Madison Trees

There is a great diversity of native trees (trees that naturally grow in our region) in Madison. Native trees provide ecological benefits as well as beauty. On this page we share with you some of the greatest native trees that you can find in Madison. 

Trees help create a healthy environment. The benefits of trees include:

• Improve air quality
• Remove pollutants
• Carbon sequestration
• Provide shade, cool summer heat
• Mitigate storm water runoff
• Beautify the Town
• And most importantly - native trees support a diversity of pollinators by feeding & sheltering insects, birds & wildlife!

 Tree symbiosis is a biological relationship between trees and other organisms that can be beneficial to both parties: 

• Mycorrhizas - A symbiotic relationship between fungi and the roots of trees. The fungi's threads, called hyphae, wrap around or enter the tree's roots, helping the tree absorb water and nutrients from the soil. The fungi also protect the tree from harmful organisms. 
• Nitrogen-fixing bacteria and leguminous plants - These bacteria live in the roots of plants like clover, alfalfa, and soybeans, converting atmospheric nitrogen into a form that the plants can use. 
• Trees and birds - Birds benefit from trees by having a place to build their nests, while the trees are not affected by the birds. 
• Trees and lichens - In most cases, the relationship between trees and lichens is considered commensalism, where the lichen benefits from the tree, but the tree is not affected.