Brief Tree Descriptions Isanti Soil and Water Conservation District Species are listed below in alphabetical order within the following categories:  Evergreens  Large deciduous  Small deciduous  Shrubs  Plums and apples For further questions, contact us at 763‐689‐3271 Evergreens
CEDAR, WHITE (THUJA OCCIDENTALIS) This is a medium sized tree growing to 50‐60 feet tall and 2‐3 feet wide. It can have 1‐4 trunks that often twist to give each tree unique character. Although it is adaptable, it prefers moist, loamy soils with partial sun. This cedar is popular for landscape, hedge and wildlife planting. SHADE TOLERANT. FIR, BALSAM (ABIES BALSAMEA) The most shade tolerant conifer. A very hardy evergreen with symmetrical form and fragrant foliage (the crushed needles have a fabulous aroma). Needles‐flat about 1” long. Moderate to rapid growth rate. Maturity age 100‐200 years. Grows to 40‐75 ft. tall. Prefers a rich, well‐drained soil and requires ample moisture. Prefers medium soil textures (loams, silt loams, and clay loams) but will also grow (slowly) on gravelly sands and in peat swamps. SHADE TOLERANT. PINE, NORWAY (PINUS RESINOSA) Norway or Red Pine is the state tree of Minnesota. It is extremely cold hardy. Moderate to rapid growth rate. Tolerates poor growing conditions such as dry, acid, sandy or rocky soil. Generally speaking, when comparing the popular white and Norway pines, the Norway pine is better suited to drier and sunnier conditions. Needles are medium green to yellow‐green 5‐6” long and groups of two. Grows 40‐60 ft tall. FULL SUN. PINE, WHITE (PINUS STROBUS) The largest conifer in Minnesota. Rapid growing native tree which does well on a wide variety of soils, but less common on clays. Needles are 5 per cluster, 3‐5” long. An excellent tree for windbreaks. Generally speaking, when comparing the popular white and Norway pines, the white pine is better suited to wetter and shadier conditions. Prefers well drained, moist soil. Cones 4‐8” long. Bark is gray to brown and smooth when young, breaking with age into large broad scales. Grows 70‐100 ft tall. (THE MOST SHADE TOLERANT PINE) SPRUCE, BLACK HILLS (PICEA GLAUCA VAR. DENSATA) A type of white spruce that is very hardy and adaptable. Needles are 1/3 to ¾” long, blue‐green. Cones 2 to 2 ½ “long. Used for hedges and windbreaks. Does best in moist, well‐drained soil but will tolerate a fairly wide range of soil conditions. Grows 30‐60 ft tall. Native to the Dakotas. FULL SUN TO PARTIAL SUN. SPRUCE, COLORADO BLUE (PICEA PUNGENS) An attractive, hardy, long‐lived medium to tall tree which may reach heights of 50 to 100 feet. Prefers deep, moist, well drained soils, but will grow on other soils if moisture is available. Cones are 2‐4” long. Needles are 1 to 1 ½ “long, all shades of blue and green. Very sharp tips. Provides excellent nesting, roosting and cover for wildlife. Slowest grower of the spruce. MODERATELY SHADE TOLERANT. SPRUCE, MEYER (PICEA MEYERI) Meyer spruce is a dense evergreen tree with attractive blue‐green foliage. It is similar to Colorado spruce, but more disease resistant. Dense growth and average growth rate make it a good choice for windbreaks or privacy. It will grow up to 40 feet tall and have a width 30 feet. Very adaptable to both dry and moist growing conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. This tree is not native to Minnesota. FULL SUN. SPRUCE, NORWAY (PICEA ABIES) Fastest growing of all spruce. It is hardy and grows on most sites except where soil is water soaked. Prefers medium to fine textured soils (clays and loams). Transplants well. Best in full sun, since foliage becomes sparse in shade. Grows 50‐70 ft tall. Cones 4 to 7” long. Needles range ½ to 1” long, deep shiny green pointed tips, balsam aroma when crushed. MODERATELY SHADE TOLERANT. SPRUCE, WHITE (PICEA GLAUCA) In Minnesota, the white spruce is widely planted as a Christmas tree and is a popular option