Additional information
Product Size | |
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Bloom Color | Catkin |
Fall Color | |
Growth Rate | Fast |
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Sun | |
H2O |
$45.00 – $175.00
A moderate to fast-growing birch that prefers moist garden soil and some protection. You must be prepared to water because it does not tolerate drought. This birch is the most shade-tolerant of its family, needing only a few hours of sunlight. Yellow Birch has a silvery bronze bark that peels into small strips. Fall color is yellow. This species shows some resistance to bronze birch borer.
Product Size | |
---|---|
Bloom Color | Catkin |
Fall Color | |
Growth Rate | Fast |
Height | |
Spread | |
Sun | |
H2O |
When young, it is the ugly duckling of trees, but it turns into a beautiful swan as it matures. It has bipinnate leaves, similar to a locust and it produces 3-6 inch seed pods that stay on all winter, providing great winter interest. The leaves, as well as the seeds are poisonous. As the trees are dioecious you will need male and female trees to produce fruit. The scaly ridged bark and irregular coarse branching habit create a dramatic effect on the winter landscape. Best grown in moist, organically rich, well-drained soils in full sun. Tolerates poorer soils and drought. Avoid heavy clays. Also adapts well to urban conditions. Suckers to form colonies in the wild. The tree is late to leaf out and one of the first to drop leaves in the fall. Fall color is yellow.
Rhus glabra, commonly known as Smooth Sumac, is a native plant species found throughout the state of Illinois. This deciduous shrub belongs to the Anacardiaceae family and is a prominent member of the Illinois flora. Here’s a detailed description of Rhus glabra in the Illinois landscape:
1. **Appearance**: Smooth Sumac typically grows as a multi-stemmed shrub, reaching heights of 6 to 20 feet (1.8 to 6 meters). It features an open, spreading growth habit with slender branches. The name “Smooth Sumac” alludes to its smooth, hairless stems and twigs.
2. **Leaves**: The leaves of Rhus glabra are pinnately compound, consisting of multiple leaflets. They are arranged alternately along the stems. In the spring and summer, the leaves are bright green, providing a lush appearance to the plant.
3. **Flowers**: In late spring to early summer, Smooth Sumac produces dense, pyramidal clusters of small, greenish-yellow flowers. These flower clusters, called panicles, are an important nectar source for pollinators such as bees and butterflies.
4. **Fruits**: One of the most distinctive features of Smooth Sumac is its clusters of fuzzy, crimson-red berries, which ripen in late summer and persist through the fall. These berries are a valuable food source for numerous bird species, including cardinals and turkeys, making the shrub an important component of Illinois’ wildlife habitat.
5. **Autumn Colors**: Smooth Sumac is known for its stunning autumn foliage. As the seasons change, the leaves turn brilliant shades of red, orange, and purple, adding vibrant color to the Illinois landscape.
6. **Ecological Importance**: Rhus glabra plays a crucial ecological role in Illinois by providing food and shelter for wildlife. The berries attract birds, while the shrub’s dense growth provides nesting sites and cover for various animals.
7. **Environmental Adaptability**: This native plant is highly adaptable and can thrive in a variety of soil types, including rocky or poor soils. It is often found in open woodlands, along roadsides, and in disturbed areas.
8. **Cultural and Landscaping Uses**: While not typically used in formal landscaping, Smooth Sumac has been employed for erosion control, particularly on slopes and in areas with poor soil quality. Its vibrant fall foliage and attractive berries also make it a popular choice for naturalistic and wildlife-friendly landscapes.
9. **Historical and Cultural Significance**: Native American tribes historically used various parts of Smooth Sumac for medicinal purposes and as a source of dye. The berries can be used to make a refreshing and tart beverage known as “sumac-ade.”
Rhus glabra, or Smooth Sumac, offers aesthetic appeal, ecological importance, and historical significance. Its striking foliage, vibrant berries, and adaptability to various environmental conditions make it a valuable component of the Illinois natural landscape, supporting local wildlife and adding beauty to the state’s ecosystems.
Fast growing shrub/tree that will sucker freely to create thickets. The flowers of wild plum rival those of any exotic flowering tree. Snow white blooms in April-May. Fall color is maroon-red. An excellent plant for naturalizing. While it prefers full sun, it may be grown in dry to medium, well-drained soil in part shade. May be pruned to desired size. Edible fruits are best used for preserves.
Also called American hornbeam. Finely textured, graceful understory tree with smooth, gray-fluted bark and red, yellow and orange fall color. Nice shade tree for small yards. Clean ornamental with no off-season. Highly adaptable. Full to half-day sun. Prefers moist, organically rich soils but will tolerate clay. Good replacement for buckthorn. Deer resistant.