(planting dates given in parentheses)
Abies firma - Momi Fir. In the 1990s, Momi fir was promoted as an exceptionally heat-tolerant fir for southeastern landscapes. The so-called "Dixie Fir" is probably Abies firma. While Momi fir certainly is capable of surviving hot southeastern climates such as Craven County's, results have not been impressive overall, especially considering that this species can grow to 120-150 feet in Japan. Our specimen has grown very little but is still hanging in there (1995). Good flush of growth in 2003.
Calocedrus decurrens - California Incensecedar. Beautiful columnar conifer at maturity, and there are reports of a number of specimens performing very well in hot areas of North Carolina. We have two specimens dating from 1995 which are growing very slowly and so far fail to impress. There is probably a need for more of these to be planted out and evaluated in Eastern N.C.
Chamaecyparis obtusa - Hinoki Falsecypress. Our specimen was purchased as 'Nana Gracilis'. Planted in 1988, it would have to be considered a "success" at this point, even though it has only reached about 1.5 feet in height and 4 feet in spread, and is becoming somewhat more open with age. Spider mites are a frequent problem. Nice foliage, although my observations are that this species does a bit better overall in cooler climates.
Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Boulevard' - ' Boulevard' Japanese Falsecypress. 'Boulevard' is an attractive blue to silvery-blue selection. Has a tendency towards significant seasonal browning-out of interior needles as the plant ages. At least up to 10 feet in height. Good heat tolerance in Craven County. (1989)
Chamaecyparis thyoides - Atlantic Whitecedar. Tolerates wet soils, but in our local native stands, soil has a very acidic pH and is capable of drying out somewhat in between wet periods. Based on the loss of some of our Atlantic whitecedar to phytophthora root rot this species may not tolerate heavy clay, constantly wet landscape sites with high pH (the low or acidic pH may help in reducing disease pressure). Our collection includes the variegated cultivar 'Dilworth Variegated' (2002), and the compact 'Heatherbun' (2000).
Cryptomeria japonica - Japanese Cryptomeria. Attractive and exceptionally fast-growing species. Seems to have excellent heat tolerance and numerous specimens around Craven County have performed well. Over time cryptomeria has the tendency to lose its tight, conical form and become more open. In addition, random branch dieback has been observed as trees age. We have 'Yoshino' (1992), one of the standard cultivars over the years, as well as a variegated cultivar known as 'Sekkan' (1993). Numerous cultivars available. Two we don't have: 'Black Dragon', a superior compact, dark green form, and 'Ben Franklin', a tree form with good winter color.
Cunninghamia lanceolata - Common Chinafir. Seems very well-adapted to our climate, but ungainly in appearance as it matures. Perhaps best suited for semi- shaded situations. Ours is a blue-foliage form. (2000)
Cuppressus arizonica - Arizona Cypress. Superfast, but as the years go by these plants become increasingly prone to bagworm infestation or simply falling apart. Best used as a specimen plant which you don't mind taking down after 10-12 years - or maybe a longer period of time with a little luck. 'Silver Smoke' (1996) may be a more durable choice than 'Carolina Sapphire' (1994). Excellent blue color on both, and very fragrant foliage.
x Cuppressocyparis leylandii - Leyland Cypress. Plant one, not fifty. Bagworms and seridium canker are limiting factors, as well as the tendency to blow over in high winds in exposed locations. Phytophthora root rot also occurs in wet or overwatered sites. We have the cultivars 'Naylor's Blue' (1995) and 'Silverdust' (1995), both of which are quite attractive and worthwhile specimen plants. Just don't plant a long screen with them.
Juniperus chinensis - Chinese Juniper (includes Hollywood juniper and 'Pfitzeriana'). Probably the most worthwhile J. chinensis cultivar in our collection is 'Spartan' (1995), a tight, columnar juniper which may grow up to 20 feet high and only 3-4 feet wide. Also of interest is 'Gold Coast' (1994), a somewhat compact, spreading-upright form with golden yellow new growth.
Juniperus davurica 'Parsoni' - Parsons Juniper. One of the old standbys here in hot and humid southeast N.C.; described by Dirr as "one of the best junipers in the Southeast and displays excellent heat and some shade tolorance". More or less a groundcover in appearance, 2-3 feet high and 8-9 feet across. (1994)
Juniperus rigida - Needle Juniper. Interesting weeping form. Perhaps up to 20 feet in height, developing a weeping, pendulous habit with age. A potential specimen plant. The cultivar known as 'Pendula' is likely just the species itself. Develops a purple-plum color in winter. (1995)
Juniperus virginiana - Eastern Redcedar. Tolerates high pH, salt spray, drought; generally, insects and disease aren't a problem. Does not tolerate wet soils, and should be planted in a very sunny location. Numerous cultivars have been selected for variation in color, size and growth habit. We have 'Stover' (2000), which is notable for its blue-gray color and relatively narrow, upright growth habit. Eastern redcedar is probably the single best, most reliable tree-form conifer for this part of the North Carolina.
Keteleeria davidiana - The various Keteleeria species - related to pines - are rarely seen in the U.S. outside of arboreta, but may hold promise as good landscape trees for eastern North Carolina. Keteleeria davidiana is native to the hot and humid forests of southeastern China, so heat tolerance is likely to be no problem. A 30-foot plus specimen at the J.C. Raulston Arboretum in Raleigh has produced cones and overall seems to be doing very well. Keteleeria davidiana has attractive bright green foliage which is somewhat prickly to the touch. (2001)
Keteleeria evelyniana - This species of Keteleeria is native to cooler areas of southwestern China, and its heat tolerance for Piedmont and Coastal Plains N.C. is not fully known at this point. Leaves (needles) appear to be somewhat longer on this species than on K. davidiana. (2002)
3/21/03 Update: Single-digit temperatures in January defoliated and killed our single K. evelyniana specimen back to the ground; may not have been well enough established to handle the cold. As of May it's growing back vigorously from the base of the trunk.
