Large Shade Trees, Description

ForestScaping | jengel53@rochester.rr.com
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LARGE SHADE TREES

Acer saccharinum, Silver Maple, 50—70 ft

Very fast growing native maple with deep cut leaves and light gray bark. Soil adaptable and thrives in poor, heavy and wet soils.

Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum) - 60 to 75 ft - zone 3 to 8 - full sun to deep shade

Prefers moist slightly acid soils but will grow on a range of soils from heavy clay to dry gravelly soils. Growth is medium fast to slow depending on moisture and soil conditions. Also tolerates acid to high pH soils. Sugar maples is a climax forest species and a valuable lumber tree. Sugar maple makes for an excellent shade tree with beautiful broad oval shape. Sugar maple is the standard by which all other shade trees are compared. Autumn foliage turns a brilliant scarlet to orange. Sugar maple is the source of maple syrup. Sugar maple makes a choice street tree and lawn tree. It can be used wherever it has room for its roots and crown to grow and spread. It can be used in groupings with other trees especially mixed with conifers like White pine.

Aesculus x carnea Ruby Red Horsechestnut 40ft

Spectacular display of rose red flowers in May borne on large 8" high panicles. Lustrous dark green 5-10" compound leaves.

Black Birch (Betula lenta) – 30 to 50 ft - zone 4 to 7 - Full sun to moderate shade

Very adaptable to soil conditions. Grows in moist to very dry well drained soils. Does not like heavy clay. Growth is fast to medium. Often found as a successional tree in woodlots and old fields. One birch species that tolerates considerable drought and should be used more often in landscapes. It has a broad pyramidal to rounded outline . Lustrous dark green foliage in summer changes to golden yellow in fall. The best birch for fall color. Bark is reddish brown in youth changing to black in older trees, twigs emit a wintergreen scent when broken. Resistant to bronz birch borer. Can be planted in parks and open areas for best form, but is also valuable for naturalizing. Can be used in mixed plantings with other hardwood and conifer species to quickly cover open land.

Betula papyrifera, PAPER BIRCH 50-60ft

Long lived native birch with desirable snow white peeling bark and pyramidal shape. Widely planted and versatile tree in the landscape, fast growth. More resistant to Bronze Birch Borer than European white birch. Requires moist fertile soils for best development.

River Birch (Betula nigra) – 40 to 50 ft - zone 4 to 8 - Full sun to light shade

Very adaptable to soil conditions and moisture levels. River birch is a floodplain species so it will tolerate seasonal flooding, wet poorly drained soils and summer drought. Will also grow in heavy clay soils. Pyramidal to rounded growth habit. Very handsome specimen tree is often grown in clumps. Known for its ornamental exfoliating pinkish cinnamon gray bark. Transplants well and is not prone to many of the diseases that affect other birches. Definitely use along water courses, ponds and wet seeps. Can be used in groupings with white pine or by themselves in clusters of 3 to 7 trees.

Catalpa speciosa, Northern Catalpa 40-50ft

Large heart shaped leaves provide a backdrop to white orchid like flowers on 4 to 8" long panicles in June. Flowers must be seen. Fast growing tree tolerant of wet, drought and high pH.

Cercidphyllum japonicum, Katsura Tree 40-60ft

Very attractive and desirable tree native to Japan. Small oval bluish green leaves that tremble in a breeze. Full dense pyramidal outline, soft apricot fall color, pH adaptable.

Cladrastis lutea, YELLOW WOOD 30-50ft

A very ornamental mid-size tree with rounded growth habit, smooth gray bark and shapely compound leaves, produces 12" long panicles of fragrant white flowers in June. Pest free & pH adaptable. A desirable residential tree with many assets.

Corylus colurna, Turkish Hazelnut 40-50ft

A striking tree that demands attention. Outstanding form, branching habit, bark, foliage and edible nuts all in one package. Tolerant of adverse conditions hot, cold, drought, pH adaptable and pest free. A valuable tree in the residential landscape.

Fagus sylvatica, EUROPEAN BEECH 50-60ft

Very stately large long lived tree with smooth gray bark & lustrous green foliage. Many varieties of leaf shape & color.

