Large Deciduous Trees: Over 45 feet at maturity

 

Scientific Name

Common Name

Cultural

Conditions

Zone

Native Habitat

Remarks

           

Acer nigrum

black maple

3

6

All

Quebec to Florida and Texas

Very similar to sugar maple with greater heat and drought tolerance; possibly adaptable to western Neb.; ‘Greencolumn’ is a common cultivar; native to western Iowa; 40’ spread.

Acer platanoides

Norway maple

2

6

A,B,C

Continental Europe

Traditional shade tree; often suffers from scorching and frost cracks; limited success with cultivars in zones D and E; suggested cultivars include:

‘Deborah’

Brilliant red new growth that turns dark green; 40’ spread.

‘Emerald Luster’

A variety that is supposed to withstand leaf scorch; 40’ spread.

‘Emerald Queen’

Nice variety; bark scorch sometimes a problem; 40’ spread.

‘Erectum’

Makes a nice formal screen; plant at close spacing; 10’ spread.

‘Schwedleri’

Purple leaf variety; better than ‘Crimson King’; can sun scorch; 45’ spread.

Acer pseudoplatanus

planetree maple

2

6

A,B,C

Europe, western Asia

Uncommon in the landscape; 35’ spread.

 

Acer rubrum

red maple

2

6

A,B,C

Newfoundland to Florida west to Minnesota, Oklahoma and Texas

Nice landscape/specimen tree with good fall color; does not tolerate dry soils; 35’ spread; choose from hardy cultivars including:

‘Armstrong’

Needs some protection; good fall color; 35’ spread.

‘Northwood’

Variety from Minnesota; may be adaptable to zones D and E; 35’ spread.

‘Red Sunset’

Can sunscald on open sites; selected for fall color; 35’ spread.

Acer saccharinum

silver maple

2

6

All

Quebec to Florida, to Minnesota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana

Native to eastern Neb. waterways; overplanted in eastern Neb.; limited use only; breaks up easily in storms; 70’ spread.

Acer saccharum

sugar maple

2

6

A,B,C

Eastern Canada to Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi and Texas

A beautiful tree when properly sited; some cultivars show promise for the western part of the state; nice fall color; does not tolerate dry soils; 40’ spread. Cultivars include:

‘Bonfire’

New variety; good fall color; nice formal screen; 40’ spread.

‘Green Mountain’

Avoid clay soils; good fall color; less susceptible to scorch; 40’ spread.

‘Legacy’

Glossy dark green leaves; good fall color

Acer x freemanii

freemanii maple

23

6

A,B,C

 

Red-silver maple cross; may be adaptable to western Neb.; cultivars include:

‘Celebration’

Yellow to red fall color; 40’ spread.

‘Autumn Blaze’

Similar to ‘Celebration’ maple but with red fall color; 40’ spread.

Carya cordiformis

bitternut hickory

2

56

A,B

Quebec to Minnesota, south to Florida and Louisiana

Needs some protection; fastest growing hickory; good tree for attracting wildlife; native to southeast Neb.; 40’ spread.

Carya glabra

pignut hickory

2

45

A,B

Maine to Ontario, south to Florida, Alabama and Mississippi

Good nut tree; plant in protected area; tolerates shade; 40’ spread.

 

Carya illinoensis

pecan

2

56

A,B,C

Iowa to Indiana to Alabama, Texas, and Mexico

Under-utilized in the landscape; makes a nice yard or street tree; use tested cultivars; ‘Hican’ is a cross with hickory; 30’ spread.

Carya laciniosa

shellbark hickory

2

5

A

New York to Iowa, south to Tennessee and Oklahoma

May need protection; prefers bottom land soils; 40’ spread.

 

           
           

Carya ovata

shagbark hickory

2

56

A,B

Quebec to Minnesota, south to Georgia and Texas

Edible nut; needs protection; distinguishing exfoliating bark; tolerates shade; native to southeastern Neb.; 60’ spread.

Castanea dentata

American chestnut

2

6

A,B,C

Eastern United States

Nearly extinct in eastern U.S., still a good tree for eastern Neb.; site carefully, spiny fruit; 40’ spread.

