We recently posted a list of “Tried & True” Trees. The list highlights trees we have found to perform well in our nursery and in the landscape. These trees seem to adapt well to the extreme climate fluctuations we have experienced in recent years here in our fields. As we expect this trend to continue, we are always evaluating which selections seem to thrive despite a wide range of extremes.   Everything we grow here at the nursery is worth merit, or we wouldn’t grow it! These are just a few selections that have caught our attention in recent years.

Every month we will feature a few of our “Tried & True” favorites. Since it’s fall, we will highlight a few this month that really shine in the landscape this time of year. Our November favorites are:

“Tried & True” Favorite – State Street Maple

Acer miyabei ‘Morton’ – 50′ x 35′ – The State Street Maple is a Morton Arboretum release & Chicagoland Grows introduction bred for excellent urban tolerance & beauty. The textured bark is complimented by its bright green leaves that turn golden yellow in the fall. We particularly like this in the nursery due to it’s easy branch structure, reliable growth rate and success of transplant in the landscape. We have seen no pest or disease problems, and we really like the color & texture it adds to the landscape every season – but especially in the fall!

“Tried & True” Favorite – Pacific Sunset Maple

Acer truncatum x A. platanoides ‘Warrensred’ – 30′ x 25′ – The Pacific Sunset Maple is a J. Frank Schmidt Nursery introduction. This hybrid Maple brings the best of 2 trees – the Shantung & Norway Maples. We are also starting to grow a similar hybrid – Urban Sunset Maple, which will stay more narrow at maturity. The outstanding glossy green foliage of Pacific Sunset turns magnificent shades of yellow, orange & red in the fall. The small-medium size of the tree makes it an excellent choice for the landscape. The easy growth in the nursery coupled with the fall color, makes this maple hard to beat! 

“Tried & True” Favorites – Bald Cypress

Taxodium distichum – 55′ x 30′ – The Bald Cypress grows well in wet areas but is hardy enough to tolerate a wide range of conditions, even drought. It is a deciduous evergreen that turns rusty brown in fall & has a shaggy brown bark. In the nursery, this tree has thrived in both wet or dry conditions and is quick to caliper up. The unique shedding of needles in the fall adds a splash of color followed by a highlight of the shaggy brown bark. Bald Cypress is a unique fall beauty!

“Tried & True” Favorite – American Hornbeam

Carpinus caroliniana – 25′ x 20′ – This US native is also known as Ironwood, Blue Beech or Musclewood. The smooth gray fluted bark adds interest as well as the outstanding red-orange fall color. In the nursery, American Hornbeam grows very consistant & trouble-free. There are no pest or disease issues. This fall beauty shines in every season and is a great small tree choice for our landscape!

“Tried & True” Favorite – Redpointe Red Maple

Acer rubrum ‘Frank Jr’ – 45′ x 30′ – A new J.Frank Schmidt Nursery introduction, Redpointe combines the faster growth of Acer x freemanii with an outstanding red fall color. The shape is broadly pyramidal. What fall landscape would not be complete without the spectacular display of a Red Maple? This is hands down our favorite variety to grow in the nursery because of its uniform branching, ease of growth, clean foliage and reliable performance. And fall color? Well that speaks for itself!

Please click on this link below for more about selections at the nursery:
Species Diversity Selections & “Tried and True” Trees

We invite you to come out to the nursery anytime to see our fall favorites in the field!