Replacement Trees

Replacement trees will be distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis while supplies last. If your preferred replacement tree is not available at the time of distribution, you will be provided with a healthy alternative. Specific tree species cannot be reserved ahead of the event.

This page is being updated and only partially reflects trees available for exchange at the 2022 events. The following trees are a complete list of species that have been offered at PREVIOUS exchange events and offer an idea of the scope of trees distributed to the public

• American beech (Fagus grandifolia) - available fall 2022 at Lexington

  American beech is a large canopy tree that grows to a height and spread of 50-80 feet and develops a dense, spreading, rounded or oval canopy with strong, central trunk. It grows naturally on rich, well-drained sites found in ravines, slopes, and valleys. Bark is very thin, smooth, and gray. Dark green leaves are coarsely toothed, elliptical in shape, and transform to a brilliant golden bronze color in the fall. Female trees produce Beechnuts, triangular-shaped, edible fruits that support an array of wildlife. American beech is disease-resistant, deer-resistant, and makes a terrific selection as a large shade tree on an open, spacious lawn.

   
  American beech
  Image courtesy of Arbor Day Foundation
• American snowbell (Styrax americanus) - available fall 2022 at Goose Creek

  A large deciduous, slender-branched shrub or small tree with showy, white, bell-shaped flowers and a graceful, arching crown. Mature height ranges from 6-12 feet When in bloom, pendulous clusters of flowers abundantly cover the plant, exuding a sweetly fragrant aura. This native plant attracts many pollinators species of bees, butterflies, and moths. Plant in full sun to partial shade in acidic, well-drained or moist-wet soil.

  
  American snowbell
  Image courtesy of Karan A. Rawlins, University of Georgia,  Bugwood.org
• Bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) - available fall 2022 at Goose Creek & Lexington

  Bald cypress is a large, needle-leaf, cone-bearing tree with a pyramidal shape, spreading crown and soft, feathery leaves. It reaches heights of 70-100 feet with narrower spread of 20-35 feet. Although this tree occurs in moist-wet soils, naturally, it is a superior selection in the urban environment, lending great versatility and tolerance of harsh, urban conditions, including heat, drought, diseases, and variable soil moisture. Bark is thin, fibrous, and light gray to reddish-brown. Small, one-inch, rounded cone fruits are produced each year, and fall color reveals a lovely, rich, bronze-reddish color. Bald cypress can be planted in full sun or partial shade.

  
  Bald cypress 
  Image courtesy of Arbor Day Foundation
• Blackgum (aka: Black tupelo) (Nyssa sylvatica) - available fall 2022 at Lexington

  Black gum is a striking medium-large canopy tree with strong horizontal branching and a stout, central trunk, growing 40-60 feet in height with narrow spread of 15-20 feet. Young trees are consistently triangular. Attractive, dark green and glossy summer foliage transitions to a vivid display of scarlet red during fall. Clusters of small, bluish-black berry fruit produced, supplying an abundant food source for wild turkey, bobwhite quail, wood ducks and over 30 species of songbirds. Blackgum prefers full sun but will tolerate dappled shade.

  
  Blackgum/Black tupelo 
  Image courtesy of SC Forestry Commission
• Chalk maple (Acer leucoderme) - available fall 2022 at Lexington

  An attractive, small canopy maple tree with rounded crown and slender branching. Chalk maple is considered as a southern variation of sugar maple, noted for white, chalky markings on bark, and gorgeous kaleidoscope of fall color. This small dynamo reaches 25 feet in height and often sprouts 2-3 trunks. Leaves are smaller than those of the Northern sugar maple, however, colors are equally as bright.

  
  Chalk maple
  Photo courtesy of 
• Chastetree/chaste tree (Vitex agnus-castus) - available fall 2022 at Goose Creek

  Chaste tree is a multi-stemmed shrub or small tree that is deciduous with fragrant leaves and lilac-like flowers that blooms throughout the summer. Birds and bees are attracted to this drought-tolerant and salt-tolerant plant. The mature height is 10’-15’. The grey bark is smooth when its young and becomes blocky as it matures. It prefers well-drained, moist, or dry soils in full sun or partial shade.

