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ARROWWOOD – Viburnum dentatum (small native deciduous shrub)

Arrowwood has a moderate growth rate and will reach a height of 4-10+ feet and crown spread will be 4-8 feet at maturity. It prefers moist well-drained soil and is not drought tolerant. It will tolerate shade. The leaves are dark green and turn a purple red in the fall. Flowers are white in spring and bluish-black pendant clusters of fruit ripen in late September. Wildlife benefits are especially good for birds with nesting, feeding, perching and escape cover. Mammals-some feeding and escape cover. Used for hedges, groups or masses in horticultural settings.  OK to plant near power lines.

ASH, GREEN - Fraxinus pennsylvanica (native hardwood)

Has a moderate growth rate and will reach a height of 30-60 feet and have a crown spread of 30-50 feet with a shallow, fibrous spreading root system. Green ash tolerates some shade, but prefers full sun and well-drained soils. Has fair habitat properties for birds, some nesting and food, and browsing for mammals. A commonly used tree for streets and lawns. Do not plant near power lines.

ASH, MOUNTAIN – Sorbus americana (small native deciduous tree)

A slow growing tree that is short lived.  It reaches a height and crown spread of 15 to 25 feet.  Mountain ash has an open rounded crown.  It prefers the richer soils of valleys and slopes, but will tolerate other types of soils.  A pH range of 4.0 to 7.0 is acceptable.  Mountain ash is shade and drought intolerant.  Leaves are thin and dull green.  Small white fragrant flowers in dense flat-topped clusters appear in June.  Bright orange-red shiny fruit in large clusters ripen in September or October.  The raw fruit is not palatable but can be made into jelly.  It is susceptible to borers, aphids, lace miner, mites, wilt, powdery mildew, leaf blight and spot, canker and decay.  Uses include; wildlife plantings (very good), decor in landscape and shelterbelt applications.   O.K. to plant near power lines.

BASSWOOD/AMERICAN LINDEN-Tilia americana (tall native deciduous tree)

Basswood has a moderate growth rate reaching 70-100 feet at maturity with a crown spread of 50-75 feet. The roots are wide-spreading and deep. The tree is monoecious (male and female on the same tree), the flowers are fragrant and it is sometimes called the bee tree because it makes excellent honey. Linden prefers loamy, well drained, but moist soils. It will not tolerate drought or salt spray, is a fair tree for wildlife. It has unique fruit that hang from a long stalk attached to a long, narrow leaf-like appendage. Do not plant near power lines.

BIRCH, PAPER – Betula papyrifera (tall native deciduous tree)

Two other names for this tree are the white birch and the canoe birch.  It has a fairly rapid growth rate and can reach a height of 50 to 70 feet with a crown spread of 30 to 50 feet at maturity (80 years).  Paper birch has an upright oval form.  It prefers sandy loams with a pH range of 5.0 to 8.0, but will tolerate a variety of soil types.  Plant in cool moist well-drained sites.  The paper birch is shade and drought intolerant.  Dark green leaves turn yellow in the fall.  It is susceptible to the bronze birch borer, leaf miner, canker and decay.  Uses include; wildlife plantings (fair to good), horticultural applications (specimen tree) and commercial products.  Do not plant near power lines. 

CEDAR, EASTERN RED – Juniperus virginiana (tall conifer)

This tree has a slow to moderate growth rate and can reach a height of 40 to 50 feet with a crown spread of 10 to 20 feet at maturity (100 – 300 years).  It is columnar to pyramidal in shape.  Red cedar prefers a pH of 4.7 to 7.8 and will grow in a wide variety of soil types, except alkali soils.  It will grow on exposed hillsides and fields and low areas.  It is shade intolerant to shade tolerant depending on the age of the tree.  Red cedar is tolerant of drought conditions.  Foliage varies in shades of green and usually develops a purple to brownish cast during winter.  Some flowers and fruits are produced each year but large seed crops occur about every third year.  In spring female trees produce a light green berry-like cone, which matures to a dark blue in the fall of the first year.  Red cedar is susceptible to webworm, spider mite, twig blight and serves as the alternate host for cedar-apple rust affecting apples, crabapples and hawthorns.  Uses include; wildlife plantings (excellent), wood products and inside rows of shelterbelts.  Do not plant near power lines.

