2015-2016 Species Information
CONIFERS:
White Pine (pinus strobus): Medium growth rate * Average mature height is 70’-100’ * Will reach about 30
feet tall at age 20 years * It is the most attractive pine * Does well in full to partial sun * More shade tolerant
than Red Pine * Wisconsin’s tallest conifer, lives the longest * Tolerates more soil wetness than the other
native pines, also the only one that grows well on soils having calcareous subsoils or substratums. Avoid
areas where White Pine Blister Rust and Tip Weevil are a serious problem.
Red Pine (pinus resinosa): Fast growth rate * Also known as the Norway Pine * Average mature height is
75’ * Will reach 30 feet tall at 20 years * Tolerates more dry soil sites than White Pine, and does well in
sandy soils * Prefers full sun, doesn’t do well in shade * Also much less susceptible to damage by disease
and insects * Along with White Pine, it is a very good choice for the “tall rows” of a windbreak.
White Spruce (picea glauca): Medium growth rate * Averate mature height 40-60’ * Does well on a wide
range of soils, has some drought tolerance * Full sun is ideal condition but can tolerate shade* A native
Wisconsin species that is very attractive and well suited to windbreak use, especially farmsteads with a very
dense barrier * Widely used as holiday trees.
Tamarak –Amer. Larch (larix laricina): Rapid growth rate * Average mature height 80’ * It does well in wet
soils, swamps or bogs * The needles can turn turn golden yellow in fall, and they handle extremely cold
winter temperatures * They shed all of their leaves in the fall, the only native conifer to do so * Wood of this
tree is very hard and strong, and is long-lasting when in contact with soil.
Colorado Spruce (picea pungens): Slow to medium growth, averaging 12 inches per year once established *
Average mature height 50-75’ * Is well suited to a wide variety of soil sites, tolerates some soil wetness and
has ability to withstand drought and extreme temperatures * It must have full sunlight to survive * It is
highly prized for ornamental use and makes a good windbreak if properly spaced.
Norway Spruce (picea abies): Medium to fast growth * Average mature height 40-60’ * Does well in full
sun. *Grows well on a wide variety of soils in Wisconsin * The crown is probably too dense for optimum
use in field windbreaks. The species is probably better suited to southern and central Wisconsin, although it
has made good growth farther north.
Black Hills Spruce (picea glauca): Slow growth rate * Average mature height 30-60’ and a spread of
15-25” * Full sun and partial shad are best for this tree, will grow on most sites – appears to grow better on
prairie soils than native White Spruce * Prefers acidic, moist, gravelly or sandy loam and fine clay soils,
drought-tolerant. Excessively drained sites should be avoided. Very resistant to winter injury * A variant of
White Spruce originating from the Black Hills area of South Dakota * This species is valued for its fuller
branches and uniform shape by Christmas tree growers and landscapers.
Balsam Fir (abies balsamea): Slow growth rate * Average mature height 45-75’ * Prefers moist, cool, well
drained, acidic soils, but will tolerate some salt, grows from swampy to well-drained hillsides * Does well
in full sun, partial shade * Can be sued for ornamental, strong fragrance * Excellent tree that holds needles
for a long time, adapts to cold climates of northern WI .
Fraser Fir (abies fraseri): Slow to medium growth * Average mature height 30-50’ * Does well in full sun,
but is unique that it can survive in full shade environments * Prefers a wet climate, medium to heavy soils,
avoid droughty areas * Can be considered the southern balsam fir * Has delightful fragrance, good
ornamental tree * Known as the Cadillac of Christmas trees *
CONIFERS (continued):
Austrian Pine (pinus nigra): Medium to fast growth rate * Average mature height 60-80’ * Grows in acidic,
drought tolerant, loamy, moist, sandy, well drained and a wide range of clay soils * Does well in full sun
Well adapted for landscape planting, great for windbreaks * Very hardy, heavy amounts of snow & ice
rarely lead to limb breakage * Very weather and pest resistant trees.
