Spring 2012 tree sale

All trees now sold out

The tree sale program is back to help you diversify the tree species in your yard. Learn more about the species offered by viewing the Tree Sale Sneak Preview Presentation slides. The links below will also take you to information about specific trees. You can learn more about which ones are best suited for the conditions in your yard. If you need help planning the placement of your trees, how far away you should plant from the street or your neighbor’s property, etc. refer to the Tree Selection and Planting page. The Tree Sale Program page also has answers to common questions.

Tree information

Large shade trees
Small ornamental or understory woodland trees
Conifers
Additional information

Picking up trees

Tree pick-up

Trees must be picked up on designated dates or you forfeit the tree and the money you paid for it. Leftover trees will be planted in a Minnetonka park.

Friday, April 27, 9 a.m.–2 p.m.
Saturday, April 28, 9 a.m.–12 p.m.

Public Works, East Driveway
11522 Minnetonka Blvd.
Minnetonka, MN 55305

Please call 952.988.8400 if you have any questions about tree pick-up.

  • Trees must be picked up on designated dates (listed above) or you forfeit the tree and the money you paid for it.
  • Leftover trees will not be available to other residents. They will be planted in Minnetonka parks.
  • You may have someone (neighbor, etc.) pick up trees on your behalf, but they must have your confirmation postcard. Please be sure to give them your confirmation postcard which will be turned in to city staff at pick up.
  • Some assistance will be provided with loading trees into vehicles, but please order a tree that you can realistically transport home.
  • Unlike a retail nursery, these trees do not have a warranty.
  • The trees are all in a plastic pot (they are “container stock).
  • Written planting and care instructions are provided with each order.

If we have a warm spring and you notice that trees in your yard are already beginning to leaf out, we recommend you bring a tarp or sheet with you to protect your new trees. This helps prevent water loss through the opening buds and leaves as they travel down the road in an open truck bed or trailer.

After planting, consider recycling your tree container pot at your local garden center. Check www.gardenminnesota.com for drop-off locations. Questions? Call Emily Ball, city forester, at 952.988.8400.

About conifer size

Due to limited nursery availability, the tamarack and Balsam fir will be a smaller size at pickup than the other tree species offered. However, given their popularity with the tree sale program, along with their unique characteristics, wildlife benefits and beauty, we still think they are worth offering for purchase!

Descriptions

You might notice that some of the trees for sale are not Minnesota natives. While the Minnetonka Natural Resources Division strongly encourages the use of native trees and plants, we also recognize that many of the landscapes in our community do not have “native” soils. This means that the underground system of pore-space, minerals, microorganisms and nutrients that make up soil have been removed, compacted, and altered when our houses were built. That being said, great care has been taken to choose trees that are not invasive non-natives. Additionally, species and cultivars were chosen that are resistant to the most serious pests and insects in the Minnetonka area, and are well adapted to a variety of sites.

Large shade trees

Think about planting a large shade tree for the myriad of ecological benefits it provides when it is planted in the right spot and cared for properly. These trees may start out small, but will mature into something majestic.

American Basswood (sold out)

A tall basswood tree.
Basswood leaves.

Latin name
Tilia americana
Mature height
75–90′
Spread
40–50′
Fall foliage
Yellow
Sun or shade?
Sun, partial shade or shade
Significant features
Tiny fragrant flower, excellent for pollinators, very adaptable tree, can tolerate wet areas.
Summary

American Basswood is native to Minnesota. It prefers a moist and well-drained soil, but will tolerate a variety of soils if kept mulched with wood chips and watered regularly during periods of drought. Plant it in partial shade or full sun, can tolerate shade.

Basswood is an excellent shade tree with a symmetrical branching habit. Small fragrant flowers bloom in clusters under the leaves in June. Flowers and pollen are beneficial for honeybees and other pollinators. Beekeepers say that basswood honey is the best.

This is a tree you must ensure is not planted too deep, and commit to pruning regularly in the first 15 years to maintain one main leader and good branching structure.

Photos and more information
Height at time of purchase
4 feet
Price
$33
Bur Oak (sold out)

A tall bur oak towers over the civic center amphitheatre.
Bur oaks in winter.

Latin name
Quercus macrocarpa
Mature height
60–80′
Spread
60–80′
Fall foliage
Yellow–brown
Significant features
Requires very little formative pruning to develop strong branch structure, very adaptable tree, best wildlife tree.
Sun or shade?
Plant in full sun.
Summary

Bur oak is native to Minnesota and has a rounded, spreading canopy. It is an excellent shade tree able to tolerate a variety of soils.