Castanea mollissima

Chinese chestnut

2

6

A,B

Northern China, Korea

Similar to C. dentata, but lower growing, produces large, edible nuts; messy; site carefully - spiny fruit.

Catalpa speciosa

northern catalpa

3

56

All

Southern Illinois and Indiana to western Tennessee and northern Arkansas

Not for formal landscapes; profuse white flowers in late spring; large seed pods; naturalized in eastern Neb.; grows tall and narrow; 35’ spread.

Celtis laevigata

sugar hackberry

1

6

A

southern Indiana, Illinois to Texas and Florida

Southern relative to common hackberry; less hardy; prefers floodplains and wet areas; 45’ spread.

Celtis occidentalis

common hackberry

3

6

All

Quebec to Manitoba, south to North Carolina, Alabama, Georgia and Oklahoma

Excellent tree for urban use and difficult sites; interesting warty bark; native to much of Neb.; sensitive to herbicides; 55’ spread.

Fagus grandifolia

American beech

2

56

A

New Brunswick to Ontario, south to Florida and Texas

Very few in Neb. but can be a beautiful landscape tree; provide some protection; 50’ spread.

Fagus sylvatica

European beech

2

56

A

Europe

Similar to American beech; difficult to grow in Neb.; 40’ spread.

 

Fraxinus americana

white ash

2

6

All

Nova Scotia to Minnesota, south to Florida and Texas

More ornamental than green ash; all ashes are susceptible to insect and disease problems; ‘Autumn Purple’ is a very nice cultivar with purple fall foliage; 40’ spread.

Fraxinus excelsior

European ash

2

5

A,B,C

Europe and Asia Minor

Very uncommon tree with fine foliage; dark green; clean; ‘Kimberly’ is the most common cultivar; 40’ spread.

Fraxinus mandshurica

Manchurian ash

3

6

All

Northeast Asia

Uncommon ash worth trying across Neb.; proven hardy in Colorado; 40’ spread. ‘Mancana’ is a common cultivar.

Fraxinus pennsylvanica

green ash

13

56

All

Nova Scotia to Manitoba, south to northern Florida and Texas

Native; avoid heavy clay soils; 40’ spread; suitable cultivars include:

‘Marshall’s Seedless’

Vigorous with fewer insect problems than the species; seedless variety.

‘Patmore’

More upright, uniform and symmetrical than ‘Marshall’s Seedless’.

Fraxinus quadrangulata

blue ash

2

6

All

Michigan to Arkansas and Tennessee

Interesting tree with square twigs and scaly bark; ‘True Blue’ is a common cultivar.

Gleditsia triacanthos var. inermis

thornless honeylocust

3

6

All

Pennsylvania to Nebraska and south to Texas and Mississippi

Fast growing; insect resistant; thornless; native; 55’ spread; many nice cultivars including:

‘Green Glory’

Seedless; retains leaves into the fall; good selection; 55’ spread.

‘Imperial’

Neb. selection; very adaptable; shortest variety; 60’ spread.

‘Shademaster’

Very common; seedless; dark green foliage; 55’ spread.

‘Skyline’

More compact; good selection; dark green foliage; 55’ spread.

Gymnocladus dioicus

Kentucky coffeetree

3

6

All

West Virginia to Florida and Eastern Oklahoma

Nice native tree; large seed pods; pest free; good fall color and coarse winter habit; 55’ spread.

Juglans nigra

black walnut

3

6

All

Massachusetts to Florida and west to Minnesota and Texas

Good native tree for parks and wildlife; site carefully, juglone from roots may inhibit growth of other plants; prefers rich, loamy soil; 55’ spread.

Larix decidua

common larch

12

6

All

Northern and central Europe

Deciduous conifer; unique foliage; prefers consistent moisture and protected site; 30’ spread.

Larix kaempferi

Japanese larch

2

6

A,B,C

Japan

Deciduous conifer; excellent fall color; unique spring flowers; needs early spring protection; 35’ spread.

