LA Course #GCE-1-1403
Cultivars of Three North American Trees
Written and/or Edited by Len Phillips & Richard W Gibney RLA/ISA
Sections Go directly to the section by clicking on the title below
Cultivars of Three North American Trees
Written and/or Edited by Len Phillips & Richard W Gibney RLA/ISA
Sections Go directly to the section by clicking on the title below
Note: Click on green text in each section for more information and photos.
The use of native plants in the landscape is not only a popular trend, but an environmentally sound method of landscape design, ecological restoration and native wildlife attraction. However, many of our landscapes have very few of the native attributes they once had before land development. Soil types, light and shadow, natural irrigation, air quality, overhead/underground utilities, invasive/non-native insects and diseases can vary greatly, especially in urban settings. These conditions can present unique challenges when specifying trees that are expected to survive and thrive. Cultivars are selected and grown for attributes that overcome some of these challenges. Cultivars often have improved resistance to drought, disease and pests. Some are selected for their upright habit or compact form. They can often prove to be superior selections over native trees of the same species.
Cultivars are named selections. In landscape trees, cultivars are generally propagated by some asexual means, be it cuttings, budding, grafts, divisions, or tissue culture from the preferred tree onto seedling rootstock of the same species. The above ground portion of all trees will be genetically identical, but there will be genetic variability among rootstocks. Look for a more in depth discussion of cultivars in the article entitled Cultivars and Clones on this website. This and future articles will introduce cultivars of various native and non-native trees.
The following are descriptions of three native North American trees and cultivars of each. This article does not intend to promote individual tree cultivars, nurseries or growers. It is intended to expand the landscape architect’s palette when selecting plants for particular purposes in the landscape.
The use of native plants in the landscape is not only a popular trend, but an environmentally sound method of landscape design, ecological restoration and native wildlife attraction. However, many of our landscapes have very few of the native attributes they once had before land development. Soil types, light and shadow, natural irrigation, air quality, overhead/underground utilities, invasive/non-native insects and diseases can vary greatly, especially in urban settings. These conditions can present unique challenges when specifying trees that are expected to survive and thrive. Cultivars are selected and grown for attributes that overcome some of these challenges. Cultivars often have improved resistance to drought, disease and pests. Some are selected for their upright habit or compact form. They can often prove to be superior selections over native trees of the same species.
Cultivars are named selections. In landscape trees, cultivars are generally propagated by some asexual means, be it cuttings, budding, grafts, divisions, or tissue culture from the preferred tree onto seedling rootstock of the same species. The above ground portion of all trees will be genetically identical, but there will be genetic variability among rootstocks. Look for a more in depth discussion of cultivars in the article entitled Cultivars and Clones on this website. This and future articles will introduce cultivars of various native and non-native trees.
The following are descriptions of three native North American trees and cultivars of each. This article does not intend to promote individual tree cultivars, nurseries or growers. It is intended to expand the landscape architect’s palette when selecting plants for particular purposes in the landscape.
Cultivars of American Basswood
American Basswood or Linden are native trees well suited for growing in harsh urban locations. Characteristics of Tilia americana that are similar to all the cultivars mentioned below:
Botanical Name: Tilia americana
Trade Name: American Basswood, American Linden, Lime
Family: Tiliaceae
Bloom Period: Late June to early July
Flower: Fragrant and yellow
Fruit: 1/3" nutlet
Winter Color: Bark provides winter interest
Bark: Gray, twigs may vary according to cultivar
Habitat: Native from lower Ontario to Virginia and North Dakota to Missouri. Now growing in most of the US and Canada.
Culture: Likes well drained soil, any pH, full sun to partial shade, tolerates heat, drought, and
air pollution.
Growth Rate: Moderate, less than 1‘ per year
Pest Resistance: Leaf spot is bad on some cultivars
Storm Resistance: Excellent
Salt Resistance: Poor
Planting: Transplants easily bare root, B&B, and by containers, quick recovery, well suited for CU-Structural Soil planting
Pruning: Prune dead, damaged, and diseased branches and roots at planting and 3 years later prune the crown to mature form, withstands severe pruning, may require repeat pruning basal sprouts and removal of some potential crotch problems.
