TREES
-
Amelanchier arborea (Downy Serviceberry)
$45.00An attractive tree for all seasons. Birds love its berries. Delicate white, star-like flowers bloom in early spring. Pleasant gray-green foliage, orange to rusty-red fall color, and smooth red-gray bark. Full sun to part shade. Likes well-drained soil. Host tree for moths and butterflies.
-
Amelanchier laevis (Allegheny Shadblow or Serviceberry)
$45.00Amelanchier laevis, commonly known as Smooth Serviceberry, is a native plant species that thrives in the state of Illinois. This small deciduous tree or multi-stemmed shrub belongs to the Rosaceae family and is celebrated for its striking appearance, ecological significance, and its adaptability to a variety of environments. Here’s a detailed description of Amelanchier laevis in the Illinois landscape:
1. **Appearance**: Smooth Serviceberry typically grows to heights ranging from 10 to 20 feet (3 to 6 meters) but can occasionally reach up to 30 feet (9 meters). It is characterized by a graceful, upright form with a dense canopy. The smooth, grayish-brown bark adds to its aesthetic appeal.
2. **Leaves**: The leaves of Amelanchier laevis are alternate, simple, and oval-shaped with finely serrated edges. They emerge as bronze or reddish in spring, transition to a deep green in summer, and transform into beautiful shades of orange, red, or purple in the fall, adding vibrant colors to the Illinois landscape.
3. **Flowers**: In early spring, Smooth Serviceberry produces showy clusters of delicate, white or pale pink, five-petaled flowers. These blossoms are an early source of nectar for pollinators, including bees and butterflies, making the plant a valuable addition to Illinois gardens.
4. **Fruits**: One of the most distinctive features of Amelanchier laevis is its edible berries, which ripen in late spring to early summer. These berries are initially red or purple and eventually mature into dark blue-black fruits that resemble small cherries. They are not only visually appealing but also a sought-after food source for birds and wildlife.
5. **Ecological Importance**: Smooth Serviceberry plays a vital role in the Illinois ecosystem. Its flowers attract pollinators, and its fruits are eagerly consumed by various bird species, including cedar waxwings and robins. It also provides habitat and shelter for a variety of wildlife.
6. **Environmental Adaptability**: This native plant is highly adaptable and can thrive in a range of soil types, from well-drained sandy soils to heavier clay soils. It is often found in woodlands, open forests, and along stream banks.
7. **Cultural and Landscaping Uses**: Smooth Serviceberry is an excellent choice for native plant enthusiasts, wildlife gardeners, and those seeking ornamental plants for their landscapes. It can be used as a specimen tree, in mixed borders, or as a naturalistic planting in more natural landscapes.
8. **Historical and Cultural Significance**: Native American tribes historically utilized Amelanchier species for medicinal purposes and as a source of food. The berries were consumed fresh or dried for later use.
Amelanchier laevis offers year-round interest with its attractive flowers, colorful foliage, and edible berries. Its ecological importance, adaptability, and historical significance make it a valuable addition to the Illinois landscape, providing both aesthetic and environmental benefits.
-
Celtis occidentalis (Hackberry)
$45.00 – $175.00Looks similar to an elm in form and foliage. Very adaptable; grows in wet and dry soils in full sun. Good street tree. Birds relish the purplish-black fruit. Also attracts butterflies. Growth rate is fast in youth and moderate as it ages. Distinctive grooved, warty bark. Deer resistant.
-
Crataegus mollis (Downy Hawthorn)
$45.00A handsome tree with a tall trunk and compact, rounded crown of spreading branches, large broad hairy leaves, many large white, unpleasant smelling flowers, and large scarlet fruit. Branches have varying degrees of thorniness. The leaves are susceptible to cedar-hawthorn rust. Recognized by pollination ecologists for attracting large numbers of native bees. Also recognized as a plant that attracts predatory insects that prey on pest insects. Grows best in full sun to part shade, in moist, well-drained soil. Drought tolerant. Provides a nesting habitat for a variety of birds and other wildlife.
-
Pinus strobus (White Pine)
$45.00 – $175.00This native conifer demands the right site. Prefers good, well-drained soil and protection from the west wind. Does not like heavy, clay soil. Tolerates light shade. The pine is extremely susceptible to salt damage. Great winter shelter for birds.
-
Prunus americana (Wild Plum)
$45.00Fast 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.
-
Quercus alba (White Oak)
$45.00 – $175.00Illinois state tree. The only white oak with russet red fall color. Grows in sand and clay but not wet sites. Requires at least 3-4 hours of sun, but prefers full sun, moist, well-drained soil. Perhaps the flagship species of white oaks. Host tree for moths and butterflies. Tolerates the black walnut. Attracts wildlife.
-
Quercus macrocarpa (Bur Oak)
$45.00 – $175.00A white oak very tolerant of heavy clay soil, high pH, and open areas. Full sun, well-drained soil. The tree is asymmetrical when young but with age becomes very stately. Bark is brown and deeply furrowed. Preeminent tree of the midwest savanna and one of the best oaks for today’s urban environment. Perhaps the most impressive of all trees! Host tree for moths and butterflies. Attracts wildlife.
-
Quercus rubra (Red Oak)
$45.00 – $175.00Red oak is one of the most shade-tolerant of the oaks making it a good choice to grow under existing trees. It needs only a few hours of sun per day to grow but does best in full sun, in dry to medium moisture, acidic soil, with good drainage. Outstanding red fall color. Tolerates the black walnut. Host tree for moths and butterflies. Attracts wildlife.