CEDAR, WHITE – Thuja occidentalis (tall native conifer)

This tree has a slow to moderate growth rate and can reach a height of 40 to 50 feet with a crown spread of 10 to 20 feet at maturity (200 years).  White cedar has a dense columnar to pyramidal shape; the main trunk often divides into several leaders.  It prefers a pH of 6.0 to 8.0 and soils that are fine clay, medium loams to moderately coarse sandy loams that are not limestone. Will grow in wet or dry soils.   White cedar is moderately tolerant to shade and can withstand drought conditions.  Needles are a soft yellow-green to bright green and may turn yellow brown in the winter and shed needles the second year.  Fruit is a small light brown cone that matures in the fall of the first year.  Good seed production occurs at age 20 to 25 years old with a large seed crop occurring every 3 to 5 years.  It is susceptible to spider mite, root weevil, blight and canker.  Uses include; wildlife plantings (very good) wood products and the inside row of shelterbelts (excellent).  Do not plant near power lines. 

CHERRY, NANKING – Prunus tomentosa (small deciduous shrub)

A fast growing but often short lived shrub which reaches a height of 6 to 10 feet and a crown spread of up to 15 feet.  It is a wide spreading shrub that can be pruned into a small tree.  Nanking cherry prefers rich moist neutral well-drained soils and is shade tolerant but does best in full sun and is fairly drought tolerant.  Leaves have a wrinkled and dull green appearance.  Showy white or pink fragrant flowers cover the plant in May.  The ½ inch bright red fruit that ripens in July requires cross-pollination.  The fruit is edible but tart, making excellent jams and preserves.  Nanking cherry is susceptible to tent caterpillar, cankerworm, nest caterpillar, brown rot, fire blight, black knot and plum pocket.  Uses include; Wildlife plantings (excellent) and horticultural plantings (use in borders and as informal hedges).   O.K. to plant near power lines.

CHOKECHERRY– Prunus virginiana (small native deciduous tree)

This tree has a moderate to rapid growth rate and reaches a height of 20 to 30 feet with a crown spread of 15 to 35 feet.  Chokecherry is short-lived and has an upright oval form.  It prefers rich loamy moist well-drained soil with a pH of 6.5 to 7.5 but will tolerate dryer conditions.  Chokecherry is shade intermediate and can tolerate drought.  Leaves are a medium dull green.  Chokecherries produce long clusters of white flowers in spring.  The small black tart fruit ripens in July and August and can be used for preserves.  Chokecherry is susceptible to ugly nest and tent caterpillar, black knot and shot hole.  Uses include; wildlife plantings (very good to excellent) fuel wood and horticultural plantings.   Questionable to plant near power lines.

CRAB, RED SPLENDOR  - Malus sp. (small deciduous tree)

A small hardy tree which will reach a height of 20 to 25 feet and a crown spread of 20 feet.  The tree has an open, upright spreading shape.  Red crab splendor prefers a moist well-drained loam but can tolerate a fairly wide range of soils.  It requires full sun.  Leaves are a glossy reddish-green turning a deeper reddish color in the fall.  Fruit is persistent, remaining on the tree enhancing fall color.  The seedlings are produced from seed of a red crab splendor tree which has been grafted onto a different root stock, thus each tree will vary in flower color, fruit size and color depending on the origins (genetics) of the seed stock.  The flowers appear in spring and may be rose, pink or white.  Fruit (sour) matures in autumn and will be yellow, orange or red and vary in size from 3/8 to 1/2 inches.  Trees should begin producing fruit when 5 to 10 years of age.  No serious insect problems affect this tree, though it may be susceptible to scab, rust, fireblight and mildew.  Uses include; wildlife plantings (excellent), landscaping (specimen tree, informal hedge) and sheterbelts.   O.K. to plant near power lines.

