Chinquapin Oak is a tree native to southern Ontario and typically grows 12-18 meters tall with light gray bark. The leaves are simple and toothed, resembling those of chestnut trees, giving the species its name. This tree blooms small yellow/green flowers in the spring and by early fall yields small acorns. Chinquapin Oak serves as a host plant for several Lepidoptera species. To learn more, visit:

• Ontario – Chinquapin Oak
• Ontario Trees and Shrubs – Chinquapin Oak 

Grey dogwood trees’ green leaves turn orange and red in the fall. They can grow up to 9-feet tall. These trees grow small greenish and white blossoms in spring. Interestingly, grey dogwood trees grow white berries which show a harsh contrast to their reddish branches. To learn more about grey dogwoods, visit:

• Ontario Trees and Shrubs – Grey Dogwood 
• Wildflower Center – Grey Dogwood

Common Ninebark is a native shrub in Ontario that produces dense, rounded clusters of small, five-petaled white/pink flowers in the summer. This shrub can reach a height of 4-9 feet and attract various pollinators, including bees and butterflies. For more information on Ninebark, visit:

• The Plant Native – Common Ninebark
• Wildflower Center – Common Ninebark  

Northern Catalpa is native to the midwestern United States but is widely cultivated in Ontario as an ornamental tree. It typically reaches heights of 15-30 meters and features large, heart-shaped leaves and white flowers starting late spring. This flower attracts various pollinators such as bees and butterflies and then develops bean-like pods near the end of the summer season. To learn more about the Northern Catalpa, visit:

• The Morton Arboretum – Northern Catalpa

Northern hackberry is about 12-18 meters tall and native to Ontario. Once spring arrives, this tree produces greenish flowers and by early fall, it produces small drupes that ripen to a dark purple colour. Northern Hackberry serves as a host plant for several butterfly species, including the Hackberry Emperor. To learn more, visit:

• Wildflower Center – Northern Hackberry
• Ontario – Northern Hackberry