Propagating: Budded onto T. americana understock
Design Uses: Well suited for street tree planting, the dense shade will hamper turfgrass and perennials under the crown
Companions: Use with ground covers such as Vinca and Pachysandra
Other Comments: Excellent appearance in most cities
American Sentry® Linden, Tilia americana ‘McKSentry’ – zone: 3 – 8; height: 45'; spread: 30'; shape: pyramidal, symmetrical; foliage: medium green; fall color: yellow. This handsome and hardy cultivar of the native American basswood was introduced by McKay Nursery of Wisconsin. It develops a very straight trunk that supports a well-branched, very uniform canopy. Photo
Boulevard Linden, Tilia americana ‘Boulevard’ – zone: 3 – 8; height: 50' – 60'; spread: 25' – 30'; shape: narrowly pyramidal; foliage: medium green; fall color: yellow. Tall and narrow, this selection of the native American Basswood is very hardy and well suited to street plantings. A tailor-made street tree. Photo
Continental Appeal™ Linden, Tilia americana ‘Continental Appeal’ – zone: 4 – 8; height: 50'; spread: 28'; shape: wide, dense crown supported by narrow, ascending branches. It is much taller than wide. Foliage: medium green, white underneath, fall color: yellowish. Vigorous, upright and easy to grow, this linden comes from stock native to the upper Midwest. Bold white undersides of its large leaves shimmer in the summer sun. Originally introduced as T. heterophylla, this species is now included in T. americana. It’s a good substitute for green ash in areas where emerald ash borer is present. The tree is easily grown and tolerates poor environmental conditions. Photo
Frontyard Linden, Tilia americana 'Bailyard' – zone: 3 – 8; height: 75'; spread: 40'; shape: pyramidal, rounded; foliage: large dark green leaves; fall color: yellow. It has an excellent symmetrical branching habit even as a young tree, and then gets nicely rounded with age. It is narrower than American Linden and wider than Boulevard. This Linden offers excellent shade with its dense foliage. It displays fragrant yellow flowers in summer. It prefers moist, fertile, deep soils and tolerant of difficult, dry, or heavy soils. It needs full sun, but will tolerate some shade. Because of its large size and spreading root system, the Frontyard® Linden is best used for windbreaks and parks in open landscape areas. Photo
Legend® Linden, Tilia americana 'DTR123' – zone 4 – 8; height: 60'; spread 40'; shape; broadly pyramidal; foliage: dark green; fall color: yellow. This is a handsome selection with symmetrical branching and a strong leader. The quality foliage remains clean in summer. Young stems and dormant buds are reddish in winter. Photo
Lincoln Linden, Tilia americana ‘Lincoln’ – zone: 3 – 8; height: 35'; spread: 25'; shape: pyramidal, compact
and dense; foliage: dark green; fall color: yellow. A selected form of native American Basswood. Densely
branched, its foliage maintains a fresh, dark green appearance throughout the heat of summer. Photo
Nova Linden, Tilia americana 'Nova' – zone: 3 – 8; height: 75'; spread: 55'; foliage: large heart-shaped dark green leaves that resist cracking. Large pyramidal shade tree with vigorous growth, pale yellow flowers in June. Photo
Redmond Linden, Tilia americana x euchlora ‘Redmond’ - zone: 3 – 8; height: 35’; spread: 25’; shape: densely pyramidal; foliage: light green; fall color: yellowish. Redmond grows rapidly and develops heavy caliper as a young tree. It becomes pyramidal and symmetrical as it matures. Its large leaves give it a coarse textured
appearance. The most common cultivar in the trade, this purported hybrid selection has been widely employed as a street/lawn tree due to its uniform pyramidal habit and size. Photo
True North™ Linden, Tilia americana 'Duros' – zone: 3 – 8; height: 50'; spread: 15'; shape: upright, pyramidal habit providing ideal form where width is a concern. Foliage: dark green. A superior narrow form of the native American Linden. Bark on young trees is a distinctive whitish gray color. Excellent choice where space is at a premium, for row planting, or defining space in the landscape. Photo
American Basswood or Linden are native trees well suited for growing in harsh urban locations. Characteristics of Tilia americana that are similar to all the cultivars mentioned below:
Botanical Name: Tilia americana
Trade Name: American Basswood, American Linden, Lime
Family: Tiliaceae
Bloom Period: Late June to early July
Flower: Fragrant and yellow
Fruit: 1/3" nutlet
Winter Color: Bark provides winter interest
Bark: Gray, twigs may vary according to cultivar
Habitat: Native from lower Ontario to Virginia and North Dakota to Missouri. Now growing in most of the US and Canada.
Culture: Likes well drained soil, any pH, full sun to partial shade, tolerates heat, drought, and
air pollution.
Growth Rate: Moderate, less than 1‘ per year
Pest Resistance: Leaf spot is bad on some cultivars
Storm Resistance: Excellent
Salt Resistance: Poor
Planting: Transplants easily bare root, B&B, and by containers, quick recovery, well suited for CU-Structural Soil planting
Pruning: Prune dead, damaged, and diseased branches and roots at planting and 3 years later prune the crown to mature form, withstands severe pruning, may require repeat pruning basal sprouts and removal of some potential crotch problems.