White Cedar (eastern arborvitae; thuja occidentalis): Slow to Medium Growth * Average mature height 40-50
feet tall * Grows well on moist upland or lowland soils, in a wide range of soils * Prefers full sunlight but is
shade tolerant and makes suitable windbreaks * Preferred food for wildlife in winter *
DECIDIOUS:
Amer. Canoe Birch/white (betula papyrifera): Medium to Fast Growth * Average mature height 50-70 feet *
Prefers full sun but does well in partial shade * Prefers a moist but well drained site, sheltered by other trees
*An excellent tree for ornamental use, also used as buffers and to reduce stream bank erosion * It is a soft,
moderately heavy, white wood.
Red Maple (acer rubrum): Medium to Fast Growth * Average mature height 40-60 feet * Does well in full or
partial shade * Native of Wisconsin and is widely used as an ornamental and shade tree * Red Maple is well
suited to a wide range of conditions and is adapted to wet sites and well drained soils * Seeds provide food
for squirrels and birds.
Sugar Maple (acer saccharum): Slow to Medium Growth * Average mature height 40-50 feet * Does well in
full sun or partial shade * Used as an ornamental tree * Grows in acidic, alkaline, well drained soils *
Lumber from the Sugar Maple is hard, strong, and close grained provided choice lumber or firewood * The
sap can be boiled down for maple syrup. This species grows best on rich well drained soils and is very shade
tolerant.
Hybrid Poplar (populus species): Extremely fast growing - when young, growth of 4-6 feet per year is
common * A member of the Poplar family, species reaching heights of 45-90 feet * Hybrid poplar does well
on most soil types, but is not shade tolerant * This species does well in windbreaks and is a fast growing
source of firewood * Subject to deer damage.
Black Walnut (juglans nigra): Medium Growth Rate, quick growth when young * Average mature height
50-75 feet * The most highly valued of North American Hardwoods is best suited to rich, well drained soils
but will grow in all types of soil * Prefers full sun, poor tolerance to shade or competition from other species
*Nuts are high in fat, rich in flavor and prized by animals and people * Commercial lumber companies farm
these trees for furniture, cabinets, doors and paneling.
White Oak (quercus alba): Slow to Medium growth rate, less than 12-24” per year * Reaching 50–100 feet
and a spread 50-80’ at maturity * Full sun and partial shade are best, prefers 4 hours of direct sunlight a day
* Prefers slightly acidic to neutral, deep, moist, well-drained soil, but adaptable to other soil textures,
intolerant of alkaline, shallow or abused urban soils. It can tolerate moderate drought and occasional wet soil
* Provides great fall color, with leaves turning showy shades of red or burgundy * Can live for centuries*
Yields acorns up to 1” long consumed by deer, grouse and squirrels * Develops deep taproot, making it
difficult to transplant *
Red Oak (quercus rubra): A relatively fast growing tree, could reach up to 18 feet in 10 years * Ranges
throughout the state, Northern Mid-West and to the East Coast. Grows on sandy loam soils to richer soils.
One could reach up to 18 feet in 10 years. Good ornamental and for lumber, being somewhat shorter and
broader in full sun. Some acorns are usually produced each year with large crops occurring irregularly.
More susceptible to oak wilt than White Oak.
DECIDIOUS (Continued):
Burr Oak (quercus macrocarpa): Slow growth rate * Average mature height 70-80’ with a spread of 80’
* Full sun is ideal condition * It is one of the most distinctive eastern oaks, a common associate of
bottom-land species * Does best on dryer clay soils or moderate moisture but grows well in acidic, alkaline,
loamy, sandy, and well drained soils. It will survive on soils too poor and dry to support some of the better
hardwoods * The wood is very durable, heavy, strong and hard. Good ornamental and valuable for lumber.
Swamp White Oak (quercus bicolor): Rapid growth rate * A native tree tolerant of poorly drained sites
and frequently is found in heavy mucky soils, does well in moist to wet soils * Is drought resistant * Flowers
in spring, the acorns mature and are shed in September or October of the same year, doesn’t flower until it is
25-30 years old, with a yellow to purple fall color * Large crops of acorns are produced every 3 to 5 years
* Sweet acorns are eaten by whitetail deer, mallards, wood ducks, wild turkeys, squirrels, woodpeckers,
and smaller rodents *
Chinese Chestnut (castanea mollissima blume) Slow-medium growth rate * Average mature height 40-60’ *
Prefers acid, well-drained loamy soil, dought tolerant * Does well in full sun and hot, dry climate* also
blight resistant * A nut & shade tree for wildlife, sweet-flavored nuts.
