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 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 phellos [Willow Oak] Somewhat tolerant of city conditions. Oak wilt and scales, and many other oak tree pests, though none considered very serious. Low maintenance, long-lived tree. Use Northern sources in Indiana.
Tree Quercus robur × bicolor 'Nadler' [sold as Kindred Spirit®] [Kindred Spirit Hybrid Oak] 'Nadler' is a cultivar with a tight columnar form branching from the ground, adapted to many soil types, and a yellow-brown fall color.
Tree Quercus robur 'Fastigiata' [Columnar English Oak] The tightly columnar 'Fastigiata' provides a strong vertical accent, and is far more popular in the Midwest than the straight species. Powdery mildew on the leaves can be a significant problem. Seed propagated 80-90% true to type, thus variation can also be a problem.
Tree Indiana Native Quercus rubra [Red Oak] One of the best and most reliable of oaks as a shade or street tree. More vigorous and fast-growing than most oaks. Good street tree since it performs reasonably well in small soil volumes (although it tends to branch close to ground). Oak wilt disease has been troublesome in certain areas of the Midwest. Hybridizes easily with other oaks (be careful of source).
Tree Indiana Native Quercus shumardii [Shumard Oak] The Shumard Oak is a handsome tree that is drought and air pollution tolerant, and but can also be used in rain gardens. Transplanting and establishment can be difficult.