           

Liquidambar styraciflua

sweetgum

2

6

A

Connecticut, south to New York to Florida, southern Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri to Texas and Mexico

Nice tree with good fall color; unusual spiny fruit; may have die back in severe winters; ‘Moraine’ is a hardier, northern selection; 40’ spread.

Liriodendron tulipifera

tuliptree (yellow poplar)

2

6

A,B

Massachusetts to Wisconsin, south to Florida and Mississippi

Unusual tree with tulip-like spring flowers; good in groups; 40’ spread.

Platanus occidentalis

American sycamore

12

6

A,B,C

Southeastern Europe and western Asia

Majestic native planetree; unusual mottled bark; anthracnose a minor problem in wet springs; grows very tall when sited properly; 75’+ tall by 50’ wide.

Platanus x acerifolia

London planetree

2

6

A,B,C

 

Large spreading tree; nice bark; similar to the American sycamore; 70’+ tall by 45’ wide.

Populus alba

silver poplar

3

6

All

Central to southern Europe to western Siberia and central Asia

Very hardy, wide spreading tree; dark green leaves with a fuzzy white underside; disease prone with weak wood; use carefully; 50’ spread.

Populus balsamifera

balsam poplar

2

6

All

Northeast North America

Fragrant, resinous buds with strong balsam odor; short lived; 30’ spread.

Populus deltoides

eastern cottonwood

13

6

All

Quebec to North Dakota, Kansas, Texas, and Florida

Can grow very large; state tree of Neb.; seedless varieties available including: ‘Mighty Mo’, ‘Ohio Red’ & ‘Platte’, avoid ‘Siouxland’; 70’+ tall by 60’ wide.

Quercus acutissima

sawtooth oak

2

6

A,B,C

Japan, Korea, China, and Himalaya

Eurasian oak with unique, sawtooth leaves; 45’ spread.

 

Quercus alba

white oak

2

6

A,B

Maine to Florida, west to Minnesota and Texas

Slow growing, long-lived tree; good fall color; nearly native to southeastern Neb.; 50’ spread.

Quercus bicolor

swamp white oak

13

6

All

Quebec to Georgia, west to Michigan and Arkansas

An excellent selection; good on poorly drained or compacted sites; shows chlorosis on high pH soils; 50’ spread.

Quercus coccinea

scarlet oak

2

6

A,B

Maine to Florida, west to Minnesota and Missouri

Nice fall color; avoid alkaline soils; needs protection; 40’ spread.

Quercus imbricaria

shingle oak

2

6

A,B,C

Pennsylvania to Georgia, west to Nebraska and Arkansas

One of the nicest oaks; interesting narrow leaves persist into winter; nearly native to southeastern Neb.; 40’ spread.

Quercus macrocarpa

bur oak

3

6

All

Nova Scotia to Pennsylvania, west to Manitoba and Texas

One of finest native trees; majestic; good winter form; very large; good strong branch structure; 55’ spread.

Quercus muehlenbergii

chinkapin oak

2

6

All

Vermont to Virginia, west to Nebraska, Mexico and Texas

Nice tree that should be planted more; native to southeast Neb.; 45’ spread.

Quercus palustris

pin oak

2

6

A,B,C

Massachusetts to Delaware, west to Wisconsin and Arkansas

Should be limited to undisturbed acid soils or severe chlorosis may be a problem; 40’ spread.

Quercus prinus

chestnut oak

2

6

A,B,C

Southern Maine and Ontario to South Carolina and Alabama

Nice oak for southeast Neb.; fairly fast growing; 45’ spread.

 

Quercus robur

English oak

3

6

All

Europe, northern Africa, western Asia

Nice oak with smaller leaves; reasonably fast growing; 45’ spread; many cultivars; ‘Fastigiata’ is an upright selection (to 15’ wide) with unusual acorn coloration.

Quercus rubra

red oak

3

6

All

Nova Scotia to Pennsylvania, west to Minnesota and Iowa

Excellent fall color; pest resistant; one of the best native oaks; 50’ spread.

