Thuja occidentalis would be better than T. plicata.

Add Pinus serotina (Pond Pine - the English name says it all!)

"Please forgive any outdated names!"
Don't worry, you've got them fully up-to-date!

Resin

I think Loblolly pine will tolerate some excess moisture or drought, and even the poorest of soils. Not particularly outstanding pine but very adaptable.

I read somewhere that Thujopsis dolabrata prefers moist soil. I got one for a gift last fall & planted it on top of a vein of chert. Next time I will research before planting. Yes, I plan to move it to a moist location. Red

Thuja plicata is a climax species on wetlands in its habitat. However, the eastern species is the one adapted to eastern conditions. All moisture tolerant trees have their own parameters within which you have to stay if they are to live. Wet sites have varying combinations of conditions, a tree or shrub that tolerates flooding or puddles on one site won't necessarily live on another. If you study other, nearby wet places, that already have trees on them you may get a feel for where you might be able to get some additional trees to grow, and what kinds of trees those might be.

You didn't explain what your planting situation/purpose is--do you want to plant a grove of trees? Or do you want to plant one or two ornamental trees in your yard?

The basic conifer for wet soils in your area I would think is loblolly pine. I think they are very beautiful trees when planted with, or thinned to, good spacing. They are planted in mass "plantation" plantings for timber and pulpwood, and these plantings are not always attractive, unless they have become more or less mature and have been thinned several times. But I have seen them in small groups or as individual specimens in all kinds of situations and I think they can be absolutely beautiful, especially as they become mature. They have tall straight trunks and have very picturesque crowns with good balance. And they have the advantage of growing very fast, often producing three flushes of growth every year. They do grow large, so you have to have room.

Midweatjeff:--have you seen mature loblolly pines in the south? There are outstanding ones as far north as the southern and eastern half of virginia, but in places further south they can grow to 120 feet or more and have the most exceptional growth form. Years ago, maybe it was is Mississippi, I saw some old stands of loblolly, and they knocked my socks off! I have always had a special place in my heart for the best old white pine stands, but these loblollies deserve a place in the tree lover's hall of fame.

--Spruce

If you can find the dwarf loblolly pine (Pinus Taeda 'Nana') it would be an excellent choice. It has a more uniform shape than the species with a denser crown. They have a few dozen at the JC Raulston Arboretum in Raleigh and they are very impressive. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to find but Yucca Do Nursery had them at one time I believe. Also Pinus Glabra and Cryptomerias grow well on wet soils.

Here is a link that might be useful: University of Florida Trees

Hi Spruce,

If you want really large P. taeda, there's some 50m tall in Congaree Nat Park in SC

Resin

Loblolly pines have become naturalized in Shawnee Natinal Forest in southern Illinois and are often planted in my area and a little north. They are adaptable to a wide range of soil and moisture conditions, but here we have some problems with insects eating the new growth. I`m looking to plant some this coming spring in some troublesome sites this spring and hope to be able to protec them from deer.

Mature Loblolly can supposedly take up to 2 weeks a year of flooding up to 1 ft. deep according to one site. While I haven't seen that, I have seen them growing in spots where they are wet about 7-10 days/year with 1-2 inches. Don't think they look particularly attractive as a young tree, but the older they get, the more attractive they are.
Surprised to hear that they are growing as far north as Illinois.

A loblolly is a clay depression, loblolly pines may be found growing in these low damp areas with less tolerant species dominating the better-drained land around them.

How about bald cypress?

"How about bald cypress?"

Errr, the query is for Evergreen Conifers for Wet Soil . . . Baldcypress goes sort of bald in winter ;-)

Resin

Hi Folks, This is my first post here - I figured I'd use this thread as many of you have already talked about this subject. I live in North Kent County, MI. I am on the upper rogue river. I want to plant 50-60 evergreen conifers along my road - which is mainly busy during commuting hours. The purpose would be for a noise break and privacy.

The landscape is a slight downhill as runoff goes to the river. The soil widely varies with the season: winter, we get a good amount of snow. spring can be very wet for months as snow thaws and it rains. summer and fall the soil somewhat dries up. With the water table at this level, the soil drains slowly. Being where I am, it does not get too windy, but we get a fair amount of wind.

I have been researching for quite some time now - and believe I've found Tsuga canadensis (Eastern Hemlock) to be the ideal tree. There are only so many evergreen conifers to choose from, that will be (a) tall and (b) bushy enough to provide the privacy I'm looking for. I'd like to hear your thoughts on this, as I only want to do this large job once. It will be a good investment that I believe will pay off in time. Thanks for your interest and I value your input! -Matt

Here is a link that might be useful: Trees which thrive in wet soil