Small Trees
Shorter trees are required when planted underneath wires or other obstructions. The table below lists various trees that should do well in these special circumstances.
- Cherry
- Crabapple
- Hawthorn
- Ivory Silk Japanese Lilac
- Nannyberry
- Pear
- Serviceberry
- Tatarian Maple
- Pagoda Dogwood
- Beautiful two-week show of flowers in May.
- Some can be prone to diseases such as scab, fire blight, rust, leaf spot, and powdery mildew.
- Cultivars listed here are more disease-resistant, and many will hold their fruit throughout the winter.
| Common Name |
Scientific Name |
Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Centurian Crab | Malus 'Centzam' | Pink flowers with 5/8" fruit. Excellent disease resistance. Height: 15-20'. |
| Donald Wyman Crab | Malus 'Donald Wyman' | Pink/white flowers with ½" persistent fruit. Excellent disease resistance. Height: 20'. |
| Indian Summer Crabapple | Malus x 'Indian Summer' | Rose-pink flowers. Excellent disease resistance. Height: 18'. |
| Indian Magic Crab | Malus 'Indian Magic' | Rose-pink flowers with ½" fruits. Excellent mildew and rust resistance. Height: 20'. |
| Red Splendor Crab | Malus 'Red Splendor' | Pink flowers with ½" fruits. Fruit persists for wildlife. Toxic for human consumption. Rust resistant. Height: 20'. |
| Spring Snow Crab | Malus 'Spring Snow' | White flowers and no fruit. Rust resistant. Height: 20-25'. |
| Cardinal Crab | Malus x 'Cardinal' | Purple foliage. Flowers red, fading to pink. Excellent disease resistance. Height: 10-18'. |
| Thunderchild Crab | Malus 'Thunderchild' | Rose pink flowers with ½" fruits. Purple summer foliage. Very winter hardy. Height: 15-25'. |
Description Sources: NDSU Woody Plant Improvement Program, Morten Arboretum, and Stearns County Soil and Water Conservation District.
- Small tree native to western Asia
- Adaptable to a variety of soils, better alkaline tolerance than amur maple.
- Excellent choice for xeriscaping. (needing little to no irrigation)
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Hot Wings Tatarian Maple |
Acer tataricum 'GarAnn' |
Yellow to red fall color. Tolerant of alkaline soils. Very showy samaras. Height: 15-25'. |
| Pattern Perfect Tatarian Maple |
Acer tataricum 'Patdell' |
Orange and red fall color. Showy samaras. Drought tolerant. Height: 20'. |
Description Sources: Colorado Springs Utilities, Missouri Botanical Garden, MN Department of Natural Resources, and Ron Paul Garden Center.
Hawthorn
- Has white flowers in spring and leaves turn orange or red in the fall.
- Tolerant to alkaline and acidic soils, but is sensitive to salt.
- Tolerant of drought conditions and air pollution.
- Red fruit persists through the winter.
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Thornless Cockspur Hawthorn |
Crategus crus-galli var. inermis |
Thornless. White flowers. Good fall color. Tolerant of alkaline soils. Height: 25'. |
| Crusader Hawthorn |
Crategus crus-galli var. 'Cruzam' |
Thornless. Multi-stemmed. Height: 25-35'. |
| Snowbird Hawthorn |
Crataegus x mordenensis 'Snowbird' |
Very hardy. White flowers in spring, good disease resistance, but has thorns. |
Descrption Sources: Morton Arboretum, Missouri Botanical Garden, and TLCGarden Plant Finder.
Autumn Brilliance Serviceberry
- Serviceberries can be grown as shrubs, multi-stemmed trees, or single-stemmed trees.
- White flowers in spring, fruit is edible.
- Fruit can be used in jams, jellies, and pies.
- Attractive to pollinators and other wildlife.
- Does best in soil pH 5.5-7, but can tolerate higher pHs.
- Native.
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Autumn Brilliance Serviceberry |
Amelanchier x grandiflora 'Autumn Brilliance' |
Reddish fall color. Rounded growth habit, red fall color, and drought tolerant. Height: 25'. |
Description Source: University of Minnesota Extension.
Princess Kay Plum
- Small tree with pretty flowers.
- Prefers slightly acidic soil.
- Not very drought tolerant.
- Native to Canada and Minnesota.
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Princess Kay Plum |
Prunus nigra 'Princess Kay' |
Double white flowers in May. Will not produce fruit. Height: 10-15'. |
Description Sources: UMN Agricultural Experiment Station and The National Gardening Association.
Pink Flair Sargent Cherry
- Hardy and attractive.
- Tolerates acidic and alkaline soil as well as road salt.
- Sensitive to drought conditions, poor drainage, and air pollution.
- Native to Japan and Korea.
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Pink Flair Sargent Cherry |
Prunus sargentii |
Red-orange fall color. Height: 25'. |
Description Source: The Morton Arboretum.
Pear Trees
- Introduced from northeastern Asia.
- pH adaptable, but not tolerant of salty soil.
- Should be protected from rabbit and mice browse.
- Some of the first trees to flower.
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Prairie Gem Pear |
Pyrus ussuriensis 'Mordak' |
White flowers. No fruit unless another pear is near to pollinate. Hardiest of ornamental pears. Tolerant of urban pollution. NDSU introduction. Height: 25'. |
| Mountain Frost Pear |
Pyrus ussuriensis 'Bailfrost' |
Ornamental tree. White flowers. Burgundy fall color. Bears fruit. Height: 30'. |
| Korean Sun Pear |
Pyrus faurei 'Westwood' |
Ornamental tree. Red fall color. Fruits are inedible. Height: 20'. |
Description Sources: NDSU Woody Plant Improvement Program, Gertens, and Gardening Know How.
Ivory Silk Japanese Lilac
- Tolerant of urban conditions.
- Clusters of white flowers.
- Attracts pollinators.
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Ivory Silk Japanese Lilac |
Syringa reticulata 'Ivory Silk' |
Showy white flowers. Rounded crown. Adaptable tree for a variety of uses. Height: 20-25'. |
Description Source: The Morton Arboretum.
Nannyberry (Tree Form)
- Prefers alkaline soil, moist and well-drained.
- Small tree or mult-stemmed shrub.
- Adaptable to full sun or partial shade.
- White flowers later turning to edible berries in fall.
- Caterpillar and larvae host of spring azure butterfly.
- Native to Minnesota.
|
|
Scientific Name | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Nannyberry |
Viburnum lentago |
Multi-stemmed height:14-16', single-stemmed height: 30'. Berries persist into winter. |
Description Sources: Missouri Botanical Garden and The Morton Arboretum.
Pagoda Dogwood
- Loved by pollinators and birds.
- Tiered branching structure.
- Prefers well-drained, moist, acidic soil.
- Grows 15-25 feet tall.
- Native to Minnesota.
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Pagoda Dogwood |
Cornus alternifolia |
Can be a small tree or a shrub. Most dogwoods have an alternate leaf pattern, but pagoda has an opposite leaf pattern. |
Description Source: The Morton Arboretum.