Southwestern Ontario is a tree lover’s dream. Over 217 distinct tree species can be found in Toronto alone, with over 20 species of Carolinian trees like oak, hickory, ash, chestnut, and walnut, as well as the red mulberry tree, which is a native Ontario tree species that is at risk in the wild. And that doesn’t even include non-Carolinian species such as maple, linden, or fruit trees that also thrive in Ontario’s woodlands.
A wide range of trees can flourish in Southwestern Ontario. Although there’s no shortage of trees that call Ontario home, there’s still a great need to plant new ones.
The number of new trees planted in Southern Ontario fell drastically in the ’90s. Previously, between 20 and 30 million trees were planted each year in Ontario. That number fell sharply in the late ’90s, with only 2 to 3 million Southwestern Ontario trees being planted by 1998. Planting new trees benefit everything from the environment to people’s quality of life. There’s nothing quite like reading and relaxing beneath the boughs of a Black Walnut tree.
If you’re thinking of planting a new tree this season, here’s our guide to the best trees to plant in Southwestern Ontario.
The verdant, fertile soil of Southwestern Ontario is a significant boon for growing nearly any kind of tree. Anything ranging from evergreens to mighty oaks will grow to towering heights in the area outside of Toronto.
Growing plants requires more than just popping a seed or sapling into the ground and hoping for the best, however. Every plant species has its own unique needs, requiring a particular blend of light, shadow, moisture, and soil type.
These are some of the best trees to plant in Southwestern Ontario that are especially suited for its particular climate.
Alternate-Leaf Dogwood
Alternate-leaf dogwoods are one of the best trees to plant in Southwestern Ontario due to their gorgeous white flowers in the springtime and attractive horizontal tiers of branches. They’re also a favourite among songbirds in the summertime, transforming your yard or garden into a sylvan daydream.
Alternate-leaf dogwoods grow up to 10m in height. To help your dogwood reach its glorious full, flowering potential, plant in evenly moist soil in partial shade or full sun with ample amounts of moisture.
To help your alternate-tree dogwood tree reach its fullest potential, you’ll want to make sure there’s enough mulch to maintain moisture. 8 cm of bark mulch will help make sure the soil stays sufficiently moist.
American Beech
American Beech trees may grow slowly, but they’re well worth the wait. First of all, they live for a long, long time. Secondly, they enrich your life in so many different ways. Of course, there’s the ample shade they provide thanks to their broad crowns. There’s also their nuts, which are popular among animals and humans alike.
American Beech trees get better with age, as well. Their bark takes on an attractive bluish-silver hue as they age. You may need to be proactive if you want to see them get to that stage, however. The trees are delicate as they’re growing, so you may need to make a chicken wire cage around the trunk to protect them from wildlife while they’re reaching maturation.
American Beech trees have been suffering from a bark disease in recent years, as well, so you’ll want to keep an eye out for that. If you notice something that may be an infection, you may want to contact a tree service near Aurora or surrounding area.
Black Walnut
There are a lot of different aspects that make Black Walnut one of the best trees to plant in Southwestern Ontario. First and foremost, they’re not limited to the southern part of the province. While Black Walnut trees are some of the most iconic trees of Southern Ontario, they’ve been moving gradually northward as well thanks to tree enthusiasts and foraging squirrels.
Black Walnut trees can now be found in the northern and eastern quadrants of the province as well.
Black Walnut trees are an excellent choice for yards or gardens going for a natural, native style. The roots of Black Walnut trees secrete juglone, a substance that inhibits the growth of other plants. Several other native Ontario trees and plants are resistant to juglone, however.
Plants That Are Immune To Juglone
- Maples
- Pawpaw
- Northern Hackberry
- Honey Locust
- Eastern Redcedar
- Oaks
- Hickories
- Sycamore
- Eastern White Cedar
- Hemlock
- Cherries
If for some reason something should happen to your Black Walnut tree, you can always hire a tree service near Bradford, or somewhere else in Ontario, to salvage the wood. Black Walnut timber is infamous for its strength and classy finish.
Pawpaws
Pawpaws are some of the best trees to plant in Southwestern Ontario as they’re unique to the Carolinian forests around Lake Erie and the Niagara Falls region. They’re an excellent choice if you’re looking for a showy, flowering tree as they produce gorgeous red flowers in the springtime.
Pawpaws also offer a unique tropical touch to Southern Ontario. The down-hanging leaves give pawpaws a palm tree-like appearance which will help you keep warm, bright spirits during the long winter months.
Pawpaws are also popular as a distinctive fruit tree. Pawpaws are one of the hardiest members of the tropical custard apple tree, whose unique pear-like fruit falls to the ground in autumn.
Pawpaw trees are also an excellent shade tree, growing to over 10 m, If you’re looking to grow one of these beauties yourself, you should transplant the thick taproot from a container in the springtime. Plant in moist to wet loamy soil in full or partial shade for best results!
Gray Birch
If you’re looking for a fast-growing tree to plant in your Southern Ontario garden, the Gray Birch could be just what you’re looking for. Smaller than other birch trees, Gray Birch only live for about 50 years, so they grow to full height in a fraction of the time of other birches.
They’re called Gray Birch, but their bark is reddish brown when they’re younger. They fade into the ghostly chalk white that other Birch trees are known for.
If you’re looking to plant a Gray Birch tree in your garden, make sure to plant them in full sun. They do best in gravelly or sandy soil, but they can grow in nearly anything. This makes Gray Birch trees a prime pick if you’re looking for a hardy tree that grows quickly without much upkeep.
Southwestern Ontario is a dream for trees and plants. Nearly any kind of plant can bloom in Southern Ontario, especially when you know what you’re doing.
Now that you know about some of the best trees to plant in Southwestern Ontario reach out to us at Dave Lund Tree Services and let us help you with any upkeep you may need! Contact us through our contact page, or call toll-free at 1-800-363-0511 if you’re looking for a tree service near Bradford or tree pruning near Aurora!