CRANBERRY, HIGHBUSH OR AMERICAN – Viburnum trilobum (large native deciduous shrub)

This bush has a moderate growth rate and reaches a height and a crown spread of up to 16 feet.  I has a rounded appearance but can become leggy, occasional pruning is required to keep it in good form.  High bush cranberry grows on most soil types but prefers cool conditions on moist well-drained soils.  It does well in full sun but is fairly shade tolerant.  Leaves turn from dark green to bright red in fall (sunny location).  White flat-topped clusters of flowers appear in June followed by bright red fruit ripening in early September and persisting throughout the winter.  The fruit is edible and can be used for preserves.  High bush cranberry is susceptible to bean aphid, snowball aphid and leaf spot.  Uses include; wildlife planting (good), horticultural planting (screens, shrub borders).  O.K. to plant near power lines.

DOGWOOD, GRAY - Cornus racemosa (medium native deciduous shrub)

Has a moderate growth rate reaching a height of 6-12 feet tall and a width of 6-8 feet.  Grey dogwood has an oval shape and produces root suckers.   It is moderately tolerant of poor drainage and prefers a moist well-drained soil and is adaptable to most soil types.  Grey dogwood will grow in clay or sandy soil and is moderately tolerant of alkaline soil.  It is moderately tolerant of shade and drought.  Very dense light green foliage turns purplish in fall.  Attractive 2-3 inch clusters of creamy white flat-topped flowers bloom June – July.   Small white berries on red stalks mature late summer, the red stalks persist after berries and leaves have dropped.   Produces fruit in three to five years attracting birds.  Grey dogwood is susceptible to borers, scale, leafspot and leaf mite.  Uses include; wildlife plantings (excellent), horticultural - foundation, border (withstands shearing and because of its dense growth makes a good screen), soil stabilization on banks (excellent root system).  O.K. to plant near power lines 

DOGWOOD, REDOSIER – Cornus sericia (medium native deciduous shrub)

This shrub has a moderately fast growth rate and can reach a height of 10 feet with a crown spread of up to 12 feet.  Red-osier is a broad erect grower that is a many stemmed, thicket-forming shrub seldom with a single trunk.  It is tolerant of diverse soil types and withstands poorly drained soils preferring wet sites.  Redosier dogwood grows well in either full sun or shade but is not tolerant of hot droughty locations.   Leaves are medium to dark green turning yellow-orange to purple-red in fall.  2 to 3 inch flat-topped clusters of small white flowers appear in late May or early June.  Small white berry clusters mature August to September and are readily eaten by birds.  Redosier dogwood is susceptible to borers, red-humped caterpillar, scale, leafspot and leaf mite.   Uses include; wildlife plantings (excellent, one of the best choices available), horticultural applications (hedge, shrub border, attractive winter red stem color requires pruning) and soil stabilization.   O.K. to plant near power lines

ELDERBERRY – Sambucus canadensis (small native deciduous shrub)

This shrub has a fast growth rate reaching heights of 10 to 12 feet with a crown spread of 10 feet. The plant form is spreading and it produces root suckers.  Elderberry prefers a slightly acidic loamy soil but will grow in other soils and can tolerate a pH of 7.0.  It favors rich, moist lowlands but will grow in dryer sites and is somewhat drought tolerant.  Elderberry prefers full sun but will tolerate a partially sunny site.   Compound leaves turn yellow in the fall.   Large 10-inch white flat-topped flower clusters appear late June to July.  The flowers can be used to make tea.  Small purplish-black fruit appear in large clusters ripening in late summer-August.  The fruit is aromatic and has a full-bodied flavor making it desirable for wine, preserves and pies.  Uses include; wildlife plantings (excellent, 79 species use the plant, very attractive to songbirds), border plant (may prune).   O.K. to plant near power lines.

FIR, BALSAM - Abies balsamea (native northern MN conifer)

There is moderate to rapid growth rate on this species. Mature height is 40-60 feet and crown spread is 20-35 feet with shallow wide spreading roots. This is the best conifer to plant in shady areas; it is the most tolerant. It prefers medium soils, loams, silt loams & clay loams, but will grow more slowly in gravelly sands and peat swamps.  Excellent for birds and severe weather cover for mammals, although a target for damage by sapsuckers. Do not plant near power lines.

