Shade

Betula nigra 'Cully'

• Height:   45-50'
• Spread:   30-35'
• Shape:   Oval
• Fall Folaige:   Golden/Yellow
• Exposure:   Full Sun
• Zone:   4-8

This vigorous grower has exfoliating bark that is lighter than river birch, ranging from tan to creamy white to parchment white. While it tolerates wet, poorly drained soils, it does well in upland soils, and is resistant to bronze birch borer. Clumps have three or more stems. Voted 2002 Urban Tree of the Year by the Society of Municipal Arborists.

Betula nigra

• Height:   40-50'
• Spread:   30-40
• Shape:   Oval
• Fall Foliage:   Golden/Yellow
• Exposure:   Ful Sun
• Zone:   4-8

This river bottom native also does well on upland soils. Resistant to bronze birch borer, it has nice yellow fall color, and attractive cinnamon-brown exfoliating bark for an interesting winter effect. Clumps have three or more stems.

Betula papyrifera

• Height:   40'
• Spread:   30'
• Shape:   Pyramidal
• Fall Foliage:   Yellow
• Exposure:   Full Sun 
• Zone:   2-7

This very hardy birch is the most permanent and desirable of all the white-barked birches. Stems are a beautiful red-brown when immature, a perfect chalk-white when older. Fall color is an outstanding landscape feature. Clumps have three or more stems.

Catalpa speciosa

• Height:   50-60'
• Spread:   35-40'
• Shape:   Upright/Oval
• Fall Foliage:   Yellow/Green
• Exposure:   Full Sun
• Zone: 4-7

This fast growing tree has few branches at an early age. Once branched, ascending limbs are gnarled and twisted. In June, 2" long, tube-like white flowers appear in 4-8" panicles. Fruit is a long persistent pod. Great for xeriscapes, it is very tolerant and adaptable.

Gleditsia triacanthos var. inermis 'Suncole'

• Height:   35'
• Spread:   30-35'
• Shape:   Irregular/Round
• Fall Foliage:   Golden/Yellow
• Exposure:   Full Sun
• Zone: 4-7

This cultivar is noted for foliage that emerges bright golden-bronze, fades to green as it matures, then colors golden-yellow again in fall. Thornless and seedless, it is great for light, filtered shade.

Tilia cordata 'Greenspire'

• Height:   40-50'
• Spread:   30-35'
• Shape:   Oval
• Fall Folaige:   Yellow
• Exposure:   Full Sun
• Zone:   4-7

Very suitable for street planting, this 1998 Iowa Tree of the Year has a straight trunk, rich foliage and fragrant, pale yellow flowers.

Tilia americana 'Redmond'

• Height:   40-60'
• Spread:   25-30'
• Shape:   Pyramidal
• Fall Foliage:   Yellow
• Exposure:   Full Sun
• Zone:   3-8

A valuable tree for street planting, 'Redmond' has the largest leaves of the lindens. The dense foliage is glossy green with bright yellow autumn color. Voted 2000 Urban Tree of the Year by the Society of Municipal Arborists.

Salix 'Prairie Cascade'

• Height:   35-45'
• Spread:   35-40'
• Shape:   Weeping
• Fall Folaige:   Yellow
• Exposure:   Full Sun
• Zone:   3-6

This COPF introduction from Morden Research Station has the hardiness and glossy foliage of the laurel willow with the cascading habit and golden stem color of the weeping willow. A hardy weeping willow for northern areas, it prefers plentiful moisture.

Salix alba 'Tristis'

• Height:   50'
• Spread:   50'
• Shape:   Wide
• Fall Foliage:   Yellow
• Exposure:   Full Sun
• Zone:   4-8

This fast growing, golden barked willow has a wide spreading canopy and long, golden drooping branches. An extremely graceful tree, it prefers moist planting sites. To prevent dehydration and start buds to break on potted Niobe willow, the potted plants should be held in a greenhouse or a sheltered location until growth has started.