For more information, please contact: Clackamas River Basin Council PO Box 1869 Clackamas, OR 97015 (503) 558-0550 info@clackamasriver.org www.clackamasriver.org

Thank you for your interest in receiving free native trees and shrubs! Increasing the amount of trees and shrubs in a stream’s riparian zone provides a number of benefits. Not only can these attractive plants increase your home’s property value and lower your stress levels, they perform many valuable functions. Trees and shrubs provide food and habitat for wildlife, and keep streams cold for salmon. Roots stabilize banks, preventing runoff and soil erosion. Additionally, plants provide pollution “buffers,” preventing drift from pesticide application and roadside pollution from reaching the waterways. Larger trees work well at providing shade, while smaller “understory” shrubs often provide habitat and erosion control. As you select the trees that appeal to you most, try to keep in mind their size at maturity. We typically install trees approximately five feet apart in order to account for any mortality that may occur. Thanks for considering improving the habitat on your property — the watershed and all its inhabitants w i l l t r u l y appreciate your hard work. If you have any other questions about watershed issues, please contact the Basin Council — we’re more than happy to share our expertise!

a guide to selecting native riparian plants

produced by the Clackamas River Basin

Council with support from the Oregon Watershed

Enhancement Board

native trees available for your property Grand Fir (Abies grandis) The citrus-scented grand fir is a popular choice for Christmas tree farmers. The largest fir, it may reach 250 feet in height, and prefers moist soil in sun or partial shade. The roots provide excellent stabilization, as they are deep and wide-spreading.

Red Alder (Alnus rubra) This deciduous tree quickly reaches 40 to 50 feet in height, and provides excellent erosion control. The alder prefers full sun, and will tolerate marginal soils due to a symbiotic relationship with a nitrogen-fixing soil bacteria.

Big Leaf Maple (Acer macrophyllum) Big leaf maples slowly grow to a height and spread of 50 to 75 feet at maturity. They thrive best in partial sun to shade and moist soil. This tree also boasts fragrant flowers before leaves bud in spring, and brilliant yellow foliage in fall, making it a stunning landscape addition.

Oregon Ash (Fraxinus latifolia) In its preferred habitat of wet soil and full sun, the ash can reach anywhere from 40-80 feet. The ash provides superb erosion control, and will thrive even in wetlands or seasonally flooded areas. The ash takes on vibrant fall color, and is considered an ornamental tree in many parts of Europe.

Douglas Fir (Psuedotsuga menziesii) The most important timber species in the US, this fir can rapidly reach 80-200 feet tall. Douglas firs prefer full to partial sun, and soil ranging from neutral to mildly acidic. These trees will tolerate seasonal flooding.

Ponderosa Pine & White Pine (Pinus ponderosa and strobus) The Ponderosa pine (top right), can reach between 60 to 100 feet tall at maturity. It prefers full sun and moist, well-drained soils, but it will tolerate drought and soil alkalinity.

The white pine (lower left) is shorter, reaching a maximum 30-60 feet tall. Like the Ponderosa, it prefers moist, well-drained soils, but will tolerate a range of sun to partial shade. A word of caution: the fallen needles are very acidic, which may suppress growth of other trees nearby. The white pine is also resistant to air pollution and salt.

Western Hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla) Typically growing between 60 and 100 feet, the western hemlock can tolerate full sun to partial shade. It prefers wet soil, and can reach mature size quickly. These characteristics make it an important part of planting plans focused on minimizing erosion.

Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata)

The red cedar usually grows between 50 and 70 feet tall, and will thrive in partial to full shade. Cedars prefer moist, well-drained soils, and can be grown in hedges. Their needles are also quite fragrant, making them an odiferous addition to the landscape.

Oregon White Oak (Quercus garryana) This deciduous beauty can reach up to 90 feet tall, and spread nearly as wide. The white oak prefers full sun and dry, upland habitat. Tree roots may rot if they become wet over the summer, so this tree is not a good match for irrigated lawns. The acorns provide a food source for wildlife.

native shrubs available for your property Vine Maple (Acer circinatum) The vine maple is an excellent choice for an understory plant. It will thrive in partial to full shade, and prefers wet soils. The more sun the shrub receives, the bushier it becomes. The vine maple is prized for its variable fall colors, and typically reaches 5-35 feet tall.

Serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia) The serviceberry provides year-round interest to a yard or garden. Fragrant white spring flowers are followed by edible blue berries in late summer, making it attractive for bees

and other wildlife. The serviceberry may eventually reach up to 40 feet in height, and prefers moist soil and sun or partial shade.

Beaked Hazelnut (Corylus cornuta) This deciduous shrub has a tendency to spread nearly as wide as it is tall (approximately 5 to 12 feet). It prefers sun or partial shade, and moist, well-drained soil. The beaked hazelnut is not the same species as the commercially valuable filbert, but does attract wildlife all the same.

