Redbay, or Persea borbonia, is a coastal species which thrives in well-drained sites with access to lots of water. There is evidence that redbay had populations in New Jersey, although they have gone extinct. There have been pockets of redbay identified in Delaware and Maryland, but with this medium-sized tree requiring winter temperatures above 29º, it is more commonly found just a bit further south. That being said, the habitable range for redbay is anticipated to expand into southern New Jersey in both medium and high emission conditions. Persea borbonia is a broadleaf evergreen tree and is a well-known host plant for many types of butterflies, including both Spicebush and Palamedes Swallowtails.
As we look to the future of our forests, we must reconcile that some endemic species may not survive in a warmer climate. Therefore, it's important for us to consider growing and planting unconventional species to fill ecological and cultural niches left empty by species that may die out.
This infographic series was inspired in part by a presentation given by Jehane Samaha at the 2024 Canopy Conference at Haverford College, where she explored tree species that we may see more of in Pennsylvania as the climate warms. For the two range maps, we utilized data from the Community Climate System Model, version 4.0.
To view the second page, mouse over the infographic and click the arrows in the bottom left corner.
Sources:
• North Carolina State University Extension. (n.d.). Persea borbonia. North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/persea-borbonia/
• United States Forest Service. (n.d.). redbay (Persea borbonia). Climate Change Atlas. https://www.fs.usda.gov/nrs/atlas/tree/721
• Coder, K. D. (2006). Redbay (Persea Borbonia): A Tree of Confusion. Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia. https://urbanforestrysouth.org/resources/library/citations/redbay-persea-borbonia-a-tree-of-confusion/fss_get/file
Created by Faryn Steckiel, Urban Forestry Fellow
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