05/19/2026
Let’s think about understory
Understory : woody shrubs and trees that are shorter than the tallest canopy trees, but taller than the perennials on the ground.
Now imagine your typical suburban lot:
A few trees plonked in when the house was built . Smaller bushes and plants around the foundation.
Something is missing.
Understory! trees whose mature height is going to be short, like serviceberry, redbud, crabapple, dogwood. Woody shrubs like elderberry & viburnum.
These provide shelter and nesting sites for birds, they build the soil, stop erosion, and also are just some of the most gorgeous (in my opinion) additions to your landscape. Visually softening the sharp lines of tall trees and the built environment.
Also present in the understory are young oaks, hickory, walnut: the next generation of big trees waiting in the wings. valuable!
You don’t have to have a full on thicket in your yard (although you can!) but look for ways to add understory, because it’s just so darn important and beautiful.
You can buy trees. You can also dump a bucket of acorns in a spot you’d like oaks, ask friends with mature gardens for saplings (I’ve been gifted dogwood and redbuds)
Native shrubs help because a lot of the shrub layer has been overtaken by buckthorn, winged euonymus, and honeysuckle. I’m adding back in blackberry, elderberry, spice bush.
Now is a great time to do a quick audit: do you see only mature trees + lawn? YIKES you’re missing out. But it’s never too late. Get planting, friends!
