Trees and shrubs down to the water’s edge characterize this type of site. The water level usually remains below an obvious bank. Plants of this type of shoreline consist of both upland species (generally found on and above the bank) and wetland species (found on and below the bank). Pay attention to specific plant requirements when selecting and planting the species you choose. This page contains lists of plants native to northern Wisconsin and suitable for the forested shoreline areas.

Some of the plants in this list are linked to the Wisconsin State Herbarium website where you can get detailed information on these plants. Just click on the plant name to be taken to the herbarium site.

Trees
Abies balsamea, Balsam Fir
Acer rubrum, Red Maple
Betula papyrifera, White or Paper Birch
Pinus strobus, White Pine
Thuja occidentalis, Northern White Cedar
Tsuga canadensis, Hemlock

Tall Shrubs
Alnus rugosa, Speckled Alder
Amelanchier species, Juneberry, Serviceberry
Ilex verticillata, Winterberry
Nemopanthus mucronatus, Mountain Holly
Spiraea alba, Meadowsweet

Short Shrubs
Chamaedaphne calyculata, Leatherleaf
Ledum groenlandicum, Labrador Tea
Myrica gale, Sweet Gale

Ground Flora (Flowers, Grasses and Sedges, Ferns)
Ascelpias incarnata, Swamp Milkweed
Aster lateriflorus, Calico Aster
Bidens comosus, Beggar-ticks
Calamagrostis canadensis, Blue-joint Grass
Calla palustris, Water Arum
Carex comosa, Bristly Sedge
Carex crinita, Caterpillar Sedge
Carex interior, Inland Sedge
Carex stricta, Tussock Sedge
Chelone glabra, Turtlehead
Cicuta bulbifera, Water-hemlock
Equisetum sylvaticum, Wood Horsetail
Galium tinctoria, Southern Three-lobed Bedstraw
Glyceria canadensis, Rattlesnake Grass
Impatiens capensis, Jewelweed
Iris versicolor, Blue Flag
Juncus effusus, Soft Rush
Lycopus uniflorus, Bugleweed
Moss species, Moss species
Onoclea sensibilis, Sensitive Fern
Osmunda cinnamomea, Cinnamon Fern
Poa palustris, Fowl Meadow Grass
Scutellaria galericulata, Marsh Skullcap
Scutellaria lateriflora, Mad-dog Skullcap
Triadenum fraseri, Marsh St. John's-wort

This site administered by:
Bill Klase, Basin Educator for Natural Resources
william.klase@ces.uwex.edu

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