Tree Indiana Native Quercus alba [White Oak] One of the most majestic trees at maturity with a picturesque framework, but requires many years to reach maturity. Long-lived, the kind of tree to use where it can be appreciated by succeeding generations. Slow growth eliminates it as a tree for quick effect. Roots are highly sensitive to disturbance, even foot traffic. Almost impossible to transplant from the wild. Often difficult to find in nurseries due to slow growth and recalcitrance to propagation by…
Tree Indiana Native Quercus bicolor [Swamp White Oak] The Swamp White Oak is a sturdy, long-lived tree that is generally tolerant to average conditions and even wet soil, but requires full sun and acidic soil.
Tree Quercus bicolor 'Bonnie and Mike' [sold as Beacon®] [Beacon Oak] 'Bonnie and Mike' is a cultivar with dense and glossy green foliage. Good for urban use with its tight upright columnar branching. It also has yellow fall color.
Tree Indiana Native Quercus coccinea [Scarlet Oak] Excellent scarlet fall foliage, comparable if not often better than the Pin Oak. Does not suffer iron chlorosis as bad as Pin Oak, being more tolerant of alkaline soils. Some report difficulty in transplanting.
Tree Quercus × 'Crimschmidt' [sold as Crimson Spire™] [Crimson Spire Oak] The Crimson Spire Oak is notable for its powdery mildew resistance and reddish fall color that it gained from its White Oak parent, in addition to the dense, strong, vertical, columnar form, and tolerance to drought and urban conditions gained from its Fastigiate English Oak parent.
Tree Indiana Native Quercus × deamii [Deam Oak] The Deam Oak is a rare hybrid between the White Oak (Quercus alba) and the Chinquapin Oak (Quercus muehlenbergii) that can be found in mature forests. Quercus x deamii was first discovered in Wells County, Indiana, about 4 miles outside the town of Bluffton in 1904 by Bruce Williamson, a zoologist, and his father. Not sure what they had found, they took the specimen to Charles C. Deam who later sent the sample to his…
Tree Indiana Native Quercus ellipsoidalis [Northern Pin Oak] Quercus ellipsoidalis is very closely related to Q. palustris (Pin Oak), but is better suited for the Midwest. Very similar to the Pin Oak, the Northern Pin Oak is a handsome tree with distinctive and regular branching, spreading to horizontal to drooping, from top to bottom of the tree. This effect is partly lost when lower limbs must be removed for traffic underneath. While this species is still prone to chlorosis (yellowing of leaves) in…
Tree Quercus falcata [Southern Red Oak] Generally only hardy up to zone 6, this oak is native to southeastern regions of the United States, but can sometimes be grown in colder climates. This tree gained its specific epithet name, "falcata", from the sickle-like weapon of the same name, in reference to the sickle-shaped lobes of the leaves. Root disturbance is known to severely affect this species, and can lead to decline or death.
Tree Indiana Native Quercus imbricaria [Shingle Oak] Somewhat tolerant of city conditions. Can be pruned into a hedge. Leaves persist into winter, after the normal leaf raking period, and then fall. Oak gall susceptible, but a minor problem.