Propagating: Budded onto T. americana understock
Design Uses: Well suited for street tree planting, the dense shade will hamper turfgrass and perennials under the crown
Companions: Use with ground covers such as Vinca and Pachysandra
Other Comments: Excellent appearance in most cities
American Sentry® Linden, Tilia americana ‘McKSentry’ – zone: 3 – 8; height: 45'; spread: 30'; shape: pyramidal, symmetrical; foliage: medium green; fall color: yellow. This handsome and hardy cultivar of the native American basswood was introduced by McKay Nursery of Wisconsin. It develops a very straight trunk that supports a well-branched, very uniform canopy. Photo
Boulevard Linden, Tilia americana ‘Boulevard’ – zone: 3 – 8; height: 50' – 60'; spread: 25' – 30'; shape: narrowly pyramidal; foliage: medium green; fall color: yellow. Tall and narrow, this selection of the native American Basswood is very hardy and well suited to street plantings. A tailor-made street tree. Photo
Continental Appeal™ Linden, Tilia americana ‘Continental Appeal’ – zone: 4 – 8; height: 50'; spread: 28'; shape: wide, dense crown supported by narrow, ascending branches. It is much taller than wide. Foliage: medium green, white underneath, fall color: yellowish. Vigorous, upright and easy to grow, this linden comes from stock native to the upper Midwest. Bold white undersides of its large leaves shimmer in the summer sun. Originally introduced as T. heterophylla, this species is now included in T. americana. It’s a good substitute for green ash in areas where emerald ash borer is present. The tree is easily grown and tolerates poor environmental conditions. Photo
Frontyard Linden, Tilia americana 'Bailyard' – zone: 3 – 8; height: 75'; spread: 40'; shape: pyramidal, rounded; foliage: large dark green leaves; fall color: yellow. It has an excellent symmetrical branching habit even as a young tree, and then gets nicely rounded with age. It is narrower than American Linden and wider than Boulevard. This Linden offers excellent shade with its dense foliage. It displays fragrant yellow flowers in summer. It prefers moist, fertile, deep soils and tolerant of difficult, dry, or heavy soils. It needs full sun, but will tolerate some shade. Because of its large size and spreading root system, the Frontyard® Linden is best used for windbreaks and parks in open landscape areas. Photo
Legend® Linden, Tilia americana 'DTR123' – zone 4 – 8; height: 60'; spread 40'; shape; broadly pyramidal; foliage: dark green; fall color: yellow. This is a handsome selection with symmetrical branching and a strong leader. The quality foliage remains clean in summer. Young stems and dormant buds are reddish in winter. Photo
Lincoln Linden, Tilia americana ‘Lincoln’ – zone: 3 – 8; height: 35'; spread: 25'; shape: pyramidal, compact
and dense; foliage: dark green; fall color: yellow. A selected form of native American Basswood. Densely
branched, its foliage maintains a fresh, dark green appearance throughout the heat of summer. Photo
Nova Linden, Tilia americana 'Nova' – zone: 3 – 8; height: 75'; spread: 55'; foliage: large heart-shaped dark green leaves that resist cracking. Large pyramidal shade tree with vigorous growth, pale yellow flowers in June. Photo
Redmond Linden, Tilia americana x euchlora ‘Redmond’ - zone: 3 – 8; height: 35’; spread: 25’; shape: densely pyramidal; foliage: light green; fall color: yellowish. Redmond grows rapidly and develops heavy caliper as a young tree. It becomes pyramidal and symmetrical as it matures. Its large leaves give it a coarse textured
appearance. The most common cultivar in the trade, this purported hybrid selection has been widely employed as a street/lawn tree due to its uniform pyramidal habit and size. Photo
True North™ Linden, Tilia americana 'Duros' – zone: 3 – 8; height: 50'; spread: 15'; shape: upright, pyramidal habit providing ideal form where width is a concern. Foliage: dark green. A superior narrow form of the native American Linden. Bark on young trees is a distinctive whitish gray color. Excellent choice where space is at a premium, for row planting, or defining space in the landscape. Photo
Cultivars of Swamp White Oak
Swamp White Oak, Quercus bicolor is an excellent tree for growing in urban areas. Because of its preference for moist bottomland, where it is subject to floods, drought, and other adverse conditions, it is able to tolerate urban soils. The following is an overview of the species. The cultivars at the bottom of this page share the information provided on this overview.
