Shade Trees

			Plant Descriptions All the plants in our catalog are hardy throughout Illinois unless noted. Plants, just like people, are living organisms and their physical characteristics can vary greatly. So, the heights and spreads indicated are merely averages under normal growing conditions. Full Sun - 8 or more hours of direct or very, lightly filtered sunlight. Partial Shade - 4-8 hours of direct or filtered sunlight, shaded by other plants or located on the North side of the building. Full Shade - Little direct sunlight, under a heavy canopy of trees or located in the shadow of a tall building. Shade and Ornamental Tree Sizes Trees with a single stem are measured and sold by caliper, which is the diameter of the trunk measured 6" from the ground. Multi-stem trees, those with two or more stems, are measured either by height or caliper of the largest stem, 6" from the ground. Availability of sizes may vary with season and branch location and larger sizes may be available upon request. Sizes include: #10 Container, #15 Container, 1.50"/8-10', 1.75"/10-12', 2.00"/12-14', 2.50"/13-15', 3.00"/14-16', 3.50"/15-16'
			AUTUMN BLAZE DRUMMOND MAPLE Acer freemanii 'Autumn Blaze' A hybrid between the Red and Silver Maple, combining the best features in both parents. Slightly more drought tolerant, making it more suited for urban situations, still retains the red maple. Height 40-50', Spread 30-40' AUTUMN FANTASY MAPLE Acer freemanii 'Autumn Fantasy' A fast growing Silver Maple, it has consistently produced very good fall color, even in warmer climates. Height 50’, Spread 40’ CELEBRATION MAPLE Acer freemanii 'Celebration' This hybrid contains both advantages of Silver and Red Maples: rapid growth, drought tolerance, great fall color, and the ability to grow in most soils. Vigorous growth, strong crotch angles, seedless, Height 45’, Spread 20-25’
	Norway Maple		NORWAY MAPLE Acer platanoides 'Cultivars noted below' Tolerant of most conditions, there are many varieties that differ in habit and foliage color. Generally, the Norway Maple has a round, symmetrical crown, medium growth rate and low maintenance requirements. With the exception of Crimson King Norway Maple, they have a dark green, glossy foliage that turns a rich yellow in fall. Height 40-50', Spread 30-40' Crimson King Norway Maple A specimen tree with a rich maroon leaf color. Deborah Norway Maple Brilliant red new growth. Emerald Lustre Norway Maple New foliage is reddish cast.
			Summershade Norway Maple A superior Norway Maple selected for its heat and cold tolerance. It holds a yellow fall color later into the season. Superform Norway Maple A rapid growing variety.
	Red Maple		RED MAPLE The Red Maple distinguishes itself by always having red present: red buds in winter, reddish flowers in spring, red leaf stalks in summer and a brilliant orange red to red fall color. Healthy growth and a dense oval to rounded habit make it an excellent shade tree. They are probably best suited for the moist, hospitable conditions of a lawn, as they are intolerant of polluted, urban conditions.
	Autumn Blaze Red Maple		Armstrong Red Maple Acer x freemanii 'Armstrong' A fast growing, columnar variety which is excellent for shade and screening where space is limited. Fall color can vary from yellow to red. Height 30-40', Spread 12-16' Autumn Blaze Red Maple Acer x freemanii 'Autumn Blaze' Slightly more drought tolerant, making it more suited for urban situations. Height 40-50', Spread 30-40' Marmo Red Maple Acer x freemanii 'Marmo' Rich red fall color, contrasted with green patches and gradually turning completely red. It has an upright, oval habit and a tolerance for urban conditions. Height 40-50', Spread 30-40'
			October Glory Red Maple Acer rubrum 'October Glory' Holds onto its dark green leaves longer than other maples. Height 40-50', Spread 25-30' Red Sunset Red Maple Acer rubrum 'Red Sunset' It colors just before 'October Glory'. Height 40-50', Spread 25-30'
	Sugar Maple		SUGAR MAPLE Acer saccharum 'Cultivars noted below' In fall, its glossy, dark green leaves turn varied shades of clear yellow, brilliant orange, scarlet and a rich crimson. One of the finest of the large shade trees, oval to rounded in form. Our varieties of Sugar Maple have medium to fast growth rates, making them useful for streets, lawns and parks. Height 40-60', Spread 25-40' Commemoration Sugar Maple Heavy green foliage that is resistant to leaf tatter. Predominately yellow to orange in the fall, it tends to color a week or two earlier. Green Mountain Sugar Maple More tolerant of drought and a bit more upright than other Sugar Maple. It turns yellow to orange in the fall.
	Sugar Maple in autumn		Legacy Sugar Maple Glossy leaves that are resistant to leaf tatter, becoming orange to red in the fall. Flax Mill Majesty Sugar Maple A fast grower with a dense, oval habit and becoming orange to red in the fall. It tends to be more winter hardy.
