Urban Forestry Division Rapid City Parks and Recreation The following tree list was created by the efforts of the Urban Forestry Division and the Parks and Recreation Department. Ination was collected from Trees!, an illustrated field guide by John Ball, Professor of Forestry, South Dakota State University. A variety of trees have been identified as trees that are recommended for the Rapid City region. Not all trees that grow in this region are on the list. Please use this as a reference. This brochure provides the names of several species, their common and scientific name, hardiness, soil, tree and growth rate. Planting and care instructions should be obtained when purchasing trees. Questions can be directed to any nursery, arborist or a forester.
Large Shade Trees Freeman Maple Acer x freemanii Murray Boxelder Acer negundo Silver Maple Acer saccharinum L. Northern Catalpa Catalpa speciosa Hackberry Celtis occidentalis L. Honey Locust Gleditsia triacanthos L. Kentucky Coffee Tree Gymnocladus dioica L. Laurel White Willow Salix Pendantra. Peach Willow Salix amygdaloides Black Walnut Juglans nigra L. American Sycamore Platanus occidentalis L. Balsam Poplar Populus balsamifera L. Zone 4 Well-drained 30 to 50 Fast, 2 or more per Hybrid between a Red and Silver Maple. Varieties: Autumn Blaze and Sienna Glen. Zone 3a Pers well on a wide range of soil, from wet to dry 30 to 50, rounded Fast, perhaps 2 per Well-drained 50 to 60 Fast, perhaps 2 or more per 50 to 60 Growth rate of 1 per is most common Moist, can tolerate drier sites. Tolerant of moist and dry sites 40 to 60 Moderate to fast, 2 per, slows as it ages 40 to 60 Slow to moderate, 6 to 9 per Moist, will adapt to neutral Moist, will adapt to slightly alkaline Tough to find in nurseries. Sensation variety is available. May suffer wind damage when mature. Long panicles of white flowers may surface. Large elephant ear like leaves. May suffer winter dieback. Native tree. Unique curly bark. Small purple fruit. Open branching habit. Late to leaf out. Drops leaves early. 30 to 60 Moderate to fast, 2 per Delicate foliage. Adaptable to most areas of region. 30 spread often equal to 2/3 of 40 upright with a spread 2/3 of 50 Oval Zone 2b Pers best on deep, fertile, welldrained, slightly acid Moist, though not wet, and adapted to slightly alkaline 60 to 70, spread equal to 50, spread less than 1/2 of Fast, more than 2 per Fast, more than 2 per Slow to moderate, 1 per Moderate to fast, 2 per Fast, more than 2 per Can tolerate dry sites. Open branching habit. Late to leaf out. Drops leaves early. Dark green leaves. Better branching structure than most Willows. Native tree. Difficult to find in nurseries. Easy to plant from cuttings. Edible nut produced. Do not plant near gardens. Interesting scaly white bark. Sycamore pollen may be an allergen to some people. Native tree. Pyramid.
Large Shade Trees - Continued Narrow Leaf Cottonwood Populus angustifolia James Plains Cottonwood Populus deltoides Zone 3a Moist, adaptable to slightly alkaline Extremely adaptable, moist and dry Recommended Tree List 60 upright in youth but becoming broad with age 110 possible, 70 to 80 more likely Fast, more than 2 per Fast, more than 2 per Adaptable, native tree. May sucker. Similar disease problems as Plains Cottonwood. Native tree. Suffers from canker disease. May produce large amounts of cotton from female trees. Swamp White Oak Quercus bicolor Bur Oak Quercus marcrocarpa Michx Northern Red Oak Quercus rubra L. Black Locust Robina pseudocacia L. American Linden Tilia americana L. American Elm Ulmus americana L. Norway Maple Acer platanoides L. Zone 2b that are slightly acid Adaptable to a wide range of from moist to clay to sandy Needs moist, welldrained that are slightly acid Adaptable to a wide range of soil conditions except wet sites Moist, deep, welldrained, adaptable to moist to dry Well-drained, tolerates drier sites, adaptable to at least slightly alkaline 40 rounded with age, spread equal to 60 rounded with a spread equal the 40 oval with a spread about 2/3 the 40 oblong with a spread about 1/2 the 50 to 60 tall, pyramidal to ovate shape 70, vaseshaped, spread about 2/3 the 30 to 50, spread equal to Moderate, about 1 or more a Moderate, usually between 1 and 2 a Moderate, often 18 or more per on good sites Moderate, about 1 to 2 per Moderate, usually 12 to 18 per Fast, slightly more than 2 per Moderate, more than 1 per Exfoliating bark. Waxy green leaves. Appears hardy to region. Native tree. Hardy. A few pest problems. Needs moist, well drained soil. Not planted often. Worth a try. Hanging rows of white flowers. May suffer from locust borers. Sentry and Redmond varieties. Use Dutch Elm resistant varieties: St. Croix, Valley Forge, Princeton Prairie Expedition. May produce nice fall color. Plant only in protected locations. May suffer winter dieback or death.