Botanical Name: Quercus bicolor
Common Name: Swamp White Oak
Bloom Period: Early spring
Flower: Catkins in clumps, male and female on same branch
Fruit: 1” long acorn, usually in pairs and on stems 1” – 3” long with ⅓ covered by the cap, shiny and brown
Winter Color: Unusual bark provides winter interest, interesting silhouette is very striking and coarse textured
Bark: Grayish brown, flaky, deep fissures, rugged, and handsome
Habitat: Native to the eastern half of the US and Canada
Culture: Moist bottomland, well-drained, excellent drought resistance, likes acidic soil
Hardiness Zone: 3 – 8
Growth Rate: Moderate after a slow start, 30’ in 30 years
Pest Problems: No serious disease or insect problems, very long-lived tree exceeding 300 years
Storm Resistance: Excellent
Salt Resistance: Good to excellent
Planting: Transplant results are mixed, but easier than white oak; B&B or container in spring only, suitable for use in CU-Structural Soil. Pruning: Prune at planting if needed and 3 years later to mature form
Design Uses: Excellent specimen, good landscape tree
Companions: Use with shrubs such as Taxus, evergreen Euonymus, and perennial Hosta
Other Comments: Excellent for wildlife
Awards: 1998 Urban Tree of the Year by the Society of Municipal Arborists
Photo
Cultivars:
American Dream® Oak, Quercus bicolor ‘JFS-KW12’ P.A.F. – height: 50', spread: 40'. Shape: broadly pyramidal; Foliage: bright green, glossy and turns yellow in fall. Vigorous growing and broadly pyramidal with excellent density, this tree shines with bright foliage. Selected for strong resistance to anthracnose and powdery mildew, the broad, handsome leaves turn yellow and then tawny brown as they hold into early winter. Photo
Rosehill® Oak, Quercus bicolor x Q. robur 'Asjes' - Strongly resembles English Oak. It is resistant to leaf ailments such as mildew and features a somewhat fastigiate, upright form with lustrous green foliage. The acorns resemble those of English oak.
Beacon® Oak, Quercus bicolor ‘Bonnie and Mike’ – height: 40', spread: 15'. Shape: narrowly columnar; Foliage: green but turns a nice yellow in autumn. This oak has a tightly columnar shape, is urban adaptable, and was discovered by famed plantsman, Dr. Michael Dirr. The stout upright branching structure and dense green foliage makes this an ideal street tree and provide a strong visual statement.
Photo
Kindred Spirit® Oak, Quercus robur fastigiata x Quercus bicolor 'Nadler' PP 17604 – height: 30’, spread: 6’. Shape: tightly columnar; Foliage: medium green that turns yellow to yellow-brown in autumn. Among the tightest of columnar trees, its growth habit, mildew and drought resistance, and tolerance of urban soils make this hybrid of English and swamp white oak ideal for narrow city streets. A sister seedling of Regal Prince®, the foliage is less glossy but the form is significantly tighter.
Photo
Regal Prince® Oak, Quercus robur 'Fastigiata' x bicolor ‘Long’ PP 12673 – height: 45’ – 60', spread: 18’ – 25'. Shape: Columnar to narrow oval; Foliage: glossy and bright green that turns yellow in the fall. Mildew-resistant summer foliage is clean, bright green, and awesome all season with a silvery lower surface. This adaptable hybrid of English and swamp white oak is notable for its excellent columnar form. Due to its parentage, this plant is tolerant of a wide range of conditions, including both wet and dry soil. This tree has a stronger and fuller branching structure than other trees in this category. Regal Prince is resistant to mildew.
Photo
Swamp White Oak, Quercus bicolor is an excellent tree for growing in urban areas. Because of its preference for moist bottomland, where it is subject to floods, drought, and other adverse conditions, it is able to tolerate urban soils. The following is an overview of the species. The cultivars at the bottom of this page share the information provided on this overview.
