Plants

Fagus grandifolia

[American Beech]

In a proper site, an excellent trouble-free shade tree with year-round interest. Less adaptable to hot, dry conditions than the exotic F. sylvatica, but somewhat more cold hardy. F. grandifolia is preferred in Zone 4. Like F. sylvatica, this tree is so shallow rooted and casts such heavy shade that grass does not grow well beneath it. Low branching habit is a concern for use in the tree lawn as a street tree (may require…

Fagus sylvatica

[European Beech]

In a proper site, an excellent trouble-free shade tree with year-round interest. More adaptable to hot, dry conditions than our native F. grandifolia, but somewhat less hardy. F. grandifolia is preferred in Zone 4. Like F. grandifolia, this tree is so shallow rooted and casts such heavy shade that grass does not grow well beneath it. Low branching habit is a concern for use in the tree lawn as a street tree (may require more…

Fagus sylvatica 'Purpurea'

[Purple-Leaf European Beech]

In a proper site, an excellent trouble-free shade tree with year-round interest. More adaptable to hot, dry conditions than our native F. grandifolia, but somewhat less hardy. F. grandifolia is preferred in Zone 4. Like F. grandifolia, this tree is so shallow rooted and casts such heavy shade that grass does not grow well beneath it. Low branching habit is a concern for use in the tree lawn as a street tree (may require more…

Fagus sylvatica 'Riversii'

[Rivers Purple-Leaf European Beech]

In a proper site, an excellent trouble-free shade tree with year-round interest. More adaptable to hot, dry conditions than our native F. grandifolia, but somewhat less hardy. F. grandifolia is preferred in Zone 4. Like F. grandifolia, this tree is so shallow rooted and casts such heavy shade that grass does not grow well beneath it. Low branching habit is a concern for use in the tree lawn as a street tree (may require more…

Fothergilla × intermedia 'Blue Shadow'

[Blue Shadow Fothergilla]

Frangula caroliniana

[Carolina Buckthorn]

Handsome shrub or small tree with dark green, 8 to 10 vein-paired leaves. Fruits are 1/3" diameter, globose and has a sweet taste to it. Changes from red to black as it matures. Fruit ripes (Red) in August and remain on the plant until October or later, by which time it turns black.

Fraxinus americana

[White Ash]

Not as adaptable as Green Ash but has better esthetics. Heavy crops of seeds on female trees cause litter, and these germinate freely making the tree slightly weedy. An unattractive ash flower gall (caused by mites) can develop on male flowers and persist into winter. Subject to storm damage, so plant in areas that shelter the tree from strong winds. Emerald Ash Borer is severely affecting all species of this genus. Damage can be prevented…

Fraxinus americana 'Empire'

[Empire White Ash]

'Empire' is a narrow, upright tree with handsome fall foliage. Fruits can be a litter problem. An unattractive ash flower gall (caused by mites) can develop on male flowers and persist into winter. Subject to storm damage, so plant in areas that shelter the tree from strong winds. Emerald Ash Borer is severely affecting all species of this genus. Damage can be prevented with the appropriate pesticide, but the treatment cost will eventually exceed replacement…

Fraxinus quadrangulata

[Blue Ash]

The Blue Ash earned its common name from the blue dye made by early Americans from the inner bark, which contains a substance that turns blue with exposure to air. This tree is naturally found upland in dry, rocky limestone areas and is very drought tolerant. As with all ashes, Fraxinus quadrangulata is extremely susceptible to the Emerald Ash Borer. Damage from this pest can be prevented with the soil drench method imidacloprid, but the…

Ginkgo biloba

[Ginkgo]

The Ginkgo is a long-lived deciduous conifer and gymnosperm. It is frequently termed a "living fossil," as it is the only surviving member of a group of ancient plants with fossils dating back to 270 million years ago. This plant is dioecious, and the so-called fruits (which are actually naked seeds with a soft seed coat) are borne on female trees, are green or tan-orange, and have an offensive odor when ripe and decaying. Fruits…