--- title: "Planting Biodiversity: Native Trees and Plants for your Yard" description: To increase biodiversity, identify the best native trees and plants for your yard using these two online tools. image: https://arbutustree.ca/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/image-library.jpg --- [Skip to content](https://arbutustree.ca/tree-talk/find-native-trees-and-plants#main-content) [![ART Logo Text with name - colour-on-wh - NEW](https://arbutustree.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/ART%20Logo%20Text%20with%20name%20-%20colour-on-wh%20-%20NEW.jpg?width=118&height=100&name=ART%20Logo%20Text%20with%20name%20-%20colour-on-wh%20-%20NEW.jpg "ART Logo Text with name - colour-on-wh - NEW")](https://www.arbutustree.ca) - [About](https://arbutustree.ca/about) - [Services](https://arbutustree.ca/services) - [Tips](https://arbutustree.ca/tips) - [Tree Talk](https://arbutustree.ca/tree-talk) - [Reviews](https://arbutustree.ca/reviews) - [Contact](https://arbutustree.ca/contact) - ![Newsletter](https://hubspot-no-cache-eu1-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/26912127/interactive-255213191394.png) This is a search field with an auto-suggest feature attached. - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. # Finding native trees and plants for your yard by [Admin](https://arbutustree.ca/tree-talk/author/admin) on July 28, 2025 [Botany and Biology](https://arbutustree.ca/tree-talk/tag/botany-and-biology) [Homeowner](https://arbutustree.ca/tree-talk/tag/homeowner) [Environmentally Responsible](https://arbutustree.ca/tree-talk/tag/environmentally-responsible)   Why should we embrace native species? Scientists and environmentalists advise us to see plants in the context of ecosystems, not just exterior decorations that need to be kept as pristine as possible. Supporting a kaleidoscope of life requires local species of willow, cottonwood, red alder and maple. Tangible benefits are not limited to local wildlife. You will find that maintaining a diverse yard full of native species can avoid costly, and potentially harmful, pesticides and fertilizers. In addition, native species, tangible benefits will result. water conservation to minimizing pathogen outbreaks. The upshot? and help the planet by helping your yard. It’s win-win. Bringing natural beauty to your yard It is easy to visit a local nursery and get sold on the latest cultivar. Unfortunately, the mono-cropping that happens in nursery environments often results in unhealthy specimens. At the same time, we underestimate shrubs like hazelnut, Pacific dogwood and Western azalea (actually a rhodo) who burst into spring flower and blaze with fall colour. Native woody plants easily go toe-to-toe with exotics and get that ‘wow’ factor you are looking for without extra hassle. ### Further Reading [**How the suburbs could help save biodiversity – Scientific American**](https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-the-suburbs-could-help-save-biodiversity/) ## Identifying the right plants The first step to transition your yard to native species is weeding out problematic invasive species. The [Invasive Species Council of BC](https://bcinvasives.ca/) is a great resource and maintains a list of [invasives and suitable replacements](https://bcinvasives.ca/play-your-part/plantwise/grow-me-instead/) in their Grow Me Instead section. Metro Vancouver’s[Grow Green Guide](https://bcinvasives.ca/) is a great source for identifying eco-friendly lawns and garden plants. Try taking their online quiz or explore the extensive image guide to [identify plants](http://www.growgreenguide.ca/plants) that suit your property.   [![native plant guide Vancouver](https://arbutustree.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/image-library.jpg?width=712&height=650&name=image-library.jpg)](https://arbutustree.ca/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/image-library.jpg) Spread the word: [Share this blog post on Twitter](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=I+found+this+interesting+blog+post&url=https://arbutustree.ca/tree-talk/find-native-trees-and-plants) [Share this blog post on Facebook](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://arbutustree.ca/tree-talk/find-native-trees-and-plants) [Share this blog post on LinkedIn](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://arbutustree.ca/tree-talk/find-native-trees-and-plants) ## Related Articles [![](https://arbutustree.ca/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/deer.png)](https://arbutustree.ca/tree-talk/17-tips-for-protecting-your-trees-and-plants-from-deer) ### [17 tips for protecting your trees and plants from deer](https://arbutustree.ca/tree-talk/17-tips-for-protecting-your-trees-and-plants-from-deer) It’s exciting to first see deer on your property, but deer can quickly decimate decorative trees,... by [kitsmediatech](https://arbutustree.ca/tree-talk/author/kitsmediatech) [![](https://arbutustree.ca/hubfs/pexels-photo-9324324-9324324.jpg)](https://arbutustree.ca/tree-talk/tree-planting-tips) ### [Tree Planting Tips](https://arbutustree.ca/tree-talk/tree-planting-tips) **Prepare the tree**For bare root trees, neatly cut away any broken or damaged roots. Soak the roots... by [kitsmediatech](https://arbutustree.ca/tree-talk/author/kitsmediatech) [![Planting a tree in a square hole](https://arbutustree.ca/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/square-holes-1.jpg)](https://arbutustree.ca/tree-talk/why-plant-trees-in-square-holes) ### [Why plant trees in square holes](https://arbutustree.ca/tree-talk/why-plant-trees-in-square-holes) Did you know planting trees in square holes makes them grow stronger and faster? Round holes... by [Admin](https://arbutustree.ca/tree-talk/author/admin) #### Contact Norm Oberson (604) 737-2643 hello@arbutustree.ca [mailto:info@arbutustree.ca](mailto:info@arbutustree.ca) Schedule A Site Visit [![ISA Certified Arborist Logo - Thumbnail](https://arbutustree.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/ISA%20Certified%20Arborist%20Logo%20-%20Thumbnail.png?width=200&height=90&name=ISA%20Certified%20Arborist%20Logo%20-%20Thumbnail.png "ISA Certified Arborist Logo - Thumbnail")](https://www.isa-arbor.com/Who-We-Are/Our-Organization) [![ASCA RCA Logo](https://arbutustree.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/ASCA%20RCA_logo%20-%20Thumbnail.jpg?width=200&height=56&name=ASCA%20RCA_logo%20-%20Thumbnail.jpg "ASCA RCA Logo")](https://www.asca-consultants.org/) © 2026 Arbutus Tree Service Ltd. 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