Top 20 Most Common Trees in Arlington Heights

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Top 20 Most Common Trees in Arlington Heights

Arlington Heights, located in Illinois, is a city that embraces its urban greenscape while nurturing native trees. The environmental backdrop of the city provides a conducive atmosphere for the growth of Mulberry, Box elder, and Common hackberry. These trees contribute to the city's green identity, offering aesthetic beauty, cultural significance, and ecological benefits. They shape the city's landscape, providing shade, fostering biodiversity, and connecting residents with nature. Sources indicate that these native trees are an integral part of Arlington Heights' natural heritage.

Most Common Trees

Mulberry

A unique and easy-to-grow edible landscaping plant, the mulberry is prized for its tasty fruits as well as its exquisite ornamental appeal. Originally native to China, this plant was valued for its role in silk production: silkworms will only eat the leaves of mulberry trees, making them crucial for the product's creation. Ultimately, the trees were sold around the world and are used today in different countries that produce silk.

Box elder

Box elder (Acer negundo) is a type of maple tree native to North America, but which is now found throughout the world. It is a hardy, medium-to-large tree that grows quickly and has a relatively short lifespan of up to 60 years. Older trees are prone to storm damage. Box elder wood is relatively flimsy because the tree grows so fast.

Silver maple

3. Silver maple

Silver maple (Acer saccharinum) is one of the most common deciduous trees in the United States and southeast Canada. It is a 15 to 25 m tall, fast-growing, sun-loving tree. Its leaves have deeper angular notches between the five lobes than many other maple species. Silver maple is often found along waterways and wetlands, earning it an alternative name 'Water maple'.

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Common hackberry

4. Common hackberry

Common hackberry (Celtis occidentalis) is a medium-sized deciduous tree, native to North America. It looks similar to elms and some other hackberry trees at first glance, but you can distinguish it by looking at the bark - if it is verrucous and has corky texture, then it is probably common hackberry.

Black walnut

5. Black walnut

Black walnut is a large riparian zone tree native to North America. It is cultivated for nutritious walnuts and high-quality dark timber. Black walnut produces juglone, a compound that inhibits the growth of other plants in the black walnut tree’s proximity, so it may be undesirable near lawns and gardens. It is susceptible to a Thousand Cankers Disease.

Rose of sharon

6. Rose of sharon

Hibiscus syriacus is a deciduous shrub with trumpet-shaped pink, lavender, or white flowers. Although it was first collected by Western botanists from Syrian gardens, “rose of sharon” is native to south-central and southeastern China. Because of its hardiness and prolific blooming, it is cultivated all around the world. It is the national flower of South Korea, mentioned in its national anthem.

Eastern redbud

7. Eastern redbud

Eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis) is a small understory tree native to North America. In spring or early summer clusters of purple-pink flowers appear on bare branches and sometimes on the trunk. The characteristic seed pod reveals that Eastern redbud belongs to the legume family, which makes it a cousin to peas, and locust trees.

Black cherry

8. Black cherry

Black cherry (Prunus serotina) is a medium-sized, deciduous forest tree native to the Americas, but also naturalized in parts of Europe. It features inflorescence with small white blooms that become clusters of dark cherries, edible when pitted. Mature trees have gray-to-black, distinctly crackled bark. The glossy leaves are poisonous to livestock. It is a highly reproductive pioneer species with invasive potential.

Common lilac

9. Common lilac

Common lilac is a shrub native to the Balkan Peninsula that blooms with a fragrant blossom. It grows on rocky terrain and has a suckering habit. The blossoms are used to flavor honey, sugars, food, and other delights and farmed for its fragrant flowers in the spring.

Norway maple

10. Norway maple

The norway maple is a tree species native to Europe and West Asia. It is 20 to 30 m tall and has bright green, lobed leaves which turn yellow or red in the autumn. Introduced as an ornamental shade tree in the United States, it is now considered invasive. Outside its northern range, it can be short-lived and susceptible to disease and damage.

Tree of heaven

11. Tree of heaven

While the tree of heaven has a lovely name, it has a bad reputation in many areas of the US. Several states consider it an invasive species because of its aggressive growth, rapid reproduction, and ability to thrive in poor conditions. The root system of this tree routinely damages sidewalks, sewer systems and other structures.

Eastern cottonwood

12. Eastern cottonwood

Eastern cottonwood is a fast-growing, short-lived commercial hardwood of America. It is known for its method of regeneration, where the fluff-covered seeds are dispersed by the wind and create the effect of ‘snow’ for a short period of time. The tree is cultivated for its lightweight wood to make a variety of furniture, plywood, and other wood products.

American elder

13. American elder

American elder (Sambucus canadensis) is a North American native deciduous shrub with enormous inflorescence of grouped small white flowers and dangling bunches of mauveine berries. When cooked, the fruits can be added to pies, pancakes, and jellies. Wine can also be produced from its flowers and fruits. The bushy leaves and arching branches attract wildlife, providing nesting space for birds.