Fraxinus pennsyvanica , GREEN ASH 50-60ft

Rapid growing native tree that will grow practically anywhere. Use in difficult sites on poor soils, in heavy clay soils or where fast growth is desired.

Gymnocladus dioicus, KENTUCKY COFFEE TREE 60ft

A native tree for large areas, with large 3’x2’ compound leaves, handsome bark, bold winter habit make this a choice specimen. Virtually problem free.

Mountain Silverbell (Halesia montiicola) – 25-40 ft - zone 4 to 8 - Full sun to moderate shade

Found on rich wooded slopes and stream banks in the Appalachian mountains. There are three very similar species of Silverbell; Mountan, Carolina and Two-winged. There are slight differences in size and flower but the following description will apply to all three species. Silverbell is tolerant of dry shade and a wide range of soils and pH. Silverbell is one of the most disease and pest free tree in the understory. Silverbell is the undiscovered jewel of the flowering trees and it is a mystery to me why it has remained so. One reason may be its difficulty in propagation from seed or cuttings. Any one seeing a Silverbell in full bloom will never forget the plant. Silverbell blooms just before the leaves open in late spring. The flowers appear on new growth from the previous season. The end of each branch is adorned with 1/2" long white bell shaped flowers hanging in rows bellow the new twigs. The flowers are bright white and last for more than a week. The flowers color is quite persistent and even retain their white color after they have fallen from the tree and carpeted the ground. Fall color is a golden yellow and the fruit pods persist on the twigs well into winter for winter interest.
One strong asset of siverbell is that it blooms at an early age, often in its second or third year, and is a reliable bloomer even in dense shade. Siverbell often sprouts suckers from the roots and this trait can be used to rejuvenate the tree or help to maintain its size. If the stem is cut off at the ground vigorous new shoots will sprout from the stump. These can be selected to renew the stem. Siverbell is normally found as an understory tree but it can attain a fairly large size in height and diameter over time.
Because of its floral displays and its hardiness, silverbell has many landscape uses. Silverbell should play a prominent role in the woodland garden featured as an understory tree or at the woodland edge. It is a fast grower, flowers early and is shade tolerant. I t can be grown with other flowering trees like redbud for color contrast or with conifers like white pine to accent the white blooms. It also grows well under full size shade trees. You should definitely find a place in your garden and yard for one of the species of silverbell.

Liquidamber straciflua, SWEET GUM 60-80ft

Excellent large lawn, park or street tree with pyramidal outline. Beautiful 5 lobed glossy green leaves with brilliant fall foliage.

Tulip Tree (Liriodendron tulipifera) - 150 ft - zone 4 to 8 – Full sun to moderate shade in youth.

Prefers moist to average well drained soils with fair to high fertility. Tulip tree grows rapidly especially under ideal moisture and fertility. Tulip tree develops into the tallest of the deciduous forest species, its growth is indeterminate and will continue growing unless limited by heat and drought. Tulip tree is long lived with trunks reaching several feet in diameter. Tulip tree makes an excellent shade tree developing a full rounded crown grown in the open with lovely ornamental tulip shaped leaves in silhouette. The leaves are followed by large greenish white tulip shaped flowers in June. Although often planted individually as most shade trees are, tulip tree displays its best characteristics when planted in a grove by itself or in a mixed grouping with conifers or other hardwoods. With slight shading and competition tulip tree grows rapid and straight as an arrow achieving its maximum height potential. These trees will develop over time into straight trunked massive columns that will inspire all that pass by. Tulip trees planted in a grouping can be underplanted with flowering trees and shrubs for multi-layer effect.

Magnolia acuminata, CUCUMBER TREE 50-60ft

The largest member of the magnolia family, produces large white blossoms in late spring contrasting with the large dark green leaves. Pyramidal growth habit. Desirable shade tree.

Morus rubra, RED MULBERRY 30-50ft

Native mulberry producing black fruit relished by birds. Far more desirable than Russian mulberry. Makes an attractive shade tree. Requires moist fertile soils.

