Problem
white walnut (Juglanscinerea)*
black walnut (Juglansnigra)
swamp bay (Perseapalustris)
maple-leaf oak (Quercusacerifolia)
southern red oak (Quercusfalcata)
scrub oak (Quercusilicifolia)*
shingle oak (Quercusimbricaria)
blackjack oak (Quercusmarilandica)
water oak (Quercusnigra)
cherrybark oak (Quercuspagoda)
willow oak (Quercusphellos)
Shumard's red oak (Quercusshumardii)
Spanish oak (Quercustexana)
common sassafras (Sassafrasalbidum)
* denotes species with both climate and pest/disease concerns
Level 4. These species will likely be stressed in a moderate warming scenario, are likely to fail in a high warming scenario and/or have known severe pest and disease concerns. These plants should only be used sparingly and with the expectation of eventual failure
Level 4 - Avoid Planting these Species
Stressed in Moderate Warming
Fraser fir (Abiesfraseri)
striped maple (Acerpensylvanicum)
mountain maple (Acerspicatum)
speckled alder (Alnusincana)
Allegheny serviceberry (Amelanchierlaevis)
yellow birch (Betulaalleghaniensis)
sweet birch (Betulalenta)
gray birch (Betulapopulifolia)
Kansas hawthorn (Crataeguscoccinioides)
spreading hawthorn (Crataegusdisperma)
Holmes's hawthorn (Crataegusholmesiana)
Margaret's hawthorn (Crataegusmargarettae)
Pennsylvania hawthorn (Crataeguspennsylvanica)
plumleaf hawthorn (Crataeguspersimilis)
black ash (Fraxinusnigra)*
mountain holly (Ilexmontana)
red pine (Pinusresinosa)
pitch pine (Pinusrigida)
eastern white pine (Pinusstrobus)
balsam poplar (Populusbalsamifera)
big-tooth aspen (Populusgrandidentata)
quaking aspen (Populustremuloides)
fire cherry (Prunuspensylvanica)
northern pin oak (Quercusellipsoidalis)*
peachleaf willow (Salixamygdaloides)
shining willow (Salixlucida)
American mountain-ash (Sorbusamericana)
Canada hemlock (Tsugacanadensis)*
Carolina hemlock (Tsugacaroliniana)*
rock elm (Ulmusthomasii)*
* denotes species with possible pest/disease concerns
Confirmed Pest/Disease Problem
American chestnut (Castaneadentata)
Ozark chinquapin (Castaneaozarkensis)
American beech (Fagusgrandifolia)
Texas ash (Fraxinusalbicans)
white ash (Fraxinusamericana)
black ash (Fraxinusnigra)*
green ash (Fraxinuspennsylvanica)
pumpkin ash (Fraxinusprofunda)
blue ash (Fraxinusquadrangulata)*
scarlet oak (Quercuscoccinea)
northern pin oak (Quercusellipsoidalis)*
pin oak (Quercuspalustris)
red oak (Quercusrubra)
black oak (Quercusvelutina)
Canada hemlock (Tsugacanadensis)*
Carolina hemlock (Tsuga caroliniana)*
winged elm (Ulmusalata)
American elm (Ulmusamericana)
cedar elm (Ulmuscrassifolia)
slippery elm (Ulmusrubra)
September elm (Ulmusserotina)
rock elm (Ulmusthomasii)*
Level 5 . These species are likely to fail in a moderate warming scenario and are already generally not appropriate for our region today.
Level 5 - Do Not Use (Likely Failure in Moderate Warming)
balsam fir (Abiesbalsamea)
inland serviceberry (Amelanchierinterior)
intermediate serviceberry (Amelanchierintermedia)
mountain paper birch (Betulacordifolia)
Murray birch (Betulamurrayana)
paper birch (Betulapapyrifera)
Rochester hawthorn (Crataegusbeata)
Dodge hawthorn (Crataegusdodgei)
Schuette's hawthorn (Crataegusschuettei)
American larch (Larixlaricina)
white spruce (Piceaglauca)
black spruce (Piceamariana)
red spruce (Picearubens)
jack pine (Pinusbanksiana)
showy mountain-ash (Sorbusdecora)
Level 6. These species may not be winter hardy today but may be suitable for future climates. They should currently be considered as experimental plantings.
Level 6 - Experimental (May Not Yet Be Fully Winter Hardy)
scrub hickory (Caryafloridana) red bay (Perseaborbonia)* turkey oak (Quercuslaevis)*
Rome hawthorn (Crataegusaemula) sand pine (Pinusclausa) laurel oak (Quercuslaurifolia)*
eastern mayhaw (Crataegusaestivalis) slash pine (Pinuselliottii) sand post oak (Quercusmargarettae)
blueberry hawthorn (Crataegus brachyacantha) spruce pine (Pinusglabra) myrtle oak (Quercusmyrtifolia)*
yellow hawthorn (Crataegusflava) long-leaf pine (Pinuspalustris) Oglethorpe oak (Quercus oglethorpensis)
western mayhaw (Crataegusopaca) planer tree (Planeraaquatica) swamp post oak (Quercussimilis)
littlehip hawthorn (Crataegus spathulata)
anacua (Ehretiaanacua)
Alabama cherry (Prunusalabamensis) live oak (Quercusvirginiana)
Carolina cherry laurel (Prunus caroliniana) red mangrove (Rhizophoramangle)
golden fig (Ficusaurea) bluff oak (Quercusaustrina) Rio Grande palmetto (Sabalmexicana)
Carolina ash (Fraxinuscaroliniana)* Boynton oak (Quercusboyntonii) cabbage palmetto (Sabalpalmetto) loblolly bay (Gordonialasianthus) Chapman oak (Quercuschapmanii) wingleaf soapberry (Sapindussaponaria) myrtle holly (Ilexmyrtifolia) sand live oak (Quercusgeminata) saffron-plum (Sideroxyloncelastrinum)
Ashe juniper (Juniperusashei) Georgia oak (Quercusgeorgiana)* false-mastic (Sideroxylonfoetidissimum)
southern red cedar (Juniperus silicicola)
bluejack oak (Quercus incana)* Florida torreya (Torreyataxifolia)
* denotes species with possible pest/disease concerns