			GREEN ASH Fraxinus pennsylvanica var. lanceolata 'Cultivars noted below' Our varieties are seedless and adaptable to a wide range of soil types and growing conditions. They are noted for a strong, oval habit and glossy green foliage that turns a brilliant yellow in fall. An excellent fast growing tree for the lawn or boulevard plantings. Height 50-60', Spread 30-40' CIMARRON GREEN ASH This tree has outstanding fall color, its lush waxy green foliage changes to deep burgundy, then to brick red, and finally to orange-red. Height 60’, Spread 30’ Patmore Green Ash A somewhat broader oval form. Summit Green Ash An upright oval form. URBANITE GREEN ASH Fraxinus pennsylvanica 'Urbanite' A deep bronze fall color and broadly pyramidal in form. Height 50-60', Spread 35-45'

	Autumn Purple White Ash		WHITE ASH Fraxinus americana 'Cultivars noted below' Its pyramidal to oval crown is deep green in summer and beautiful shades of maroon and purple in fall. All our varieties are seedless. A tree native to the river bluffs, it prefers a moist, well drained soil. With a medium growth rate, it is best suited for lawns and park-like settings. Height 50-60', Spread 30-40' Autumn Purple White Ash Noted for its outstanding dark purple fall color. Skyline White Ash Fall color is orange red to bronze. Windy City White Ash Dark burgundy fall color and resistant to frost cracking
			BIRCH Birches make handsome specimen trees and are useful for naturalizing. A broadly pyramidal habit and an airy structure provides light shade in the summer and an outstanding winter silhouette, particularly against a backdrop of evergreens. Our varieties all show superior resistance to the bronze birch borer. Birch produce pendulous seed clusters which add to the interesting texture of the trees.
			Crimson Frost Birch Betula X 'Crimson Frost' This hybid was selected for its striking reddish-purple leaf color all summer and attractive exfoliating bark that turns white with a cinnamon hue. Tolerates moist heavy soils. Height 30-35’, Spread 20’
	Winter character of River Birch		River Birch Betula nigra An outstanding feature of this tree is its warm, cinnamon-brown, exfoliating bark revealing tan and orange layers beneath. The River Birch is native to river banks where it is helpful in preventing erosion. Height 40-60', Spread 25-30' Heritage River Birch Betula nigra 'Heritage' The exfoliating bark is salmon to white in color and exposes mottled patches of cream, orange and pinkish tan. Height 40-60' Spread 25-30'
			Renaissance Oasis Birch Betula Papyrifera Oenci Renaissance Oasis Birch Betula Papyrifera Renci Distinctive pyramidal habit, brilliant white exfoliating bark, and great yellow fall color. Bronze birch borer resistance as well as heat resistant. Height 60’, Spread 25’
	Whitespire Birch		Whitespire Japanese Birch B. platyphylla var. japonica 'Whitespire' The best white-barked birch for this area. Height 40-60' Spread 15-25' HACKBERRY Celtis Occidentalis This moderate to rapid grower is very adaptable to the extremes of urban conditions, including drought and windy conditions. The bark is corky and rough in texture. Height 50-75’, Spread 35-40’ YELLOWWOOD Cladrastis Lutea This tree is urban-tolerant native shade tree has showy cascades of fragrant white blooms in May and June. Height 35’, Spread 35’ KENTUCKY COFFEETREE Gymnocladus dioicus Native to rich bottomlands, it casts a light filtered shade within which lawns will flourish. Its habit seems awkward in youth, becoming picturesque and even sculptural with age. Height 60-70', Spread 40-50' HOMESTEAD ELM Ulmus carpinifolia 'Homestead' Resistant to dutch elm disease, it has a pyramidal to arching habit. Dark green foliage, turning to soft, golden yellow in fall. Height 60-70', Spread 40-50'
			BLACK GUM Nyssa sylvatica A beautiful native that is well suited for use as a specimen tree. Pyramidal in habit when young, becoming more rounded with age. Magnificent lustrous, dark green foliage, turning orange, scarlet and purple in fall. Height 30-50', Spread 20-30'
	Ginkgo		GINKGO Ginkgo biloba The oldest surviving tree species found in fossilized records. Open, pyramidal habit when young, getting wide and spreading with age. Interesting deep green foliage which turns a strong, glowing yellow in autumn. A slow grower, considered to be free of insect and disease problems. Height 60-80', Spread 30-40' SKYLINE HONEYLOCUST Gleditsia triacanthos var. inermis 'Skyline' A vigorous grower, broadly pyramidal in habit. Highly adaptable to varied environments, we use them extensively in urban situations like parkways and parking lots. They are both podless and thornless. They have a warm, yellow fall color that combines well with the rich greens of yew, mugo pine or juniper clustered at the base. Height 50-60', Spread 30-40'
			LINDEN Linden tend to have a more pyramidal form in youth becoming rounded at maturity. The fast growth rate, sweetly fragrant flowers, heart-shaped leaves and stately form make them popular as both shade and ornamental trees. They are especially beautiful as lawn trees. Its foliage is a rich green turning yellow in fall. American Linden Tilia Americana A rapid growing tree has fragrant yellow flowers and larger leaves for dense foliage that provides excellent shade. Although it will grow in dry heavier soils, it prefers deep moist soils. Height 75’-90’, Spread 40-50’ Frontyard Linden Tilia Americana Bailyard Selected for its excellent symmetrical branching habit even as a young tree. Broadly pyramidal when young and nicely rounded with age. Offers excellent shade with its dense foliage. Height 60-75’, Spread 40’ Sterling Silver Linden Tilia tomentosa A tree with a broadly pyramidal form at maturity and shiny, dark green leaves with silvery undersides that turn yellow in fall. It has a handsome gray bark and winter silhouette. Tolerates drought better than other Linden. Height 40-50', Spread 30-40'
	Greenspire Littleleaf Linden		Littleleaf Linden Tilia cordata 'Cultivars noted below' The Littleleaf Linden is a superior tree with a dense pyramidal to oval habit and a medium growth rate. The leaves are smaller than other linden, hence the name, and turn from a glossy green to a rich yellow to yellow green in fall. Height 40-50', Spread 20-30' Glenleven Littleleaf Linden It differs from others by having a bit more open habit. Greenspire Littleleaf Linden Does well in difficult urban conditions.
