Recommended Trees for: Northern Tallgrass

Trees to Use with Caution

Native Tree Tree is native to Northern Tallgrass Prairie subsection
Column headings (Y = yes; N = no; S = some situations):
H = height (feet)
W = width (feet)
S = shape: Pym-pyramidal; Rnd-round; Ov-oval; Irr-irregular; V-vase; Col-columnar; We-weeping
FC = fall color: G-green; Y-yellow; R-red; B-brown; O-orange; M-maroon; Bl-blue; I-insignificant
STR = recommended for street tree
UTL = recommended for planting under utility lines
SHD = shade tolerant ( shade yes - yes; shade medium - partial; shade no - no )
FL = notable flower ( flower - yes )
FR = notable fruit, or cone with conifers ( fruit - yes )
pH = range within which the plant performs best (na = information on the range is not available)


Genus Names Species Name H W S FC STR UTL SHD FL FR pH
Larch
[Larix]
Japanese larch [L. kaempferi] 40+ 20+ Pym Y S N shade-no   fruit 5 to 7.5
Least cold hardy of the larches.
Larches may be considered for street tree use, especially in particularly tough sites. Larches are a deciduous conifer and lose their needles in the fall. American larch does best on wet sites; European larch has the most refined growth habit; Japanese larch is the least winter hardy; Siberian larch is an excellent windbreak or shelterbelt tree.
Pine
[Pinus]
Austrian pine [P. nigra] 40+ 25+ Pym G N N shade-no   fruit 4.5 to 8
An attractive tree with long, dark green needles. Adapts to urban conditions better than most pines. Is fairly salt tolerant. Does not perform well in restricted planting sites. Diplodia tip blight and Dothistroma needle blight can cause serious damage to trees occasionally.
Scots pine [P. sylvestris] 30+ 25+ Irr Bl/G N N shade-no   fruit 5 to 7.2
Scots pine is one of the most popular Christmas trees. Often has an irregular form and has a very orange bark. Often suffers winter browning and is very susceptible to several needle diseases.
Spruce
[Picea]
Colorado blue spruce [P. pungens] 30+ 20+ Pym Bl/G N N shade-medium   fruit 4 to 7.8
Susceptibility to Cytospora canker and Rhizosphaera needle cast limit the long-term usefulness of this species. These diseases begin to disfigure trees when they reach 20 to 25 years old. On very good sites this tree may be used as a single specimen; avoid planting in rows or groups.
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