GRAPE, RIVERBANK – Vitus riparia (vine)

Riverbank grape is native to this area. It is commonly seen in woodlands and  along stream banks. Fruit is small, purple blue in color when ripe and can be used in jellies and wine.  Leaves can be used for specialty cooking. The vines may reach 20-30 feet by means of tendrils. Utilized by many birds.

Hackberry – Celtis occidentalis (tall native deciduous tree)

A medium sized tree reaching a height of 40-60’ with a broad oval crown spreading 30-50’.  The tree yields purplish brown 3/8” round fruit which is readily eaten by birds and other wildlife. The bark is gray and has a warty texture. It is adaptable to a variety of soil conditions, but prefers moist loam. Tit will tolerate both wet and dry sites. The tree is drought tolerant and has no life threatening insect or disease problems. May be slow to leaf out and become re-established after transplanting. Do not plant near power lines.

HAZELNUT (AMERICAN FILBERT) – Corylus americana (native small tree/shrub)

This native shrub can be found throughout Minnesota. Called a multi-stemmed shrub by many, it can be pruned to form a small tree reaching a height of 10-16 feet. It is best grown in natural areas, windbreaks and wildlife shelterbelts, screenings and the back of a shrub border. Root suckers can be removed to prevent thickets. Grows in most soil conditions in full sun or part shade. Fall colors range from orange, rose, purplish red to dull yellow green in fall. Excellent food for many kinds of wildlife. Filberts/hazelnuts are edible, although hard to get them before the animals do.

JUNEBERRY – Amelanchier alnifolia (small deciduous tree)

Is a thicket forming (root sucker) shrub or tree that has a moderate growth rate reaching a height up to 10 feet with a crown spread of 5 to 8 feet.  The tree form is oval to irregular and the plant can be pruned into a single small tree.  Juneberry prefers moist well-drained soil with a pH of 7.0.  It prefers full sun but tolerates partial shade.  Leaves are a blue-green turning yellow-orange to red-purple in fall.  White showy flowers in early spring produce an edible bluish-purple fruit 1 inch in diameter that ripens in mid summer.  Juneberry is susceptible to leaf minor, wooly aphids, bores, rust, witches broom, fire blight, leaf spot and mildew.  Uses include; wildlife plantings (excellent-most recommended species), horticultural applications (landscaping and borders).  O.K. to plant near power lines.

LILAC, COMMON – Syringa vulgaris (medium deciduous shrub)

This bush has a moderate growth rate and reaches a height and a crown width of 10 to 12 feet.  Common lilac is a large, round headed, somewhat coarse shrub.  It is not demanding of soil type, however, they do not tolerate poorly drained soils.  They require full sun for best performance and should be planted in an area with good air circulation to reduce problems with powdery mildew.  Leaves are medium green turning brownish-yellow in fall.   Lilac is susceptible to stem borers and oyster shell scale.  Outstanding flowering qualities (spring) and excellent fragrance make the common lilac desirable for landscaping (screens and specimen shrub).  The common lilac is not recommended for shelterbelts because of its prolific root suckering.  Wildlife plantings (good, bees and butterflies).   O.K. to plant near power lines.

MAPLE, RED – Acer rubrum (tall native deciduous tree)

A moderate to fast growing tree obtaining maturity in 70 to 80 years reaching heights of 50 to 70 feet and a crown spread of 40 to 60 feet.  Red maple has an oval to round crown.  This tree prefers slightly acid (pH of 4.5 to 7.5) sandy loams that are well drained, but will tolerate other conditions.  Red maple will grow in partial shade but does best in full sun and is moderately tolerant of drought conditions.  Lobed leaves are a bright green and develop beautiful fall colors ranging from yellow to orange to vivid red.  Small red flowers appear early in spring before the leaves unfold.  Seeds (winged) ripen in late April to mid June.  It is susceptible to scale, gall, tussock, looper, tar spot, canker and wilt.  Uses include; wildlife plantings (very good to excellent), horticultural practices (specimen tree) wood products and maple syrup.   Do not plant near power lines.