Bur oak

A deciduous tree native to North America, the bur oak is large and reaches mature heights over 46 m tall. The acorns that come from this tree are the largest of all the oak trees. Bur oak is used most often for shade, in shelterbelts, or as an ornamental.

American basswood

15. American basswood

American basswood (Tilia americana) is a deciduous tree with a wide, rounded crown, very similar to its European cousin Tilia Cordata. A subtle difference between the species can be found on the bark - if an orange hue is present in the valleys on the bark, then it is T. Cordata.

Honey locust

16. Honey locust

Gleditsia triacanthos is a deciduous tree that is native to the central part of North America. The trunk of the honey locust is covered in thorns that are soft and green when young, but age to be hard and brittle. These thorns are relatively large and can reach up to 20 cm in length.

Green ash

If you are looking for an excellent shade tree, consider planting a green ash. This tree is capable of completely blocking sunlight with its dense canopy of compound leaves, which make a brilliant yellow display in the fall. Aggressive growth of over 61 cm per year makes this a tree that can quickly be providing shade in your backyard.

Red maple

The red maple is a common North American tree with distinctive red leaves and flower buds. Its sap can be made into maple syrup and the wood is good for furniture. Though non-toxic to humans, the leaves are very toxic to horses. According to the U.S. Forest Service, red maple is the most common tree in eastern North America.

Corn plant

Corn plant (Dracaena fragrans) is an evergreen, slow-growing perennial shrub native to tropical Africa. Also, it is a classic houseplant, grown in Europe since the 1800s. Its glossy green foliage that resembles corn leaves grow on top of a thick cane, which is why the plant is sometimes called “false palm tree.”

American elm

20. American elm

American elm (Ulmus americana) is a deciduous hermaphroditic tree which can be found in a variety of habitats - swamps, low-laying lands, areas surrounding rivers, hillsides, and highlands. It was a very dominant tree species in North America before Dutch elm disease was introduced during the first half of the 20th century, which caused massive die-offs.

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More Plants in Arlington Heights

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Most Common Toxic Plants

Nestled within Arlington Heights' lush expanses and manicured gardens, an unsuspected menace lurks. Its verdant charm belies a subtle danger, as , , and discreetly take root amid the urban greenery. While these toxic interlopers are not predominant, they contribute to an underlying environmental concern for residents seeking solace in the city's parks and backyards.

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Most Common Flowers

Arlington Heights, Illinois, United States boasts a vibrant urban tapestry that nurtures a rich variety of native flowers. Its numerous green spaces and unique environmental subtleties become the ideal breeding ground for these blossoms. Among the city's most representative local flowers are , , and . These flowers not only add to the visual splendor of Arlington Heights but also symbolize its urban growth and contribute to its overall green ecosystem. Their presence is a testament to the city's commitment to preserving its natural beauty.

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Most Common Flowers of Spring

As Spring breathes new life into Arlington Heights, the city witnesses a picturesque transformation. Streets and gardens become abuzz with color as , , and begin their seasonal display. These floral emissaries, nestled in the urban fabric, not only add vibrancy but also symbolize renewal and community spirit, heralding the city's annual rebirth and the return of longer, warmer days.

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Most Common Spring Fruits

Spring in Arlington Heights bursts with life, cloaking the urban landscape in a colorful mosaic of blossoms. From backyard orchards to community gardens, the town celebrates the resurgence of nature with , , and gracing the green spaces. These fruits not only add zest and vibrancy to local cuisine but also mark the triumph of community-led urban agriculture in the heart of Illinois.

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Most Common Fruits

Arlington Heights, Illinois, thrives in a conducive temperate climate, graced with abundant precipitation and fertile soil, ideal for , , and . Supported by innovative urban agriculture and community garden schemes, these fruit plants dot the cityscape in both private and public realms. Communal gardening efforts entwine with local festivities, fostering a culture where urban fruit horticulture enhances civic life and resonates with the commitment to sustainability.

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Most Common Weeds

Rooted amidst the fertile grounds and seasonal climate transitions of Arlington Heights, Illinois, notorious garden weeds have taken a firm hold. , , and stand as the bane of gardeners, proliferating rapidly within this vibrant urban landscape. Their rampant growth poses significant challenges, intertwining insistently with both wild flora and manicured gardens, demanding constant vigilance and an informed struggle to maintain botanical order in this lush Midwestern enclave.

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Most Common Tall Trees

Cradled in the temperate climes of Arlington Heights, Illinois' urban foliage thrives, benefiting from both the city's lush parks and the nurturing Midwestern weather. Towering high above the rest, stands as a sentinel, its impressive canopy gracing the skyline. Meanwhile, contributes mightily to the local biodiversity with its robust presence. Lastly, , steeped in local lore, stands as a natural monument, linking residents to bygone eras through its majesty and resilience.

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Most Common Plants

In Arlington Heights, you can find Pokeweed, Common buckthorn, Common milkweed, Mulberry, Bittersweet, and more! There are 50 types of plants in total. Be sure to look out for these common plants when you’re walking on the streets, in parks, or public gardens.

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