for landscaping and wind breaks. Medium growth rate, the white spruce usually reaches a height of 40 to 60 feet with a diameter of 24 inches. This spruce does best in full sun and is tolerant to most soils. FULL SUN TO PARTIAL SUN. TAMARACK (LARIX LARICINA) Naturally, tamarack grows in or around wetlands and bogs. It is also known by the name “larch.” It can grow in drier locations, but this is not their favored habitat. It is unique as deciduous conifer – a tree that has needles but loses them each fall. Needles turn a rich golden color in fall. In summer the leaves are flat needles, about 1 inch in length, light blue‐green. Historically, tamarack lumber was sought for being rot resistant and tough – you may see it in historic log cabins. Today it is used little for lumber because it grows in hard‐to‐harvest locations and other options like green‐treated lumber exist. It reaches 40‐70 feet tall. It is shade intolerant, requiring FULL SUN. TECHNY ARBORVITAE (THUJA OCCIDENTALIS) A type of white cedar often used in landscaping due to its moderate size, prunability and form. Fast growing. Denser foliage than other species of arborvitae and make the best hedges. One of the hardiest of the arborvitae. Can be pruned into hedges for an excellent screen or wind break. Grows in a variety soil conditions and prefers partial sun. This arborvitae is the most drought resistant and can withstand cold temperatures. It will reach heights of 15‐20 feet and a width of 4‐6 feet. PART SUN. Large Deciduous
BIRCH, RIVER (BETULA NIGRA) A tree with lots of texture and interest in the bark. Yellowish bark curls and peels from the trunk. As a result, this is a frequently‐used landscaping plant. Often grows in multi‐trunk specimen. River birch has a pyramidal to oval shape. Foliage is shinny green in summer, turning yellow in fall. Native from Minnesota to Florida. Moderate to fast growth rate. Prefers moist soils but tolerates dry soils. Prefers rich soils. Mature height will reach 40‐70 feet and have width of 30‐50 feet. FULL SUN. BIRCH, WHITE/PAPER (BETULA PAPYRIFERA) Paper birch is noted for its thin, white papery bark. Often grown as a multi‐trunked specimen. Fall color is yellow. Grows best in loamy or sandy soils. Does best in well‐drained moist sites. This tree is shade tolerant but does best in full sun. At maturity the tree will reach heights of 30‐60 feet tall. FULL TO PART SUN. ELM, PRINCETON (ULMUS AMERICANA) Resistant to Dutch elm disease. Fast growing. Will thrive in almost any soil condition. Princeton elm has a classic vase shape and yellow fall color. This elm will reach heights of 60‐80 feet. It prefers PARTIAL SUN. HYBRID POPLAR (POPULUS HYBRIDS) One of the fastest growing trees in North America. It can be established in soils that are dry and sandy as well as sites that are subject to periodic flooding. Poplars should live a minimum of 35‐50 years and grow 50 to 80 feet tall. They prefer FULL SUN. MAPLE, AUTUMN BLAZE (ACER X FREEMANII) Autumn blaze maple is known for its superior fall color, outstanding growth rates, tolerance and adaptability to an extremely wide range of climate and soil conditions. This spectacular tree has become one of the most sought after trees in the U.S. Autumn blaze is a hybrid maple developed from crossing the silver maple with the red maple. The summer color is a rich, medium green with excellent scarlet, orange and red fall color. Grows 50‐60 feet tall and 30‐40 feet wide. Will tolerate clay soil, and will withstand wet soil conditions and drought. It prefers FULL SUN. MAPLE, CRIMSON KING (ACER PLATANOIDES) The crimson king maples are known for their striking, rich purple/maroon foliage. It adds color interest to its surroundings throughout the growing season. Mature height will be 40‐50 feet. The crimson king provides great shade to the yard and home. Does best in well drained areas and is very drought tolerant. Growth rate is