MAPLE, SILVER – Acer saccharinum (tall deciduous tree)

This tree has a rapid growth rate and reaches maturity in 50 to 100+ years with heights of 60 to 90+ feet and a crown spread averaging 75 feet.  The form is massive and round topped.  Silver maple prefers moist well-drained coarse sandy loams to fine sandy or silty clays but will grow in poor or wetter soils.  It has a pH preference of 5.5 to 6.5.  Silver maple will grow well in partial shade but does best in full sun and is very resistant to drought conditions.  Leaves are bright green above and white to silvery underneath turning a yellow in fall.  Small yellow to reddish flowers open in spring.  Female trees release the seeds (winged) in late spring and produce large seed crops almost every year.  It is susceptible to scale, tussock, borers, looper, gall, tar spot, canker and wilt.  Because of its fast growth rate, silver maple is used as a temporary tree in shelterbelts and as a shade tree.  Other uses include; wildlife plantings (very good) and wood products.   Do not plant near power lines.

MAPLE, SUGAR – Acer saccarum (tall native deciduous tree)

This tree has a slow to moderate growth rate obtaining a height and crown width of 60 to 80 feet at maturity (75 to 150 years).  Sugar maple has a dense upright oval to rounded crown.  It prefers moist well-drained loams and clay loams, with a pH preference of 5.5 to 7.3.  Sugar maple is very shade tolerant but sensitive to drought, pollution, and salt.  Bright green leaves develop outstanding fall color ranging from yellow to orange to red.  Flowers appear in early spring with seeds (winged) are released in fall.  It is susceptible to borers, gall, tussock, aphids, tar spot, canker and wilt.  Uses include; wildlife plantings (excellent), ornamental and street plantings, wood products and maple syrup.   Do not plant near power lines.

NANNYBERRY –Viburnum lentago (large deciduous shrub)  

This fast growing shrub grows to a height of 15 to 20 feet and has a crown spread of 6-10+ feet. It prefers moist moderately coarse sandy or gravelly loam, but does well in other types of soil.  It grows best in full sun, but will tolerate some shade. Glossy green leaves turn deep maroon to red in the fall. Smnall white flowers in 2-3 inch flat topped clusters appear in May. Mature fruit is a bluish black berry (September) that has a sweet date-like flavor after the first frost. It is susceptible to plant bug, tree hopper, aphids, leaf spot and powdery mildew, especially when grown in shade with poor air circulation. Uses include: wildlife plantings(excellent), landscaping(shrub borders, foundation plantings, specimen tree. Prune to acquire tree form.  O.K. to plant near power lines.

NINEBARK – Physocarpus opulifolius (small deciduous shrub)

This native to the north central U.S. will grow 4-8 feet in height and has a 4-8 foot crown spread. Growth rate is moderate and ninebark will grow in full sun or light shade.  Young stems are bright red and smooth, old bark peels off in thin strips to expose a brown inner bark. Flowers are white or pinkish in terminal clusters. Fruit is small and red. Fall color is yellow. The flowers attract butterflies, insects and birds. Will grow in dry sandy soils as well as heavy clay. O.K. to plant near power lines.

OAK, BUR – Quercus macrocarpa (tall native deciduous tree)

This tree has a slow growth rate and can reach a height of 70 to 80+ feet with a crown spread of 40 to 80 feet at maturity (200 to 300 years).  Bur oak has a round to wide spreading form.  It prefers moist loamy well-drained soils with a pH of 4.0 to 8.0, but will tolerate a wide range of soils with wet or dry conditions.  Bur oak is intermediately tolerant of shade and is very drought tolerant.  It is tolerant to urban pollution and root disturbance, but requires considerable space.  Bur oak will begin producing sweet edible acorns when it is 30 to 35 years old and may continue for the next 200 to 300 years.  Large seed crops are produced every 2 to 3 years ripening in the fall of the first year. Dark green leaves turn yellow, brown or red in fall.  Bur oak is susceptible to twig pruner, canker worm, borers, oak lace bug, oak worm, oak leaf caterpillar, anthracnose and blister but, is resistant to oak wilt.  Uses include; wildlife plantings (excellent) and wood products.   Do not plant near power lines.