Special features include interesting corky bark, and majestic branching structure. The very best tree you could plant to support birds and other wildlife.

Never prune oaks between April–October to avoid oak wilt.

Photos and more information
Height at time of purchase
9 feet
Price
$33
Hackberry (sold out)

A hackberry starting to show in its fall colors.
A tall mature hackberry, leafless in the winter.

Latin name
Celtis occidentalis
Mature height
50–75′
Spread
50′
Fall foliage
Yellow
Sun or shade?
Full or partial sun
Significant features
Looks similar to an elm tree but without disease; small purple berries for birds, can tolerate wet and dry areas
Summary
Hackberry is native to Minnesota and develops a rounded crown. Hackberry can do well in a variety of soil types and leafs out later than most trees in the spring. Special features include small purple berries for birds and interesting corky bark.
Photos and more information
Height at time of purchase
6 feet
Price
$33
Kentucky Coffeetree (sold out)

Kentucky Coffeetree seed pod
Kentucky Coffeetree at the Arboretum
A Kentucky Coffeetree provides visual interest in the winter.

Mature height
50′–60′
Spread
40′–50′
Fall foliage
Yellow
Sun or shade?
Full sun
Significant features
Pod can provide winter interest, architectural bark, fern-like leaves produce dappled shade. A unique tree used in many Minnetonka parks.
Summary
Kentucky Coffeetree is native to Minnesota, and has an open, spreading crown. It does best in a well drained soil, but will also tolerate drought once it is established. There are very few insects and diseases which affect this tree. Kentucky coffeetree is a little awkward and slow growing when it is young, but it develops into a picturesque, interesting tree. There are several good examples of this tree at the MN Landscape Arboretum in their parking lot area. It develops large (3–5′) pods between 3–5 years of age which persist on the tree through fall and create winter interest. Special features include interesting bark, and dappled shade. Plant in full sun.
Photos and more information
Height at time of purchase
6 feet
Price
$33
River Birch (clump) (sold out)

River Birch bark at Gro-Tonka Park
A river birch with bright yellow fall colors.

Mature height
40–50′
Spread
30–40′
Fall foliage
Bright yellow
Sun or shade?
Full or partial sun
Significant features
Golden brown exfoliating bark, clump type has multiple stems and dropping branches, can tolerate wet and dry areas
Summary
River birch is native to the southeastern corner of Minnesota and has an oval, spreading crown. The clump variety tends to form drooping branches and does best with ample room to maintain its natural branching structure; otherwise early pruning is needed to provide clearance. As the name implies, this birch is found in nature along rivers and streams but will tolerate a variety of soils if kept mulched with wood chips and watered regularly during periods of drought. If planted in high pH soils, river birch leaves can appear yellowish/light green in summer indicating iron chlorosis. If this occurs there are treatments available, but it is something to be aware of when planting this tree. Special features include golden brown exfoliating bark, dark green shiny leaves, and excellent wildlife value. Plant in partial or full sun.
Photos and more information
Height at time of purchase
5–6 feet
Price
$33
Sugar Maple (sold out)

Sugar Maple fall colors
Sugar Maple leaves

Mature height
50–75′
Spread
50′
Fall foliage
Yellow/red/orange
Sun or shade?
Full or partial sun or shade
Significant features
Must keep mulched and moist sale through maturity, no heavy clay, no grass next to stem, good tree for woods, creates dense shade
Summary

Sugar maple is native to Minnesota. In its native habitat, this tree is most often found in densely-shaded maple-basswood forests, examples of which you can find at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. It will do best in a moist, rich, well-drained soil. Please do not plant this tree in a hot, exposed site or grow grass around it and expect it to do well—it won’t. Re-create a forest floor for this tree; incorporate compost into your soil prior to planting, use shredded wood-based mulch around the tree after planting and each year, and water regularly during periods of drought.

Special features include magnificent fall color and a round, dense canopy shape. Plant in full shade, partial sun or full sun.

Use a tree guard or wrap the tree in the early fall to prevent deer rubbing on thin bark and prevent sunscald. If the trunk is south-facing, it is more susceptible to sunscald and frost cracks in the winter.

Photos and more information
Height at time of purchase
8 feet
Price
$33
White Oak (sold out)

White Oak
White Oak fall colors

Latin name
Quercus alba
Mature height
60–80′
Spread
60–80′
Fall foliage
Scarlet/purple
Sun or shade?
Full sun
Significant features
Requires very little pruning to develop strong branch structure, more sensitive than bur oak, good tree for woods
Summary

White oak is a long-lived tree native to Minnesota. It has a rounded, spreading canopy, fantastic fall color and fantastic wildlife value. It is an excellent shade tree that is purported to grow slightly faster than bur oak. Will do best in an opening in the woods, a wooded edge or kept mulched with wood chips and watered regularly during periods of drought.

