By JESSICA DAMIANO

If you are in the market for new trees, consider plant natives. They generally require less maintenance than exotic species, require less water, fertilizer and pesticides and often cost less too.

Native trees also support our native wildlife, which evolved alongside them, so recognize them as food. The same cannot be said for many introduced trees. And exotic trees recognized by insects may not have the appropriately shaped flowers to accommodate their mouthparts. Others might provide adequate food, but not the nutrients our native animals need.

Here are some of my favorite native trees, ranked by fall color to make your landscaping dreams a lasting reality.

FOR RED

Let’s start with oaks, considered a keystone species in North Americathey are essential elements of the ecosystem. Oak trees are home to hundreds of species of native insects, which feed, lay eggs and shelter on and under their leaves.

Scarlet oak (Quercus coccinea) grows best in full sun, reaching 50 to 70 feet tall, and blazes with red foliage in fall. horticultural areas 5-9. Red oak (Quercus rubra) has similar attributes, while white oak (Quercus alba) can handle cooler temperatures, so is suitable for zones 3 through 9 and can grow 10 feet taller.

All native Saskatoon berries provide beautiful fall color, but Amelanchier x grandiflora ‘Autumn Brilliance’, a hybrid of A. arborea and A. laevis, both native to the eastern United States, really steals the show with brilliant, striking orange-red foliage. Small white flowers bloom in spring, followed by purple-black edible berries in summer. Plant it in full sun to partial shade in zones 4 to 9.

Flowering dogwood (Cornus florida) is a single- or multi-trunked tree with white or pink spring flowers and red fall foliage, reaching 20 to 40 feet in full sun in zones 2 to 10.

Also consider: red maple (Acer rubrum), which maintains its color year-round, displaying red buds in winter and red flowers in spring, in full to partial sun in zones 3 through 9; and American mountain ash (Sorbus americana) in full sun in zones 3 to 6.

FOR YELLOW

The tulip tree (Liriodendron tulipifera), a cousin of the magnolia, is absolutely stunning in spring when its fragrant tulip-shaped flowers bloom, and just as beautiful in fall when its leaves turn golden. These fast-growing trees reach 60 to 80 feet tall in zones 4 to 9, but have shallow roots and heavy tops, so they may tip over if planted in soggy soils.