Quercus shumardii

shumard oak

2

6

A,B

Kansas to southern Michigan to North Carolina, Florida and Texas

Similar to red oak; nice fall color; avoid alkaline soils; 45’ spread.

 

Quercus velutina

black oak

2

56

A,B

Maine to Florida, west to Minnesota and Texas

Nice native oak; lustrous green leaves; prefers rich, well-drained soils; may need protection; 50’ spread.

           

Salix alba

white willow

12

6

All

Central to southern Europe to western Siberia and central Asia

Good for wet sites where little else will grow; ‘Cardinal Red’ is a common cultivar; 45’ spread.

Salix x ‘Tristis’

Tristis weeping willow

12

6

All

Maine to Florida, west to Minnesota and Tennessee

The standard weeping willow; good on wet sites; willows are short-lived trees; 45’ spread.

Taxodium distichum

baldcypress

13

6

A,B,C

Delaware to Florida, west to southern Illinois, Missouri, Arkansas and Louisiana

Deciduous conifer; good on both wet and dry sites when established; may be more adaptable than previously thought; 30’ spread.

Tilia americana

American linden

2

6

All

Canada to Virginia and Alabama, west to North Dakota, Kansas and Texas

Fragrant flowers in the spring; nice native shade tree; 45’ spread. The cultivar ‘Redmond’ is a Nebraska selection of unclear origin; very similar in habit to T. americana.

Tilia cordata

littleleaf linden

2

6

All

Europe

Small leaves, formal shape; pest resistant; common cultivars include ‘Chancellor’, ‘Glenhaven’ and ‘Greenspire’; 35’ spread.

Tilia platyphyllos

bigleaf linden

2

6

A,B,C

Europe and Germany

Beautiful formal tree; very dense canopy; 45’ spread.

 

Tilia tomentosa

silver linden

2

6

A,B,C

Southeastern Europe, western Asia

Beautiful silver underside to the leaves; 40’ spread.

 

Tilia x euchlora

crimean linden

2

6

All

 

Similar to littleleaf linden; 30’ spread.

 

Ulmus americana

American elm

3

6

All

Newfoundland to Florida, west to the foot of the Rockies

Native tree that was the pride of most Neb. communities until Dutch elm disease nearly wiped it out. New cultivars such as ‘Liberty’ show promise of disease resistance.

Ulmus x ‘Homestead’

homestead elm

3

6

All

 

Cross between smoothleaf elm and Siberian elm; Dutch elm disease resistant; 45’ spread.

Ulmus x ‘Pioneer’

pioneer elm

3

6

A,B,C

 

Cross between scotch elm and smoothleaf elm; resistant to Dutch elm disease; growing well in some locations; 50’ spread.

Ulmus pumila

Siberian elm

3

6

All

Eastern Siberia, northern China, Manchuria, and Korea

Fast growing but messy; short lived without extra attention; over-planted in the past; use only on difficult sites; 50’ spread.

 

 

Medium Deciduous Trees:

25 - 45 feet at maturity

 

Scientific Name

Common Name

Cultural

Conditions

Zone

Native Habitat

Remarks

           

Acer campestre

hedge maple

3

6

A,B,C

Europe, Near East and Africa

Good on dry sites; dark green summer color; look for a northern seed source; good for screening; 25’ spread.

Acer grandidentatum

bigtooth maple

3

6

All

 

Small to medium landscape tree with beautiful orange to orange-red fall color; native to the Rocky Mountain region; needs more testing in Neb.; 25’ spread.

Acer negundo

boxelder maple

3

5

All

Virtually the entire United States and southern Canada

Decent park tree; native along creeks; susceptible to storm damage; limited use; ‘Flamingo’ is a variegated cultivar; 60’ spread.

Aesculus flava (octandra)

yellow buckeye

2

6

All

Pennsylvania to Tennessee and northern Georgia, west to Ohio and Illinois

Similar to Ohio buckeye; yellow flowers; smooth fruit; nice pumpkin color in the fall; 35’ spread.

