Choices Abound for Shade and Street Trees
Mother nature can be a harsh taskmaster. The nursery industry has been taught the lesson don’t put all your eggs in one basket” many times. The stately elms and adaptable ash have been hard to lose in the street and landscape tree choices. Though they are still in our landscapes, we need to be looking at alternatives.

Use of a broad range of species lessens the impact of new insects or diseases. There are many excellent choices that are currently under utilized. Those mentioned here are just a few of those available.

 Katsura Tree (Cercidiphyllum japonica)is a beautiful specimen. Native to Japan and China, this mid size, overwhelmingly attractive tree can be used as a street tree, or the smaller landscapes common today. Katsura Trees reach an average height of 40'. This tree has a medium to fast growth rate. Once established, the new growth expected can be a foot or more per season. The emerging leaves are red-purple becoming bluish green in summer. The striking fall apricot foliage, a distinctive aroma of baking; hence another of it’s common names, Gingerbread tree. The Katsura tree has a graceful habit with very soft leaves.

Hedge Maple Acer campestre)can be either a small tree or used as the name suggests as a hedge when heared regularly. In its natural growth form as a small tree it can reach 25' in height. The deep green foliage is lovely in summer turning to yellow in the fall. The form is generally compact - and oval to pyramidal. Trees may carry branching to the ground for screening or can be easily pruned to have a clean trunk. The deeply colored dense foliage and smaller stature makes this an outstanding choice for smaller landscape spaces or under overhead wires. Zone 4.

For a shower of gold the Golden Raintree  Koelrueteria paniculata) provides a summer burst of color. Bright yellow flowers in loose clusters cover the tree in June or July. The 30' to 40' height and rounded form are excellent for street tree and landscape use. Fall color is also yellow to golden. Summer foliage starts out with reddish tones and matures to medium green. Zone 5.

Those who live in the north may have cabin fever by now. The May Day Tree (Prunus padus) is your ticket to spring with early emergence of leaves and flowers. The white flowers are similar to those of chokecherry or black cherry, but the clusters are larger. The small black fruit is used by wildlife, notably song birds. May Day Tree is an excellent choice, a medium sized 40' to 50', rounded shade tree. Zone 3.

Don’t discount the conifers in the mix. Baldcypress (Taxodium distichum), Zone 4, and Giant Sequoia (Sequioadendron  giganteum), Zone 6, are excellent for larger spaces such as large yards or parks. These will not reach that truly giant size out of their native range and are wonderful pest free plants. This is just a sampling. Other species you should consider include Acer campestre, Acer circinatum, Chionanthus species, Maackia amurensis, Phellodendron amurense and Metasequioa glyptostroboides.

UNDER THE WIRE
Flowering Crabapples: Beauty Meets Function

Appeal. From urban to rural, flowering crabapples offer overpowering beauty in a sub-powerline proportion. Non-towering heights that range from 12-25' offer pleasant shade yet fit snugly in urban settings. Their form meets the space-saving necessity as well as providing a multitude of perks. Profuse flowers permeate the area with distinctive fragrances varying in strength and spice. Shades of earthy-green, striking-red and deep purple leaves are available in many varieties and the array is heightened in their fall color as with “Indian Magic”. Colorful, persistent fruit add display and wildlife value. Our disease resistant varieties screen and shade longer in the fall since disease-related early defoliation is kept at bay.

Selection. Whether it is the uniformity of an industrial landscape, the stately presence of a lined boulevard or the leeward, or the visible row of a windbreak crabapples can be …you.

While flowering crabapples are most known for their color,their notoriety is a reflection of varietal naming.Catchy, trademarked names characterize interest, whimsy and patriotism. For example, Regional flair with the summer relaxation of “Adirondack” Noble legacy with the sovereignty of “Centurion” and “Royalty” Drama with the power of “Molten Lava”, the blaze of “Prairie Fire” and distinction of “Scarlet Brandywine” Patriotism with the respect of “American Salute” and the victory  American Triumph”
Transplant Success. Bareroot transplanting offers an affordable instant landscape. Alus species have a remarkable adaptability. The Antanovka rootstock of our crabapple varieties lends its harsh Russian climate heritage, providing outstanding durability. In addition to the Zone 2 coldhardiness rating, the compatibility of the strong bud-to-rootstock union provides a short recovery period. The quick transition earns dramatic results: up to 6' of vertical growth and up to 1" caliper growth in one year. This phenomenal top growth is possible thanks to an established, two-year root system. Malus species represent a balance between the fibrous-rooted and tap-rooted plants. The best characteristics of both types are expressed in crabapples and apples. Fibrous roots maximize nutrient uptake capacity with their higher root surface area but have lower starch storage capacity and lack deep anchorage for withstanding stress such as wind. Conversely, tap roots maximize anchorage and storage but are less efficient with nutrient and water uptake when newly transplanted.
Flowering Crabapple… a genus that offers adaptability and tolerance. a species that offers beauty varieties that offer choice. But with all the options, how does one choose? Please review the following selection guide.

Guest Opinion
This month, Lawyer Nursery is featuring a guest opinion from Dale Siems of Sherman Nursery. Dale has been a leader in the nursery industry for many years, his energy and enthusiasm is inspiring for anyone who meets him.

Recent industry trends have been troubling, and Dale is trying to do something about it. The idea of an industry wide marketing effort is not new, but perhaps the current situation will spur us into action. Look at your numbers over the last five years. If your performance has been highly profitable, then perhaps this may not be for you.  If, on the other hand, your performance has been lackluster, if demand is sagging and it’s harder to move your product, then read on – Dale may have a solution. This is an industry built on cooperation and sharing of  knowledge and efforts – what is more important then an effort to revive our industry?

