Bloomington Tree Species

In Bloomington, you can find trees in the city and national forests nearby. While you may not b

e familiar with every tree species, we'd like to introduce you to some of the most commonly planted varieties of Canopy Bloomington today. Here are three kinds of trees you may have noticed in Bloomington but may not be familiar with.

1. Eastern Redbud

The eastern redbud tree is a common city and woodland tree found in most of the eastern United States. It is also common in central and southern Indiana, where Bloomington is located. These species are essential to helping our city recover pollinators that have been declining for some time. In early spring, various native bees would come around the trees for both nectar and pollen. Furthermore, the tree is ideal for urban areas because of its ornamental benefits. Throughout early spring, this small tree that grows to 30 feet tall blooms white, pink, or purple flowers. The tree's growth rate is moderate to rapid at first, then slows as it matures. Young plants are vulnerable to pests, but with regular care and fertilization, they can grow quickly and improve our environment. Therefore, we enjoy planting this tree species in Bloomington due to its beauty and dedication!

2. Black Gum

Unlike the eastern redbud, the black gum tree is a medium-sized tree that can grow to be 30 - 50 feet tall. It is commonly found in Indiana and the eastern United States. There are some black gum trees that have male and female flower parts in spring, while others may continue to have male and female flowers on separate trees. When fall comes, the flowers grow and produce fruit that birds and certain animals devour. If you observe a stunning red tree during the fall, it’s highly possible that it’s a black gum tree. Under various conditions, the tree turns red, yellow, or orange. Furthermore, the tree itself provides shelter for some wildlife. Most notably, the tree is generally pest-free, which makes it ideal for city planting because it doesn't require much maintenance. Thus, we plant numerous black gum trees in Bloomington as they offer habitat, food, and are mostly pest-free.

3. White Oak

Bloomington is home to a variety of oak trees, including white oaks. It can reach a height of 50 to 80 feet and adapts to a variety of soil types. Leaves on white oak trees measure 5 to 7 inches long and 2.5 to 4.5 inches wide. As a result, it is ideal for urban beauty. Additionally, white oak leaves provide food and shelter for butterflies and moths, as well as food for animals. Reforestation will greatly benefit from this tree. However, according to the American Forest Organization, the white oak is in crisis because of a lack of young trees. Planting them in the Bloomington area will help resolve this problem and increase the beauty of the city. Similar to black gum trees, white oaks have minimal health concerns. Our forest professionals or volunteers will frequently check the status of each tree. We will take immediate action if the tree has flaws. As such, it is the third species we chose for its ornamental and reforestation potential.

We hope this blog about the three tree species we plant in Bloomington will help you better understand our mission. We encourage you to join us in our endeavor to plant or care for trees! Please donate to us by visiting https://www.canopybloomington.org/donate-now! The urban canopy and community depend on every penny you spend!