#droughtolerant

Robinia pseudocacia (Black Locust)

Plant community: Old Field

Native status: Native to the Eastern and Central United States

Mature size (height & width):

Height: 30-50 ft

Width: 20-35 ft

Habitat/ Tolerances

Drought tolerant

Pollution tolerant

Salt tolerant

Poor drainage intolerant

Pest vulnerable

Bark does not fair well in storms

Eco-indicator:

Hardiness zone: 3-8

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

Flower color / bloom time: White flowers which come out from May to June

Response to Climate Change:

Population and biomass projected to increase by in suitable habitat

Growth limited by lower temperatures, temperature changes may enhance growth in colder areas

Studies show warmer temperatures increase the productivity of the tree right before flowering (vegetative period)

Potential Climate applications:

Although they have many climate adaptable tolerances planting is not recommended due to invasive tendencies.

Climate adaption rank: 6

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0378112719306334

https://www.mortonarb.org/trees-plants/tree-plant-descriptions/black-locust-not-recommended

Sambucus canadensis (American Elder)

Plant community:

Native status: Native to North America

Mature size (height & width):

Height: 5 - 12 ft

Width: 5 – 12 ft

Habitat/ Tolerances:

Erosion tolerant

Heat tolerant

Drought tolerant

Flood tolerant

Eco-indicator:

Hardiness zone: 3-9

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

Flower color / bloom time: White blooms which come out between June and July

Response to Climate Change:

American Elderberries have been shown to be extremely hardy in face of drought, making them highly adaptable to areas that will be affected by warmer temperatures and decreased precipitation.

Potential Climate applications:

Farmers in California have begun experimenting with growing elderberries in response to current drought conditions impacting the industry. A less water intensive and climate friendly plant Elderberries are characterized as on of, “many hardy ancient…crops that may be poised to a make a twenty-first century comeback”. 

The California native elderberry grows extremely well in drought conditions. After a couple of years of growth you can completely remove irrigation and the plant will continue to produce large harvests of berries. The berries themselves are healthy for you, have multiple applications in different products and do not require additional water and fertilizer. Current studies are looking to develop better growing practices, increased nutritional research and boost consumer interest. The University of Vermont has already developed a user-friendly guide which instructs farmers on how to grow and utilize elderberries for profit in the Northeast.

Climate adaption rank: 7

Sources:

https://thebulletin.org/2019/10/a-food-to-farm-as-climate-changes-elderberries/

https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=f470

https://www.mortonarb.org/trees-plants/tree-plant-descriptions/common-elderberry-0

Prunus serotine (Black cherry)

Plant community: New England Barrier Beach

Native status: Native to North America

Mature size (height & width):

Height: 50-80 ft

Width: 30-60 ft

Habitat/ Tolerances

Pest vulnerable

Salt tolerant

Drought tolerant

Poor drainage tolerant

Eco-indicator:

Hardiness zone: 3-9

Leaf color:

Dark green leaves in the summer which turn yellow and orange in the Fall

Flower color / bloom time:

White blooms which come out between April and May

 Response to Climate Change:

Northern migration

Moving to higher elevation

Population increase in suitable habitat

Climate Adaption Rank: 3

Sources:

http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=a914

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

Ulmus americana (American Elm)

Plant community: Red Maple Swamp

Native status: Native to Eastern North America

Mature size (height & width):

Height: 60-80 ft

Width: 40-70 ft

Habitat/ Tolerances

Wet land habitat

Drought tolerant

Flood tolerant

Heat tolerant

Wind tolerant

Pollution tolerant

Tolerant to urban conditions

High Susceptibility to Disease (Dutch Elm Disease)

Eco-indicator:

Hardiness zone: 2-9

Leaf color: Dark green leaves in the summer which change to a yellow in the fall

Flower color / bloom time: Reddish-green blooms which come out between March and April

 Response to Climate Change:

Despite susceptibility to Dutch Elm disease, climate change is predicted to make temperature conditions more suitable for Elms along the east coast.

Population and biomass expected to increase in suitable habitat with application of disease resistant species

Tolerance to heat and drought make the species adaptable to temperature rise

Potential Climate applications:

If we can develop reliable disease resistant species, American Elms could be a powerful climate change adaption tool.

With its variety of tolerances, resistance to drought, flooding, and urban pollution, The American Elm tree could serve as effective flooding buffers and carbon sinks, “Studies have shown, that a single large American elm, located on the southern side of a home, can intercept 2,384 gallons of storm water, conserve 107 kWh of energy, and sequester 518 pounds of CO2 annually”. 