Aesculus glabra

Ohio buckeye

2

6

All

Pennsylvania to Nebraska, Kansas and Alabama

Nice white flowers in the spring; large prickly fruit; native to S.E. Neb.; 35’ spread.

Aesculus hippocastanum

horsechestnut

2

6

All

Greece and Albania

Dark green summer foliage; large, spiny fruit; nice pyramidal form; "Baumannii’ is a fruitless cultivar with double white flowers; 40’ spread.

Alnus glutinosa

common alder

1

5

All

Europe, western Asia, and northern Africa

Adaptable to wet sites; cone-like fruit; may winterkill on exposed sites; 35’ spread.

Alnus incana

white alder

2

5

All

Europe and the Caucasus

Similar to common alder; short-lived; 30’ spread.

 

Betula nigra

river birch

1

6

A,B,C

Massachusetts to Florida west to Minnesota and Kansas

Excellent tree for multiple purposes; beautiful peeling bark; often chlorotic on disturbed sites; 30’ spread.

Betula papyrifera

paper birch

2

6

All

Labrador to British Columbia and Washington south to Pennsylvania, Michigan, Nebraska, and Montana

White bark; borers a serious problem; can be useful in sheltered areas; ‘Niobrara’ is a native Neb. selection; 40’ spread.

Betula pendula

European white birch

2

6

All

Europe

Lovely weeping habit; white bark; chlorosis and borers are serious problems; short-lived; spread 30’; ‘Gracilis’ is a cutleaf form that grows 20’ tall.

Betula platyphylla

Asian white birch

2

6

A,B,C

Japan and Okhotsk peninsula

Similar to other white-barked birches; ‘Whitespire’ is a cultivar that has shown good resistance to bronze birch borer; 30’ spread.

Carpinus betulus

European hornbeam

2

56

A,B

Europe, Asia Minor, southeast of England

Wide variety of cultivated forms; usually an upright formal tree; 30’ spread.

Catalpa bignonioides

southern catalapa

2

6

A,B

Georgia, Florida, Alabama, and Louisiana

Smaller, less hardy relative of northern catalpa; 30’ spread.

 

Cercidiphyllum japonicum

katsuratree

2

56

A,B

China and Japan

Lovely spreading tree; has some difficulty in our climate; 40’ spread.

 

Cladrastis kentukea (lutea)

American yellowwood

2

56

A,B,C

North Carolina to Kentucky and Tennessee

Nice informal tree; profuse white, fragrant flowers in June; 25’ spread.

Corylus colurna

Turkish filbert or hazel

3

6

All

Southeast Europe and western Asia

Good but uncommon landscape tree; prefers well-drained, loamy soil; can withstand hot sites; drought tolerant; 35’ spread.

Diospyros virginiana

common persimmon

2

5

A,B,C

Connecticut to Florida west to Kansas and Texas

Nice informal shape; edible fruit; needs protection; 25’ spread.

 

Elaeagnus angustifolia

Russian olive

3

6

All

Southern Europe to western and central Asia, Altai, and Himalayas

Silver summer leaf color; short-lived; good for difficult sites where little else grows; has invaded Neb. waterways; 25’ spread.

Evodia daniellii

Korean evodia

2

56

A,B,C

Northern China and Korea

Unusual and uncommon tree; compound leaves similar to ash; nice specimens at Arbor Lodge; 25’ spread.

Fraxinus nigra

black ash

2

6

All

Newfoundland to Manitoba, south to Delaware, Virginia, and Iowa

Extremely hardy ash. ‘Fallgold’ is a seedless, clean and disease free form with good golden fall color.

Ginkgo biloba

ginkgo (maidenhair tree)

3

6

A,B,C

Eastern China

Very resistant to pests; unusual leaves; male preferred (female seed malodorous); 30’ spread; ‘Sentry’ is a columnar variety (10’-15’ wide).

Juglans cinerea

butternut

2

6

A,B,C

New Brunswick to Georgia and west to the Dakotas and Arkansas

Plant in well-drained, bottomland soil; needs protection in western Neb.; 30’ spread.

Juglans regia

English walnut

2

6

A,B

Southeastern Europe to Himalayas and China

Good nut tree for home use; can winterkill in extreme winters; 30’ spread.