OAK, RED – Quercus rubra (tall native deciduous tree)

This tree has a rapid growth rate and can reach heights of 60 to 80+ feet with a crown spread of 40 to 50 feet at maturity (200 to 300 years).  Red oak is distinctly pyramidal in youth becoming rounded with age.  It prefers well-drained rich moist soils, with a pH ranging from 4.5 to 7.0.  The red oak will grow in partial shade and is moderately tolerant of drought conditions.  Glossy dark green foliage turns orange to red for excellent fall color.  Red oak requires 20 to 25 years to reach flowering stage and may take another 10 to 20 years to begin producing abundant crops.  Large crop production occurs ever 2-5 years with bitter acorns ripening in the fall of the second year.  It is susceptible to pruners, cankerworm, walking sticks, borers, oak wilt (do not plant in low areas and space plants well apart to minimize root grafting and do not prune April-June), anthracnose and blister.  Uses include; wildlife plantings (excellent), wood products and landscaping (specimen tree).   Do not plant near power lines.

PINCHERRY - Prunus pensylvanica (small tree, tall native shrub)
The pincherry is a member of the rose family and is native reaching into the far north of Canada. This winter hardy tree produces small, bright fruit containing a single seed in August. Fruits can be made into jellies, juice and syrup.
Needs rich soil and full sun. Root system is shallow. The tree can reach 20 feet in height, but is usually shorter.
 

PINE, JACK -  Pinus banksiana (native conifer)

Jack pine has the shortest needles of the pine varieties, occurring in pairs that fork out like jackrabbit ears. Rapid growth rate at first then slows until it reaches a mature height of 30-80 feet. Does not tolerate shade and prefers moist well-drained soils. Fair to good wildlife value for birds and mammals while trees are young.

PINE, NORWAY – Pinus resinosa (tall native conifer)

This is a moderate to fast growing tree that reaches a height of 50 to 80 feet and a crown spread of 20 to 40 feet at maturity (200 to 300+ years).  Norway (Red) pine is pyramidal when young, developing an oval crown with a unique tufted appearance with age.  It prefers slightly acidic sandy soils that are moist and well drained with a pH range of 4.5 to 6.0, but will grow in poor dry soil and is cold winter hardy.  Norway pine is shade intolerant and moderately tolerant of drought conditions.  It is very susceptible to salt damage.  Needles are medium green to yellow green and in groups of two.   Reliable seed (cone) production begins at 20 to 25 years of age; with heavy seed crops produced every 4 or 5 years.  The cones (2 inches) mature the second year.  It is susceptible to weevil, sawfly, budworm, scale, shoot moth, spittlebug, rust, canker, blight and root rot (planting pine on hardwood stands).  Uses include; wildlife plantings (good), wood products, landscaping (specimen tree) and Christmas trees (second most popular).  Do not plant near power lines.

PINE, SCOTCH – Pinus sylvestris (tall conifer)

This tree has a rapid growth rate and reaches a height of 60 to 100 feet with a crown spread of 30 to 50 feet.  Tree growth is fairly dense as a young tree, becoming more open and irregular with age.  Scotch (Scots) pine prefers moist well-drained fine sand or sandy loams, but it will grow in a variety of soils with a pH range of 4.0 to 6.5.  Scotch pine is shade intolerant and moderately tolerant to drought.  Needles are bluish green and twisted and in groups of two.  The 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 cones ripen the second year.  It is subject to scale, weevil, pine moth, budworm, sawfly, spittlebug, canker, needle cast, brown spot, blight and naemacyclus.   Uses include; wildlife plantings (fair) wood products, landscaping (specimen tree) and Christmas trees (most popular).   Do not plant near power lines.