However, the largest obstacle is it’s susceptibility to Dutch Elm disease. Old growth Elms once dominated American floodplain forests and city scapes, but after the introduction of Dutch Elm Disease in the 1930s, Elm populations were devastated (millions lost). Now it is very rare to find Elms as large as they used to be. In order to save the species, researchers are monitoring natural populations, working to develop disease resistant species, and reintroducing these resistant strains to the wild. Many cultivars of the Elm have shown resistance to the disease and could be planted for their climate adaption benefits.

Carbon sink

Erosion control

Climate adaptability rank: 8

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

https://blog.nature.org/science/2017/08/09/quest-restore-american-elms-nearing-finish-line/

http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=a922

Tilia americana (American Linden)

Plant community: Oak Hickory Forest

Native status: Native to central and Eastern North America

Mature size (height & width):

Height: 50-80

Width: 30-50

Habitat/ Tolerances

Intolerant to urban conditions

Pollution intolerant

Drought tolerant

Poor drainage tolerant

Salt intolerant

Pest vulnerable

Eco-indicator:

Hardiness zone: 3-8

Leaf color: Dark green above and lighter green on the lower surface during the summer. Turn pale yellow in the fall.

Flower color / bloom time:

Pale yellow flowers which bloom in June

Response to Climate Change:

Habitat loss in the south and increase in the north

Northern migration

Climate adaption score: -3

Sources:

Phellodendron amurense (Amur Cork Tree)

Plant community: Amur river valley

Native status: Native to Northern China

Mature size (height & width):

Height: 30-45 ft

Width: 30-60 ft

Habitat/ Tolerances

Drought tolerant

Salt Tolerant

Pollution tolerant

Tolerant of urban settings

Poor drainage intolerant

Invasive

Eco-indicator:

Hardiness zone: 3-7

Leaf color: Dark green in summer, changing to a clear yellow in fall

Flower color / bloom time: 

Yellowish green blooms which come out May and June

Response to Climate Change:

The Amur Cork Tree is highly adaptable and has seen clear success as an invasive species along the New England area. Since it’s introduction to the US it has dominated many east coast hickory and oak forests. It’s tolerance to urban pollution, and drought make it resilient to climate effects. Climate change may create more suitable habitat for the tree.

Population increase

Habitat growth

Potential Climate applications:

Although it is a very hardy tree, due to it’s invasive tendencies utilization of the Amur Cork tree would not be recommended in the New England Area. The Cork Tree outgrows native vegetation and affects forest regeneration, leading to an unhealthier forest ecosystem.  Forests that once were dominated by oaks, hickories and native shrubs are now being overrun by the corktree. 

Climate adaption rank: 6 (Invasive)

 https://trees.umn.edu/news/amur-cork-tree-phellodendron-amurense

https://www.mortonarb.org/trees-plants/tree-plant-descriptions/amur-corktree-male-only

Ginkgo biloba (Maiden-hair Tree)

Plant community:  

Native status: Native to southern China. Naturalized to the US.

Mature size (height & width):

Height: 50 -80 ft

Width: 30 - 40 ft

Habitat/ Tolerances:

Tolerant to urban settings

Salt tolerant

Pest resistant

Drought tolerant

Heat tolerant

Intolerant of poor drainage

Eco-indicator:

Hardiness zone: 3-8

Leaf color: Green leaves in the summer which turn yellow in the fall

Flower color / bloom time: Green blooms which come out in April

Response to Climate Change:

A highly resilient species which has survived 3 mass extinctions, the Gingko dates back over 200 million years ago and have retained the same appearance since then. Unlike many Deciduous trees the Ginkgo tends to lose all its trees at once the Gingko Leaf dump. Research has shown that due to changes in average temperature, the tree is budding earlier and losing its leaves over a week later than it used to.

Potential Climate applications:

Researchers are currently studying stomatal numbers on Ginkgos all over the nation and their correlation with change in CO2 concentrations in the area. They are looking at the number of stomata on fossil leaves to reconstruct past climate trends as far back as 200 million years ago. They hope to utilize this data to predict future changes in atmospheric carbon, related to climate change.

Climate adaption rank: 5

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/smithsonian-scientists-use-ginkgo-leaves-study-climate-change-they-need-your-help-180972806/

https://garden.smith.edu/node/2340

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