2018 Tree and Shrub Seedlings. Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus) Planting requirements: Potential Problems:

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1 2018 Tree and Shrub Seedlings Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus) Eastern white pine is an evergreen conifer that grows rapidly and can reach over 80 feet tall by 40 feet wide or larger under optimal conditions. The very straight trunk produces a whorl of lateral branches every one to two feet. White pine is harvested for lumber, for pulp, and to produce creosote-soaked utility poles. During colonial times, white pine was used for the masts of sailing ships, with agents of the royal government marking trees throughout the colonies as crown property to be shipped to England for ship construction. Eastern white pine needles are long (4 long), soft and flexible, in groups of 5 per fasicle, light green with a bluish cast. The cones are light brown, 6 8 long, curved, pointed, and usually clustered in the upper part of the tree. They take 2 years to mature. Planting requirements: White pine grows best in moist, rich, well-drained acidic soils in full sun. Soils that are alkaline and poorly drained (heavy clay soils) can limit growth and cause yellowing of needles. In urban settings, white pine is very susceptible to chlorosis (yellowing) caused by alkaline soils, winter salt spray, compacted clay soils, and poor drainage. Young transplants and saplings can be affected by deer and rabbit browsing. White pine blister rust is a fungus that attacks the inner bark but can be controlled by removing gooseberry and alpine currant shrubs, the intermediate hosts of the fungus, from within a ¼ mile radius around the tree. White pine is also attacked by the white pine weevil, which may severely impact mass plantings in pure forest stands, nursery plantations, and Christmas tree farms. The white pine weevil bores into terminal shoots, distorting the growth of the upper canopy.

2 Black Chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) This adaptable chokeberry is smaller than the red chokeberry reaching typical heights of 3 6 tall, with 8 in height and width as a maximum. Its ability to self-sow and suckering habit allows for formation of colonies within a few years, making this a useful shrub for naturalizing waste areas and stabilizing soils on banks. The leaves are similar to red chokeberry, but smaller, and flowers are also much like the red chokeberry. Fruits are deep purple to blue-black, astringent, and loaded with anti-oxidants. Commercially grown, especially where imported to Europe, the juice is used for its color in a variety of food products and increasingly to supplement juice drinks for the anti-oxidant health benefits. A useful plant for its excellent soil-gripping qualities and rapid establishment, black chokeberry also displays desirable foliage and flowers, rich autumn colors and winter fruit display. Black chokeberry prefers moist, well-drained, acidic soils but can thrive in a variety of soil types, including alkaline soils, sites that dry in summer, and rocky or sandy soils, and may form pure stands in wet sites with clay soil. Full sun maximizes flowering, fruit, and autumn foliage colors, but partial shade is well tolerated. Black chokeberry has no pests or diseases of significance though potentially could suffer from the same problems noted for red chokeberry as a member of the rose family. Very rarely, wet spring seasons followed by a wet summer can lead to disease.

3 Silky Dogwood (Cornus amomum) Silky dogwood is a medium fast grower reaching 6 to 10 feet tall with 6 to 10 feet spread in a rounded, multi-stemmed habit with younger branches showing a reddish smooth bark similar to red osier dogwood. Older stems become brown with age. The leaves are medium green, 2 4 long, 2 wide in a pointed elliptical shape, oppositely arranged on pubescent stems. There is no showy fall leaf color as with some other dogwoods. The creamy white flowers are small borne in cymes that are 1 ½ to 2 ½ across, blooming in late May and early June. The fruit ripens in August and September; small blue drupes, ¼ across, that are showy and a favorite food of many birds. Landscape uses for silky dogwood include wet areas, naturalized areas, borders, and mass groupings. Planting Requirements Silky dogwood prefers moist fertile soil and full sun to partial shade. Readily transplanted, it can be propagated by seed or by cuttings. Potential Problems Silky Dogwood can be infected or infested by a number of diseases and pests that frequent both the shrub and tree dogwoods (scurfy scale, dogwood sawfly, webworm); however, this species is generally free of problems.

4 American Elderberry (Sambucus Canadensis) A medium size, deciduous multi-stemmed shrub native to the Eastern US, elderberry is fast-growing to 12 tall in an arching to rounded, upright habit. The dark green leaves are odd-pinnately, compound with 5 to 11 (usually 7) leaflets, sharply serrated 2 to 6 long. Large flattened clusters of fragrant, tiny, cream-colored flowers in summer developing into clusters of purpleblack berries (drupes) in late summer. Autumn foliage is yellow-green and not ornamentally important. Elderberry is planted for fruit production, for naturalizing disturbed areas and as a specimen planting. Many types of birds eagerly consume the fruit. The flowers attract butterflies. Elderberry prefers moist, well-drained soil, but can tolerate dry or wet sites and alkaline soil, in full sun or partial shade. This plant can be easily transplanted and is propagated by seed, division, and hardwood cuttings. Elderberry is subject to powdery mildew and leaf spot.