Koelreuteria paniculata

goldenraintree

2

6

A,B

China, Japan, and Korea

Unusual tree with yellow flowers in late May; prolific raindrop-like yellow fruit in late summer; makes a nice specimen tree; 30’ spread.

Larix laricina

American larch (tamarack)

2

6

A

Northern North America, from the Arctic Circle in Alaska and Canada southwards to northern Pennsylvania, Minnesota, and Illinois

Deciduous conifer; excellent fall color; needs protection; 20’ spread.

 

Maclura pomifera

Osage-orange (hedge tree)

3

6

A,B,C

Arkansas to Oklahoma and Texas

Spurs and large fruit; good for wildlife but not an ideal landscape tree; ‘Park’ is a thornless variety more suited to the landscape; 35’ spread.

Magnolia acuminata

cucumbertree magnolia

2

6

A,B

New York to Georgia, west to Illinois and Arkansas

Unusual tree for Neb.; pale green flowers in the spring; 35’ spread.

 

Morus alba

white mulberry

2

5

All

China

Birds love the fruit; should be limited to wildlife and natural plantings; 45’ spread.

Morus rubra

red mulberry

23

5

All

Massachusetts to Florida, west to Michigan, Nebraska, Kansas, and Texas

Native Neb. mulberry; better than white mulberry; limited use recommended; can be invasive and weedy; 45’ spread.

Nyssa sylvatica

black gum

2

56

A

Maine, Ontario, Michigan to Florida and Texas

Beautiful fall color; does not tolerate alkaline soils; hard to transplant; 45’ spread.

Paulownia tomentosa

royal paulownia

2

6

A

China

Very large simple leaves similar to catalpa; needs protection; more of an oddity than a useful tree; 30’ spread.

Phellodendron amurense

amur corktree

23

56

All

Northern China, Manchuria, and Japan

A good specimen tree with unusual bark and attractive leaves; 30’ spread.

Populus tremuloides

quaking aspen

2

6

All

Labrador to Alaska, south to Pennsylvania, Missouri, northern Mexico and lower California

Native to the Pine Ridge area; nice yellow fall color; good as multi-stemmed form; some insect problems common; short-lived; 25’ spread.

Prunus sargentii

sargent cherry

2

6

All

Japan

One of the best large cherry tress for general landscape use; 30’ spread.

 

Prunus serotina

black cherry

2

56

A,B,C

Ontario to North Dakota, Texas to Florida

Good for birds; native to southeastern Neb.; mid-spring flowers and fruit; 25’ spread.

Pyrus calleryana

callery pear

2

6

A,B,C

Korea and China

Very formal; lustrous dark green leaves; white flowers; good fall color; overplanted. Suitable cultivars include: ‘Aristocrat’, ‘Chanicleer’ and ‘Redspire’; avoid ‘Bradford’; 25’ spread.

Quercus marilandica

blackjack oak

2

6

A,B

New York to Iowa south to Florida and Texas

Native to southeast Neb.; interesting habit with stout branches; good choice for sandy soils; 25’ spread.

Robinia pseudoacacia

black locust

3

6

All

Pennsylvania to Georgia, west to Iowa, Missouri, and Oklahoma

Very informal tree; small thorns; fragrant flowers; use on tough sites and for naturalizing; 30’ spread.

Salix pentandra

laurel willow

1

6

All

Europe

Shiny green foliage; good for wet sites; short-lived; 30’ spread.

 

Sophora japonica

Japanese pagodatree

2

6

A,B,C

China and Korea

Good summer flowering habit; can die back in severe winters; canker can be a problem; 30’ spread.

Sorbus aucuparia

European mountainash

2

6

All

Europe to western Asia and Siberia, and naturalized in North America

Bright orange berries in fall; fireblight can be a severe problem; short-lived; 25’ spread.

Sorbus thuringiaca

oakleaf mountainash

2

6

All

 

A nice mountainash with oak-like leaves; seems to be less susceptible to fireblight; 30’ spread.

