Cedar Elm
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Cedar elm is a large attractive elm, reaching 30 to 50 feet in height, and spreading 25 to 35 feet, with medium to dark green leaves, an oval to rounded crown, and slightly weeping branches. As most trees, cedar elm will perform best in well-drained, fertile soil with consistent moisture, but they are adapted to drought stricken, poorly drained, and infertile soils. This is particularly beneficial for the heavy, poorly drained clay soils common in Oklahoma. Cedar elm is fairly wind-resistant due to its moderately hard, heavy wood; however, the thin slightly drooping branches can be susceptible to breakage in ice or wind storms at connections to major limbs. Overall, cedar elm is an attractive tree that is more disease resistant than several other native elms. This hardy elm may be a good alternative for the lacebark elm, Ulmus parvifolia, if a more upright, rounded mature form is desired. Tolerance of urban situations makes it an excellent choice for planting in parking lot islands or for use as a street tree. |
Shantung Maple
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Shantung maple is an outstanding medium tree with a mature height of 30 to 40 feet, and spread of 20 to 35 feet. It has glossy, dark green, star-shaped foliage that remains in good condition throughout the growing season. The fall color ranges from clear yellow to reddish purple. Drought and reasonably cold tolerant, this tree is adaptable to most sites, providing there is proper soil drainage. Its quality and adaptability make it an excellent tree in the urban setting as a shade tree on small lawns or as a street tree. |
Chinese Pistache
Noted for its seasonal color, Chinese pistache
displays fall colors of orange, red, and crimson rivaling the sugar
maple. Its medium-textured foliage casts heavy shade that may
inhibit growth of turf beneath the canopy.
At maturity, this tree reaches 40 to 60 feet in height and spreads
40 to 50 feet, creating a dense, rounded crown which may screen
objects from view. It is a long-lived, winter hardy shade
tree with extremely hard, durable wood. This characteristic helps
protect the tree from decay, wind, ice, and vandal injury. Like most
trees, Chinese pistache does best in moist, well-drained soils;
additionally, it is remarkably heat and drought resistant and will
tolerate a wide range of conditions - even rocky, highly alkaline,
and horribly abused soils. Regarded as one of the most beautiful
pest and maintenance-free shade trees for the southwest, Chinese
pistache has unlimited potential.
Shumard Oak
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Shumard oak grows rapidly to a large,
long-lived, wide-spreading shade tree reaching 60 to 80 feet in
height, with a canopy of 50 to 60 feet.
Similar to the northern red oak in form and detail, Shumard is a
wonderful substitution for pin oak because it tolerates a wider
range of conditions. This tree is accustomed to wet environments,
and will tolerate heavy, clay soils and restricted root systems
better than most oaks. Not only is this species tolerant of urban
conditions and drought, it can tolerate a wide range of soil pH.
These characteristics make this tree an excellent street tree, shade
tree, or specimen plant, but it should be noted that the litter from
the acorns can be a nuisance in pedestrian areas on sidewalks.
Shumard oaks are prized for their durable wood,
and glossy dark green foliage that changes to brilliant orange and
red in the fall.
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