Northern spicebush is a champion of the understory, thriving in full shade and supporting beautiful insects such as swallowtail butterflies and promethea moths.
If you are not squeamish about boxelder bugs, the boxelder maple is a hardy mid-story tree which provides a buffet for birds and bees alike.
Black cherry is a native tree that provides an ample harvest for jam-making, while also supporting more insects than any genus other than Quercus.