SHADE TREES
BEECH,
BLUE (Carpinus Caroliniana)
Height: 25’-30’,
Width: 25’-30’. Full sun
to full shade. A small
slow to medium growing native tree with a rounded crown, smooth slate gray
bark, and deep green leaves.
The attributes of this tree have given rise to many common names,
including Ironwood (the wood is hard and heavy), and Musclewood (the
blue-gray bark is fluted with long sinewy ridges).
Performs best in deep, rich, moist soils, but will tolerate
drier sites. Will grow in heavy shade, and
is often found as an understory plant in the wild. Fall color
is usually yellow, but may display oranges and reds as well.
An excellent tree for small sites.
Growing zones 3 to 9.
BIRCH,
DAKOTA PINNACLE
(Betula platyphylla ‘Fargo’)
Height: 30’, Width: 7’-8’.
Full sun to part shade.
Developed at North Dakota State University where it was
selected for its narrow, columnar habit.
After several years the bark matures to a yellow white.
A medium growth rate tree which performs best in moist soils.
Avoid dry, sandy conditions. Summer foliage is a deep, glossy green, turning to a clear yellow in
fall.
The narrow upright habit makes it perfect for confined spaces where
a smaller specimen tree is desired.
Growing zones 3 to 7.
BIRCH,
HERITAGE RIVER (Betula nigra ‘Cully’)
Height: 45’-50’, Width: 30’-35’.
Full sun to part shade.
A rapid growing native tree commonly found along
river bottoms, where it tolerates spring flooding for periods of up
to 3 weeks. Bark
is heavily exfoliated with a tan-creamy white color.
Foliage is medium green and lustrous, turning clear yellow in
fall. The most disease
resistant of the birch varieties, it prefers moist soils, but will
tolerate drier soils. Typically grown in clump form.
Growing zones 3b to 8.
BIRCH,
PAPER (Betula papyrifera)
Height: 40’, Width: 30’.
Full sun to part shade.
Commonly called White Birch, this
fast growing native tree features bright white bark.
Medium green leaves in summer turn a brilliant clear yellow
in fall. Young trees posses a dark brown
bark that slowly becomes lighter in color as each layer of bark
exfoliates, until the bark becomes white. Performs best
in moist, well drained soils.
Avoid dry, sandy conditions.
Can be grown in clump form or as a single trunk.
Considered short lived with a life span of approximately 35
years. Growing zones 2
to 7.
BIRCH,
ROYAL FROST (Betula x ‘Royal frost’)
Height: 30’-40’, Width: 15’-20’.
Full sun. A
cross of ‘Whitespire’ Birch and ‘Crimson Frost’ Birch, this fast
growing tree has creamy white bark with small burgundy-red leaves.
An upright form makes it ideal in smaller spaces.
Performs best on moist, well drained soils.
Avoid dry, sandy soils.
Fall color is poor, occasionally exhibiting some yellow.
Excellent cold hardiness in a tree with maroon leaves.
Can be grown in clump form or as a single trunk.
Growing zones 4 to 7.
BUCKEYE,
OHIO (Aesculus
glabra) Height: 20’-40’,
Width: 20’-40. Full sun.
Unusual palmately compound leaves are among the earliest to
emerge in spring. A medium growth rate tree
with a broad oval to rounded crown. Greenish-yellow flowers are produced on
4" to 6" panicles, followed by
1.5" light brown fruit capsules containing a shiny brown nut
that drops in September.
Performs best on moist, well drained soils.
May drop its leaves early if grown in dry soils.
Fall color is variable, ranging from poor yellow to bright
orange. Growing
zones 3 to 7.
CATALPA,
NORTHERN (Catalpa speciosa)
Height: 50’-60’, Width: 35’-40’.
Full sun. A fast
growing tree with very large (10”) heart shaped medium green leaves.
In June, 2” white flowers appear in 4” to 8” panicles,
producing 12” to 15” long seed pods.
Fall color is non-existent, with the leaves usually falling
while still green.
Will grow in light and heavy soils, as well as dry to moist
conditions.
May suffer some dieback in severe winters.
Growing zones 4 to 7.
CHERRY,
WILD BLACK (Prunus serotina)
Height: 50’-60’, Width: 35’.