Black Cherry (prunus serotina): *Rapid growth rate* Thrives in moist, well-drained soils * Average
mature height 50-70 feet * Quail, turkey, ruffed grouse and songbirds supplement their diets with the bitter,
but edible fruit, however, the twigs, leaves and bark of this tree contains a prussic acid which can cause cattle
to bloat and die.
SHRUBS:
Midwest Crabapple (malus baccata Mandshurica Siberian): *Rapid growth rate * Average mature height 15feet * Shade intolerant * Ornamental tree similar to a bonsai * Grows best in most soils, but will do better if
fed peat and compost, does well on a wide variety of soils * Prefers full to partial sunlight for optimum
development * Bears plentiful fragrant pink/white flowers and edible red to yellow fruit, flowering occurs in
the Spring, fruit bears in fall * One of the tallest and most resistant to cold and pests.
Highbush Cranberry (viburnum opulus): *Medium growth rate * A large shrub, 10 – 13 feet tall at maturity
Prefers full sun or partial shade * Grows in acidic, loamy, moist, rich, sandy, silty loam, well-drained and
wet soils * Attractive white flower clusters in May producing bright orange-red fruits in fall * The fruit
serves as food for various birds and wildlife *
Domestic Apple (malus domestica): Medium growth rate * Average mature height 10-25’ * Does well
in full sun * Grows in moist, well drained soils, they are not drought tolerant * Good food source for wildlife
and variety of birds * apples ready to harvest during July to August * flowers white or pink flowers * The
skin of the apple is thin and changes color from pale green to yellow-green as it ripens, the flesh is white.
The fruit is soft with a sweet-tart flavor. Good for sauces, pies and freezing.
Washington Hawthorne (crataegus phaenopyrum): Medium growth rate * Average mature height is 13-24”
per year with a spread of 25’ at maturity * Plant 4-6” apart in the row * Grows in acidic, alkaline, loamy,
moist, sandy, well-drained, wet and clay soils. It is drought-tolerant * Both a flowering and ornamental
shrub/small tree * Full sun is the ideal condition for this tree, 6 hrs per day ideal * Foliage is a reddish purple
when unfolding gradually changing to lustrous dark green at maturity * Fall color varies from orange to
scarlet to purplish, flowers are white and ½” diameter * Fruit is bright, glossy red and ¼” diameter *
Because it holds its fruit it is an excellent wildlife species and can be used as a specimen, hedge or screen.
SHRUBS (Continued):
Juneberry/Serviceberry (amelanchier alnifolia): Medium growth rate * Average mature height 15-25’ with a
Spread the same * It is extremely adaptable and will grow under a wide range of climatic conditions, very
cold-hardy and will grow well in acidic, moist and well-drained, heavy soils * Water needs are minimal *
Can grow in full sun to partial shade * Prune regularly, leaves are medium to dark green and turn to yellow,
orange and red in the fall * Blossoms are fragrant, fruit is edible to both humans and wildlife, especially
birds. Fruit ripens in June and can be eaten fresh, canned, frozen, jams, pies or dried like raisins, fruit
matures over 3-4 weeks to a purple-red to almost black color.
Red-Osier Dogwood (cornus sericea): Fast growth rate, more than 24” per year * Average mature
height 7-9’ with 10’ spread * Soil preference very adaptable, growing in acidic to alkaline soils, prefers
moist soils and often grows in wet swamp lands, does not tolerate excessively dry soil * It’s an ornamental
shrub, with branches and twigs dark red, even in the dormant season, fall color is commonly bright red to
purple. The flowers are small dull white and the fruit is a white berry 5-9 mm diameter * Provides dense
cover and food for wildlife such as grouse, quail, turkey, elk, deer, rabbits and chipmunks.
American Hazelnut (corylus americana): * Medium to Fast growth rate * Mature height is 15-18’, with
a crown of 10-12’ *Prefers full sun and partial shade * Grows in acidic, alkaline, loamy, moist, rich,
sandy, well-drained and clay soils, is drought-tolerant * The nuts that are produced have a higher nutritional
value than acorns or beechnuts and their nuts and twigs are a good winter food source for wildlife, birds,
small animals, and deer. The dense, low growth are nesting sites for many wildlife species.
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