Do It Yourself Backyard Landscaper

The Red Regent Apple, Malus ‘Red Regent’, is a very popular apple in Minnesota. It produces medium to large red apples with a fresh flesh that is juicy and crisp. This appealing red-striped apple has a flavor that is an outstanding balance of sweet and tart. Its well balanced flavor makes it excellent for fresh eating and cooking. The Red Regent has a good storage life and is becoming one of the most popular apples in Minnesota. The tree is moderately vigorous and easily trained. This apple was introduced by University of Minesota in 1963. Plant about a month after the first killing frost in the fall or about a month before the last killing frost in the spring. Select a planting site that has good air, drainage, full sunlight and deep, well drained soil.

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The Bald Cypress, Taxodium distichum, is a lofty, deciduous conifer of slender, pyramidal habit. A stately tree, for parks, yards. Landscapers and land owners use this tree in wet areas. Bald Cypress trees have moderate water requirements. In swamps, it develops large flares at the base of the trunk, the so-called “cypress knees” In the fall, the Bald Cypress leaves may turn a rich brown. The needle like leaves are dark green in the spring and summer. The “cypress knees” only develop when grown in or near water for most of the year. This species is very adaptable to wet and dry sites and thrives in many soil types.

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The Cherry, Black Tartarian, Prunus avium, has firm, sweet, dark purplish-black fruits, and inside the thin skin the flesh is sweet, juicy and extremely flavorful. It is smaller than Bing cherries, but just as flavorful and matures to a black color with a firm semi-acid pulp. It is an early bearer, with an early-to-mid-season June-July harvest which makes it an excellent choice for the home orchard. The Black Tartarian Cherry tree is very hard and disease resistant, highly recommended for the South. Pollinate with any other sweet cherry. Plant Black Tartarian in full sun and in well-drained soil. Cherry trees can be used as specimens and shade trees on larger properties.

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The Black Alder, Alnus glutinosa, is a rapid growing European native that thrives in truly wet soil. The grayish brown bark is complemented by nutlets that mature in October and persist in pistillate catkins over winter. Black Alder is a good choice whe

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The Austrian Pine, Pinus nigra, is a densely branched tree producing long dark needles. This evergreen conifer tree thrives in urban locations as well as in windbreaks in more rural settings. It does well in a variety of soils and is very hardy. The spreading branches of a young tree form a pyramidal outline, but at maturity, it sometimes achieves a picturesque flat topped head. This fast growing pine tree makes an attractive Christmas tree when sheared. It will tolerate both limestone or acidic soils, dry rocky locations and windy conditions. Also good for thick screens or windbreaks. For screen, space 6 feet apart. When placed in a good site it should reach 5 ft. in height in 6-7 years starting with a 2 year old seedling.

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The White Flowering Dogwood, Cornus Florida, is the “aristocrat” of flowering trees because it is breathtakingly beautiful with its white blossoms. The White Flowering Dogwood has an excellent show of white blossoms in spring, and bright red berrie

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The Redstone Dogwood, ‘Corunus Mas “Redstone”, also know as Redstone Cornelian Cherry Dogwood, can be used either as a small tree with a rounded form or as a large, multi-stemmed shrub. This tree is one of the first bloomers of the year. The lovely profuse yellow flowers appear in early spring and the oval, cherry red fruit develops in the summer. The Redstone Dogwood has nice winter interest with its display of mottled bark. The fruit is highly treasured by wildlife. Great for small yard or as an accent plant.

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The State Fair Apple, Malus ‘State Fair’, has a flavor that is sprightly tart and good for eating and baking. It has good texture that is semi-acid to sweet. State Fair is especially recommended for trial in regions where winter hardiness and a short growing season are limiting factors, so it is one of the better early apples for northern growers. This all purpose apple is one of the better early apples, but it has a short storage life. This medium size tree is a good producer, and its fruit ripens late September to early October. It is very cold hardy and needs a pollinator. Plant about a month after the first killing frost in the fall or about a month before the last killing frost in the spring. Select a planting site that has good air, drainage, full sunlight and deep, well drained soil.

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The Willow Hybrid tree, Salix Willow Hybrid, also called a Hybrid Willow, will, on average, and under normal conditions, grow six feet per year. Under ideal conditions and on good sites the growth rate is even faster, up to twenty feet a year. Planted as a hedge, screen, windbreak, or to line a road or drive, you can expect this tree to be over 20′ tall and 15′ wide in just three years. This deciduous tree can grow to over 70′ tall. This tree will require supplemental water until established. It is not a Weeping Willow, but an upright growing majestic tree. Many homeowners use this tree as a shade tree because of its fast growth and quick shade.

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The Canadian Hemlock tree, Tsuga canadensis, is also called Eastern Hemlock or Hemlock spruce. This evergreen conifer is a fast-growing long-lived tree which unlike many trees grows well in shade. It may take 250 to 300 years to reach maturity and may live for 800 years or more. It has a graceful pyramidal form with foliage of spray-like appearance. This stately tree is a very hardy specimen and is an easily transplanted conifer which grows well in a variety of soils. Shelter small plants from drying winds. They stand shearing and pruning well and are excellent as hedges. They are graceful and make great ornamental plantings.

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The Russian Olive tree, Elaeagnus Angustifolia, is an excellent windbreak and wildlife tree. It is extremely tolerant of environmental factors. The best windbreak tree for high wind areas. Pictured is the Russian Olive in a tree form. Russian Olive trees can be made into a hedge by planting 10′ apart in the row. The Russian Olive has low water requirements and displays a high tolerance for salt and alkali. Its stems, buds, and leaves have a dense covering of silvery to rusty scales. Leaves are egg or lance-shaped. At three years of age, plants begin to flower and fruit. Highly aromatic, creamy yellow flowers appear in June and July and are later replaced by clusters of abundant silvery fruits. Wildlife loves the fruit. Prized for its silvery gray foliage. Prefers a sunny location and is tolerant of most soil types.

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The Lanceleaf Poplar, Populus x acuminata, is a hardy cottonwood that has attractive 4″ long, dark green, glossy leaves with a light green underside. Leaves are shaped like the head of a spear. It is native from New Mexico to Alberta, Canada. It has a dense pyramidal crown and displays a beautiful yellow fall color. Being a native to the Rocky Mountains, this beauty provides wonderful shade in a large yard. The location you choose for this tree should have enough space to allow for growth without severe pruning. Check for obstructions of buildings, overhead utility lines and tall fences.

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The Tatarian Maple, Acer tataricum’, is quite similar to Amur Maple and the two species readily hybridize when grown together. Tatarian Maple grows slightly larger and is naturally more tree like in growth habit. The Tatarian Maples are slightly larger and usually develop a good red coloration when maturing. Fall color is usually yellow to reddish brown. A good tree for planters or patios. It has excellent small tree form and good foliage quality.

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