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   Horticulture Information
-Plants
   -Trees
   -Places of Interest

Folks in NE
-Nebraska Talent

Branching Out Program
Tree Selections

The Branching Out Steering Committee recommends the following trees be considered as replacements for trees lost to storms and to increase the canopy. These trees are relatively hardy in the midlands' climate, provide diversity to our tree population and will provide decades of enjoyment for residents. For assistance in selecting your trees, contact a licensed nursery in your area.

White Ash - 50-80 ft. - spread 50-80 ft.
Moderate growing, tall, hardy tree. Oval crown. Foliage turns purple in fall. A fine ornamental shade tree that is best planted in parks and other large areas because of its size.

River Birch - 30-40 ft. - Spread 35 ft.
Cinnamon-brown exfoliating bark. Golden yellow fall color. Interesting winter effect. A native birch adaptable in urban conditions. Resistant to Bronze Birch Borer.

Kentucky Coffeetree - 50-60 ft. - spread 40-50 ft.
Open spreading tree. Large compound leaves turning yellow in fall. Seed pods 6 inches long, mahogany colored. A picturesque tree in winter with deeply furrowed bark and stout branches.

Crabapple - 15-25 ft. - spread 15-25 ft.
In general, fruits are less than 2 inches in diameter, height less than 20 ft., growth rate medium and fall color, yellow-brown. Flower color ranges from pure white to purplish red, with many variations of pink and read in between. Size ranges from dwarf trees to 40 ft. tall. Shape varies from columnar to weeping to round. Hence, selection of a flowering crab can be readily matched to particular landscape needs.

Ginkgo - 50-80 ft. - spread 30-40 ft.
distinctly fan-shaped leaves and open pyramidal growth form add to the exotic look of this slow growing, prehistoric tree. Bright green summer color is followed by golden yellow fall color. Normally free of insects and diseases. Does well under city conditions.

Hackberry - 40-60 ft. - spread 40-50 ft.
Broad ascending branches with corky gray-brown bark. Purplish fruits are relished by birds and wildlife. Easily transplanted. Tolerant of urban environments. Grows well in a variety of soil types. Moderate to rapid growth.

Hawthorn - 15-30 ft. - spread 15-20 ft.
Dense, shrubby looking trees having stout ascending or spreading branches. Sharp pointed thorns, an inch or more long, are found on limbs (except for thornless selections such as thornless cockspur hawthorn). They have white flowers in spring and red/purple or orange fruit in the fall. In general, these trees have a medium rate of growth and a short to medium life expectancy.

Honeylocust (Thornless) - 50 ft. - spread 40-50 ft.
Thornless plants are fast-growing and produce a light shade. Foliage is light green turning yellow in the fall. Plants are transplanted and tolerant of poor soils. Salt tolerant. Useful in urban plants.

Red Maple - 40-60 ft. - spread 40-45 ft.
A fairly rapid growing tree. Showy red flower in spring before leaves open. Fall color brilliant scarlet or yellow. Suitable for lawn and adaptable to moist locations.

Bur Oak - 60-80 ft. - spread 55-60 ft.
A vigorous grower with a rounded open form. Interesting appearance due to corky branches. Tolerates a wide range of soil types and air pollutants. Fall color yellowish-brown to purplish.

Red Oak - 60-75 ft. - spread 50-60 ft.
Fasted grower of the oaks and one of the easiest to transplant. Good street or landscape tree. Pyramidal when young. Broad round-topped when mature. Dense, lustrous foliage. Autumn color red to reddish-brown.

Swamp White Oak -50-60 ft. - spread 40-45 ft.
Among the hardiest of the oaks. The rugged looking oak grows well in wet or swampy areas. Round-topped, open headed tree with dense foliage. Leaves are dark green above and felty white below changing to reddish-bronze color in fall. Grows best in acid soils. Easily transplanted.

Redbud - 20-30 ft. - spread 30-35 ft.
Graceful ascending branches produce new growth of a reddish-purple color. Fall color is yellow-green. Flowers at a young age (4-6 years) rosy -pink in coloring April-May. Full sun or light shade. Grows well in moist soils. Effective as small specimen tree.

Downy Serviceberry -20-25 ft. - spread 15-20 ft.
Heavy stems are covered with white blossoms in early spring, followed by dark green foliage. Leaves turn brilliant red in fall and remain on the tree for an extended period of time. Moderate spreading branches combined with light gray dark adds interest to the landscape throughout the year. Resists ice breakage.