PINE, WHITE – Pinus strobus (tall native conifer)

This tree has a rapid growth rate and reaches a height of 80 to 100 feet with a crown spread of 50 to 80 feet at maturity (200 to 300 years), making it the tallest conifer in Minnesota.  White pine has a somewhat pyramidal form when young and becomes broad with age.  It prefers well-drained moist loam, silt loam or loamy sand soils, but will do well in a variety of soils.  Its pH preference is 4.5 to 6.5.  White pine can grow in partial shade but is intolerant of drought conditions, air pollution, and salt.  It should not be planted along shorelines or natural cold drainage areas, pruning bottom branches increases survival in moist areas.  White pine has long thin soft bluish-green needles found in bundles of 5.  Cones are 4 to 8 inches long and mature the second year.  Seed production begins at 5 to 10 years of age but dependable production does not begin for another 10 years.  Large seed crops are produced every 3 to 5 years followed by little or no production.   White pine is susceptible to white pine blister rust (do not plant near currant or gooseberry bushes), blight, needle rust, sawfly, aphid, spittlebug, weevils and adelgid.  Uses include; wildlife plantings (good to very good), landscaping (specimen tree) and wood products.   Do not plant near power lines.

PLUM, AMERICAN – Prunus americana (small native deciduous tree)

This small rapid growing shrub or tree matures in 35 to 65 years and reaches a height of 20 to 25 feet with a broad spreading crown 15 to 25 feet.  The american plum (wild plum) prefers a pH of 6.5 - 6.6 and well drained deep prairie loam, but will tolerate sand or gravely soils and a fairly wide range of soil pH conditions.  American plum is shade intolerant, but it can tolerate drought conditions.  Dark green leaves turn pale golden-yellow in the fall.  Armed with short thorn-like spur branches, showy white fragrant flowers appear in April or May.  Large edible fruit (1 to 1 1/2 inches) ripens in August or September and is red, orange or yellow.  This tree is susceptible to black knot, brown rot, plum pocket, fire blight, eastern tent caterpillar and ugly nest caterpillar.  Uses include; wildlife plantings (good to excellent) and horticultural applications (mass plantings or specimen tree).   O.K. to plant near power lines.

ROSE, HANSEN HEDGE  – Rosa sp. ‘Hansens’ (small deciduous shrub)

Is an adaptable fast growing thorny shrub 6 to 8 feet in height with an upright growth form.  The main stem that is surrounded by suckers forms a dense 6-foot crown.  It will grow in poorly drained or well-drained loamy and silty soils with a pH up to 8.0.  Hansen hedge is drought resistant and prefers full sun.  Leaves are medium green turning an appealing purple color in October.  It is noted for attractive pink flowers, which appear in June and bloom approximately one month.  The fruit, a red hip appears in the fall and persist through the winter providing an important food source in late winter.  Uses include; wildlife plantings (very good), ornamental/border shrub and shelterbelt/windbreak applications.   O.K. to plant near power lines.

SANDCHERRY – Prunus besseyi (native shrub)

Produces a profusion of white flowers in spring, followed by purple to black, edible fruit. Leaves are silvery green and it reaches a height and width of 6 feet. In ideal conditions the plant will grow from 12 to 18 inches a year. Prefers full sun and can tolerate hot dry sites. OK to plant near power lines.

SPRUCE, BLACK-Picea mariana (tall conifer)

A Minnesota native that can reach a height of 25-50’.  This slow growing conifer lives 125-150+ years.  Small to medium pyramidal      shape  with sparse upper drooping branches.  Can have many dead lower branches. Grows in wet or poorly drained soils. Purple color pine  cones will remain on the tree for up to 15 years.  Fire causes cones to open, many seeds dispersed at that time.  Do not plant near power lines.

SPRUCE, BLUE (COLORADO) – Picea pungens (tall conifer)

This is the slowest growing spruce, reaching heights of 50 to 100+ feet with a crown spread of 20 to 30 feet at maturity (200 years).  Colorado blue is stiffly pyramidal in shape.  It has a pH preference of 4.6 to 6.5, preferring medium to fine textured soils that are well drained, although it will tolerate other soil conditions.  Colorado blue spruce is moderately tolerant of shade (least tolerant of the spruce species), but does best in full sun.  It can tolerate moderate drought conditions (most tolerant of the spruce species).  Foliage is blue-green (will lose blueness in shade) and has a strong odor when crushed.  Cones are 2 to 4 inches long and persist for two seasons.  Colorado blue spruce is a good seed producer although there are usually 2 to 3 years between large seed crops.  It is subject to spider mite, adelgid, canker, rust and root rot.  This tree can be used in shelterbelts but other species of spruces are preferred.  Other uses include; wildlife plantings (good to excellent) and landscaping (specimen tree).   Do not plant near power lines.

