Tree Indiana Native Sassafras albidum [Common Sassafras] Roots sucker and form thickets, which may or may not be desirable. Sassafras tea contains safrole, a mild carcinogen banned in food products. Iron chlorosis in high pH can turn leaves yellow.
Shrub Indiana Native Staphylea trifolia [American Bladdernut] An upright, heavily branched, suckering shrub; sometimes wide-spreading, as a small tree. Used in naturalizing; best reserved for parks and other low maintenance areas; rather nice for foliage effect.
Tree Indiana Native Taxodium distichum [Common Baldcypress] Nice planted in groupings around water. Develops cypress knees (possibly for gas exchange), but generally only near water.
Tree Indiana Native Thuja occidentalis [Eastern Arborvitae] One of the best plants for screening in moist, well-aerated soils. Bagworms can be a problem. Subject to several other insect pests, all of which usually can be controlled with timely spraying. Deer may feed on foliage. Winter color can be poor.
Tree Indiana Native Tilia americana [American Linden] Very adaptable, even in alkaline soil, but does not tolerate much air pollution. Too big for most urban landscapes. Japanese beetles like feeding on it.
Tree Indiana Native Tsuga canadensis [Canadian Hemlock] One of the finest plants for evergreen hedges; even the faster growing forms can be kept to 4-8' tall without difficulty. Dwarf forms are excellent rock garden or border specimens. Foliage browns in dry soil, drying wind, and winter sun in very exposed sites. Does not tolerate long periods of drought. Can be scorched by full sun and temperatures above 95 degrees F. Many minor pest problems, with wooly aldelgids being especially serious in the…
Tree Indiana Native Ulmus rubra [Slippery Elm] The Slippery Elm has a vase-shaped form, similar to that of the American Elm (Ulmus americana), but with more ascending branchlets. This tree gained its common name from the moist, slippery, red inner bark chewed by Native Americans and pioneers to quench thirst. Not considered very ornamental for the landscape, due to its coarse texture, weedy tendencies, and susceptibility to Dutch Elm Disease (although not as severe as the American Elm).
Tree Ulmus × 'Morton Glossy' [sold as Triumph™] [Triumph Elm] Upright oval to vase-shaped habit with arching branches, glossy dark green summer foliage, changing to yellow in fall; hybrid between Accolade® and Vanguard™. Dutch elm disease resistant, the best habit in early age of the Morton Arboretum elms.
Shrub Indiana Native Viburnum dentatum [Arrowwood Viburnum] Can look ragged in dry soil. Flowers malodorous to some. Attractive to birds. Name derived from Native American use of strong sucker shoots for arrow shafts. The most durable of viburnums. Serves as a nice neutral background shrub.
