Flower Garden Trees with a Christian Name
Do You Know Jesus?
Ailanthus altissima
Family of Simaroubaceae
The tree-of-heaven is an extremely fast-growing (3 to 5
feet in one season), though short-lived, tree. Native to
The weak,
brittle wood is easily damaged in storms, the leaves produce very little fall
color and the prolific seed reproduction and root suckering make this a
high-maintenance tree.
Leaves are alternate, deciduous, pinnately compound with 13-20 leaflets bearing a pair of black tipped glands at the leaf base, which is often lobed. Twigs are very stout, usually curved upwards at the tips and with a semi-circular leaf scar and light brown pith.
Bark is gray and smooth.
Fruit is a single bright yellow to brown samara with the seed in the center.
Tree-of-heaven has naturalized throughout the
Seeds available at: http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/anico/Bonsai.htm
Judas Tree
Cercis canadensis
USDA Zones: 4 - 9
Light: sun - partial shade
Height at 20 years: 20 feet
Flower Colors: pink Bloom Time: early spring
'Eastern redbud' is a small, handsome, multistemmed
tree that reaches 20 to 30 feet with a 20 to 30 feet rounded crown. They are quite
common in my part of
Plant balled-and-burlapped or container-grown plants in full sun or light shade in almost any soil, except wet. Soil can be acidic or alkaline. Water during hot, dry weather. Fertilize in spring.
Available at: White Flower Farm #60925
Ilex opaca
USDA Zones: 5 - 9
Light: sun - partial shade
Form: Upright/Vase-shaped
'American holly' is a popular specimen plant in the East and South. It is a slow-grower, to about 30 feet tall and 20 feet wide in the landscape. It is densely pyramidal when young, becoming open in old age. The evergreen leaves have spiny edges. Female American hollies produces toxic, dull-red berries if a male is growing nearby. More than 1,000 cultivars are available.
Notable Varieties
'Goldie' is a heavy fruiter with yellow berries.
Grace McCutchin' has orange to red fruit.
Jersey Knight' and Gable' are males and bear no fruit.
Jersey Princess' is a female with excellent form.
Plant balled-and-burlapped or container-grown plants in spring, in full sun to partial shade, in moist, loose, acidic, well-drained soil. Choose a site protected from drying winds. Plant one male for every three females. Prune in winter if needed
Available from: http://roslynnursery.com/GeneratedItems/catalogpages/ilex.html
Malus
A rounded crab with red flower buds that open to pink. Red fruit which are persistent. Very adaptable.
'Flowering crabapple' includes fruit 2 inches or less in diameter. Flowering
crabapples are among our most popular ornamental trees.
They provide spectacular bloom, pleasing foliage in a range of colors.
Many crabapples have an attractive bark color and interesting twig and branch forms during the dormant season. The gnarled and twisted limbs of older specimens are particularly striking in the winter landscape. The showy blossoms make their appearance in early April, although the bloom period can vary from year to year, depending on weather conditions. Because of the attractive blossom development, with color display in the ballooning stage, the total bloom period may last up to two weeks. Crabapples are adaptable to a variety of soil conditions but seem to do best in a heavy loam. The soil should be well drained and slightly acid, with adequate moisture.
Most crabapples are cold-hardy. For best development of flowers and fruits, they should be planted in full sun. Crabapples planted in shaded locations tend to develop an open shape and are more susceptible to disease.
Available at: http://www.wallace-woodstock.com/crabapple.htm
Thuja occidentalis
USDA Zones: 4 - 8
Light: sun - partial shade
Height: 12-25 feet Width: 3-10 feet
Height at 20 years: 12 feet
This evergreen is widely used in landscape plantings. It forms a dense, pyramidal tree and typically grows slowly.
The flat, dark green foliage changes to yellow-green or greenish brown in winter. Some cultivars keep their dark green color over winter.
Arborvitae is useful for adding a vertical element to home landscapes. A line of the trees can be used to screen unwanted views. Because it tolerates shearing, it can also be used to create formal hedges.
Arborvitaes grow naturally in swampy areas, and should be grown in areas with adequate soil and atmospheric moisture. They require a deep, well-drained soil. Partial shade is best, but they can take full sun. They are easily transplanted from containers or balled and burlapped.
Arborvitaes are tolerant of pruning, although not beyond a "dead zone" in the plant interior. Can be damaged by strong wind, snow, or ice.
Available here: http://www.plantdelights.com/Catalog/Current/Detail/00824.html
And here: http://www.forestfarm.com/search/alpha.asp?bytype=genus&alpha=t&x=43&y=9