Special features include interesting light gray flaky bark, acorns for wildlife and strong, majestic branching structure. Plant in full sun.

Never prune oaks between April–October to avoid oak wilt.

Photos and more information
Height at time of purchase
8 feet
Price
$33

Small ornamental or understory woodland trees

Choose an ornamental tree if you have a small yard, need a burst of color or if you want to plant near power lines. Understory native shrubs or small trees are excellent replacements for buckthorn.

Eastern Redbud (Minnesota strain) (sold out)

Eastern Redbud at Minnetonka Civic Center
Redbud flowers.

Mature height
20–30′
Spread
20–25′
Fall foliage
Yellow
Sun or shade?
Full or partial sun
Significant features
Showy pink flowers, must keep mulched and moist soil
Summary
Redbud’s native range is in the eastern U.S. Historically, when redbud was planted in Minnesota it was only marginally hardy due to our cold winters. The recent introduction of a Minnesota strain is an exciting chance to find more success growing redbud. This strain is grown from seed collected at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. It can tolerate a variety of soils if kept mulched with wood chips and watered regularly during periods of drought. Special features include showy pink-purple flowers appearing before leaves, and bright yellow fall color. You can see redbuds flower in front of Minnetonka city hall just before leaf emergence in early May. Plant in sun or part shade for best flower development.
Photos and more information
Height at time of purchase
5 feet
Price
$33
Pagoda Dogwood (sold out)

A Pagoda Dogwood
Photo courtesy of Bailey Nurseries

Leaves of a Pagoda Dogwood.
Photo courtesy of Bailey Nurseries

Mature height
15–20′
Spread
20–25′
Fall foliage
Red
Sun or shade?
Full or partial shade
Significant features
White flowers, won’t thrive in hot and dry sites, great replacement for buckthorn in woods
Summary

Pagoda dogwood is native to Minnesota, and is sometimes called alternate leaf dogwood. It is a small tree with distinctive horizontal branching which appears tiered. This tree is beneficial to wildlife offering both cover and small dark blue fruit. It does best in a moist well-drained soil, and should be kept mulched with leaf litter or wood chips and watered regularly during periods of drought.

This is a great replacement for buckthorn if you are working on habitat restoration in your woods, and it does well in shade. This tree can tolerate full sun, but will not thrive on hot, dry sites. Special features include interesting architectural branch structure, white flowers in spring, fall color, and habitat value. Full sun to shade.

Photos and more information
Height at time of purchase
4 feet
Price
$33
Serviceberry (clump) (sold out)

Serviceberry flowers
Red and orange leaves of a serviceberry.
Photo courtesy of Bailey Nurseries

Latin name
Amelanchier x grandiflora
Mature height
20–25′
Spread
15′
Fall foliage
Red-orange
Sun or shade?
Full or partial sun
Significant features
Clump type has multiple stems, edible fruit for birds and humans, white flowers
Summary
Serviceberry is native to Minnesota, and is sometimes called Juneberry. This densely branched large shrub will provide privacy screening and will recreate an understory in wooded areas recently cleared of buckthorn. While once prevalent in Minnetonka, this plant is now rare. It can tolerate a variety of soils if kept mulched with wood chips and watered regularly during periods of drought. The fruit is rapidly consumed by birds including robins, catbirds, and brown thrashers. Special features include white flowers in spring, edible fruit (for birds and humans), and vibrant fall color. Serviceberry will grow slowly in full shade, so for best growth, flowering and fruit development, plant in full sun or partial sun.
Photos and more information
Height at time of purchase
4–6 feet
Price
$33

Conifers

Choose a conifer to add winter interest or screen an area in your yard. Conifers also provide food, nesting sites and good winter cover for birds.