moderate. Adaptable to wide variety of soils—alkaline, sand, clay and acid soils. FULL TO PART SUN. MAPLE, RED (ACER RUBRUM) The red maple is an excellent landscape tree. It has an oval to rounded crown and smooth gray bark as a young tree. The lobed leaves are a nice bright green and develop beautiful fall colors ranging from clear yellow to orange to vivid red. Red maple requires full sun for best fall color. Prefers moist soils but tolerates a wide range of moisture conditions. Growth rate is moderate to rapid. Height reaching 50‐70 feet. FULL TO PART SUN. MAPLE, SILVER (ACER SACCHARINUM) A hardy, tall, long lived, fast growing, native tree which is adapted to soils with abundant moisture. Often found growing naturally along streams and rivers. It is best noted for its rapid growth and brilliant yellow autumn color. On the most favorable sites it may obtain a height of 60‐90 feet. Prefers moist soils and full sun. Tolerates a wide range of soils. FULL TO PART SUN. MAPLE, SUGAR (ACER SACCHARUM) This is the maple species most frequently tapped for maple syrup. It is also known as “hard maple” due to its dense, hard wood, making it a favored firewood. It is one of a small number of large trees that grows well in the shade. This is one of the most handsome maples, with bright green leaves that turn yellow to orange or scarlet in the fall. It is round‐headed and native to Minnesota. It is widely used for ornamental and street plantings. Sugar maples require a moist, rich, deep soil. Grows slowly at first then grows at a moderate rate after established. Grows to 60‐80 feet. Prefers loams and clay loams. FULL SUN TO SHADE. OAK, SWAMP WHITE (QUERCUS BICOLOR) A versatile oak. Unlike red oaks, the white oaks are resistant to oak wilt. Among the white oaks, swamp white oak is one of the fastest growing. They are a long‐lived, strong tree. Oaks are extremely valuable tree for wildlife because of their acorn production and cavities. Swamp white oak is a top pick for wildlife or long‐lasting landscaping. Fall color is yellowish tan to orange brown. Tolerant of heavy soils. Drought tolerant. Height at maturity reaches 40 to 60 feet tall. FULL SUN. Small Deciduous
AMERICAN PLUM (PRUNUS AMERICANA) Rapid grower, 15‐25 feet tall at maturity. White flowers in early May are showy and fragrant. The 1” red fruits are used for jellies and jams. They provide food and excellent habitat for wildlife. It will form colonies. Will grow in most soil types. FULL TO PART SUN. APRICOT (PRUNUS ARMENIACA MANDSHARICA) Small fast growing tree. Winter hardy and drought resistant. Attractive white flowers. Adapted to a wide range of soils but grows best on a well‐drained soil. Growth will be 10‐15 feet tall and 12‐18 feet wide. The fruit is best suited for making jam and for the wildlife. FULL SUN. CHOKECHERRY (PRUNUS VIRGINIANA) A small tree or large shrub may reach a height of 12‐25 feet. Prefers well‐drained soil but adapts to a wide variety of soils. Flowers in spring, fruit are dark purple to black at maturity and are edible and tart. FULL to PART SUN. MOUNTAIN ASH (SORBUS AMERICANA) Often used as an ornamental tree, mountain ash has attractive white spring flowers and showy orange fruit clusters. These qualities also make it a favorite of birds and pollinators. It has an oval growth form that is tall and skinny reaching a height of 10‐30 feet. Prefers moist soils but will also accept drier and sandier soils. Growth rate is slow to medium. Flowers in spring, fruit are dark purple to black at maturity and are edible and tart. Medium to fast grower. FULL to PART SUN. PRAIRIE FIRE FLOWERING CRABAPPLE The prairie fire has magnificent flowers, fruit, and foliage. It is also virtually disease free. Blooms in May in reveling dark, purplish‐red flowers. Fruit ½” diameter, shiny, red to purple, a favorite of songbirds. Green foliage changes to an outstanding red‐orange in the fall. 15‐20 feet tall and 15‐20 