Full sun. A rapid
growing native tree, pyramidal in youth becoming more oval shaped
with age. Leaves are
lance shaped, dark green and shiny.
In May, 4” to 6” long racemes of white flowers are produced,
leading to edible 1/3” fruits, which ripen to black in August and
September and are favored by birds.
Best in well drained soils.
The wood is highly prized for furniture and cabinets.
Fall color varies, from yellow to wine red. Growing zones 3 to 9.
CHOKECHERRY, WILD (Prunus virginiaea)
Height: 25', Width: 20'. Full sun. A native small
suckering tree or large shrub with an oval to rounded crown.
Ideal for naturalizing. Racemes of white flowers in May
produce dark 1/3" red-purple fruit favored by the birds. Fruit
may also be used for jams, jellies, pies and wines. Best
growth on well drained soils. Fast growing but relatively
short lived. Growing zones 2 to 6. Photo
courtesy of Bailey Nurseries Inc.
COFFEETREE, KENTUCKY (Gymnocladus dioica)
Height: 50’-60’, Width: 40’-50’.
Full sun. A
medium growth rate tree with deeply furrowed bark and stout
branches. One of the
latest trees to leaf out in spring,
the small heart shaped deep green leaves emerge on
bipinnately (double) compounded leaf structure.
Produces 4” to 6” leathery brown pods containing 3 to 5
seeds. Prefers deep,
moist soil but will grow in drier conditions as well.
Fall color is a poor yellow. Growing zones 4 to 8.
ELM,
ACCOLADE (Ulmus,
Morton) Height: 70’,
Width 40’-50’. Full sun.
A fast growing, disease resistant Elm with a form resembling
the American Elm. Has very good resistance
to Dutch elm disease, and good resistance to elm leaf beetle and
leaf miners. Glossy
dark green foliage turns golden yellow in the fall.
Prefers moist, rich soils, but will grow well in drier
conditions as well. Growing
zones 4 to 7. Photo courtesy of
Bailey Nurseries Inc.
HACKBERRY, COMMON (Celtis occidentalis)
Height: 50’-75’,
Width: 50’. Full sun.
A large, medium to fast growing native tree with a broad
crown and distinctive ridged, corky bark.
Medium green leaves in summer turning yellow in fall.
Small 1/3” dark reddish brown fruit is produced in September
and October and is favored by birds.
Best growth rates in rich, moist soils, but tolerates an
extremely wide range of conditions including dry, sandy or heavy,
rocky soils, or acidic or alkaline conditions. Withstands the
pollution, grit and grime of cities and is used on boulevards
because of it's toughness.
Growing zones 2 to 8.
HONEYLOCUST, SKYLINE (Glenditsia triacanthos var. inermis
‘Skycole’) Height: 50’,
Width: 30’-35’. Full
sun. A rapid growing
tree with a spreading pyramidal form.
Medium green small leaflets produce a light, filtered shade,
turning a clear yellow
in fall. Grows in most soils and
conditions, except wet, heavy, poorly drained soils.
Late to leaf out in spring.
The hardiest of the seedless Honeylocust varieties.
Tiny leaflets reduce the amount of fall cleanup, making it ideal
where minimal leaf debris is desired.
Growing zones 4 to 7.
LINDEN,
AMERICAN-BASSWOOD (Tilia Americana)
Height: 75’-90’, Width: 40’-50’.
Full sun to full shade.
Also known as Basswood.
A rapid growing native tree with dense foliage and clusters
of tiny fragrant
yellow flowers in early summer. Large (4" to 8") medium to dark green leaves with a lighter green underside
create a dense canopy that provides excellent shade.
Best growth rates in deep, moist soils but will grow in drier
soils as well. Fall
color is a fair yellow.
A excellent large shade tree that is often overlooked.
Growing zones 3 to 8.
LINDEN,
GLENLEVEN (Tilia x flavescens ‘Glenleven)
Height: 40’-50’, Width: 30’-35’.
Full sun to part shade.
A larger and more vigorous grower than Greenspire Linden.
Maintains a straight leader, with a balanced and symmetrical
crown. Medium green
leaves are smaller than American Linden, turning yellow in fall.