Botanical Name: Quercus bicolor
Common Name: Swamp White Oak
Bloom Period: Early spring
Flower: Catkins in clumps, male and female on same branch
Fruit: 1” long acorn, usually in pairs and on stems 1” – 3” long with ⅓ covered by the cap, shiny and brown
Winter Color: Unusual bark provides winter interest, interesting silhouette is very striking and coarse textured
Bark: Grayish brown, flaky, deep fissures, rugged, and handsome
Habitat: Native to the eastern half of the US and Canada
Culture: Moist bottomland, well-drained, excellent drought resistance, likes acidic soil
Hardiness Zone: 3 – 8
Growth Rate: Moderate after a slow start, 30’ in 30 years
Pest Problems: No serious disease or insect problems, very long-lived tree exceeding 300 years
Storm Resistance: Excellent
Salt Resistance: Good to excellent
Planting: Transplant results are mixed, but easier than white oak; B&B or container in spring only, suitable for use in CU-Structural Soil. Pruning: Prune at planting if needed and 3 years later to mature form
Design Uses: Excellent specimen, good landscape tree
Companions: Use with shrubs such as Taxus, evergreen Euonymus, and perennial Hosta
Other Comments: Excellent for wildlife
Awards: 1998 Urban Tree of the Year by the Society of Municipal Arborists
Photo
Cultivars:
American Dream® Oak, Quercus bicolor ‘JFS-KW12’ P.A.F. – height: 50', spread: 40'. Shape: broadly pyramidal; Foliage: bright green, glossy and turns yellow in fall. Vigorous growing and broadly pyramidal with excellent density, this tree shines with bright foliage. Selected for strong resistance to anthracnose and powdery mildew, the broad, handsome leaves turn yellow and then tawny brown as they hold into early winter. Photo
Rosehill® Oak, Quercus bicolor x Q. robur 'Asjes' - Strongly resembles English Oak. It is resistant to leaf ailments such as mildew and features a somewhat fastigiate, upright form with lustrous green foliage. The acorns resemble those of English oak.
Beacon® Oak, Quercus bicolor ‘Bonnie and Mike’ – height: 40', spread: 15'. Shape: narrowly columnar; Foliage: green but turns a nice yellow in autumn. This oak has a tightly columnar shape, is urban adaptable, and was discovered by famed plantsman, Dr. Michael Dirr. The stout upright branching structure and dense green foliage makes this an ideal street tree and provide a strong visual statement.
Photo
Kindred Spirit® Oak, Quercus robur fastigiata x Quercus bicolor 'Nadler' PP 17604 – height: 30’, spread: 6’. Shape: tightly columnar; Foliage: medium green that turns yellow to yellow-brown in autumn. Among the tightest of columnar trees, its growth habit, mildew and drought resistance, and tolerance of urban soils make this hybrid of English and swamp white oak ideal for narrow city streets. A sister seedling of Regal Prince®, the foliage is less glossy but the form is significantly tighter.
Photo
Regal Prince® Oak, Quercus robur 'Fastigiata' x bicolor ‘Long’ PP 12673 – height: 45’ – 60', spread: 18’ – 25'. Shape: Columnar to narrow oval; Foliage: glossy and bright green that turns yellow in the fall. Mildew-resistant summer foliage is clean, bright green, and awesome all season with a silvery lower surface. This adaptable hybrid of English and swamp white oak is notable for its excellent columnar form. Due to its parentage, this plant is tolerant of a wide range of conditions, including both wet and dry soil. This tree has a stronger and fuller branching structure than other trees in this category. Regal Prince is resistant to mildew.
Photo
Cultivars of Sugar Maple
The following trees are a sampling of the many cultivars of sugar maple. They represent this author's opinion as to the best among the newest cultivars that have been bred to do especially well in our cities. The species description immediately below summarizes the characteristics that are common to all of the cultivars listed further in this article.
Botanical Name: Acer saccharum
Common Name: Sugar maple
Family: Aceraceae
Size: Varies according to the cultivar
Bloom Period: Before leaves in April
Flower: Typical of species
Fruit: Samara
Summer Foliage: New foliage emerges with just a touch of red; the leaves quickly turn to a green
Winter Color: Unusual bark provides winter interest
Bark: Gray brown, thick plates with age
Habitat: Eastern half of the US and Canada
Culture: Resistant to sun scald and frost cracks, prefers a somewhat moist, yet well-drained soil with just a slight acidity for optimum growth
Growth Rate: Moderate grower with exceptions noted below
Pest Problems: Very resistant to leaf tatter and leafhopper damage
Storm Resistance: Excellent
Salt Resistance: Fair
Planting: Transplants easily bare root and B&B, moderately suited for CU-Structural Soil planting
Pruning: Prune at planting and 3 years later to mature form, withstands severe pruning
Propagating: Softwood cuttings in June, budding and grafting
Design Uses: Suitable for lawns, parks, golf courses or any other place where this vigorous grower will have the room to reach its mature size
Companions: Use with ground covers such as Sedum, Ajuga, Galium, and Chrysoganum
Other Comments: Retains color in dry, windy summer weather, tough tree, widely used for maple syrup and maple sugar production
Fact Sheet
Cultivars:
Apollo® Maple, Acer saccharum ‘Barrett Cole’ – PP 10590 – Zone: 4 – 7; Height: 30'; Spread: 10'; Shape: narrow, columnar; Foliage: dark green; Fall color: yellow-orange to red; Insect resistance: Japanese beetle. Unique narrowness, dense branching and compact form make this dwarf and columnar sugar maple ideal for limited spaces. Dark green foliage withstands summer heat. Fact Sheet
