Citizens for Conservation’s 2023 Fall Native Shrub and Tree Sale
The Fall Sale Pre-Order Period is Open Now!
Visit our trees and shrubs for sale this year:
SHRUBS |
TREES |
Autumn is an ideal time to plant shrubs and trees. Cool weather allows woody plants to establish roots in their new location before spring rains and summer heat stimulate new growth.
Sale Information:
Pre-Order Dates: September 1st – 30th
Pick-Up: October 14, 2023 from 9AM – 3PM.
Location: Hill ‘n’ Dale Restoration Site. Ridge Road entrance, one-quarter mile north of County Line Road, Barrington Hills, Illinois. Click here for a map.
*Please Note*: If you order a 15 gallon tree, you are responsible for lifting and loading the plant into your vehicle. Bring a vehicle large enough to comfortably fit the tree you’ve purchased.
Membership Information:
Your support makes a difference. As a member of Citizens for Conservation you are joining an organization that not only directly benefits you, but also your neighbors and the entire Barrington area community. Our members are partners in the acquisition and restoration of our land resources in the Barrington, Illinois area.
You can join as a new member or renew your membership online here – and remember – current members can take 10% off their orders!
Give the gift of Conservation! Memberships can be purchased as gifts at any level.
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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.
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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.
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Aronia melanocarpa (Black Chokeberry)
$40.00Found in nature in wet swamp soil, but will do great in good garden soil. Small white flowers in the spring; dark purple berries in the fall attract birds. Intense red autumn color. Best in full to half day sun. Best fruit production occurs in full sun.
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Carpinus caroliniana (Blue Beech)
$45.00 – $175.00Also 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.
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Carya ovata (Shagbark Hickory)
$45.00One of the best tasting nuts around, that is, if you can beat the squirrels to it. Nuts are attractive to a variety of wildlife. It grows best, in the wild and in a nursery environment, if it has a fair amount of shade early in its development. Without the shade it is a very slow growing plant. Even with shade, it grows slowly at a clip of 6” to 8” per year. The shaggy bark takes years to develop. Fall color is yellow.
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Ceanothus americanus (New Jersey Tea)
$40.00A low-growing, compact woody prairie plant. Spectacular white flowers bloom on the 4th of July. Hummingbirds are attracted to the tiny insects that pollinate its flowers. Very hardy shrub with glossy leaves. Full sun to light shade; medium to dry soil. Drought tolerant.
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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.
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Cornus alternifolia (Pagoda Dogwood)
$45.00Pagodas like a few hours of sun, moist soil, and protection from the west. Beautiful horizontal branching and white flowers in the spring. Birds relish the blue-black fruit in August. Maroon-red fall color. Grows fast.
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Cornus obliqua (Blue-Fruited / Silky Dogwood)
$40.00A very large shrub that is as broad as it is tall. Found on wet sites and riverbanks but has proved adaptable to the urban garden. Flowers are white, one to three inches in diameter, flat-topped corymbs. Birds devour the shining, blue fruit. Full to part sun. Fall color is reddish purple.