Clusters of tiny yellow flowers appear in June. An excellent street or yard tree.
Prefers moist deep soils, but is tolerant of drier soils.
Growing zones 3b to 7.
LINDEN,
HARVEST GOLD (Tilia X mongolica ‘Harvest Gold’)
Height: 30’-40’, Width: 25’-30’.
Full sun to part shade.
A smaller, medium growth rate linden with a rounded habit and exfoliating bark.
The leaves have deeply serrated edges with 3 to 5 pointed lobes, and
are smaller than the American Linden varieties.
The best choice in a linden for fall color.
Medium green summer foliage turns a rich gold in fall.
An excellent choice for boulevards and smaller spaces where
larger varieties will not fit.
Best in rich soils with adequate moisture.
Growing zones 3 to 5.
LINDEN,
REDMOND (Tilia Americana ‘Redmond’)
Height: 40’-50’, Width: 20’-30’.
Full sun to part shade.
A selected American Linden with a medium growth rate and larger
(4"-8") medium to deep green leaves with a fair yellow
fall color. The crown displays a pronounced
teardrop shape, appearing as though it has been pruned.
Clusters of tiny fragrant yellow flowers appear in June. New branches are
a reddish-brown color, hence the name.
Best in moist, deep soils, but will tolerate drier
conditions. A perfect choice where a formal
shape and smaller size than American Linden is deisred. Growing
zones 3 to 7.
MAPLE,
AUTUMN BLAZE (Acer x freemanii ‘Jeffersred’)
Height: 50’-60’, Width: 40’.
Full sun to full shade.
A hybrid of Silver Maple and Red (Rubrum) Maple.
Combines the best of both trees; extremely fast growing with
a deeper root system and outstanding red fall color.
Produces less than 10% of the seeds of the Silver Maple, and
seeds may not exist in many
years. Widely adaptable,
it grows in most conditions except for very light, sandy soils and
extremely wet, heavy soils.
Fall color appears later than other maples, often not appearing
until mid or late October.
Growing zones 4 to 7.
MAPLE,
AUTUMN SPIRE (Acer rubrum ‘Autumn Spire’)
Height: 50’, Width: 20’-25’.
Full sun to full shade.
A selection of Red Maple width a broad columnar form and
medium growth rate.
Small red flowers in early spring preceed medium green leaves, which
turn to an outstanding red in late September.
Best in rich, deep moist soils.
Requires neutral to acidic soils, otherwise it may exhibit signs of
chlorosis (yellowing of the leaves).
An excellent choice for smaller sites where Autumn Blaze
Maple grows too large.
Growing zones 3 to 6.
MAPLE,
FALL FIESTA (Acer saccharum ‘Bailsta’)
Height: 50’-75’, Width: 50’.
Full sun to full shade.
A selection of Sugar Maple with thick, leathery medium green
leaves. A medium grower
with a symmetrical crown.
Fall color requires a long, late fall, leading to bright
oranges and red-oranges.
Best on deep, rich, moist soils.
Growing zones 4 to 7.
MAPLE,
FIREFALL ( Acer x freemanii 'AF-#1 ) Height:
40' - 60', Width: 30'-40'. Full sun to full shade. A
cross of red (rubrum) maple and silver maple. Somewhat slower
growing than Autumn Blaze Maple, Firefall forms an upright oval
form. Reported to be seedless, the fall color develops earlier
than Autmn Blaze, displaying orange to red-orange hues. U of M
introduction. Best on well drained fertile
soils, but is more adaptable to heavy clay soils than Red Maple.
Growing zones 3 to 7.
MAPLE,
SIENNA GLEN (Acer x freemanii ‘Sienna’)
Height: 60’, Width: 40’.
Full sun to full shade.
Another hybrid of Red (Rubrum) Maple and Silver Maple.
Sienna is slightly slower growing and more rounded than
Autumn Blaze. Foliage is
smaller than Autumn Blaze, and fall color changes from an early
yellow-orange to a deep red-orange.
Stronger wood than Autumn Blaze, it is a superior choice
where additional strength is required.
Best on well drained fertile soils, but is more adaptable to heavy clay soils than Red Maple.
Growing zones 3 to 7.
