2016 Union SWCD Tree Sale - Brief Descriptions of Species

(CW stands-for Coefficient of Wetness. Typically 0 to +5 are drier site suitable; and 0 to -5 are wetter site suitable.)

1.White Pine – Pinusstrobus

According to many the Eastern White Pine is a NE Ohio native. This beautiful pine is majestic in appearance and may reach a mature height of 80’+ with a 40’ pyramidal spread. Its soft blue-green needles add beauty to the landscape. It is a fairly fast grower and loves full sun, but will tolerate partial shade. It prefers moist, but very well drained soils. CW: 3

2.Norway Spruce –Piceaabies

Though non-native, this hardy spruce is a fairly fast growing evergreen that can reach a mature height of 80’+ and a naturally pyramidal spread of 25-30’. Its dark green needles make it a fine landscape specimen or very effective as screen plantings. Norway spruce will not tolerate excessive wetness for prolonged periods of time. CW: 5

3.White Spruce – Piceaglauca

This non-native spruce, to 60’ high and 20’ wide, is more tolerant of heavier clay soils and wetness than the Norway spruce. It is slower growing than Norway spruce and has a symmetrical shape with blue-green needles. The primarybenefit locally is that it will better tolerate the acidic heavy clays. It will not survive extended seasonal wetness.CW:3

4.Colorado Blue Spruce – Piceapungens
This non-native spruce, to 50’ high and 16’ wide, is a conical evergreenconifer with densely growing horizontal branches. It has scaly grey bark on the trunk with yellowish-brown branches.They are often grown as ornamental trees in gardens and parks and also grown for the Christmas tree industryIt grows at a slow to medium rate, adapts well to many soils - growing in acidic, loamy, moist, rich, sandy, well-drained and clay soils. It requires normal moisture with moderate tolerance to flooding and drought. CW: 0

5.Red Maple – Acer rubrum

This native maple is found across Union County from floodplains to forests where deep moist-to-wet rich soils exist. It makes a great shade tree where yards are big enough to accommodate its mature height of up to 60+’ and mature width of 40-60’ feet. Fall color is often a brilliant red. CW: 0

6.Swamp White Oak,or “Bicolor Oak”–Quercus bicolor

If Union County had an official tree, this would be an excellent candidate. While it is tolerant of extended seasonal wetness, this white oak family tree is just as much “at home” on higher and drier sites. It is used as a tree lawn tree where space is afforded, but grows anywhere adequate space will permit (Mature height 60’, with a 50-60’ wide crown). Swamp white oak has recently been referred to as “Bicolored Oak” in the landscape industry - taking from its scientific second name of bicolor. This reference is to the summer’s glossy green leaves that are silvery white on the backside. CW: -4

7.Sycamore – Platanusoccidentalis

Typical sycamore trees grow to be 70 to 100 feet tall with a spread between 60 and 80 feet. When planted in well drained and moist soil and exposed to full sun, the sycamore tree reaches maturity moderately fast. They are typically broad and round. Preferring mostly moist and well drained soil, the sycamore tree is tolerant of wet soil conditions along streams and in bottom lands. However, it is not very tolerant of flooding during growing season. The leaves of a sycamore tree are light green that turn golden in color in the fall.

8. Shagbark Hickory – Carya ovata

Rare are the Union County woodlots that do not boast this native and truly“American” tree. Found throughout the county, it often appears as a majority species in many woodlots. With maturity it develops naturally re-curving bark and produces edible hickory nuts that are beloved by wildlife and people. Strong and hard, it also makes great firewood. CW: 3

9. American Beech – Fagus grandifolia

This native tree eventually shows up in Union County woodlots. It is a companion tree to many forest types found here and it produces wildlife mast called beech nuts. With maturity, it becomes hollow, making it a great wildlife den tree. CW: 3

10.White Flowering Dogwood – Cornusflorida
Flowering dogwood is a small deciduous tree growing to 30’ high and is often wider than it is tall when mature, with a trunk diameter of up to 1’. Flowering dogwood does best in moist, acidic soil in a site with some afternoon shade, but good morning sun. The fruit is a cluster of two to ten drupes, which ripen in the late summer and the early fall to a bright red, or occasionally yellow with a rosy blush. They are an important food source for dozens of species of birds. The leaves turn a rich red-brown in fall. CW: 3

11. Eastern Redbud – Cerciscanadensis

Considered a small tree, this native species proclaims spring with a showy abundance of lavender-pink flowers that cover its twigs before leaf break. Its heart shape leaves add extra appeal to any landscape. The Eastern Redbud is often found to naturally occur along the edges of deciduous woods. Whether planted singularly, or in masses, the redbud makes a fine ornamental (25’). It prefers full sun, but tolerates partial shade. A small pea-like pod is produced in fall. CW: 3

12.Red twig Dogwood –Cornussericea

This is a colorful deciduous shrub that is often thicket-forming. It is a great plant for naturalizing an odd area or property boundary. It will reach a mature height of 7-9’, with an equal or wider eventual spread. Red Osier Dogwood prefers full sun, but often naturalizes in the light shade of woodland edges. Berries produce food for wildlife and the brilliant red stems offer winter landscape appeal. This is a plant that will often tolerate extended seasonal wetness.

13. Butterfly Bush – Buddleia spp.

True to its name, one can expect to attract countless butterflies to this 6-12’ deciduous shrub. “Butterfly bushes perform best in moist, well-drained soils in partial to full sun. Avoid wet, poorly drained sites. Also, select sites that provide winter protection. Butterfly bushes planted in open, exposed sites are more likely to be destroyed by harsh, winter weather.

14.Bald Cypress– Taxodiumdistichum

Bald Cypress is a majestic tree with soft, ferny foliage that enhances many landscapes. To the surprise of some people, when the Bald Cypress is planted on the right soil in yards or along streets, it does quite well and is a beautiful specimen tree. Enjoy the terra cotta hue of the foliage around Thanksgiving. Deciduous conifer adaptable to wet or semi dry conditions. Does well in full sun. Bald refers to the deciduous nature uncommon among other conifers. CW: -5