  
  Chastetree/chaste tree
  Image courtesy of Sheila Dunning, UF IFAS Extension 
• Dahoon holly (Ilex casseine) - available fall 2022 at Goose Creek & Lexington

  A small, native holly that tolerates wet and shady sites and matures to a size of 20 to 30 feet, though usually much smaller in the urban landscape. Dahoon is considered a worthwhile selection for the urban environment, though quite under-utilized, and is virtually pest-free. It upholds a somewhat shrubby form and dense habit, and its foliage lacks the usual spines and teeth adorning other hollies. Dahoon produces copious amounts of attractive, red berry fruit reach fall season that is pollinated by bees; however, individual plants do not self-fertilize. Plant in full sun or partial shade in moist and/or acidic soil. Flowers quickly, even during the first season after planting.

  
  Dahoon holly
  Image courtesy of John Ruter, University of Georgia,  Bugwood.org
• Eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis) - available fall 2022 at Lexington

  A small native tree with short trunk and multiple stems and vase shape with mature size of 15-25 feet in height with similar spread. Redbud is adored in early spring for its stunning display of gorgeous purplish-pink flowers that decorate the branches. Its leaves are smooth, simple, and heart-shaped, and bark is dark brown grayish with a flaky texture. Considered a tough, urban tree tolerant of clay soils and periods of drought.

  
  Eastern Redbud 
  Image courtesy of SC Forestry Commission
• Flowering dogwood (Cornus florida) - available fall 2022 at Goose Creek & Lexington

  A small landscape favorite popular for its beautiful white, five-petal spring flowers and handsome form with horizontal branching. This native has a mature height and spread of 20-30. Clusters of attractive small red fruits are produced each season, ripen by fall and enjoyed by numerous songbirds and other wildlife. Bark is attractive, dark brown with unique pattern. This tree is very adaptable, however must have partial shade and well-drained soils to maintain good health, live long and optimize flowering and bright red fall color.

  
  Dogwood, Flowering dogwood 
  Image courtesy of SC Forestry Commission
• Live oak (Quercus virginiana) - available fall 2022 at Goose Creek

  A majestic, long-lived, evergreen oak with largely expansive, wide-spreading canopy iconic to the South. Open-grown trees typically reach a 65-foot height and canopy spread of 80 feet or greater, with lower limbs sweeping down toward the ground before curving up again. Naturally tolerant of clay, loam, and sandy soils. Grows vigorously on well-drained sites and will also tolerate some moisture and is noted for effectively handling short periods of flooding. Live oak prefers slightly acidic to acidic soils. Bark is dark brown, thick, and furrowed. Leaves are dark green, stiff, shiny, and leathery. Small acorns are produced individually or in clusters.

  
  Live oak 
  Image courtesy of South Carolina Forestry Commission.
• Overcup oak (Quercus lyrata) - available fall 2022 at Lexington

  A medium-sized oak in the white oak group that grows to an average of 40-60 feet tall and wide and has strong, upright-branching, and beautiful, symmetrical form. Overcup oak is considered a hearty, urban-tolerant selection and adapts well to difficult urban sites, including compaction and clay. It also tolerates occasional flooding. Dark green leaves often form a “cross-like” outline like Post oak. Fall color is a rich yellow. Bark is an attractive, ashy gray with flaky texture. Globular-shaped acorn fruits are enclosed in a warty cap and enjoyed by much wildlife, including ducks, turkey, deer, and squirrel.

  
  Overcup oak 
  Image courtesy of SC Forestry Commission
• Paw paw (Asimina triloba) - available fall 2022 at Goose Creek

  A small, short-trunked tree or large, multi-stemmed shrub with large, tropical-like leaves and edible yellow fruit. Paw paw matures to a size of 10-25 feet and can be planted in full sun or part shade. The large, deciduous leaves are bright green and thick, gradually altering to a yellow-green color in the fall. Deep purple, six-petal flowers emerge in the spring, though not particularly showy, are interesting, nonetheless. Yellow, cylindrical fruits add appeal to this small tree and are also enjoyed by a variety of wildlife, including possums, squirrels, raccoons and birds.