Autumn Fest® Maple Acer saccharum ‘JFS-KW8’ – PP 22034 – Zone: 4 – 7; Height: 50’; Spread: 35’; Shape: upright oval; Foliage: dark green; Fall color: orange red to red. Strong upright growth and reliable, early fall color make this a standout in the nursery and on the streets. Vigorous, with a good central leader, it is faster growing with a more upright shape than typical of sugar maples. Fact Sheet
Belle Tower® Maple Acer saccharum ‘Reba’ – Zone: 5 – 8; Height: 45'; Spread: 18'; Shape: narrow oval; Foliage: bright green; Fall color: orange-yellow; Insect resistance: Japanese beetle. Adapted to heat and humidity, this southern Tennessee selection was tested in Alabama by Jeff Sibley of Auburn University. Summer foliage is fresh and bright green compared to other sugar maples that suffer in hot weather. Additionally, it is among the narrowest and upright forms available today. Fact Sheet
Bonfire™ Maple Acer saccharum ‘Bonfire’ – Zone: 4 – 7; Height: 50'; Spread: 40'; Shape: broadly oval; Foliage: medium green; Fall color: bright orange to red; Insect resistance: Japanese beetle. Bonfire™ appears to be the fastest growing sugar maple selection. It has a wider environmental tolerance than most sugar maples, adapting well to diverse conditions. This tree produces a very brilliant fall color display of orange, orange-red and red. Fact Sheet
Crescendo™ Maple Acer saccharum ‘Morton’ – Zone: 4 – 7; Height: 45’; Spread: 40’; Shape: broadly oval; Foliage: dark green; Fall color: orange red to bright red. Coming from the western range of the sugar maple and selected at Morton Arboretum, this tree features tough, heat resistant foliage and good orange red fall color. Fact Sheet
Fall Fiesta® Maple Acer saccharum ‘Bailsta’ PP 11119 – Zone: 4 – 7; Height: 50’; Spread: 40’; Shape: broadly ovate; Foliage: dark green; Fall color: orange, red, and yellow; Insect resistance: Japanese beetle. Sturdy and compact when young, this cultivar matures to become a full-size specimen with an especially symmetrical crown and thick dark green summer foliage. Autumn brings on a mix of orange, red, and yellow colors in the canopy. Fact Sheet
Flashfire® Maple Acer saccharum ‘JFS-Caddo2’ – PP 23361 – Zone: 4 – 7; Height: 45'; Spread: 40'; Shape: broadly oval; Foliage: dark green; Fall color: bright red. Selected from Caddo Mountain sugar maple seedlings, this tree has one of the brightest red fall colors in a cultivar adapted to Southern heat. It features dark green summer foliage, better mildew resistance than other Caddo selections, strong growth, and brilliant red, early fall color. Fact Sheet
Green Mountain® Maple Acer saccharum ‘Green Mountain’ – Zone: 4 – 7; Height: 50'; Spread: 40'; Shape: broadly oval; Foliage: dark green; Fall color: reddish-orange to red; Insect resistance: Japanese beetle. Green Mountain® is the standard for comparison of all new sugar maples. It is the most widely planted selection and has proven itself well over time. It is probably the hardiest sugar maple and is the best choice for northern areas. It provides reliable fall color. Fact Sheet
John Pair Maple Acer saccharum ‘John Pair’ – Zone: 5 – 7; Height: 30'; Spread: 30'; Shape: rounded; Foliage: glossy green; Fall color: red. Symmetrical and rounded in form, this heat resistant sugar maple of small stature is at home in the southern plains. This tree was selected by horticulturist Dr. John Pair from the heat resistant Caddo County, Oklahoma seed source, its foliage stands up to summer heat. Fact Sheet
Legacy® Maple Acer saccharum ‘Legacy’ – Zone: 5 – 8; Height: 50'; Spread: 35'; Shape: oval; Foliage: glossy dark green; Fall color: reddish-orange to red; Insect resistance: Japanese beetle. Legacy produces a very symmetrical oval crown. This, combined with its glossy dark green leaves makes it one of the most handsome sugar maples in summer. Its leaves are quite tough and resist leaf tatter and drought. Fact Sheet
Steeple® Maple Acer saccharum ‘Astis’ – Zone: 5 – 8; Height: 55’; Spread: 30’; Shape: upright oval; Foliage: dark green; Fall color: Yellow-orange; Insect resistance: Japanese beetle. Steeple® is a very symmetrical, upright oval tree discovered by Dr. Michael Dirr of the University of Georgia, Athens. Well adapted to the heat of the South, it features heat tolerant foliage and an excellent crown form. Fact Sheet
Sugar Cone Maple Acer saccharum ‘Sugar Cone' – Zone 4 – 7, Height 25’; Spread 13’; Shape: compact dwarf pyramidal; Foliage: dark green; Fall color: orange red. Dense, compact, and pyramidal, this descriptively named tree is one of the most dwarf of the sugar maples. It stays small and tight and will not outgrow its planting location. This tree is ideal for growing under the utility wires. Fact Sheet
Some older and/or less known cultivars worthy of mention include:
'Adirondack'
'Arrowhead'
'Autumn Splendor'
'Caddo'
'Cary'
'Columnare' or ‘Newton Sentry’
‘Commemoration’
'Endowment'
'Fairview'
'Globsum'
'Goldspire'
'Greencolumn'
'Lanco Columnar'
'Majesty' or 'Flax Mill Majesty'
'Moraine'
'Oregon Trail'
'Natchez'
'Northern Flare'
'Seneca Chief'
‘Sentry’ or ‘Temple’s Upright’ or ‘Monumentale’
'Shawnee'
'Skybound'
'Slavin's Upright'
'Summer Proof'
‘Sweet Shadow’
'Unity'
'Wright Brothers'
Sources
This information has been gathered from the personal observations of the author, living in Massachusetts, Zone 6, and information provided by J. Frank Schmidt & Son.