5 Spicebush (Lindera benzoin) Spicebush is typically found as an understory plant in moist to wet woodlands, often associated with yellow poplar (tulip tree), throughout its native range in the Eastern US. Growing to 12 tall, spicebush is named for the spicy fragrance of leaves and twigs when crushed. A member of the Laurel family, spicebush is related to sassafras, both of which are foods for the larvae (caterpillar) of the striking spicebush swallowtail butterfly. Spicebush blooms early, in late winter and early spring, with fragrant yellow-green blooms that are very visible among the leafless branches in its natural setting. Bright red fruits, a ½ long drupe, appear in late summer on the female plants and will persist into winter if not eaten by birds or wildlife. The leaves are deep green and glossy turning yellow in autumn. Spicebush is useful in border plantings and in naturalizing disturbed areas, for plantings along streams or ponds, and in shade, native plant, or rain gardens. While preferring rich, moist to wet sites in shaded locations and slightly acidic ph, spicebush easily adapts to dry, average soil conditions in sunny sites. In sunnier sites, the growth will be more compact with denser branch development, and better flowering and fruiting. No serious insect or disease problems.

6 Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) Buttonbush is a medium sized shrub native to the Eastern US easily recognized in summer by its globular white flowers. The glossy foliage emerges later than many other woody plants (mid-spring) and is a secondary ornamental feature. Growing 6 12 tall, buttonbush is somewhat sprawling with widths up to The green globular fruits that follow the flowers turn brown in autumn and consist of a cluster of nutlets that are a minor food source for mammals and birds. The dense character of the plant provides cover for birds including ducks and other waterfowl. It is a useful plant for borders, stream and pond banks, and for naturalizing disturbed areas. Buttonbush prefers wet soils of variable ph but can tolerate moist, well-drained sites as well. Full sun is best for buttonbush, and it can adapt to heavy compacted soils and windy sites. It adopts a more compact habit when grown in moist clay or organic soils that become dry in summer. Buttonbush is free of serious pest or disease problems unless grown in excessively dry sites.

7 River Birch (Betula nigra) Also known as red birch, river birch is a medium size tree, the most southern of the native birches, that is naturally found on floodplains, riverbanks, in wet woods and in swamps. Fast-growing, river birch can reach heights of 80 or more. The tan to reddish brown bark exfoliates in irregular papery layers revealing tan, orange, and pinkish under layers; significant for ornamental interest. The leaves are a shiny medium to dark green, simple and alternately arranged, with a wedge shape and double serrate margin. Flowers are separate male and female catkins and the fruits are samaras, with lateral wings, contained in a cone. Autumn color is yellow but the leaves drop quickly; not the best birch for autumn color but the bark is attractive. Frequently multitrunked, river birch is useful in riparian plantings, as a specimen planting, lawn or shade tree (shade is light so turf grass can grow), and is popular on golf courses, public grounds and parks. Birch seeds are eaten by a number of birds including chickadees and wild turkeys. River birch is best suited for moist bottom soils but does well on drier sites. Preferring full sun, this birch can develop chlorosis in soils above ph 6.5. It is better adapted to heat than most birches and is easily transplanted and established from B & B or container. Propagation is by seed or softwood cuttings. River birch is resistant to the bronze birch borer that affects the more northern birch varieties when planted in warmer climes, and is relatively trouble free. Wet years can cause some leaf spot. Drought can cause leaf drop from the interior of the canopy.