Large Shade Trees - Continued Hybrid Elms Varies Variable 40 to 60 Fast Varieties: Accolade, Triumph, Cathedral, Cool Shade, Vanguard
Medium Shade Trees Ohio Buckeye Aesculus glabra Homestead Buckeye Aesculus x Homestead River Birch Betula nigra Paper Birch Betula papyrifera Ginkgo Ginkgo biloba Ironwood American Hophornbeam Ostrya virginiana Amur Maackia Maackia amurensis Amur Cork tree Phellodendron amurense Quaking Aspen Populs tremuloides Zone 2b Zone 3a Zone 2a that are slightly acid, tolerates neutral Best suited to moist, well-drained that are slightly acid, can per well on even slightly alkaline sites Pers best on moist, slightly acid. Moist well-drained are best that have not been disturbed, often found thriving on rocky or sandy Best on sandier, will thrive on sandier with adequate drainage Adaptable to wide range of Wide range of from shallow gravelly sites to heavy clay 30 to 40, spread to equal 25 to 30, spread to equal 30 to 40, often grown as a multistem tree Slow to moderate, about 1 per Slow, slightly less than 1 per It can be a moderate to fast growing tree, almost 2 per on excellent sites 40, oval Moderate to fast, 1 to 2 per 35, spread about 1/2 the 25, pyramidal shape 25, upright with a spread about 2/3 of 45, broad spreading, spread about equal the 40 oval, spread to about 1/2 the Slow, perhaps 6 per Slow, less than 1 per Slow, about 6 to 9 per Moderate, slightly more than 1 per Moderate to fast, about 2 per Likes irrigation. Nut is considered poisonous to humans and livestock. Nice red autumn color. Hybrid between Yellow and Ohio Buckeye. Brownish peeling bark when young. Does not like dry sites. Native tree. Attractive white bark. Does not like dry and hot sites. Plant only male variety. May suffer with dieback. Unique fan shaped leaf. Native tree. Does well in light shade. Racemes of white flowers. Few pest problems. Attractive corky bark. Be selective about location. Native tree. Leaves rustle in light wind. Nice fall color.
Medium Shade Trees - Continued Big tooth Aspen Populus grandidentata Manchurian Apricot Prunus armeniaca Ussurian Pear Pyrus ussuriensis Little Leaf Linden Tilia cordata Best perance on moist sites, can tolerate dry sandy as well Adaptable to most except wet, poorly drained or highly compacted Pers best on moist, loam. Will tolerate a slightly alkaline soil., but grows reasonably well on clay. 50, oval with a spread about 1/2 the 30 rounded, spread about equal to Moderate, slightly more than 1 per Moderate, more than 1 per 30 to 35 Slow to moderate, about 1 per 40 ; Pyramidal, rounded Moderate, a little more than 1 per Good ornamental tree. Will root sucker. Can have nice fall color. Fruit production is seldom. Hardy tree. Fruit is hard and gritty. Hardy tree. Nice specimen tree.
Small Shade Trees and Shrubs Amur Maple Acer tataricum Service Berry Amelanchier x grandiflora Amelanchier Lavis Eastern Redbud Cercis canadensis Water Birch Betula occidentalis Pagoda Dogwood Cornus alternifolia Cockspur Hawthorn Crataegus crusgalli American Plum Prunus americanna Sour Cherry Prunus cerasus Amur Choke Cherry Prunus maackii Zone 3a Zone 3a Well-drained, tolerant of dry, slightly acid and in light shade, tolerant of drier sandier Moist which are slightly acid, tolerates droughty as well Not very particular, adapts to slightly alkaline, slightly acid Very tolerant of any soil except wet, poorly drained conditions 15 to 20 at maturity 20 with a spread about 3/4 the 15 with a spread about 3/4 the 15 rounded, usually multiple stemmed 10 to 15, broad spreading with a spread greater than the 15 to 20, spreading almost equal to 15 rounded 10 rounded Slow to moderate, perhaps 1 per Slow to moderate, about 6 to 1 per Slow, about 6 to 9 per Moderate, more than 1 per Slow, about 6 to 9 per Slow to moderate Slow to moderate, about 1 per Slow, less than 1 per 25, oval Moderate, a little more than 1 per Cultivators, Hot Wings, Ventura Embers Apple Service Berry and Allegheny Service Berry Small Ornamental. Best suited for sheltered locations, short lived. Native, reddish brown bark. Native to nearby Minnesota. Layered horizontal branches. Clusters of white flowers in spring. Native, can thickets. Check nursery for other varieties. Good choice. Nice flowering tree. Exfoliating reddish brown. Hardy and well suited to our area.