Ulmus parvifolia

Chinese elm

3

6

A,B

Northern and central China, Korea, and Japan

Unusual mottled bark; can winterkill in Neb.; very nice tree when established; 45’ spread.

Ulmus rubra

red elm (slippery elm)

2

6

All

Quebec to Florida, west to the Dakotas and Texas

Close relative of the American elm; native to eastern Neb.; not readily available; susceptible to Dutch elm disease; 50’ spread.

Ulmus thomasii

rock elm

2

5

A,B,C

Quebec to Tennesse and Nebraska

Native to eastern Neb.; very tough wood; not readily available; susceptible to Dutch elm disease; 50’ spread.

Zelkova serrata

Japanese zelkova

2

5

A,B

Japan

Interesting bark; can be susceptible to frost damage and winterkill; closely related to the elm family; 40’ spread.

 

 

 

 

Small Deciduous Trees:

Less than 25 feet at maturity

 

Scientific Name

Common Name

Cultural

Conditions

Zone

Native Habitat

Remarks

           

Acer glabrum

Rocky Mountain maple

3

6

C,D,E

Southeast Alaska to California, east to west South Dakota and New Mexico

Native to the Pine Ridge area; tolerates alkaline, rocky soils; prefers higher elevations; 25’ spread.

Acer griseum

paperbark maple

2

5

A,B

Central China

Exfoliating bark reveals a trunk of beautiful cinnamon color; 25’ spread.

 

Acer palmatum

Japanese maple

2

5

A

Japan, China, and Korea

Lovely smaller tree; needs protection; 15’ spread.

 

Acer tataricum

tatarian maple

3

6

All

Southeast Europe and western Asia

Very similar to Amur maple; may be better for western Neb.; 15’ spread.

 

Acer truncatum

shantung maple

2

6

All

Northern China

Lovely spring and fall color; needs protection in western Neb.; 25’ spread.

 

Amelanchier arborea

downy serviceberry

2

56

All

Maine to Iowa, south to northern Florida and Louisiana

Large shrub or small tree; showy flowers; seldom seen in Neb.; 15’ spread.

Amelanchier x grandiflora

apple serviceberry

2

6

All

 

Nice small tree with edible fruit and good fall color. ‘Autumn Brilliance’ and ‘Robin Hill’ are nice cultivars with good fall color; 15’ spread. 1998 Nebraska Tree of the Year.

Asimina triloba

common pawpaw

2

45

A,B,C

New York to Florida, west to Nebraska and Texas

Interesting tree with unusual banana-like fruit and brown-red flowers; cultivar ‘Sunflower’ has better fruit production; 15’ spread.

Betula occidentalis

water birch

2

5

All

From Alaska to Oregon and through Rocky Mountains to Colorado

Handsome, reddish brown bark; nice tree; especially good for western Neb.; native to the Pine Ridge area; 25’ spread.

Carpinus caroliniana

American hornbeam

2

45

All

Nova Scotia to Minnesota, south to Florida and Texas

Shade tolerant; understory tree; very interesting, sinewy bark; 20’ spread.

Cercis canadensis

eastern redbud

2

5

All

New Jersey to northern Florida, west to Missouri and Texas and northern Mexico

Eastern Neb. native with beautiful rosy-pink flowers in early spring; lovely natural habit; prefers some shade; 25’ spread.

Chionanthus retusus

Chinese fringetree

2

6

A

China, Korea, and Japan

Small tree or large shrub; showy flowers; seldom seen in Neb.; 15’ spread.

Chionanthus virginicus

white fringetree

2

6

A,B,C

Southern New Jersey to Florida and Texas

Similar to C. reusus but hardier; very refined with beautiful, fragrant flowers; needs protection from desiccating winter winds; 15’ spread.

Cornus alternifolia

pagoda dogwood

2

5

A,B,C

New Brunswick to Minnesota south to Georgia and Alabama

Large shrub or small tree; nice layered habit; prefers some shade; 20’ spread.

Cornus florida

flowering dogwood

2

5

A

Massachusetts to Florida, west to Ontario, Texas and Mexico

Common in eastern U.S.; limited use in Neb.; must have protection; shade tolerant; 10’ spread.