Ten or fifteen years ago, an attempt was made to nationally advertise our product. To raise money, we asked our customers to add ¼ of 1% to their invoice and Sherman Nursery would match it. In other words, if a customer’s invoice was $1,000.00, we would ask if they would voluntarily add $2.50 to which we would add $2.50 for a total of $5.00.This money was sent to a central collection point.

Too many in the industry found reasons to find fault with the program, but I can tell you that Bailey Nurseries and Sherman  nursery were solidly behind it as were many of the retailers and others who would benefit.

In a nutshell, the idea is to acquaint the American public with the advantages of green growing things. We’ve got the best product in the world, but we don’t tell our story. Look, I’m not a pie-in-the-sky guy, but can you imagine an ad during the Super Bowl showing an Autumn Blaze Maple in full red with 90 million people watching? It’s not going to be a simple task. When many were supporting our need to advertise nationally, others without vision said, “Why should I pay $2.50 when I’m selling every tree I can grow?” Well, times have changed. We need to tell the public they need our product more than a new set of golf clubs. Many green industry companies are going belly-up and many others are struggling. I’m a firm believer growers would not be able to keep up with the demand for our product. And what could that mean? Hopefully it will result in better prices allowing the industry to pay better wages and upgrade our image as a very special element in the everyday lives of everyone.

I’ve talked-it-up in Minneapolis, Kansas City, Indianapolis, Chicago, Columbus, Milwaukee and Des Moines. People are behind this idea and I will continue to discuss this with excitement and optimism.

Dale Siems
Sherman Nursery

Native Witch Hazels For the Quiet Season of Flowering
Not many plants flower through the late fall or winter so those that do deserve special attention. Winter flowering Witch Hazels are large shrubs that often form part of the understory of forests. This season Lawyer Nursery has strong crops in two native species of Witch Hazel (Hamamelis). Both species have yellow fall color and are excellent for naturalizing. Native to eastern North America, Hamamelis virginana blooms in late fall, October to November. The fragrant yellow blooms have a delicate whispy look at odds with the seasonal weather. Sun or shade will do, but a moist site is needed. Zone 3. Hamamelis vernalis is native to Arkansas, Oklahoma and Missouri. Small, fragrant yellow flowers appear in February before even the early spring bulbs are blooming. This species
is primarily native to alluvial areas and should be planted on moist sites. It will tolerate high pH levels. Zone 4.

Junipers for Diversity and Value
Whether planning for landscaping, reclamation, windbreaks or wildlife, junipers have something for everyone. This portion of the Cupressaceae family of conifers is extensive with over 60 species in the northern hemisphere and 200+ named varieties. For variety in form, Junipers have it all, from tall 70' trees to large shrubs of 15' width to low growing ground covers. All have needle or scale like leaves, some have both!

The junipers are a tough lot. While preferring moist well drained sites like other plants, they are usually found on drier, droughty and rocky locations. Young seedlings are initially susceptible to stress and dehydration from heat and wind, so planting early is strongly recommended. Once established, Junipers can handle most anything Mother Nature throws at them.

Juniperus virginiana, an eastern native, and Juniperus scopulorum, a western native, are used extensively in reclamation projects, erosion control and windbreaks for their adaptability to dry sites. The highly variable Juniperus communis, which is found throughout the US, Canada, Europe, and Asia, also a great choice for its drought tolerance and adaptability.

 Junipers of all sizes provide year round color, hardiness, and minimal watering and care. Junipers are ideal for most xeriscaping situations. Use them as accents, groundcover or buffers. The Rocky Mountain Juniper (Juniperus scopulorum)is much appreciated for holding its color well through the winter. Many species of wildlife will look to the larger Junipers for shelter and protection.

The blue berry-like cones of all junipers also provide a food supply for upland ground birds, song birds, and large and small mammals. Humans have used the needles, bark and fruits for medicinal remedies for colds, respiratory problems, blood purification, body aches and pains, and tonics for the digestive tract. The dried berries of Juniperus communis and the oils derived from them are used in many commercial products from gin to soap.

Lawyer Nursery currently has an excellent supply of Rocky Mountain Juniper (Juniperus scopulorum) from a high elevation Utah seed source providing that great mix of cold hardiness and heat adaptability with drought tolerance.Check out the Juniper listings on page 21 including Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana)seedlings.

Flowering Shrub Alternatives
Weigelas are a shrub with a soft textured appearance, arching branches, and trumpet shaped flowers that have been known to last well into October. They are extremely adaptable and pollution tolerant. There are 170 known hybrid soft Weigelas and counting. But don’t get too hung up on the many varieties, Lawyer Nursery has done the research to make available 14 of the most sought after Weigelas. We have two variegated varieties; ‘Brigela’ French Lace™ which has striking yellow margins on the leaves and deep red blossoms. Another variegated form; ‘Variegata’ features a cream outline on the leaves and deep rose flowers. We have Weigelas with reddish orange blooms and red fall leaf color (see Nain Rouge™), and a compact type with pink flowers accented with a yellow throat (see Polka).

Weigelas have sometimes been confused with the Beauty Bush (Kolkwitzia amabilis). While there are some similarities, the flowers of the Beauty Bush are a touch smaller than that of Weigela, and the flower stalks are highly pubescent. The Beauty Bush is very dense with arching branches that eventually cascade back down  to ground level. This plant will grow quite tall if it is left alone. You may see bark exfoliation on older stems, but the real beauty comes from its flowering, which makes the Beauty Bush worth the wait.

We will be spring harvesting transplant Beauty Bushes that will fit nicely into a #2-3 size container or directly into the landscape. If we happen to run out of the variegated Weigelas we do have Cornus alba ‘Crimzam’ Créme de Mint, the name says it all. Mint leaves with creamy white margins and golden green twigs.