feet wide. Prefers full sun and will tolerate all types of soils. FULL SUN. RED SPLENDOR CRAB (MALUS RED‐SPLENDON) As the name implies, this crab apple tree has red flowers. Somewhat vase‐shaped when young. This tree spreads out with age. Fruits 1/2” in diameter. Crabapples provide fair cover and high quality fruit for many birds and mammals. Prefers well‐drained moist soil. Grows 10‐25 feet tall. Will grow best in FULL SUN. SPRING SNOW FLOWERING CRAB The spring snow flowering crab is known for its beautiful white flowers that engulf the entire tree in spring. The tree is expected to grow to 25 feet at maturity and will have a spread of 15 feet wide. It has a medium growth rate and prefers average to moist conditions in full sunlight. This tree is excellent for urban areas as it is a tidy tree that will thrive in inner city environments. FULL SUN. Shrubs
BLACK CHOKEBERRY (ARONIA MELANOCARPA) A small shrub, making it a popular choice for smaller spaces or where a shorter shrub is desired. Black chokeberry is has an upright, rounded form. It will form multiple stems through suckering, and therefore might be used for planting in clumps or on property edges. It has clusters of white flowers in spring, and ¼”‐1/2” fruit in late summer. The fruit is used for baking, jams, and syrup and is high in antioxidants. Black chokeberry is a tough shrub that requires little care and tolerates many soil types and moisture conditions. Grows 3‐8 feet tall and 2‐6 feet wide. Medium to fast growth rate. FULL SUN BUT TOLERATES PARTIAL SHADE. HAZELNUT (CORYLUS AMERICANA) A versatile shrub that can take some shade, and naturally grows in the forest understory. Likes drier soils and does well in sandy soils. Grows 8‐16 feet tall. The flowers are inconspicuous, and female flowers produce an edible nut encased in a leafy husk. But don’t get your hopes up about harvesting bushels of nuts – they are a wildlife favorite and often nabbed by squirrels and other critters early. The nuts are smaller than the commercially grown nuts (also called filberts). FULL SUN TO PART SHADE. LILAC, COMMON (SYRINGA VULGARIS) Fast growing, reaching a height of 10‐12 feet. Common lilac is not demanding of soil type. Requires full sun for best performance. Drought resistant. Large fragrant flowers in mid spring after leaves appear. Suckering shrub, frequently used for informal hedges and background screens. Long lived. FULL SUN. LILAC, VILLOSA (SYRINGA VILLOSA) Also called “late lilac” because it flowers later than common lilac. It may be used in mixed plantings with common lilac to provide longer‐lasting color throughout the spring. The two lilacs are of similar size at 10‐12ft, both have lavender colored flowers and both prefer well drained soils but are versatile. FULL SUN. HIGHBUSH CRANBERRY (VIBURNUM TRILOBUM) Large attractive shrub. 8‐12 feet tall and wide. Showy white spring flowers in 4‐5” clusters. In late summer the fruit turn bright red and remain on throughout the winter or until harvested by birds. Foliage turns a bright red in fall. Prefers rich soil with ample moisture, but will tolerate a variety of soils including sands. Edible fruit most often used in jams. FULL SUN TO LIGHT SHADE. NANKING CHERRY (PRUNUS TOMENTOSA) This is a winter hardy, fast growing, attractive shrub. Can be used in informal hedges. May reach a height of 6‐10 feet. In most plantings, the useful life expectancy is 8‐10 years. Pinkish‐white flowers appear in May followed by dark red, edible fruit. The fruit is widely used for making jelly, jams and pie. The fruit is also relished by the songbirds. It favors well drained soils and is drought tolerant, so it is a good match for sandy soils. FULL SUN. NINEBARK (PHYSOCARPUS OPULIFOLIUS) A hardy shrub with a cascading form that may remind you of another favorite shrub – Spirea, except that ninebark is generally larger than Spirea. Ninebark will form multi‐stemmed dense thickets providing excellent wildlife cover. It is amenable to pruning, and can be used in hedges or informal screening. The rounded clusters of white flowers in April‐May give way to red fruit persists through winter. Its flowers attract butterflies and other insects which, in turn, attract various songbirds. Ninebark requires little care. It is very drought tolerant and adaptable to a wide range of soils. Grows 4‐