Platanus occidentalis, AMERICAN SYCAMORE 75-100ft

One of the largest native trees with wide spreading open crown or tall and straight when grown in groups. Colorful mottled bark is smooth ranging in color from gray to cream. For large areas, along waterways or in clumps where bark is best displayed. Tolertes wet soils and seasonal flooding.

Populus deltoides "SOIUXLAND’ COTTONWOOD

Extremely fast growing & long lived large tree. Cottonless selection provides quick shade in difficult and wet sites.

Quercus alba, WHITE OAK 70-90ft

Large long lived stately shade tree with broad spreading habit. Bluish green leaves turn a rich reddish brown in autumn often remaining on the tree into winter providing winter interest. Slow to medium growth. Full sun and well drained soils. Pest free and drought tolerant. Sweet acorns relished by wildlife.

Quercus macrocarpa, BURR OAK 70-80ft

A most impressive long-lived and wide spreading oak. Large 10-12" leaves & deeply furrowed bark. Very tolerant of dry, heavy clay soils and high pH soils.

Quercus rubra, RED OAK 70-80ft

Medium to fast growing native oak with large dark green leaves and rounded outline. Leaves turn red to rust-brown in fall. Transplants easily and is soil, pH & pollution tolerant.

Quer palustris, PIN OAK 60-70ft

Beautiful large native oak with graceful pyramidal outline, dark green deep cut leaves turn crimson red in fall. Very stately and ornamental. Tolerates wet soils & heavy clay soils. Requires pH below 6.0

Sorbus acuparia, EUROPEAN MOUNTAIN ASH 30-40ft

Attractive medium sized fast growing tree with delicate foliage and clusters of ornamental bright orange berries, persisting into winter.

Tilia americana, AMERICAN LINDEN 60-80ft

Large fast growing shade tree with large heart shaped leaves. Fragrant blossoms in early June. pH & soil adaptable.

Zelkova serrata, JAPANESE ZELKOVA (50-80FT)

A good replacement tree for American Elm with same upright vase shaped form. Attractive flaky bark and pleasing foliage. Well suited to lawn and street. Moisture and pH adaptable.

this page updated September 10, 2004

LARGE SHADE TREES
Acer saccharinum, Silver Maple, 50—70 ft
Very fast growing native maple with deep cut leaves and light gray bark. Soil adaptable and thrives in poor, heavy and wet soils.

Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum) - 60 to 75 ft - zone 3 to 8 - full sun to deep shade
Prefers moist slightly acid soils but will grow on a range of soils from heavy clay to dry gravelly soils. Growth is medium fast to slow depending on moisture and soil conditions. Also tolerates acid to high pH soils. Sugar maples is a climax forest species and a valuable lumber tree. Sugar maple makes for an excellent shade tree with beautiful broad oval shape. Sugar maple is the standard by which all other shade trees are compared. Autumn foliage turns a brilliant scarlet to orange. Sugar maple is the source of maple syrup. Sugar maple makes a choice street tree and lawn tree. It can be used wherever it has room for its roots and crown to grow and spread. It can be used in groupings with other trees especially mixed with conifers like White pine.

Aesculus x carnea Ruby Red Horsechestnut 40ft
Spectacular display of rose red flowers in May borne on large 8" high panicles. Lustrous dark green 5-10" compound leaves.

Black Birch (Betula lenta) – 30 to 50 ft - zone 4 to 7 - Full sun to moderate shade
Very adaptable to soil conditions. Grows in moist to very dry well drained soils. Does not like heavy clay. Growth is fast to medium. Often found as a successional tree in woodlots and old fields. One birch species that tolerates considerable drought and should be used more often in landscapes. It has a broad pyramidal to rounded outline . Lustrous dark green foliage in summer changes to golden yellow in fall. The best birch for fall color. Bark is reddish brown in youth changing to black in older trees, twigs emit a wintergreen scent when broken. Resistant to bronz birch borer. Can be planted in parks and open areas for best form, but is also valuable for naturalizing. Can be used in mixed plantings with other hardwood and conifer species to quickly cover open land.

