Planting Native Plants and Trees

By the ELPC Environmental Team

According to the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), there are approximately 2,100 plants that are native to Pennsylvania—including varieties of ferns, mosses, grasses, sedges, rushes, wildflowers, woody trees, and shrubs. In recent years, conservationists have increasingly recognized the value of choosing native plants for home landscaping for two reasons: to preserve biodiversity and to support wildlife, particularly bird populations.

Although adult birds feast upon nuts, fruits, and seeds, most birds feed their baby birds with insects and insect larva. Recent research has shown that many of the insects needed to nourish baby birds—such as moths and butterflies—can only survive in the presence of certain native plants and trees. For example, a common, native oak tree’s leaves, bark, and acorns support more than 500 other species of insects. On the other hand, a Bradford pear (a common, non-native, urban street tree), supports fewer than 100 species of insects. Native trees that are especially attractive to these important insects are white oaks, willows, black cherries, birches, and poplars.

Additional Considerations
Deep-rooted, native plants tend to be drought resistant and also provide erosion control in rainy seasons. If you replace grassy lawn with native plants, you can double your environmental impact. Mowers and weedwackers burn more than 800 million gallons of gasoline per year, contributing to the greenhouse gas emissions that drive climate change.

Need More Information?
Sylvania Natives on Ira Way in Squirrel Hill has a great selection of native plants. Other resources include dcnr.pa.gov, audubon.org, and panativeplantsociety.org.