4 Pretty NYC Winter Trees & Shrubs

While you may not think to notice plants in the wintertime, there are several trees and shrubs that are a delight to admire this time of year! Some hold onto fruit in the winter, providing vibrant colors, while others are seed-bearing, offering delicate formations.

Read on below for a list of four pretty NYC winter trees and shrubs!

Winterberry

Ilex verticillata

If you spot bright red berries on your winter stroll, there’s a good chance you’ve come across winterberry, a type of holly that is native to North America. Winterberries are a crucial food source to many birds over the winter!

American Holly

Ilex opaca

Another type of holly—American holly—looks a little different than a winterberry shrub. You can tell it’s American holly by its evergreen wax-coated leaves that do not fall in winter. This allows the plant to continue to photosynthesize during the winter months. It also holds berries in winter, typically a vibrant red-orange color.

Tulip Tree

Liriodendron

While tulip tree leaves fall in winter, their fruit does not! These cone-like, pointy bulbs hang on throughout the season and help with identification! Once dried, the fruit becomes seed which will eventually fall to the earth.

Eastern Red Cedar

Juniperus virginiana

Another delightful tree to stumble upon in winter is the eastern red cedar. With milky blue berries, it offers a spot of color in the drearier months. Their berries provide food to birds in the winter, and their thick foliage makes their branches a good place for animals to shelter!

Interested in learning more about natural areas in winter? Check out our blog posts on terminal tree buds, animal snow tracks, and how plants survive in winter.