Balsam Fir (sold out)

Balsam Fir
Balsam Fir branch

Mature height
50–75′
Spread
20–30′
Fall foliage
Green
Sun or shade?
Full or partial sun or full shade
Significant features
Survives shade, fragrant needles, often used for holiday trees and greenery
Summary
Balsam fir is native to the northeastern half of Minnesota and much of the northeastern United States. It is a large evergreen tree with a pyramidal shape and dark green foliage, and is one of the most popular species used for Christmas trees. This tree grows fairly slow but it does well in the shade and could be used as a replacement in a wooded area cleared of buckthorn. Balsam fir requires good soil moisture and drainage, and can thrive in spots too shady for other evergreens. This tree can be planted in groups for screening, is very cold tolerant, and is beneficial to wildlife. Special features include dark green aromatic needles, shade tolerance, and wildlife value. Grows best in shade or partial sun but can tolerate full sun.
Photos and more information
Height at time of purchase
2–3 feet
Price
$33
Canadian Hemlock (sold out)

Canadian Hemlock
Photo courtesy of Bailey Nurseries

Canadian Hemlock

Mature height
30–40′
Spread
15–25′
Fall foliage
Green
Sun or shade?
Shade
Significant Features
Needs protection from the winter sun and drying winds, must keep mulched, slow growing
Summary
Canadian hemlock is native to far north eastern Minnesota and much of the northeast United States. It is a large evergreen tree with a pyramidal shape and dark green foliage. This tree grows fairly slowly, but unlike most evergreens, it does well in the shade and could be used as a replacement in a wooded area cleared of buckthorn. Hemlock requires good soil moisture and drainage, as well as protection from the winter sun (especially south facing) and drying winds. Be sure to water this tree well into fall until the ground freezes so it does not start winter drought-stressed. This tree is ornamental, can be planted in groups for screening and is very beneficial to wildlife. Special features include dark green foliage, shade tolerance, and wildlife value. Full sun to shade.
Photos and more information
Height at time of purchase
4 feet
Price
$33
Tamarack (sold out)

A tamarack tree.
Tamarack needles.

Mature height
40–80′
Spread
15–30′
Fall foliage
Yellow—needles will drop each fall
Sun or shade?
Full sun
Significant features
Loses needles each fall, new needles in spring, can tolerate moist to wet soils, must keep mulched in dry soils
Summary
Tamarack is native to Minnesota, and is also sometimes called American Larch. It is Minnesota’s only deciduous conifer, which means it loses its needles in the fall. Each spring, a new set of lush bright green needles emerge. This tree has a pyramidal shape and drooping branches. In nature, Tamarack grows in moist to wet soils in peat bogs and along streams, lakes, rivers, and ponds. It can tolerate a variety of soils, however, if kept mulched with wood chips and watered regularly during periods of drought. This is a great tree to plant in groups along a wetland or pond edge. Special features include fall color, and unique foliage. Tamarack will do best in full sun.
Photos and more information
Height at time of purchase
3–5 feet
Price
$33

Additional information

Should I purchase a tree guard to protect my tree?

Step one for tree guard: lay it flat on the ground
Step two for tree guard: roll it up.
Step three for tree guard: put it around the tree.
Step four for tree guard: cinch it up around the tree.

Summary

Tree guards will protect trunks from deer rubbing their antlers and scraping the bark off your new tree, from rodents chewing near the base of the tree and from lawn mower damage in the summer. They are not suitable for conifers or clump species like River Birch, which can be caged. Instead, use welded wire and/or hardware cloth and bud caps to protect these trees from deer and rodents.

The tree guards sold by the city come flat on a pallet and look like corrugated plastic. One side is black and one side is white. Be sure to apply the white side out, as it will help reflect light (and heat). You can use the guard for several years on the same tree and just adjust the diameter of the guard each year as the tree’s stem (trunk) grows. The city chose this type of guard because it can be taken on and off the tree with ease each year, and without scraping the bark. Simply use tape or string to hold the guard around the tree and to customize the diameter. If concerned about appearance, white duct tape blends in well with the white guard.

If you decide to purchase a tree guard from the city or another location, it should be kept on the tree August through April of each year. Ideally, you should take off the tree guard in the spring as long as you remember to put it on again in early August. If you do not think you will remember to take it on and off at the appropriate times, it is better to leave it on year round for a couple years if you have a lot of deer activity in your yard (and who doesn’t in Minnetonka?). Be sure to check it once a year to ensure the tree has not outgrown the guard. Welded wire caging and hardware cloth can be kept on year round, but should also be checked at least once a year to ensure the tree hasn’t outgrown it. A good time to do this is early spring, as trees are putting out new leaves. After several years, most trees produce enough layers of bark to protect the tree from deer antlers, but thin barked trees such as maples may require longer protection.

Please note: the small white guards that are on trees on the day of pickup are only temporary for shipping purposes and should be replaced with a taller, larger diameter tree guard or caging.
Height
3–5 feet tall with a 2–3″ diameter.
Price
$2
Where I can I find more information about trees and see additional pictures?
Links