8 Butternut (Juglans cinera) Also known as white walnut, demon walnut, and oilnut, the butternut is a small to medium-sized tree with stiff upright branches and a wide-spreading crown. Native to the northeastern US, northcentral US, and southern Canada, the butternut is absent from the Deep South and western US. It is uncommon throughout most of its range. The young twigs, stems, and leaflets have hairs stickyoily to the touch. The bark is brownish-gray, thick, shallowly divided into smooth or scaly plates. Leaves are pinnately compound and 15 to 18 inches long, with 11 to 17 leaflets. Each leaflet is ovate to lanceolate and 2 5 inches long, with finely toothed margins. Flowers are unisexual, female and male on the same tree (the species is monoecious), but usually not opening simultaneously on any individual tree, so multiple plantings are best to insure production. Fruit is an ovoid nut 1 ½ to 2 ½ inches long, single or in clusters of 2-5, with a hard, thick, deeply furrowed shell enclosed by a thick husk with a sticky-glandular surface. The nuts usually remain on the tree until after leaf fall. The common name refers to the mature nut kernels, which are sweet and oily, like butter. Butternut is called "white walnut" because of its light-colored wood, which has a natural golden luster that becomes satin-like when polished. The wood is only moderately hard and saws and carves easily. It has been used for furniture, cabinetry, instrument cases, and interior woodwork. Butternut grows best on stream banks and on well-drained soils. It is seldom found on dry, compact, or infertile soils. It grows better than black walnut, however, on dry, rocky soils, especially those of limestone origin. Butternut is found most frequently in coves, on stream benches and terraces, on slopes, in the talus of rock ledges, and on other sites with good drainage. It is found up to an elevation of 1500 m (4,900 ft) in the Virginias much higher altitudes than black walnut. Butternuts were often planted close to the house on farmsteads for their use as food. Kernels were used in baking and cultivars have been selected for nut size and for ease of cracking and extracting kernels. They have been popular in New England for making maple-butternut candy. Early settlers used the fruit husks and inner bark to make orange or yellow dye and the root bark provided a laxative. Although young trees may withstand competition from the side, butternut does not survive under shade from above. It must be in the over story to thrive. Therefore it is classed as intolerant of shade and competition. Butternut tolerates a wide range of soil types. The trees are reported to be slow growing and seldom live longer than 75 years. The most serious disease of Juglans cinerea is butternut decline or butternut canker. This disease has caused significant decline of butternut in the southern portions of its range and is having an effect everywhere the tree is found. Propagation of resistant forms is encouraged.

9 White Oak (Quercus alba) Also known as stave oak because of its use in barrels, white oak is native to the entire eastern half of the United States, in habitats ranging from dry forests and fields to mesic woodlands and down slopes. Like many members of the White Oak group, the undersides of its leaves are whitegreen, and its wood is a light-colored beige that is almost white when freshly cut; hence its common name. It is the most important timber tree of the White Oak group and in fact one of the most important hardwoods, with its hard, heavy, tough wood used as lumber for beams, railroad ties, flooring, barrels, furniture, and many other uses. Normally not a very tall tree, typically reaching feet at maturity, it nonetheless becomes quite massive and its lower branches are apt to extend far out laterally, parallel to the ground. The tallest known white oak is 144 feet tall. It is not unusual for a white oak tree to be as wide as it is tall, but specimens growing at high altitudes may only become small shrubs. White oaks have been known to live up to six hundred years. The bark is a light ash-gray and peels somewhat from the top, bottom and/or sides. Leaves are simple and alternately arranged on the stems; they are 5 to 6 inches long and have a rounded tip and wedge-shaped base, with evenly notched edges; leaves are bright green above and whitish underneath. Male flowers are green and 2 to 4 inches long, while female flowers are reddish and they appear as single spikes with the leaves. White oak acorns are oval; about a quarter of the acorn body is covered with a cap that drops off at maturity. The acorns are much less bitter than the acorns of red oaks. They are small relative to most oaks, but are a valuable wildlife food, notably for turkeys, wood ducks, pheasants, grackles, jays, nuthatches, thrushes, woodpeckers, rabbits, squirrels and deer. Native Americans also used them for food. White Oak prefers rich, deep, moist, well-drained, acidic soils, but adapts well to dry and average soils that are neutral to slightly alkaline in ph. It thrives in full sun to partial sun but is shade tolerant in youth White oak is attacked by several insects: leaf eaters including gypsy moth, orange-striped oakworm, oakleaf caterpillar, oak leaf tiers and walkingstick; Golden oak scale; gall forming insects like Cynipid wasps; and twig pruners, but none of these pose serious insect problems. White oak is also susceptible to perennial cankers induced by bark, root rot, and oak blister. The species has good resistance to oak wilt. Existing trees are very sensitive to disturbances in their root zones caused by grading, soil compaction, or changes in drainage patterns; if severe, these disturbances can lead to mortality.