  
  Paw Paw
  Image courtesy of  Bugwood.org
• Persimmon (Diospyros virginiana) - available fall 2022 at Lexington

  Persimmon trees have an oval form and mature to a typical size of 20-35 feet in height with slightly smaller spread. This tree is known for its production of small, orange fruits and distinctive, gray, blocky bark. Spring flowers are attractive yellowish-green blooms. Fruits are small, rounded, 1-2,” orange and fleshy with a sweet, honey flavor. Trees bear fruit between 4 and 9 years old and attract an array of wildlife, including small animals, birds, deer, fox, and black bear.

  
  Persimmon (placeholder image)
  Image courtesy of South Carolina Forestry Commission.
• Red buckeye (Aesculus pavia) - available fall 2022 at Goose Creek

  A small tree or large shrub that blooms in spring with numerous red tubular flowers that prefers full sun or partial shade. The name originates from its shiny, nut-like seed that resembles an eye of a deer. It has dark green, coarse palmately compound (hand-shaped) leaves that emerge in early spring and drop in early fall. The bark is light grey and coarse. The mature height is 10’-20’ with a spread of 10’-20’. It can tolerate clay soils but grows well in moist, well-drained soils. This native plant attracts hummingbirds and butterflies.

  
  Red buckeye 
  Image courtesy of Cara Specht, SC Forestry Commission
• River birch (Betula nigra) - available fall 2022 at Lexington

  River birch is a native, upright deciduous tree associated with moist soils along creeks, rivers, and lowlands. It is known for its attractive, papery, exfoliating cinnamon-brown bark and its natural occurrence along creeks, riverbanks, and other lowland areas. Though it prefers moist-wet sites, it also fares well in rocky and well-drained sites. River birch tolerates heat as well as periods of drought and occasional flooding. This native also makes a terrific landscape tree as its crown and branching are wind resistant. Plant River birch in full sun or partial shade. Full sun plantings yield optimum fall color. It is also a wind-resistant tree .

  
  River birch
  Image courtesy of Richard Webb,  Bugwood.org
• Scarlet oak (Quercus coccinea) - available fall 2022 at Goose Creek

  A large, fast growing, deciduous oak with an attractive, rounded silhouette, deep green, glossy leaves and brilliant red fall color. This species produces medium-sized acorns, an important food source for many songbirds, White-tailed deer, squirrel, and turkey. Mature size is 60-80 feet in height and 40-50 feet in canopy spread. This red oak tolerates a wide range of soils and does best when planted in full sun.

  
  Scarlet oak
  Image courtesy of Chris Evans, University of Illinois, Bugwood.org
• Shumard oak (Quercus shumardii) - available fall 2022 at Lexington

  One of the largest species of oaks with a rounded form, mature height & spread of 40-60 feet, and outstanding red fall color. Spine-tipped leaves are an attractive dark green color. This stately native is fast-growing, very adaptable, and tolerates drought, compaction, and pollution. Acorns are abundantly produced and loved by deer and squirrels. Plant in full sun in its preferred moist, well-drained soils.

  
  Shumard Oak
  Photo courtesy of  Bugwood.org .
• Southern Catalpa (Catalpa bignonioides) - available fall 2022 at Lexington

  Southern Catalpa tree is an attractive medium-sized tree with showy spring flowers, heart-shaped leaves, and mature height of 25-40 feet. This tree evokes interesting branching as short, crooked branches form a spreading, irregular crown. Heart-shaped leaves are unusually large, spanning 6-12 inches long and wide, and leaves are light green and smooth. Large, two-inch flowers are white and yellow with deep purple stripes and a ruffled appearance. Large, cigar-like fruit pods dangle from this tree in late summer and fall. This tree makes a fantastic shade tree, climbing tree, and ornamental that offers strong visual appeal.

  
  Southern Catalpa
  Photo courtesy of
• Southern crabapple (Malus angustifolia) - available fall 2022 at Lexington

  Southern crabapple is a large shrub or small tree with a rounded, spreading crown, showy flowers, and small fruit. Mature height is 20-30 feet. Spring blooms are small, attractive, white-pinkish flowers. Small, sweet red and yellow fruits are relished by wildlife and popularly used in jellies and jams. Although this tree prefers moist and slightly acidic soils, it also tolerates drier, well-drained sites. Plant in full sun or part shade for attractive blooms and fruiting.