8 feet tall and 4‐8 feet wide. Medium to fast growth rate. FULL SUN TO PARTIAL SHADE. RED‐OSIER DOGWOOD (CORNUS SERICEA) This is a versatile, attractive shrub year‐round. Small white flowers appear in late May with small white berries in fall. Dark green leaves and a cascading form. In the winter, it’s bright red stems add interest. Moderate growth rate. Height reaches 8‐10 feet. Prefers wetter soils. FULL SUN TO PARTIAL SHADE. SERVICEBERRY/JUNEBERRY (AMELANCHIER SPP) A versatile shrub that can be used in borders, screens, as specimens or in wildlife plantings. White springtime flowers produce a dark purple, tart fruit that is edible. Moderate growth rate achieving 8‐15 feet tall and 4‐15 feet wide. Tolerates a variety of soils, but prefers slightly moist to moist well‐drained soils. FULL SUN TO SHADE. Plums and Apples TOKA PLUM A very hardy plum for northern climates. This variety is rated for its medium‐sized, rich flavored fruit that has a beautiful apricot color. It is an excellent pollinator tree. Grows to a height of 15‐20 feet tall with a spread of 15 feet. It will bloom in May and ripen in mid‐August. Remember that you will need another species of plum to successfully cross‐pollinate the Toka, so it is often purchased in pairs with a Pembina Plum. FULL SUN. PEMBINA PLUM A sweet and juicy plum variety that has a bright reddish‐purple skin and yellow flesh. Blooms in early spring and ripens in mid to late August. Needs another variety for pollination, so is often purchased with the Toka Plum. Select a planting site that has good air, drainage, full sunlight and well‐drained soil. May take a few years to produce fruit. FULL SUN. HONEYCRISP APPLE A great‐tasting, crisp apple developed at the University of Minnesota. Honeycrisp will reach a mature height of 15‐20ft tall. The fruit ripens in late September to October and adapts to a variety of soil types. The flesh is white, crisp and very sweet. The shelf life is very good if kept in a cool area. Use: Fresh eating, pie, sauce, freezing, baking and dehydrating. FULL SUN. FIRESIDE APPLE The fireside apple generally grows to be 20 feet tall at maturity. It has a medium growth rate and prefers moist soil conditions. The fruit produced from the tree is crisp and sweet tasting, good for eating. The fruit is also used for baking and canning. FULL SUN. MCINTOSH APPLE Sweet with a tart tang, very juicy, and tender, flesh is white‐juicy and aromatic. Excellent for eating, sauce and pies. Fruit becomes ripe in late September. Keeps well up to three or four weeks in refrigerator. A medium sized, solid bright red. FULL SUN. SNOWSWEET APPLE Firm, snow white flesh with a sweet and slightly tart flavor. It is slow to brown after being cut and exposed to air, making it a good choice for salads or pre‐cut snacks or fresh eating. This is a late‐season apple that ripens in mid‐October. It was developed for cold climates. A University of Minnesota apple. FULL SUN. ZESTAR APPLE Large, crunchy, juicy red fruit with sweet tart flavor. Excellent for both fresh eating and cooking. The fruit will store for 6 to 8 weeks. Ripens late August to early September. A University of Minnesota apple. FULL SUN. ALL APPLES All apples require cross‐pollination with another variety. This means you need to plant two different varieties of apples which flower around the same time in proximity to each other for them to produce fruit well. The fruit will not be a mixture of the two varieties; it will have the characteristics of the tree it grows upon.