Betula papyrifera, PAPER BIRCH 50-60ft
Long lived native birch with desirable snow white peeling bark and pyramidal shape. Widely planted and versatile tree in the landscape, fast growth. More resistant to Bronze Birch Borer than European white birch. Requires moist fertile soils for best development.

River Birch (Betula nigra) – 40 to 50 ft - zone 4 to 8 - Full sun to light shade
Very adaptable to soil conditions and moisture levels. River birch is a floodplain species so it will tolerate seasonal flooding, wet poorly drained soils and summer drought. Will also grow in heavy clay soils. Pyramidal to rounded growth habit. Very handsome specimen tree is often grown in clumps. Known for its ornamental exfoliating pinkish cinnamon gray bark. Transplants well and is not prone to many of the diseases that affect other birches. Definitely use along water courses, ponds and wet seeps. Can be used in groupings with white pine or by themselves in clusters of 3 to 7 trees.

Catalpa speciosa, Northern Catalpa 40-50ft
Large heart shaped leaves provide a backdrop to white orchid like flowers on 4 to 8" long panicles in June. Flowers must be seen. Fast growing tree tolerant of wet, drought and high pH.

Cercidphyllum japonicum, Katsura Tree 40-60ft
Very attractive and desirable tree native to Japan. Small oval bluish green leaves that tremble in a breeze. Full dense pyramidal outline, soft apricot fall color, pH adaptable.

Cladrastis lutea, YELLOW WOOD 30-50ft
A very ornamental mid-size tree with rounded growth habit, smooth gray bark and shapely compound leaves, produces 12" long panicles of fragrant white flowers in June. Pest free & pH adaptable. A desirable residential tree with many assets.

Corylus colurna, Turkish Hazelnut 40-50ft
A striking tree that demands attention. Outstanding form, branching habit, bark, foliage and edible nuts all in one package. Tolerant of adverse conditions hot, cold, drought, pH adaptable and pest free. A valuable tree in the residential landscape.

Fagus sylvatica, EUROPEAN BEECH 50-60ft
Very stately large long lived tree with smooth gray bark & lustrous green foliage. Many varieties of leaf shape & color.

Fraxinus pennsyvanica , GREEN ASH 50-60ft
Rapid growing native tree that will grow practically anywhere. Use in difficult sites on poor soils, in heavy clay soils or where fast growth is desired.

Gymnocladus dioicus, KENTUCKY COFFEE TREE 60ft
A native tree for large areas, with large 3’x2’ compound leaves, handsome bark, bold winter habit make this a choice specimen. Virtually problem free.

Mountain Silverbell (Halesia montiicola) – 25-40 ft - zone 4 to 8 - Full sun to moderate shade
Found on rich wooded slopes and stream banks in the Appalachian mountains. There are three very similar species of Silverbell; Mountan, Carolina and Two-winged. There are slight differences in size and flower but the following description will apply to all three species. Silverbell is tolerant of dry shade and a wide range of soils and pH. Silverbell is one of the most disease and pest free tree in the understory. Silverbell is the undiscovered jewel of the flowering trees and it is a mystery to me why it has remained so. One reason may be its difficulty in propagation from seed or cuttings. Any one seeing a Silverbell in full bloom will never forget the plant. Silverbell blooms just before the leaves open in late spring. The flowers appear on new growth from the previous season. The end of each branch is adorned with 1/2" long white bell shaped flowers hanging in rows bellow the new twigs. The flowers are bright white and last for more than a week. The flowers color is quite persistent and even retain their white color after they have fallen from the tree and carpeted the ground. Fall color is a golden yellow and the fruit pods persist on the twigs well into winter for winter interest. One strong asset of siverbell is that it blooms at an early age, often in its second or third year, and is a reliable bloomer even in dense shade. Siverbell often sprouts suckers from the roots and this trait can be used to rejuvenate the tree or help to maintain its size. If the stem is cut off at the ground vigorous new shoots will sprout from the stump. These can be selected to renew the stem. Siverbell is normally found as an understory tree but it can attain a fairly large size in height and diameter over time. Because of its floral displays and its hardiness, silverbell has many landscape uses. Silverbell should play a prominent role in the woodland garden featured as an understory tree or at the woodland edge. It is a fast grower, flowers early and is shade tolerant. I t can be grown with other flowering trees like redbud for color contrast or with conifers like white pine to accent the white blooms. It also grows well under full size shade trees. You should definitely find a place in your garden and yard for one of the species of silverbell.

