Tree Carya × nussbaumeri [Hican] This tree is a hybrid of the pecan and shellbark hickory, thus the common name of "Hican". It was developed to produce a nut with the taste of pecans, but with the weaker shell of the shellbark hickory. This plant has a large tap root and can be difficult to transplant. Dropped fruits, stems, and leaves can be a litter problem. Can be prone to various fungal leaf spots.
Tree Indiana Native Carya ovata [Shagbark Hickory] The bark of Carya ovata gives the tree its common name and is characteristically rough and shaggy on mature trees, growing in long flat plates, making especially good winter interest. The wood of this tree is especially hard, making it useful for a variety of products. This tree develops a large taproot, making it difficult to transplant.
Tree Indiana Native Carya tomentosa [Mockernut Hickory] This tree is found on ridges, dry hills, and slopes but grows best in moist, well-drained soil. The fall color is deep golden yellow to golden brown and persists. Fruit is round to elliptical with a thick husk splitting at the base and contains an edible seed.
Shrub Caryopteris × clandonensis [Bluebeard] Is often killed to ground in winter, returning to flower in the same year. Functions much like an herbaceous perennial, primarily for flowering interest, blooming on new growth. This hybrid is much hardier than C. incana and much more showy than C. mongholica. Prefers full sun but tolerates partial shade. Attractive plant to bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Occasionally kills out completely at the northern edge of its useful range, with tops regularly killed back to…
Tree Indiana Native Castanea dentata [American Chestnut] Highly susceptible to chesnut blight, causing this tree to be nearly extinct in the wild.
Tree Castanea mollissima [Chinese Chestnut] Overall tough and durable, but can be susceptible to blight, twig canker, and orient chestnut wasp. Also susceptible to weevils, which damages the roots. Prefers well-drained, loamy soils, full sun, and hot, arid conditions.
Tree Catalpa ovata [Chinese Catalpa] The Chinese Catalpa is smaller than other Catalpa species, generally only reaching 30 feet. It produces attractive yellow-white flowers in the spring, but they are not as ornamental as those of other Catalpa species. Its coarse winter trunk and branches are bold and striking; picturesque, but can be too coarse for many urban landscapes. Best for difficult areas. Wood is rot resistant, but is somewhat brittle so branches can fall in wind and ice storms.…
Tree Indiana Native Catalpa speciosa [Northern Catalpa] Coarse winter trunks and branches are bold and striking; picturesque. Best for difficult areas. Wood is rot resistant, but is somewhat brittle so branches can fall in wind and ice storms. Too coarse of texture for most urban landscapes. Short-lived to about 50 years.
Tree Indiana Native Celtis laevigata [Sugar Hackberry] The Sugar Hackberry is very similar to the Common Hackberry (Celtis occidentalis) and is especially useful in large-scale situations with dry soils and heavy winds. This species gained its common name from the juicy, sweet berries it produces. Subject to a leaf nipple gall (caused by psyllid insect Pachypsylla dismamma, one of many jumping plant lice). However, the Sugar Hackberry is more resistant to witches'-broom disease (caused by Eriophyid mite) than the Common Hackberry. Especially…
Tree Indiana Native Celtis occidentalis [Common Hackberry] As well adapted to Midwestern conditions as American Elm, and a reasonably good substitute in form as well. Especially useful in large-scale situations with dry soils and heavy winds. Subject to a leaf nipple gall (caused by psyllid insect Pachypsylla dismamma, one of many jumping plant lice) and witches'-broom disease (caused by Eriophyid mite), both minor in most situations in the Midwest. Especially coarse texture limits use in designed landscapes.
