Tree Liquidambar styraciflua 'Slender Silhouette' [Slender Silhouette Sweetgum] As the cultivar name suggests, this tree has a narrow, columnar-conical habit, which is a desirable for those small spaces within the landscape. 'Slender Slihouette' considered a 'fruitless' cultivar, but does produce a small number of multi-horned, round fruits that mature in the fall. Its leaves are a lustrous-dark green, which turns to a mixture of deep purples, reds, and yellows.
Tree Malus × 'Adirondack' [Adirondack Flowering Crabapple] The Flowering Crabapple is a popular small ornamental tree with an extremely showy flower display in the spring. This variant has a vase-shaped (somewhat columnar) habit, extremely upright branching, and high resistance to apple scab, fireblight, cedar-apple rust, and powdery mildew. Tends to flower and fruit in alternate years. Well-drained heavy loam soils and full sun promote best growth.
Tree Malus baccata 'Columnaris' [Columnar Siberian Flowering Crabapple] The Flowering Crabapple is a popular small ornamental tree with an extremely showy flower display in the spring. This columnar cultivar is resistant to scab, but is highly susceptible to fireblight. The use of this tree is discouraged, as it has such a high susceptibility to fireblight. Tends to flower and fruit in alternate years. Well-drained heavy loam soils and full sun promote best growth. Many tend to look ragged at the end of the…
Tree Nyssa sylvatica 'WFH1' [sold as Tupelo Tower™] [Tupelo Tower Black Gum] Tupelo Tower is one of the only upright, of columnar habit, unlike the straight species. Its tight habit, brilliant fall color, and urban tolerances make this cultivar highly saught after. Typically, a slightly acidic soil is needed for this species to perform well. Difficult to transplant, so best purchase as container grown. Wet soils tolerant.
Tree Parrotia persica 'Vanessa' [Vanessa Persian Parrotia] Vanessa is a cultivar that has a distinctly upright or columnar habit. One of the best trees for foliage and bark effect. Very adaptable, tolerating drought, various soils, heat, cold, etc. Prefers full sun but tolerates light shade. Sites with strong winter winds will surely cause tip dieback in Northern Indiana.
Shrub/Tree Platycladus orientalis [Oriental Arborvitae] Best in at least fairly moist soils, and with fairly high humidity. Habit tends toward becoming thinner (open) with age. Subject to "winter-burn" near the edge of its useful range. Certain forms provide very positive accent, but can be over-used. Bagworms can also be a problem.
Tree Prunus serrulata 'Amanogawa' [Amanogawa Japanese Flowering Cherry] An overall columnar form, but not super tidy with uneven branch distribution. Susceptible to several pests and diseases.
Tree Pseudotsuga menziesii 'Fastigiata' [Columnar Douglas Fir] Pseudotsuga menziesii is a highly variable species, in cold and drought hardiness, color, and form. For use in the Midwest, select the hardiest available forms. Prefers atmospheric moisture. Historically, has been an important timber tree in the West. 'Fastigiata' is a dense, columnar cultivar with distinctly upright branches.
Tree InvasiveThis plant is considered invasive Pyrus calleryana 'Capital' [Capital Callery Pear] Overused, weak wooded, short-lived. Flowers are malodorous and often killed by late spring freezes. Forms narrow crotch angles that can result in a larger tree literally splitting in two. Very small fruits are a litter problem when abundant. 'Capital' is narrow-columnar in form and is severely susceptible to fireblight. The aesthetics of this cultivar decrease considerably with age. Considered invasive in many areas.
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.