Sycamore - 70-100 ft. - spread 60-70 ft.
Grows rapidly and will withstand smoke and city activity. A broad, regular-formed head with dense, medium to dark green foliage. Exfoliating bark.

Ohio Buckeye - 40 ft. - spread 30-35 ft.
A magnificent, oval shaped tree with large, bold leaves and white flowers in upright panicles up to 10 inches in length. Long lasting and tough, it makes an excellent lawn specimen or a rugged street tree. More compact than other horse chestnuts.

Green Ash - 50-60 ft. - spread 40-45 ft.
A male, seedless Green Ash. Foliage is a dark, glossy green turning yellow in fall. A vigorous, fast-growing tree useful for street and park plantings.

Northern Catalpa - 40-60 ft. - spread 35-40 ft.
Medium to fast grower with a narrow, open, irregular oval crown. White flowers in terminal panicles 4-8 inches long. very adaptable withstanding extremely hot, dry environments and alkaline conditions.

Black Cherry - 50-60 ft. - spread 20-35 ft.
Extremely hardy tree with rough cherry-brown bark with age. Oval head, attractive when grown. White, fragrant blossoms and small black fruits. Ideal for making jelly Yellow or orange-red fall color. Native central U.S.

Linden - 60-70 ft. - spread 30-40 ft.
A dense, symmetrical tree with glossy foliage. Does well under city conditions. Very fragrant flowers in late June and early July. A splendid tree for street and residential use. Disease free.

Norway Maple (Emerald Queen Maple) - 40 ft. - spread 35-40 ft. A very rapid growing tree with ascending branches giving an oval shape. Dark green glossy leaves turn to bright yellow in fall. Very attractive and distinctive appearance. A very good street tree.

English Oak - 40-60 ft. - spread 40-60 ft.
Massive, round-headed tree with spreading branches. Good for parks and large areas.

Pin Oak - 60-75 ft. - spread 40-45 ft.
A broadly pyramidal tree of dense branching habit. Branches droop slightly. Leaves are deep green, glossy and finely divided. Scarlet autumn foliage.

	Sugar Maple - 70-80 ft. - spread 40-505 ft. Dense upright tree with an oval-rounded shape. Fall color is a brilliant red to burnt orange. Prefers a well-drained moderately moist soil. Tolerates some shade. Shumard Red Oak - 70-75 ft. - spread 40-50 ft. Similar to Pin and Red Oak. Slightly less hardy.
	White Oak - 60-80 ft. - spread 60-80 ft. Broad, round dense head, spreading branches and purplish-red autumn color make it an excellent specimen tree. Somes leaves remain on tree for winter interest. Bark light gray and flaked. Native eastern U.S. Tulip Tree - 70-90 ft. - spread 35-50 ft. A tall, large magnificent tree when fully grown. Medium to fast grower. Yellow tulip shaped flowers with orange corolla mid-May to early June. The leaves appear as though the center lobe has been cut off. Plant in well-drained loam in full sun.

Black Walnut - 50-75 ft. - spread 50-70 ft.
A large tree with medium green, pinnately compound leaves. The nuts are thick shelled and the nutmeats have a very rich flavor. The tree is very valuable for its wood.

Spring

Early Spring

Complete planting of bare-rooted trees.
Cut out flowering shoots of winter-flowering shrubs.
Cut back last year's stems of shrubs ground level.

Mid-Spring

Prune hardy shrubs which flower on current season's growth to two or three buds from base.
Prune early flowering shrubs, such as forsythia as the flowers fade.

Late Spring

Plant shrubs that are tender when young.
Remove suckers - shoots rising from ground level, directly from the roots.
Keep newly-planted trees and shrubs moist at the roots during dry periods. Spray foliage with water from time to time.

Summer

Early summer

Keep an eye open for insect pests, diseases and weeds.
Hoe frequently to keep weeds in check.

Mid-Summer

Continue thinning out shrubs that have finished flowering, including weigela, cutting old stems down to base.
Take semi-hardwood cuttings of shrubs whose new stems are starting to get woody.
Continue hoeing regularly to keep free from weeds.

Late-Summer

Take semi-hardwood cuttings of shrubs.
Water newly-planted trees well around their trunks -- they can take several gallons a week.

Branching Out
1-800-769-TREE

If you are organizing a tree-related project in need of volunteer help or if you or your organization want to lend a hand, call the Branching Out Hotline 1-800-769-TREE and you will be contacted by a Branching Out coordinator about your need for help or what you can contribute.