Small Shade Trees and Shrubs Smooth Sumac Rhus glabra Japanese Tree Lilac Syringa reticulata Pekin Lilac Syringa pekinensis Well-drained are preferred, tolerates dry sites and slightly alkaline, slightly acid and slightly acid 10 to 15 Moderate to fast, about 2 per 25 Oval 25 Oval Slow to moderate, about 9 to 1 per Slow to moderate, about 1 per Native. Beautiful yellow and red fall color. Aggressive suckering. Tree of Lilac. Native to Japan. Similar to Japanese Lilac tree but a little bushier. Crab Apple Varieties Varies Check with local nursery. Pear Varieties Varies Check with local nursery. Apple Varieties Varies Check with local nursery. Nannyberry Viburnumn Viburnum Lentago L. Wide range 15 to 18 Slow, 6 to 9 per Shrub like but can be grown as a tree. Mountain Ash Sorbus Zone 2b-4a Well drained 10 to 30 Slow, less than 1 Several types can be grown here. Korean, European, Showy, Oakleaf, Greene (Native)
Conifers White Fir Abies concolor Rocky Mountain Juniper Juniperus scopulorum Eastern Red Cedar Juniperus virginiana Black Hills Spruce (White Spruce) Picea glauca densata Meyers Spruce Picea meyeri Colorado Blue Spruce Picea pungens Bristle cone Pine Pinus aristata Lodge pole pine Pinus contorta Limber Pine Pinus flexilis Zone 2b Zone 2b, will not do well in heavy clay or poorly drained loams, adapted to drier, sandier, sandy Pers best on moist Appears to be adapted to drier sites and tolerant of slightly alkaline Best perance on moist, tolerates slightly alkaline Tolerant of dry, slightly alkaline Well-drained are a must, Well-drained loam to sandy 50 to 60, pyramidal 40, pyramidal 35, pyramidal 40 to 60, can become more than 100 tall in native stands 40, slender, pyramidal, a spread about 1/3 the 30 to 60, pyramidal, spread slightly less than the 10, very irregular 30 to 40, pyramidal 30 pyramidal in youth, broad with age Slow, about 6 to 9 per Moderate, usually more than 1 per Moderate, usually more than 1 per Slow to moderate, slightly less than 1 per Slow to moderate, 8 to 1 a Moderate, usually slightly more than 1 per Very slow, several inches a Moderate, a little more than 1 per Slow, perhaps 6 to 9 per Suffers from winter burn on exposed sites. Native. Many cultivars Available, hardy. Native to Eastern South Dakota Hardy Native, adaptable. More open branching than Blue Spruce. Seems better adaptable than Blue Spruce Nice blue-green needle. Can be prone to pests and disease. Nice blue-green needle. Nice landscape specimen. Native to Black Hills in small pockets. Susceptible to bark beetle. Native to Black Hills, in few locations. Good ornamental. Susceptible to bark beetle.
Conifers Mugo Pine Pinus mugo Ponderosa Pine Pinus ponderosa Eastern White Pine Pinus strobus Douglas Fir Pseudotsuga Menziesii Recommended Tree List are best, tolerant of dry as well Best on moist, welldrained loam to sandy that are slightly acid. that are slightly acid American Arborvitae, not tolerant of droughty Varies from 3 to 40 depending on seed source or cultivator 50 to 80, pyramidal in youth, becoming irregular shape with age 50 to 60, open, irregular at maturity 60 to 70, pyramidal 10 to 30, pyramidal to oval shape Slow to moderate, 3 to 1 per Moderate, more than 1 per Moderate, more than 1 per Slow to moderate, less than 1 per Slow, about 6 to 9 per Shrub to treelike. High ornamental value Native hardy to new sites. Susceptible to bark beetle. Not planted often. Worth a try on select sites. Native to Western N. America. Rocky Mountain Douglas Fir should be planted. May experience winter burn in our windy and dry environment.