SPRUCE, NORWAY – Picea abies (tall conifer)

This tree has a moderate growth rate and is the fastest growing of all the spruce species, reaching a height of 80 to 100 feet and a crown spread of 20 to 35 feet at maturity (200 years).  Norway spruce has a spreading, pyramidal crown with drooping lower banchlets. It prefers moist well-drained medium to fine textured soils and a pH of 4.5 to 6.5.  Norway spruce is shade tolerant and does best in shady or partially shady locations.  It is moderately tolerant of drought conditions.  Needles are shiny dark green and have a balsam order when crushed.  Cones are 4 to 7 inches long and usually persist for two seasons.  Norway spruce is susceptible to spider mite, adelgid, weevil, budscale, needle rust and root rot.  Norway spruce is highly recommended for shelterbelt use. Other uses include; wildlife plantings (very good), wood products, horticultural applications (specimen tree) and christmas trees.   Do not plant near power lines.

SPRUCE, WHITE – Picea glauca (tall native conifer)

A fairly rapid growing tree reaching heights of 40 to 80 feet and a crown spread of 20 to 30 feet at maturity (100 to 200 years).  It is densely pyramidal in shape.  White spruce prefers moist well-drained medium to fine textured soils, but will grow in a variety of soils with a pH range of 4.5 to 7.5.  White spruce is shade tolerant and moderately tolerant of drought conditions.  Needles are dusty green to blue-green and sometimes have a rank odor when crushed.  The tree begins to produce seed at 20 years of age, but reliable seed production may take twice that long.  It is a good seed producer with heavy crops occurring every 2 to 5 years.  The cones are 1 to 2 1/2 inches long and rarely persist through the first winter.  White spruce is susceptible to sawfly, budworm, spider mite, adelgid, dwarf mistletoe, rust and root rot.  Uses include; wildlife plantings (good to excellent), shelterbelts, christmas trees, landscaping (specimen tree) and wood products.   Do not plant near power lines.

SUMAC, SMOOTH – Rhus glabra (native shrub)

A native species that spreads by root suckers to form thickets. Root suckers can be eliminated and the plant grown as a loose, round headed, small tree which will reach a height of 8-15 feet and a width of 10-15 feet. Excellent fall colors ranging from orange, bright red to maroon. Plant on steep slopes to prevent erosion. Grows in poor or dry soils where other trees will not grow. Prefers full sun.  OK to plant near power lines.

TAMARACK - Larix laricina (tall native conifer)

This tree has a fairly rapid growth rate, slower in wetter sites, reaching maturity in 100 to 200 years.  It may reach a height of 50 to 75 feet with a crown spread of 15 to 25 feet.  Tamarack is pyramidal when young, becoming more irregular and wider with age.  It prefers a pH of 4.0 to 7.5.  Most commonly found in swamps it will grow on well-drained upland sites and can tolerate a wide range of soil moisture conditions.  Tamarack is very intolerant of shade and drought.  Leaves are soft pale green turning golden-yellow before shedding in the fall.  It produces a cone, which persist for two years, good seed production occurs every 3 to 6 years.  Tamarack is susceptible to larch sawfly and larch canker.   Uses include; wildlife (fair to good), shelterbelts, wood products and horticultural plantings. Do not plant near power lines.    

WILLOW, GOLDEN – Salix alba var. vitelina (large deciduous tree)

Is a short-lived specie that has a very rapid growth rate reaching a height of 40 to 80 feet with a crown spread of 25 to 40 feet.  Golden willow has a broad open crown and an appearance similar to the weeping willow.  It prefers a pH of 6.5 to 8.0 and is associated with wet soils along banks of water bodies.  Golden willow is intolerant of drought and shade.  Leaves are long and medium green.  Golden willow is susceptible to scale, borer, aphid, spiny elm caterpillar, leaf beetle, canker, tar spot, crown gall, leaf spot and leaf rust.  Uses include; wildlife (excellent) and horticultural (screens).   Do not plant near power lines.

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