Mountain Mahogany is a beautiful small-leafed evergreen tree with feathery seed pods that catch the light. It can grow to 15’- 25’ and be stunning in a groomed landscape. Sugarbush, and its kissing cousin Lemonade Berry, are both tall shrubs that can be pruned into a tree form, or left bushy as a solid hedge. They both have small pinkish winter flowers and berries that the wildlife loves to eat. They are extremely drought tolerant after establishment.

If your property has a wet area, then enjoy the creamy white spring flowers of Brown Twig Dogwood. This tree has beauty in every season as its fall leaves turn red, and is an excellent food source for butterflies. It can spread by roots, so you will have free trees to form a magical copse that also helps with erosion control. If you have the opposite type of situation – well-draining sandy dry soil – then the Burgundy Desert Willow is for you. Beautiful purple/red flowers and long, fine deciduous leaves makes this desert tree look exotic. It likes moderate watering, particularly in well-draining soil.

California Flannelbush in full yellow bloom is simply a showstopper. This plant doesn’t like too much water, so a well-draining, sunny slope is perfect for it. 

There are many more native small trees and tall shrubs from which to choose.  Use the search function on the Moosa Creek website, and restrict your search by height to find the perfect tree to help you be part of the environmental solution.