#droughtintolerant

Sequoiadendron giganteum (Giant Sequoia)

Plant community: Montane coniferous forests

Native status: Native to California

Mature size (height & width):

Height: 60 – 275 ft

Width: 25 – 60 ft

Habitat/ Tolerances

Heat intolerant

Intolerant of dry soils

Drought intolerant

Eco-indicator:

Hardiness zone: 6-8

Leaf color: Blue-green needles

Flower color / bloom time: Non-flowering

Response to Climate Change:

Unfortunately California’s giant Sequoias are under threat if climate warming continues as projected, tens of thousands of these ancient trees will be at risk in the coming century from destruction by drought and increasing temperatures. Mature sequoias and their seedlings depend on deep groundwater from the Sierra Nevada snowpack to get them through California’s extremely dry summers. Unfortunately, due to rising temperatures most of this precipitation is arriving in the form of rain rather than snow which means less water for the sequoias and their seedlings during the dry seasons.

Migration to higher elevation

Climate adaption rank: -5

Sources:

https://e360.yale.edu/features/giant_sequoias_face_looming_threat_from_shifting_climate

https://www.tentree.com/blogs/posts/15-incredible-facts-about-giant-sequoia-trees

Cercidiphyllum japonicum (Katsura)

Plant community:

Native status: Native to China and Japan (Nonnative)

Mature size (height & width):

Height: 40 – 60 ft

Width: 25 – 60 ft

Habitat/ Tolerances

Intolerant to drought

Salt tolerant

Tolerant to urban conditions

Poor drainage tolerant

Eco-indicator:

Hardiness zone: 4 - 8

Leaf color:

Blue green leaves which turn yellow in the fall

Flower color / bloom time:

Greenish to reddish-green blooms which come out between March and April

Response to Climate Change:

Intolerance to drought may lead to growth issues for the Katsura due to climate change.

Potential Climate applications:

The Katsura is commonly used for aesthetic purposes within an urban setting. The tree also helps cool the area with shade, assist with storm water drainage and acts as a carbon sink. 

Climate adaption rank: 3

Sources:

https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=j710

Llex opaca (American Holly)

Plant community: New England Barrier beach

Native status: Native to Eastern and central United States

Mature size (height & width):

Height: 15-30

Width: 10-20

Habitat/ Tolerances:

Frequently found in moist woods, forest bottomlands and swamp peripheries and coastal dunes

Pollution tolerant

Shade tolerant

Salt tolerant

Drought intolerant

Poor drainage intolerant

Eco-indicator:

Hardiness zone: 5-9

Leaf color: Dark green leaves which remain green

Flower color / bloom time: Creamy white blooms which come out in May

Climate adaption rank: 3

Sources:

http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=k640

https://www.mortonarb.org/trees-plants/tree-plant-descriptions/american-holly

Betula alleghaniensis (Yellow Birch)

Plant community: Red Maple Swamp

Native status: Native to Eastern North America

Mature size (height & width):

Height: 20-40

Width:10-20

Habitat/ Tolerances

Drought Intolerant

Salt intolerant

Fire susceptible

Poor drainage tolerant

Eco-indicator:

Hardiness zone: 3-6

Leaf color: Dark green leaves which turn yellow in the fall

Flower color / bloom time:

Yellow-brown (male) and green (female) blooms which come out in April

 Response to Climate Change:

Northern migration

Population decrease in current habitat

 Climate adaption rank: -4

https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2013/12/03/moving-and-out-these-trees-were-made-walking https://www.mortonarb.org/trees-plants/tree-plant-descriptions/yellow-birch https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=b988

Oxydendrum arboreum (Sourwood)

Plant community: Oak Hickory Forest

Native status: Native to eastern and southern United States

Mature size (height & width):

Height: 20-50 ft

Width: 10-25 ft

Habitat/ Tolerances:

Drought intolerant

Pollution intolerant

Intolerant of urban conditions

Tolerant to wet conditions

Eco-indicator:

Hardiness zone: 5-9

Leaf color: Leaves are dark green and will turn a mix of red and orange

Flower color / bloom time: White blooms which some out in June and July

Response to Climate Change:

Massachusetts is predicted to become more suitable habitat for Sourwood trees. Population expected to increase locally.

Climate adaption rank: -2

https://www.mortonarb.org/trees-plants/tree-plant-descriptions/sourwood

http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=a887

Quercus palustris (Pin Oak)

Plant community: Spontaneous Urban Growth

Native status: Native to Northeastern United States

Mature size (height & width):

Height: 50-70 ft

Width: 40-60 ft

Habitat/ Tolerances

Native to low-land wet areas

Drought intolerant

Fire tolerant

Moderately flood tolerant

Intolerant of Alkaline soils (Chlorosis)

Pest vulnerable

Disease vulnerable

Eco-indicator:

Hardiness zone: 4-8

Leaf color: Medium green in summer, changing to russet or red in the fall

Flower color / bloom time: Yellowish-green blooms which come out in April

Response to Climate Change:

New habitat

Expected population increase

Northward migration

Potential Climate applications:

May be utilized for erosion control due to its natural occurrence in wetland areas.

Climate Adaption Rank:  4

 https://forestadaptation.org/sites/default/files/NE_Northern_Species_final.pdf

https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=a904

https://www.mortonarb.org/trees-plants/tree-plant-descriptions/pin-oak

Larix decidua (Golden Larch)

Plant community:  

Native status: Native to Central and Southern Europe

Mature size (height & width):

Height: 60-100 ft

Width: 20-30 ft

Habitat/ Tolerances:

Salt intolerant

Drought intolerant

Heat intolerant

Poor drainage intolerant

Susceptible to disease

Pollution intolerant

Eco-indicator:

Hardiness zone: 2-6

Leaf color: Bright green in spring changing to medium green in the summer.

Fall color is golden yellow.

Flower color / bloom time: Non-flowering

Response to Climate Change:

Predicted reduction in growth due to drought

Loss of habitat at lower elevations

Migration to higher elevations

Climate adaption score: -7

https://nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/nph.15348

http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=a163

Liriodendron tulipifera (Yellow Poplar)

Plant community: Oak Hickory Forest

Native status: Native to Eastern North America

Mature size (height & width):

Height: 60-90 ft

Width: 30-50 ft

Habitat/ Tolerances

Salt intolerant

Drought intolerant

Poor Drainage intolerant

Flood intolerant

Eco-indicator:

Hardiness zone: 4-9

Leaf color: Glossy green above with a pale green underside, changing to golden yellow in the fall

Flower color / bloom time: Yellow with orange band flowers which bloom in May and June

Response to Climate Change:

New habitat

Potential Climate applications:

As revealed by a New York City study on carbon sequestration, data shows the Yellow Poplar is a top carbon sink. It is already used in urban settings for aesthetic purposes.

Climate adaption rank: -2

 http://www.g-wow.org/App_Uploads_Docs/Submissions/2016%20Wisconsin-WesternUP%20Climate%20Change%20Projections%20for%20Individual%20Tree%20Species.pdf

https://www.mortonarb.org/trees-plants/tree-plant-descriptions/tuliptree

https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=a878