LOCAL OBSERVATIONS: TREE LIST
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Trees:
Amur Maple (Acer tataricum ginnala) is a small, rounded tree
with fragrant flowers, orange to red fall color. 15'-20' tall. Provides
for perching, nesting sites.
Autumn Olive tree, Elaeagnus umbellata, is a medium sized tree or a large shrub reaching heights of 20 plus feet. The leaves, borne alternately on the stems, are generally oval in shape, approximately 1-3 inches long, and lack teeth. The upper surface of the leaf is dark green to grayish-green in color, while the lower surface is covered with silvery white scales, a conspicuous characteristic that can be seen from a distance when the leaves move. The small light yellow flowers bloom in late April and May.
This deciduous tree is a good plant for fast growing windbreaks and for wildlife food and cover. The small (less than one-quarter inch) fleshy fruits range in color from pink to red, are finely dotted with pale scales, and are produced in abundance each year. Wild life such as wild turkey, pheasant, quail and dove relish its fruit.
Bur Oak tree, Quercus macrocarpa, is a long-lived majestic oak tree. It is also called the Burr Oak. The Bur Oak is a tall, fairly slow-growing, long-lived tree, highly desirable for windbreaks, shelterbelts and ornamental use. It has an impressive crown with a massive trunk, which makes it a picturesque specimen. Bur Oak trees adapt to various soils where other oaks may fail.
This deciduous tree is tolerant to urban conditions. Autumn colors are yellow-green, yellow, and yellow brown. The tree will bear acorns in the nursery in ten years.
Chinese Flame tree, Koelreuteria bipinnata, is a deciduous tree that has a round canopy. It is a medium to rapid growing tree with medium green oval leaves. The beautiful yellow flowers, 2" long, in clusters 8-14" long, bloom June-August. The seed pods are long and orange, red or salmon-colored and papery in color. They are lantern-like in appearance, form in fall. Chinese Flame trees are drought tolerant and can tolerate poor drainage, poor soils, smog and temperature extremes. It does best in full sun. The deep, non-invasive roots rarely disturb sidewalks. The beautiful flower clusters attract birds and bees.
Crusader hawthorn (Crataegus crus-galli 'Cruzam') small, low-branched tree with white flowers in spring, abundant red fruit, silver-gray bark. 15' tall and wide. Gobbler Sawtooth Oak tree, Quercus acutissima, produces acorns in 5 years, supports wildlife, and is fast growing tree.
The "Gobbler" Sawtooth Oak, is the same as the Sawtooth Oak but produces a smaller acorn. The smaller acorn is desirable as a food source for wild turkeys. This deciduous tree has a moderate water requirement and has a moderate tolerance to salt and alkali soils. The Gobbler begins bearing acorns in the fifth or sixth year in a nursery location. The Gobbler grows fast for an oak tree. Fall leaf color will be yellow to golden brown. Leaves may persist into winter. This tree will bear heavy in alternate years and it is a very adaptable Oak tree that can tolerate droughty conditions.
October Glory Maple (acer rubrum) has brilliant red fall color that lasts longer than other maples, upright oval form. 50'-60' tall. Provides for perching, nesting sites.
Washington Hawthorne tree, Crataegus Phaenopyrum, is a broadly oval to rounded, dense, thorny tree. The foliage is a reddish purple when unfolding and gradually changing to lustrous dark green at maturity. Fall color varies from orange to scarlet to purplish. Flowers are white and ½" in diameter. Fruit is a bright glossy red. A Washington Hawthorne tree holds its fruit on the tree and it is an excellent wildlife species and can be used as a specimen, hedge or screen. Plant 4-6' apart in the row for a hedge. It has low water requirements and shows a high tolerance to salt and alkali soils. The tree flowers in early spring with a profusion of white blossoms. After frost, the leaves turn a beautiful scarlet color.
Shrubs:
Cranberry cotoneaster (cotoneaster apiculatus) a dense
mounded shrub with zigzag branches. Pink flowers in early summer, bright
red berries persist through winter. . 2'-3' tall, 4'-6' wide.
Techny aborvitae (thuja occidentalis 'Techny') a slow-growing, pyramidal evergreen shrub; bright green foliage. 12'-15' tall, 3'-8' wide.
Nannyberry Viburnum (Viburnum lentago) a vase-shaped deciduous shrub or small tree. White flowers in spring, blue-black fruit, purplish red fall color. 15'-20' tall, 6'-10' wide.
