You might consider this chart when choosing a native tree and you want to increase biodiversity. Maple would be good if you don't have many of those (I have a lot so would not choose it); one black cherry would certainly provide a lot of native biomass.

And you may already know, but I see that Maryland Native Plant Society has a list of sources: http://mdflora.org/publications/nurseries.html

Here is a link that might be useful: top twenty native host trees

Where is the best place to get a few trees for this type of planting? That's easy, the Irvine Native Plant Sale on August 25. The sale is free and open to the public and they will have everything your heart could desire.

Here is a link that might be useful: Irvine Science Center Plant Sale

Scott, inasmuch as this is woods, would there not be plenty of already-existing natural recruitment going on? Though I suppose much of that would be more Liriodendron, which apparently you don't favor (I love those things).

Any old go-to-hell patch of woods around here will regenerate very well on its own once an opening has been created, the only caveat being that depending on location, some of what regenerates could be invasive junk like buckthorn.

+oM

lets think outside your box for a moment ...

have you considered.. simply letting it be.. and watching mother nature renew the area.. subject to learning about the carp trees.. and simply discouraging weed plants ... [it doesnt sound like this is a sight block area]

you have offered nothing more.. in regard to facts.. other than there is a hole.. and i must fill it ...

i encourage you to enjoy this major change to your landscape.. and not hurry to 'fix' it ... tree planting time is either fall or spring ... not july/august.. so dont run out there now to plant trees ...

your county extension office.. probably has a handy pamphlet about such ..

ken

ps: what would i discourage.. seedling tulip poplars.. lol ... cottonwood.. buckthorn ... etc ... and the list could go on for miles ... any chance at a picture??? sounds pretty cool.. just the way it is ...

I really liked the tulip poplars and large oaks when I lived up in MD -- a great state for tree people.

Since you're looking for something new, I would suggest planting some Bald cypress (depending on where you are in MD). One of the most northern Bald cypress stands is in Calvert County MD, and there are stands elsewhere too. If the area is prone to getting soggy, they can be a real plus and visual treat.

I suggest Sugar maple (sorry, Ken!). There is little else that can compete with it for overall beauty - Fall color, form, speed of growth - Everything about this tree is excellent. Another thing you could plant since this is a "hole", is eastern White Pine. They actually do pretty well in forest openings, and add a nice accent in the winter.

Sugar Maples are nice trees, but they struggle here in the Mid-Atlantic. High night time temps, wild temperature swings in the winter and summer droughts make for a ragged looking tree. I grew a bunch from seed collected at my sister's place in ME. The last one got to about 8ft. when I yanked it. Fall coloring was uneven. Some years I thought I had planted Norway maples because the leaves mostly turned brown. I thought the color would improve as they aged, but between the rabbits, the weather and my needing the space, they are gone and mourned, but I don't think I'll plant any others.

If I were planting a hole in the woods, I think I would look for Hickory, Holly and something like a Southern Magnolia. White Oaks are native, grow relatively fast and last a long time. Nyssa sylvatica grow well too. Nice color, straight growth and they make a clump.

You could look for a more Southern genotype - It gets hot and dry around here occasionally, we have wild temperature swings in the winter (60 one day, 20 and snowing the next), and high night temps (If you call 71 a high nighttime temp), yet sugar maple flourishes. Young trees seem susceptible to leaf scorch, but it is superficial - Once a tree has been in the ground for 5 years, it looks better and better.