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The following trees are a sampling of the many cultivars of sugar maple. They represent this author's opinion as to the best among the newest cultivars that have been bred to do especially well in our cities. The species description immediately below summarizes the characteristics that are common to all of the cultivars listed further in this article.
Botanical Name: Acer saccharum
Common Name: Sugar maple
Family: Aceraceae
Size: Varies according to the cultivar
Bloom Period: Before leaves in April
Flower: Typical of species
Fruit: Samara
Summer Foliage: New foliage emerges with just a touch of red; the leaves quickly turn to a green
Winter Color: Unusual bark provides winter interest
Bark: Gray brown, thick plates with age
Habitat: Eastern half of the US and Canada
Culture: Resistant to sun scald and frost cracks, prefers a somewhat moist, yet well-drained soil with just a slight acidity for optimum growth
Growth Rate: Moderate grower with exceptions noted below
Pest Problems: Very resistant to leaf tatter and leafhopper damage
Storm Resistance: Excellent
Salt Resistance: Fair
Planting: Transplants easily bare root and B&B, moderately suited for CU-Structural Soil planting
Pruning: Prune at planting and 3 years later to mature form, withstands severe pruning
Propagating: Softwood cuttings in June, budding and grafting
Design Uses: Suitable for lawns, parks, golf courses or any other place where this vigorous grower will have the room to reach its mature size
Companions: Use with ground covers such as Sedum, Ajuga, Galium, and Chrysoganum
Other Comments: Retains color in dry, windy summer weather, tough tree, widely used for maple syrup and maple sugar production
Fact Sheet
Cultivars:
Apollo® Maple, Acer saccharum ‘Barrett Cole’ – PP 10590 – Zone: 4 – 7; Height: 30'; Spread: 10'; Shape: narrow, columnar; Foliage: dark green; Fall color: yellow-orange to red; Insect resistance: Japanese beetle. Unique narrowness, dense branching and compact form make this dwarf and columnar sugar maple ideal for limited spaces. Dark green foliage withstands summer heat. Fact Sheet
Autumn Fest® Maple Acer saccharum ‘JFS-KW8’ – PP 22034 – Zone: 4 – 7; Height: 50’; Spread: 35’; Shape: upright oval; Foliage: dark green; Fall color: orange red to red. Strong upright growth and reliable, early fall color make this a standout in the nursery and on the streets. Vigorous, with a good central leader, it is faster growing with a more upright shape than typical of sugar maples. Fact Sheet
Belle Tower® Maple Acer saccharum ‘Reba’ – Zone: 5 – 8; Height: 45'; Spread: 18'; Shape: narrow oval; Foliage: bright green; Fall color: orange-yellow; Insect resistance: Japanese beetle. Adapted to heat and humidity, this southern Tennessee selection was tested in Alabama by Jeff Sibley of Auburn University. Summer foliage is fresh and bright green compared to other sugar maples that suffer in hot weather. Additionally, it is among the narrowest and upright forms available today. Fact Sheet
Bonfire™ Maple Acer saccharum ‘Bonfire’ – Zone: 4 – 7; Height: 50'; Spread: 40'; Shape: broadly oval; Foliage: medium green; Fall color: bright orange to red; Insect resistance: Japanese beetle. Bonfire™ appears to be the fastest growing sugar maple selection. It has a wider environmental tolerance than most sugar maples, adapting well to diverse conditions. This tree produces a very brilliant fall color display of orange, orange-red and red. Fact Sheet
Crescendo™ Maple Acer saccharum ‘Morton’ – Zone: 4 – 7; Height: 45’; Spread: 40’; Shape: broadly oval; Foliage: dark green; Fall color: orange red to bright red. Coming from the western range of the sugar maple and selected at Morton Arboretum, this tree features tough, heat resistant foliage and good orange red fall color. Fact Sheet