			OAK Oaks are majestic and considered to be king of the native trees. Generally, they have a pyramidal form in their youth and become more spreading or rounded with maturity. They are beautiful planted as a lawn specimen or in groups. With maturity, Oaks bear acorns that are of considerable value to wildlife. Since their foliage often persists into the winter months, they are useful for screening or as a complement to an evergreen windbreak. Bur Oak Quercus macrocarpa A large tree with a stately rounded habit. It was commonly found in lowland forest or scattered groves on the prairie. It's thick bark enabled its survival through prairie fires, where most other trees met their demise. In fall, the thick, leathery, deep green leaves turn yellow, yellow brown or purplish brown. Height 60-80', Spread 50-60'
	Red Oak		Red Oak Quercus rubra Leaves are reddish cast when unfolding, lustrous green in summer, and an intense russet red to bright red in fall. Height 60-70', Spread 35-40'
	Shingle Oak		Shingle Oak Quercus imbricaria Unique from other native Oaks as its leaves are smooth and unlobed. Emerging leaves are reddish, turning to a glossy, lustrous dark green in summer and a yellow-brown to russet red in fall. Excellent for screening because leaves often persist all winter. Height 50-60', Spread 55-65' Skymaster English Oak Quercus robur 'Skymaster' Narrow when young, becoming pyramidal with age. A good choice for a street tree or specimen. Height 50-60', Spread 25-35'
			Swamp White Oak Quercus bicolor Thick, dark green leaves vary in fall color from yellow to burnt red. Native to bottomland woods, it does well in heavy, poorly drained soils. Height 50-60', Spread 35-40'
			Tuliptree Liriodendron tulipifera A tall, fast growing tree, pyramidal in youth, maturing to an open, oval habit. Tulip-like flowers, in late spring, are yellow green with orange centers. Bright green foliage with outstanding, golden yellow fall color. Height 70-90', Spread 35-50'
			Prairie Cascade Willow Salix 'Praire Cascade' A hardy weeping willow from northern areas combines hardiness and glossy foliage with the cascading habit and golden stem color to make an excellent cultivar. It prefers plentiful moisture. Height 35-40’, Spread 30’
			Sassafras Sassafras Albidum This lovely, deciduous, native tree is pyramidal when young and transforms into a rounded canopy composed of many short, horizontal branches which give the tree a layered effect. The outstanding display of foliage are bright green throughout the summer and transformed into shades of orange/pink, yellow/red, and even scarlet/purple in the cooler months of autumn. Height 60’, Spread 30’
			Bald Cypress Taxodium distichum This deciduous conifer is a distinctive, large tree with fine textured foliage. Very adaptable to wet or dry sites, it will not tolerate alkalinity.
			ELM Cathedral Elm Ulmus cathedral Resembles a Japanese Elm in appearance with larger leaves and growth habit. Deals well with disease issues. Height 40-50’, Spread 40-60’ Accolade Elm Ulmus x accolade The beautiful glossy, dark green foliage turns golden yellow in the fall. Height 70’, Spread 40-50’ Discovery Elm Ulmus japonica discovery A very cold hardy elm, it forms an arching vase shaped canopy maturing to a smaller size than American Elm. Height 45’, Spread 35’ Chinese Elm Ulmus parvifolia chinese This medium tree has the smallest of leaves in the elm family. This selection has moderate fall color with beautiful patchy multicolored bark. It is also resistant to Dutch Elm Disease. Height 40-50’, Spread 35’ Regal Elm Ulmus x regal New Horizon Elm Ulmus new horizon Triumph Elm Ulmus x triumph Has an upright growth habit with strong branching, lustrous dark green foliage and excellent disease and pest resistance. Height 60’, Spread 35-40’ Vanguard Elm Ulmus x vanguard Selected for its excellent Dutch elm disease resistance, glossy deep green foliage and resistnce to elm leaf damage. Will tolerate drought prone areas of the Midwest and Great Plains. Height 40-50’, Spread 40-50’