Note: Keteleeria pubescens, a third species which we currently don't have, also is native to some very hot and humid areas of China. If cold tolerance holds up, this could be another Keteleeria species for landscapes in our region.
Metasequoia glyptostroboides - Dawn Redwood. One of only three deciduous conifers in our collection (along with Taxodium and Pseudolarix), thought to be extinct and known only by the fossil record until a tree was discovered in China in the 1940s. (1991)
Picea asperata - Dragon Spruce. A species of spruce obtained from N.C. State in 1996. Todd Lasseigne of the J. C. Raulston Arboretum tells me this spruce has performed "magnificently" in Raleigh and shows no sign of root rot. While we generally don't recommend spruce in this part of the state, our specimen is doing well so far and in spring of 2003 produced 8 inches of new growth. Worth watching, but not a strong recommendation at this point.
Picea pungens - Colorado Spruce. This species is definitely not recommended for the the Coastal Plain of NC, and is not even a very good choice for the somewhat cooler Piedmont. However, we have one left over from a batch given us by the late J.C. Raulston back in 1995.
Pinus palustris - Longleaf Pine. Less susceptible than loblolly pine to fusiform rust, and probably somewhat more sturdy in high winds. Very few pine species thrive in the heat and humidity of eastern NC, and longleaf pine is probably the best pine species for landscapes in our region. The long needles are very attractive, and give young seedlings an interesting appearance in the "grass stage" during the first couple of years from seed. (1992) Note: Our two specimens were broken off at the ground by hurricane winds, 9/04.
Pinus taeda - Loblolly Pine Most of the tall pines we see growing along roadsides and in the forests of eastern NC are loblolly pines. Unfortunately, this is not a good choice for planting into the home landscape, for two primary reasons. First, the species is very susceptible to fusiform rust, which can create cankers on the main trunk or on branches and therefore compromise structural integrity; second, it becomes a very large tree and is subject to breaking or blowing over in storms. Our loblollies came up on their own after we allowed a field behind our building to grow up and naturalize, sometime in the early 90s.
Pseudolarix kaempferi - Golden Larch. Although our climate is hotter than ideal for golden larch, we do have one specimen of this beautiful deciduous conifer and it has done quite well since it was planted in 1996. Attractive and unique foliage in summer; nice golden yellow fall color.
Taiwania cryptomeroides - A conifer for the collector. Attractive light green color with slightly pendulous branches and extremely stiff, prickly foliage. Native to the central mountain ranges of Taiwan between elevations of 5,800 - 8,400 feet. The tallest individual on record measured over 200 feet; individuals with trunk diameters up to 9 feet are common. So far, our single specimen has done well. (1991)
Taxodium distichum - Baldcypress (1992,1995), and Taxodium ascendens, Pondcypress (1993). Pondcypress is either a distinct species, or a variety of baldcypress, depending on the botanist you're consulting with. Both offer pretty much the same attributes to the landscape, but the foliage of pondcypress is more narrow Obviously very tolerant of wet conditions, but can also grow just fine in normal sites. Very sturdy against hurricane winds (although the tops can be blown out, so don't plant these 10 feet from your front door). High pH soils may induce chlorosis (yellowing) of foliage, and since many landscape soils in this area are in fact high pH, this factor needs to be considered. Cypress "knees" may develop even in sites that aren't wet or under water - another possible problem to consider. But these are wonderful native trees in the right location. The hybrid 'Nanjing Beauty' was acquired in 2003. 'Shawnee Brave' (1997) has a more narrow, pyramidal growth habit, with some branches growing distinctly upright.
Taxus chinensis - Chinese Yew. Taxus species are generally not recommended in our part of the state. However, Chinese yew has stimulated some interest at the J.C. Raulston Arboretum and elsewhere as an unusually heat tolerant yew with good potential for the hot and humid Southeast. Our specimen was planted in 1995 and as of 2003 continues to maintain a deep green color and overall healthy appearance - although growth is not especially vigorous.
Thuja 'Green Giant' - 'Green Giant' Arborvitae. Fast growing and very attractive. Green color fades a bit in winter. Generally problem-free, but bagworms have been observed (not on ours) and could become a problem over time. Recommended, but should not be planted to extremes as with 'Leyland', Bradford pear, red-tips, etc.
Thuja occidentalis 'Emerald' - 'Emerald' Eastern Arborvitae. Better heat tolerance than most T. occidentalis selections. Very nice green coloration. Slow-growing and compact, pyramidal form. (1993)
Thuja plicata - Giant or Western Arborvitae. Large arborvitae from the west coast, potentially with good heat tolerance for our region. The cultivar 'Hogan' (1993) has done fairly well for us, but has grown somewhat slowly and has a strong tendency towards multiple trunks. New growth on our 'Atrovirens' (1995) has a slight but very appealing light yellow-green coloration. Our 'Gigantea' (1995) specimen is a vigorous grower with a strong central leader, similar to 'Green Giant'. We're not certain of the nomenclature, however; Dirr lists a 'Giganteoides' , which may possibly be a T. occidentalis x T. plicata form.
Updated February 2004
Tom Glasgow
NC Cooperative Extension, Craven County
252-633-1477
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