Fall Fiesta® Maple Acer saccharum ‘Bailsta’ PP 11119 – Zone: 4 – 7; Height: 50’; Spread: 40’; Shape: broadly ovate; Foliage: dark green; Fall color: orange, red, and yellow; Insect resistance: Japanese beetle. Sturdy and compact when young, this cultivar matures to become a full-size specimen with an especially symmetrical crown and thick dark green summer foliage. Autumn brings on a mix of orange, red, and yellow colors in the canopy. Fact Sheet
Flashfire® Maple Acer saccharum ‘JFS-Caddo2’ – PP 23361 – Zone: 4 – 7; Height: 45'; Spread: 40'; Shape: broadly oval; Foliage: dark green; Fall color: bright red. Selected from Caddo Mountain sugar maple seedlings, this tree has one of the brightest red fall colors in a cultivar adapted to Southern heat. It features dark green summer foliage, better mildew resistance than other Caddo selections, strong growth, and brilliant red, early fall color. Fact Sheet
Green Mountain® Maple Acer saccharum ‘Green Mountain’ – Zone: 4 – 7; Height: 50'; Spread: 40'; Shape: broadly oval; Foliage: dark green; Fall color: reddish-orange to red; Insect resistance: Japanese beetle. Green Mountain® is the standard for comparison of all new sugar maples. It is the most widely planted selection and has proven itself well over time. It is probably the hardiest sugar maple and is the best choice for northern areas. It provides reliable fall color. Fact Sheet
John Pair Maple Acer saccharum ‘John Pair’ – Zone: 5 – 7; Height: 30'; Spread: 30'; Shape: rounded; Foliage: glossy green; Fall color: red. Symmetrical and rounded in form, this heat resistant sugar maple of small stature is at home in the southern plains. This tree was selected by horticulturist Dr. John Pair from the heat resistant Caddo County, Oklahoma seed source, its foliage stands up to summer heat. Fact Sheet
Legacy® Maple Acer saccharum ‘Legacy’ – Zone: 5 – 8; Height: 50'; Spread: 35'; Shape: oval; Foliage: glossy dark green; Fall color: reddish-orange to red; Insect resistance: Japanese beetle. Legacy produces a very symmetrical oval crown. This, combined with its glossy dark green leaves makes it one of the most handsome sugar maples in summer. Its leaves are quite tough and resist leaf tatter and drought. Fact Sheet
Steeple® Maple Acer saccharum ‘Astis’ – Zone: 5 – 8; Height: 55’; Spread: 30’; Shape: upright oval; Foliage: dark green; Fall color: Yellow-orange; Insect resistance: Japanese beetle. Steeple® is a very symmetrical, upright oval tree discovered by Dr. Michael Dirr of the University of Georgia, Athens. Well adapted to the heat of the South, it features heat tolerant foliage and an excellent crown form. Fact Sheet
Sugar Cone Maple Acer saccharum ‘Sugar Cone' – Zone 4 – 7, Height 25’; Spread 13’; Shape: compact dwarf pyramidal; Foliage: dark green; Fall color: orange red. Dense, compact, and pyramidal, this descriptively named tree is one of the most dwarf of the sugar maples. It stays small and tight and will not outgrow its planting location. This tree is ideal for growing under the utility wires. Fact Sheet
Some older and/or less known cultivars worthy of mention include:
'Adirondack'
'Arrowhead'
'Autumn Splendor'
'Caddo'
'Cary'
'Columnare' or ‘Newton Sentry’
‘Commemoration’
'Endowment'
'Fairview'
'Globsum'
'Goldspire'
'Greencolumn'
'Lanco Columnar'
'Majesty' or 'Flax Mill Majesty'
'Moraine'
'Oregon Trail'
'Natchez'
'Northern Flare'
'Seneca Chief'
‘Sentry’ or ‘Temple’s Upright’ or ‘Monumentale’
'Shawnee'
'Skybound'
'Slavin's Upright'
'Summer Proof'
‘Sweet Shadow’
'Unity'
'Wright Brothers'
Sources
This information has been gathered from the personal observations of the author, living in Massachusetts, Zone 6, and information provided by J. Frank Schmidt & Son.
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