Sugar maples can survive in a wide variety of soil types but for maximum tree growth and sap production, soils should be moist and well drained. They can be found in canyons, ravines, valleys and streambanks, but also found on dry rocky hillsides. The common name refers to the use of species for making sugar and syrup.
White Birch has a nice narrow, pyramidal size and a chalky white bark that looks great all season long. The leaves rustle in the wind. They are popular and resistant to attacks by insect pests. The challenge is to select a growing site where the soil will remain cool and moist, but where the tree will also receive full sunshine on its leaves for much of the day.
Red Maple is one of the most common trees in our area. This tree can be found just about anywhere, including forests, stream banks and fields. It is a pioneer tree, which means it is one of the first to take over a field. It is also often an understory tree, growing beneath larger trees. Due to its adaptability has made this species a common tree in home landscape. Red Maples extend from Florida and west to Texas and Minnesota.
**This species is not recommended for planting in Macomb County**
The Hybrid Willows are extremely rapid growing which distinguishes them from non-hybrid types. They will adapt to dry soils but need to be watered regularly until established. It is recommended the bare roots should be planted between November and May to avoid heat and drought.
The Hazelnut tree is a deciduous that is closely related to trees such as birches and alders. Hazelnut trees bloom and pollinate in winter. They can be very winter hardy. When planting, it is recommended to soak roots in water for up to an hour prior to planting to increase survival. Taking about 3 years to begin harvesting nuts, a mature tree can produce up to 10 to 15 pounds of cleaned seed. They can last in commercial production for up to 40 years.
White oaks are a large tree usually growing in forests with other oaks, but can also be found on edges of lakes, ponds and streams. Leaves will often stay on the branches of younger trees in the winter.
Of all the members of the White Oak family, the contrast of the leaf color from top to bottom is the most apparent and back side bleached. Thus the specific moniker “bicolor” is very much suitable. Branches grow flares of bark but as the bark matures becomes ridged and furrowed.
The Black Walnut is a large deciduous tree providing light shade and excellent bright yellow fall foliage. Nut production begins when the tree is about 10 years old and has best production when 30 years old. The tree tends to yield heavier in alternate years.
Although often confused with the Scarlet Oak, the Pin Oak grows in nearly pure stands on shallow sites that drain poorly. Scarlet Oaks are an upland species preferring soils with good drainage. Another unique identification for this species is the mature trees branch positions. The upper branches will point upwards, middle branches perpendicular to the trunk and the lower branches slumped downward.
Persimmon is a southeastern U.S. native tree that is easily recognized in winter by its unusual rugged, blocky bark. Female trees produce large orange-brown fleshy fruit that are edible after the first frost. Thick, dark green leaves turn a yellow fall color. Native persimmon is not readily available in nurseries, but several selected cultivars are produced for their edible fruit.
