Tree Populus × 'Red Caudina' [Red Caudina Poplar] This fast-growing plant is weak-wooded, weedy, and a litter problem, dropping twigs, flowers, branches, leaves, and fruits (the cottony masses that float through the air in early summer). In the wild, the parents of this hybrid tend to grow along streams, rivers, and other moist areas. Susceptible to many pests and diseases, especially canker. 'Red Caudina' is a narrow, all male cultivar that does not produce the problematic cottony fruits. It has red veination and…
Tree Populus tremuloides 'NE Arb' [sold as Prairie Gold®] [Prairie Gold Quaking Aspen] Prairie Gold® Quaking Aspen is more tolerant to urban conditions including heat, drought, and humidity. The Aspen's name is derived from its golden yellow fall color. Native from Labrador to Alaska, south to Pennsylvania, Missouri, northern Mexico and lower California.
Tree Prunus × incam 'Okame' [Okame Cherry] 'Okame' is a small cherry tree that performs well in the landscape and provides multi-season interest with beautiful, pink flowers very early in the spring, handsome dark green summer foliage, excellent orange, red, and bronze fall color, and shining, reddish bark in the winter.
Shrub Indiana Native Prunus pumila [Sand Cherry] Prunus pumila is a creeping, low-growing small shrub naturally found in sandy locations, such as dunes, where it acts an important stabilizer. The cherry fruits are too bitter to eat fresh, but can be used in jams and jellies.
Shrub Prunus tomentosa [Nanking Cherry] Among earliest of Prunus to flower. Subject to the troubles of other cherries (fireblight, etc.), but less so than some. Leaf spot in wet seasons. Often short-lived.
Shrub/Tree Indiana Native Prunus virginiana [Common Chokecherry] The Common Chokecherry can be a suckering small tree or large shrub that produces fragrant white racemes followed by small, purple-black cherries. These fruits can be used for pies, jellies, and jams (do not eat fresh). Suckers must be immediately removed to control growth.
Tree InvasiveThis plant is considered invasive Pyrus calleryana [Callery Pear] Overused, weak wooded, short-lived. Flowers are malodorous and often killed by late spring freezes. Some fireblight susceptiblity. Forms narrow crotch angles that can result in a larger tree literally splitting in two. Very small fruits are a litter problem when abundant. Considered invasive in many areas.
Tree InvasiveThis plant is considered invasive Pyrus calleryana 'Bradford' [Bradford Callery Pear] The cultivar 'Bradford' was exceedingly popular in the recent past, becoming overused because of its beautiful white flower show and outstanding scarlet to purple fall color. However, it is now advised not to use this short-lived cultivar, as it has very weak wood and tight branch angles and is quite prone to serious breakage. Forms narrow crotch angles that can result in a larger tree literally splitting in two. Flowers are malodorous and often killed…
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 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.