  
  Southern crabapple
  Photo courtesy of 
• Swamp chestnut oak (Quercus michauxii) - available fall 2022 at Goose Creek

  Swamp chestnut oak is a medium-sized oak tree, capable of growing to 100 feet, with a beautiful, upright, oval form and dark green summer leaves that transform into attractive copper and red fall colors. Although it is often found, naturally, in low-lying and moist bottomland areas, Swamp chestnut oak grows exceedingly well in the urban setting, withstanding compacted soil, drought and intense heat.Simple leaves are shallow-lobed and bright green. Bark is thick, scaly, loose, and light gray in color. This long-lived, moderately fast-growing tree makes an exceptional shade tree and performs best on full sun sites. Acorns are relished by ducks, turkeys, squirrel, red fox and deer.

  
  Swamp chestnut oak 
  Photo courtesy of David Stephens,  Bugwood.org
• Swamp white oak (Quercus bicolor) - available fall 2022 at Lexington

  A beautiful, native oak with a broad, rounded canopy shorter trunk and typical mature height of 50-60 feet with similar spread. It grows naturally in moist soils of bottomlands, swampy areas, and other lowlands. This is a tough, urban tree that is quite tolerant of both moist and drier, upland soils, clay soils and compaction. Large-lobed leaves are thick and shiny green with silvery-white undersides. Fall color is an attractive yellow that transitions into shades of reds and occasionally reddish-purple.

  
  Swamp White oak
  Image courtesy of  Bugwood.org
• Sweetbay magnolia (Magnolia virginiana) - available fall 2022 at Goose Creek & Lexington

  A moderately quick-growing, small to medium-sized tree with a vase-shape, mature height and spread of 20-50 feet x 15-20 feet. Springtime blooms decorate this tree with beautiful, fragrant, creamy white flowers. Leaves are semi-evergreen to evergreen, 4-6 inches long and elliptically shaped. Bark is thin, smooth, and gray, becoming scaly as the tree matures. Although this tree occurs extensively in the low country, it has also adapted successfully on drier sites and in Piedmont soils of the upstate.

  
  Sweetbay magnolia
  Photo courtesy of John Ruter, University of Georgia,  Bugwood.org
• Walters viburnum (Viburnum obovatum) - available fall 2022 at Goose Creek & Lexington

  A large deciduous to evergreen shrub or small tree with oppositely arranged small, dark green, oval-shaped leaves and showy blooms. Delicate, white flowers borne on flat-topped clusters decorate this shrub during late winter to early spring. These long-lived shrubs mature to a height and similar spread of 10-15 feet and are hurricane & wind resistant. Flat, red drupe fruits are produced each fall that transition to black in color at maturity. Plant in full sun to part shade.

  
  Walters vibrunum
  Photo Image courtesy of Chris Evans, University of Illinois,  Bugwood.org
• Winged elm (Ulmus alata) - available fall 2022 at Goose Creek

  A native, deciduous tree that has corky wings on twigs and branches. The mature height is 45’-70’ ft. The winged elm has oval shaped leaves with visible veins and toothed edges that turn yellow in the fall. It has small, dark red flowers in the spring that produce seeds in a samara. It is salt-tolerant and drought-tolerant. It does best in full sun or partial shade.

  
  Winged elm
  Image courtesy UF IFAS Extension 
• Witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) - available fall 2022 at Goose Creek

  A small, attractive tree or large shrub with multiple-stems, crooked branching, and unique fall display of fragrant, yellow, fringe-like flowers. Witch hazel typically grows to a height of 10-15 feet, though it can grow to a height of 30 feet. Leaves are deciduous and produce a brilliant gold fall color. Leaves, twigs, and bark are aromatic and used in astringent lotions. For best performance, plant Witch hazel in full sun to part sun, and on moist sites. Avoid excessively dry sites.

  
  Witch hazel
  Photo Image courtesy of John Ruter, University of Georgia,  Bugwood.org