Twinberry (Lonicera involucrata) Twinberries can reach a final height of anywhere between 18 inches to 13 feet, and prefer to do so on sites with moist soils and sun or partial shade. As the name suggests, the shrubs grow

pairs of berries in autumn, attracting birds and wildlife.

Salal (Gaultheria shallon) Salal is a dense, spreading shrub that can develop into thickets. It will

tolerate poor soils, but prefers full sun and moderate moisture. This plant has white or pinkish spring flowers, and edible fall fruits that attract birds and wildlife.

Mock Orange (Philadelphus lewisii) The mock orange is perhaps best-known for its fragrant flowers, which attract bees and other pollinators. It will thrive in full sun to partial shade, and does well as an understory plant. To keep the tree compact, it can be pruned after flowering; otherwise, expect the tree to grow to approximately 5 to 10 feet in height.

Indian Plum (Oemleria cerasiformis) This deciduous tree is one of the first to sprout leaves each spring. The Indian plum boasts trailing white flowers and small purple

“plums” each fall, to the delight of wildlife enthusiasts. The Indian plum may grow up to 20 feet tall, and does so best in partial shaded moist soils.

Oregon Grape (Mahonia aquifolum) This prized and popular native plant is a delight for all seasons, with showy yellow spring flowers, purple berries in fall, and bronze or reddish leaves in winter. The Oregon grape prefers partial to full shade and moist soil, and may grow up to 10 feet tall. This plant is also Oregon’s state flower.

Oceanspray (Holodiscus discolor) This deciduous shrub may reach up to 15 feet in height when grown in partial shade, i t s preferred habita t. Oceanspray is tolerant of variable soil moisture levels, and blooms with beautiful cream-colored flowers each spring.

All photos courtesy CRBC or Oregon State University (http://oregonstate.edu/dept/ldplants/)

Douglas Hawthorn (Crataegus douglassii) The Douglas hawthorn is a shrubby, deciduous tree slowly growing 30 to 40 feet tall. The trees will tolerate partial to full sun, and soils that are dry or only seasonally wet. The hawthorn hosts fragrant spring flowers and edible fall fruit, making it ideal for wildlife.

native shrubs available for your property Pacific Ninebark (Physocarpus capitatus) This deciduous shrub may reach up to 20 feet in height when g rowin g i n i t s

preferred habitat: moist soils in full sun to partial shade. Ninebark flowers with small pink clusters in late spring, and becomes inflamed with orange in the fall. This shrub will grow well along streambanks, providing color throughout the year.

Bitter Cherry (Prunus emarginata) Bitter cherry may form dense thickets of small trees up to 50 feet tall. It will do best in areas of moist, well-drained soil with sun or partial shade. Fragrant spring flowers give way to small fruits, which attract plenty of

pollinators, birds, and small mammals.

Sword Fern (Polystichum munitum) One of the Pacific N o r t h w e s t ’ s hardier natives, the sword fern will thrive in practically any environment, though it prefers plenty of shade and moisture. When creating a planting plan, keep in mind that individual fronds may reach up to four feet long. A varietal that prefers full sun is also available.

Cascara (Rhamnus purshiana) Perhaps one of our more poetically-named shrubs, cascara can climb up to 50 feet tall in sun or shade, so long as it’s planted in well-drained soils. In addition to providing fall color, the tree also grows sickly-sweet berry treats for wildlife.

Salmonberry (Rubus spectabilis) The salmonberry may form dense thickets in sun or shade, and is often

found alongside streams or wet logged areas. Growing from 3 to 10 feet tall, it provides edible berries for birds and wildlife. Berries are safe for human consumption, though many find their taste unpleasant.

Red Currant (Ribes sanguineum) Though the berries produced by this shrub are termed “insipid” at best, it does lend year-round

interest to a landscape. The currant flowers in spring, and grows up to 10 feet tall in full sun and moist soil.

Snowberry (Symphoricarpus albus) Snowberry is available in creeping or free-standing varieties, the latter of which may grow up to seven feet tall. The shrub sprouts small pink flowers in spring, which become snowy white berries the plant retains well into winter. Snowberries prefer full sun or partial shade, and moist soil.

Douglas Spiraea (Tsuga heterophylla) Douglas spiraea can reach up to seven feet tall in sunny, wet areas. It responds well to

pruning, and can be sheared to meet your personal preferences. Spiraea is well-loved by bees and other pollinators, and retains its flowers throughout most of the summer. The plant grows through sending out “suckers” and may form dense hedges after several growing seasons.

Elderberry (Sambucus spp.) CRBC has both red and blue elderberries available, depending on what color fruit you prefer! Both species prefer edge habitat, moist soil, and full sun. Shrubs may grow up to 30 feet tall (the blue tend to be a bit larger), and provide fruit edible for humans and wildlife, though people prefer to cook it first.

Nootka Rose (Rosa nutkana) This compact, deciduous shrub may grow up to 6 feet in height. Hardier than other rose species, the Nootka will tolerate sun, shade, and moisture. Flowers and hips attract pollinators and wildlife.

CRBC also has live willow stakes, species depends upon availability.