MAPLE,
SUGAR (Acer saccharum)
Height: 50’-70’, Width: 40’-50’.
Full sun to full shade.
The classic native shade tree, with a rounded, spreading
crown. Contrary to popular belief, it is a medium to
medium-fast grower. Deep green leaves turn rich shades of
yellow, orange, and red-orange.
All of our Sugar Maples are grown from locally collected
seed, giving our trees exceptional hardiness.
Best on average to heavier soils, it will grow in heavy clay as
long as the soil is not excessively wet.
Growing zones 3 to 7.
OAK,
BUR (Quercus macrocarpa) Height: 60'-80',
Width: 60'-80'. Full sun. A large, long lived, slow
growing native tree. This tree features corky bark that makes
it especially interesting in winter. A great xeriscape
(drought tolerant) plant that tolerates a wide range of soil types
and air pollutants. Fall color is a dull yellow to
yellow-brown. Growing zones 3 to 8.
OAK,
NORTHERN RED (Quercus rubra)
Height: 50’-70’, Width: 40’-60’.
Full sun. Many people believe Red
Oak is a slow grower, but in reality it is a medium to fast grower.
A native tree with a broadly pyramidal crown and shiny deep green foliage
which turns rich shades of burgundy in fall.
Leaves persist through the winter.
Acorns are 1” in diameter and glossy reddish-brown.
Best on well drained, acidic soils. Growing zones 3b to 7.
POPLAR,
ROBUSTA (Populus x Canadensis ‘Robusta’)
Height: 40’-60’, Width: 30’-40’.
Full sun to part shade.
An extremely fast growing, seedless (cotton-less) cottonwood.
Shallow rooted, this tree is best used where surface roots
are not an issue. Will
tolerate most soils and moisture conditions, with the best growth
rate in moist soils. Expected life span is about 30 to 40
years. Often used where quick cover and
shade is desired. Fall color is
a poor yellow. Growing
zones 3 to 9.
POPLAR,
SIOUXLAND (Populus deltoids ‘Siouxland)
Height: 60’-90’, Width: 30’-50’.
Full sun to part shade.
Another rapid growing seedless (cotton-less) cottonwood.
Features a slightly broader crown than Robusta Poplar, and a
longer life span (50 years or more).
Shallow rooted, it should not be planted where surface roots are a
concern. Will
tolerate most soils and moisture conditions, with the best growth
rate in moist soils. Fall color is a poor yellow.
Growing zones 3 to 8. Photo
courtesy of Bailey Nurseries Inc.
WALNUT,
BLACK (Juglans nigra)
Height: 50’-70’,
Width: 30’-50’. Full
sun. A native tree known
for its rich, dark wood and tasty, 1 ½” diameter nuts.
Black walnut is a medium growth rate tree with a wide branching
crown and medium green leaves with a fair yellow fall color.
Prefers deep, rich, moist soils, but will grow in drier soils
with a corresponding reduction in growth rate.
Fruit is covered with a green husk that will discolor
concrete. It’s biopatic
nature discourages plant growth beneath it, making growing other
plants beneath it difficult.
Growing zones 3b to 7. Right
photo
courtesy of Bailey Nurseries Inc.
WILLOW,
NIOBE WEEPING (Salix alba ‘Tristis’)
Height: 50’,
Width: 50’. Full sun.
An extremely fast growing weeping willow with golden yellow bark and
graceful wide spreading canopy.
Best growth on moist to wet soils, but it will perform well in
the average yard. Medium
green foliage turns a poor yellow in fall.
Leaves persist late into fall.
Growing zones 4 to 8. Right
photo
courtesy of Bailey Nurseries Inc.
WILLOW,
PRAIRIE CASCADE WEEPING (Salix ‘Prairie Cascade’)
Height: 35’-45’, Width: 35’-40’.
Full sun. A fast
growing weeping willow with long cascading branches on a wide
spreading crown. Stems
are greenish-yellow, and foliage is a shiny deep green.
Slightly better winter hardiness than Niobe Willow.
Best growth on moist soils, but will grow in the average
yard. Fall color is a
poor yellow-brown.
Leaves persist into late fall.
Growing zones 3 to 6.