Native Trees for Wet Areas

Indiana Native Trees for Wet Areas

This list provides native tree species excellent for the purpose of naturalizing wet areas. Many people will want to plant non-natives for landscaping purposes. This is absolutely fine, so long as they are not invasive species. However, the people who are trying to naturalize a site will obviously want to use native species. This post I will list the best options for wet areas.

1. American Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis)

This tree is common as a succession tree in disturbed sites/wet areas. Very prevalent along creeks, rivers, and general low areas prone to flooding. Grows super fast, and lives for centuries developing gorgeous bark that peels to show a glistening white. Prefers Full sun, it is adapted to partial shade due to a partial canopy.

2. Boxelder Maple (Acer negundo)

This Maple doesn't look like most Maple leaves, so it is rarely grown in the nursery trade. This Maple is often seen as weedy. It develops into a large tree given time, and even grows as a clump form (multiple trunks) is not uncommon in the wild. Great for soil stabilizing as it grows vigorously. Full Sun-partial shade

3. Swamp White Oak (Quercus bicolor)

This Oak species, is unlike most Oaks that it tolerates wet sites. All Oaks develop deep tap roots, so they grow in dry sites. Swamp White Oak is common in nature to stabilize soils in wet areas where fewer trees can grow. Just like other Oaks, it grows very large and lives for centuries. Fantastic option to develop a real forest look, where others won't grow! Full sun-partial shade.

4. Pin Oak (Quercus palustris)

While not recommended anymore for landscaping due to intolerance of drought and chlorosis from poor urban soils, this native tree is fantastic for wet areas for the purpose of naturalizing. Just like the Swamp White Oak, Pin Oak will give a forest effect to an area where other hardwoods can not grow. Full sun-partial shade

5.  River Birch (Betula nigra)

Obviously given the name, you would assume it grows near rivers or at the very least wet areas. That would be a correct assumption. They are intolerant of drought, and often suffer chlorosis in landscaping situations and have a whole sort of issues in the landscaping. However, as a naturalizer it will add some pizzazz to the ecosystem with its cinnamon peeling bark! Native to the Southern half of the state. It has been known to naturalize North of the defined native range due to planting. Full sun.

6. Eastern Cottonwood (Populus deltoides)

This tree is a famous succession tree that is one of the first to pop up in disturbed sites. Will grow in dry prairie settings, to wet soils by flood zones and creeks/rivers. Known to live for at least a couple centuries and become a very large tree with a vigorous growth rate. Full sun.

7. Silver Maple (Acer saccharinum)

This tree was widely planted during the 1950s-60s as a yard tree. It is now despised by most arborists and the people in general as a weedy tree with very weak limbs and invasive roots. So it is best to avoid planting these near a foundation (just like a River Birch). However Silver Maples are excellent for restoration purposes. One of the best options for soil erosion control. Full sun.

8. Bald Cypress (Taxodium distichum)

This tree is only native to a sliver of far South-Western Indiana where the Ohio River is. So technically, not a native to most of the state, it can easily naturalize North of its defined native range, and absolutely will benefit an ecosystem for restoration. This is a deciduous Conifer, meaning it drops it's needles in the Autumn, and regrows them in the Spring. Grows even in standing water, and is adaptable to drought. Extremely versatile. Lives for centuries and grows vigorously. Full sun

9. Black Willow (Salix nigra)

This native Willow grows in any kind of wet soil, even near standing water. Very vigorous grower. Full sun

10. Northern Hackberry (Celtis occidentalis)

This tree grows in a wide variety of soils. It will tolerate even wet soils, except ones that are consistently standing water. Gorgeous bark is very unique, lives for at least a couple centuries and grows vigorously. Full sun-partial shade.