Cornus kousa

Kousa dogwood

2

5

A,B

Japan, Korea, and China

Large shrub or small tree; beautiful when in flower but needs protection in Neb.; hardier than C. florida; 15’ spread.

Cornus mas

corneliancherry dogwood

3

6

All

Central and southern Europe and western Asia

Large shrub or small tree; one of the earliest to flower (yellow); good for foundation plantings; attractive bark; 15’ spread.

Cotinus coggygria

common smoketree

2

6

A,B,C

Southern Europe to central China and Himalaya

Large shrub/tree; showy, smoke-like flowers June through August; limited use; several cultivars with purple leaves and purple-red flowers; 15’ spread.

Cotinus obovatus

American smoketree

2

6

A,B,C

Tennessee south to Alabama and Missouri west to Texas

Similar to C. coggygria; very ornamental leaves; 15’ spread.

Crataegus crusgalli

cockspur hawthorn

3

6

All

Quebec to North Carolina and Kansas

Very thorny; avoid in areas where children may play; nice flowers and shiny foliage; 20’ spread.

Crataegus crusgalli var. inermis

thornless cockspur hawthorn

3

6

All

Quebec to North Carolina and Kansas

Thornless variety of the species; good throughout the state; 20’ spread.

Crataegus laevigata

English hawthorn

2

6

A,B,C

Europe and northern Africa

Flowers in spring; persistent fruit; ‘Crimson Cloud’ and ‘Paul’s Scarlet’ are good cultivars; 20’ spread.

Crataegus laevigata var. superba

crimson glory hawthorn

2

6

A,B,C

Europe and northern Africa

Brilliant crimson flowers; fine texture; unusual upright habit; 20’ spread.

 

Crataegus x lavallei

Lavalle hawthorn

2

6

All

 

Dense crown with orange to red fall color; good screen/border plant; 20’ spread.

Crataegus x mordenensis ‘Snowbird’

snowbird hawthorn

2

6

All

 

‘Snowbird’ is a selection with double white fragrant flowers in spring; good screen/border plant; 20’ spread.

Crataegus phaenopyrum

Washington hawthorn

2

6

All

Virginia to Alabama and Missouri

Very thorny; dense crown; nice flowers and showy fruit; good tree for screening and fall color; 25’ spread.

Crataegus viridis

green hawthorn

2

6

All

Maryland and Virginia to Illinois, Iowa, Texas, and Florida

‘Winterking’ is a selection with good fall color and fruit; may need protection in western Neb.; 25’ spread.

Euonymus bungeanus

winterberry euonymus

3

6

All

Northern China and Manchuria

Rich pink fruit; very hardy small tree; scale can be a problem; 15’ spread.

 

Hamamelis virginiana

common witchhazel

2

56

A,B

Canada to Georgia, west to Nebraska and Arkansas

Large shrub or small tree; interesting yellow flowers in late fall; needs consistent moisture; 15’ spread.

Maackia amurensis

Amur maackia

3

6

All

Manchuria

Nice small tree; flowers in late summer; attractive bronze colored bark; 20’ spread.

Magnolia x soulangiana

saucer magnolia

2

6

A,B,C

 

One of the best large magnolias for Neb.; large, early white flowers; 25’ spread.

Magnolia x loebneri

Loebner magnolia

2

6

A,B,C

 

Finer texture than saucer magnolia; early white flowers; can die back in severe winter; 20’ spread. ‘Dr. Merrill’ is a common cultivar.

Malus spp.

flowering crabapple

3

6

All

North America, Europe, and Asia

Many crabapple cultivars are available for the landscape. Select from disease resistant varieties that include:

‘Adams’

White flowers; red persistent fruit; 15’ spread.

‘Donald Wyman’

Clean, green foliage; white flowers; 20’ spread.

‘Indian Magic’

Pink flowers; small persisting orange fruit; 15’ spread.

‘Indian Summer’

Red flowers; good selection; 15’ spread.

‘Liset’