Liquidamber straciflua, SWEET GUM 60-80ft
Excellent large lawn, park or street tree with pyramidal outline. Beautiful 5 lobed glossy green leaves with brilliant fall foliage.

Tulip Tree (Liriodendron tulipifera) - 150 ft - zone 4 to 8 – Full sun to moderate shade in youth.
Prefers moist to average well drained soils with fair to high fertility. Tulip tree grows rapidly especially under ideal moisture and fertility. Tulip tree develops into the tallest of the deciduous forest species, its growth is indeterminate and will continue growing unless limited by heat and drought. Tulip tree is long lived with trunks reaching several feet in diameter. Tulip tree makes an excellent shade tree developing a full rounded crown grown in the open with lovely ornamental tulip shaped leaves in silhouette. The leaves are followed by large greenish white tulip shaped flowers in June. Although often planted individually as most shade trees are, tulip tree displays its best characteristics when planted in a grove by itself or in a mixed grouping with conifers or other hardwoods. With slight shading and competition tulip tree grows rapid and straight as an arrow achieving its maximum height potential. These trees will develop over time into straight trunked massive columns that will inspire all that pass by. Tulip trees planted in a grouping can be underplanted with flowering trees and shrubs for multi-layer effect.

Magnolia acuminata, CUCUMBER TREE 50-60ft
The largest member of the magnolia family, produces large white blossoms in late spring contrasting with the large dark green leaves. Pyramidal growth habit. Desirable shade tree.

Morus rubra, RED MULBERRY 30-50ft
Native mulberry producing black fruit relished by birds. Far more desirable than Russian mulberry. Makes an attractive shade tree. Requires moist fertile soils.

Platanus occidentalis, AMERICAN SYCAMORE 75-100ft
One of the largest native trees with wide spreading open crown or tall and straight when grown in groups. Colorful mottled bark is smooth ranging in color from gray to cream. For large areas, along waterways or in clumps where bark is best displayed. Tolertes wet soils and seasonal flooding.

Populus deltoides "SOIUXLAND’ COTTONWOOD
Extremely fast growing & long lived large tree. Cottonless selection provides quick shade in difficult and wet sites.

Quercus alba, WHITE OAK 70-90ft
Large long lived stately shade tree with broad spreading habit. Bluish green leaves turn a rich reddish brown in autumn often remaining on the tree into winter providing winter interest. Slow to medium growth. Full sun and well drained soils. Pest free and drought tolerant. Sweet acorns relished by wildlife.

Quercus macrocarpa, BURR OAK 70-80ft
A most impressive long-lived and wide spreading oak. Large 10-12" leaves & deeply furrowed bark. Very tolerant of dry, heavy clay soils and high pH soils.

Quercus rubra, RED OAK 70-80ft
Medium to fast growing native oak with large dark green leaves and rounded outline. Leaves turn red to rust-brown in fall. Transplants easily and is soil, pH & pollution tolerant.

Quer palustris, PIN OAK 60-70ft
Beautiful large native oak with graceful pyramidal outline, dark green deep cut leaves turn crimson red in fall. Very stately and ornamental. Tolerates wet soils & heavy clay soils. Requires pH below 6.0

Sorbus acuparia, EUROPEAN MOUNTAIN ASH 30-40ft
Attractive medium sized fast growing tree with delicate foliage and clusters of ornamental bright orange berries, persisting into winter.

Tilia americana, AMERICAN LINDEN 60-80ft
Large fast growing shade tree with large heart shaped leaves. Fragrant blossoms in early June. pH & soil adaptable.

Zelkova serrata, JAPANESE ZELKOVA (50-80FT)
A good replacement tree for American Elm with same upright vase shaped form. Attractive flaky bark and pleasing foliage. Well suited to lawn and street. Moisture and pH adaptable.