10 American Hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana) American hornbeam is a small hardwood tree growing 35 to 50, rarely to 65, native to eastern North America. It is also known as blue-beech, musclewood, and ironwood, some common names that are shared with Eastern Hophornbeam and leading to confusion. Primarily an understory tree often found along streams and wetland edges, hornbeam also does well in full sun. Hornbeam and Hophornbeam are both members of the Betulaceae family along with birches and alders. The strong, hard wood is light in color (sapwood nearly white) and was used for tool handles, bowls, yokes, longbows, mallets, golf clubs, canes, and walking sticks. The wood is not used on a large commercial scale due to the small size of trees. Ruffed grouse, wild turkeys, finches, and squirrels eat the nutlets. Deer will browse twigs and leaves. Leaves are alternate, 2 4 long, oblong or wedge-shaped, and double serrate. Newly emerged leaves are a pale, bronzy green but mature to a dark, dull green with lighter undersides displaying prominent ribs and veins. Flowers are monoecious, appearing in April and are without catkins without petals. Female flowers are shown at upper left; male in lower photo. The fruit is enclosed by a 3-lobed bract and develops from the female catkins as pendulous chains at the tips of branches. The bark is smooth and gray and mature branches show a distinctive fluting with a muscular appearance, providing some winter interest in the garden or yard. Fall color is various shades of yellow, orange and red. Photo below at right. American hornbeam grows in moderately rich, moist slightly acid soils and tolerates heavy poorly drained soils better than most species. It can grow in full shade or in ample sun. This is an attractive tree for specimen planting or a naturalized garden setting. American hornbeam has no serious disease or insect pests. Leaf spot, canker and twig blight are occasional diseases.

11 Eastern Redbud (Cercis Canadensis) American or eastern redbud is a small tree native to the Eastern US south of New England. It is a fastgrowing species, reaching and up to 25 wide, usually multitrunked in the wild with a vase shape. Often found at the edge of woodlands where it commonly has a leaning habit as it grows toward sunlight, redbud is valued for the striking beauty of its showy, lavender-pink blooms that appear before leaf-out. Redbud is a member of the Legume, Bean, or Pea Family and is related to honeylocust, black locust, and wisteria. It has simple, alternately arranged, heart-shaped leaves that emerge as pale green tinged with red but mature to a dark green. The winter buds are a dark red to chestnut brown and the blooms, appearing in May in PA, have a deep red calyx and pink to rose to lavender corolla. The blooms appear on old branches and the trunk as well as on new stems. The fruits are flattened bean-like seeds in legume pods 2 3 long, green changing to brown in October. Native Americans consumed redbud flowers raw or boiled, and ate roasted seeds. Redbud is planted as a lawn tree or specimen planting and is useful in smaller yards, in naturalized or woodland plantings and as a patio tree. Redbud prefers deep, moist, well-drained, organic soils but adapts to many soil types, acidic or alkaline so long as the site is not too wet. Growing in full sun to light shade, redbud will grow rapidly and flower profusely with adequate summer moisture. Wet, heavy clay soils will limit lifespan and vigor. Trunk canker is a serious disease of redbud as are verticillium wilts and root rot, two diseases that affect roots due to wet soils. Scales can also be a pest, but are minor compared to the diseases.

12 Common Persimmon (Diospyros virginiana) Also known as Eastern persimmon, possumwood, American ebony, white ebony, bara-bara, boa-wood, butterwood, common persimmon is a medium sized tree that grows wild but has been cultivated for its fruit and wood since prehistoric times by Native Americans. The native range is from southern New York along the coast to Texas with the largest specimens in the Mississippi River Valley. On welldrained soils in southern and eastern Pennsylvania, common persimmon grows to 60 feet and more with a somewhat short, slender trunk and spreading, often pendulous branches, which form a broad or narrow, round-topped canopy. In summer, this species produces fragrant flowers, which are dioecious, so one must have both male and female plants to obtain fruit. Insects and wind pollinate the flowers. Fruiting typically begins when the tree is about 6 years old. The bark is dark brown or dark gray, deeply divided into plates whose surface is scaly. The heartwood is very dark and dense, like ebony, but typically doesn t develop until trees are quite old; sapwood is yellowish white, heavy, hard, strong and very close grained and used in woodturning and in textile shuttles and golf club driver heads. Unripe fruit and inner bark have been used in the treatment of fever, diarrhea, and hemorrhage. The fruits are used in puddings, cookies, cakes, custard, and sherbet; the dried, roasted, ground seeds have been used as a substitute for coffee. Flowers produce nectar significant for bees in honey production. Leaves and twigs of common persimmon are eaten in fall and winter by white-tailed deer. The fruit is eaten by squirrel, fox, skunk, deer, bear, coyote, raccoon, opossum, and various birds, including quail, wild turkey, cedar waxwing, and catbird. Common persimmon grows over a wide range of conditions from dry, sterile, sandy woodlands to river bottoms to rocky hillsides. Growth is best on terraces of large streams and river bottoms with clays and heavy loams. It thrives in full sun but also is shadetolerant and can persist in the understory. It is an early pioneer on abandoned and denuded cropland and is common on roadsides and fencerows. The main natural defoliators of common persimmon are the webworm and the hickory horned devil.

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