Trees - M -  Plant Nursery

Osage Orange
Maclura pomifera

The Osage Orange tree, Maclura pomifera, has bright green summer leaves with yellow fall color. The Osage Orange bears an inedible fruit resembling a woody orange. It is sometmes called the Hedge Apple tree and Mock Orange and Bodark tree. Native to the midwestern and southeastern United States, this species is also known as the hedge apple because it was planted in thicket-like hedge rows before the advent of barbed wire fences. The fruit is neither an orange nor an apple, although it approaches the size of those fruits. In fact, the bumpy surface of the fruit is due to the numerous, tightly-packed ovaries of the female flowers. The wood of osage orange was highly prized by the Osage Indians of Arkansas and Missouri for bows. In fact, osage orange trees are stronger than oak and as tough as hickory and is considered by archers to be one of the finest native North American woods for bows. In Arkansas, in the early 19th century, a good osage bow was worth a horse and a blanket. A yellow-orange dye is also extracted from the wood and is used as a substitute for fustic and aniline dyes in arts and industry.

Sweet Bay Magnolia
Magnolia virginiana

The Sweetbay Magnolia tree, Magnolia virginiana is also called sweetbay, swampbay, or swamp magnolia. This tree is often grown as an ornamental landscape tree because of its attractive foliage, flowers, and fruit. It occurs naturally in moist and wet soils in wetland areas such as swamps and along streams and ponds. Large, multi-stemmed and evergreen this magnolia is noted for its creamy white flower whose fragrance has been described as cool, sweet, and fruity. The leaves, pale green with silvery underside and crimson fruiting cones, are unmistakable. The fruits provide a good food source for many wildlife species, such as, turkey, quail, and numerous songbirds. Sweetbay magnolia is a medium, evergreen tree that generally has a pen crown of sparsely spreading branches, and it is deciduous in the northern United States.

Magnolia x Ann
Magnolia x Anne

The Ann Magnolia tree, Magnolia x Ann, is a member of the 'Little Girl' series of Magnolias that are the result of a cross originally made at the U.S. National Arboretum. 'Ann' develops a somewhat open habit with deep purple-red, 7-9 inch petaled flowers. Ann Magnolia trees are vigorous and hardy. Best grown in normal garden soil in full sun. This magnolia was bred for late bloom to avoid the hazards of late frost. It forms a shrubby mound and has leathery green foliage. It has lightly scented reddish-purple flowers that emerge from beautiful, tapered buds. There is often sporadic repeat bloom in mid-summer. The flowers are large and red-purple on both sides.

Magnolia x Jane
Magnolia x Jane

The Jane Magnolia tree, Magnolia x Jane, is a rounded, shrubby plant producing flowers in late spring that resemble slender tulips. The blooms are reddish-purple outside and white inside. Flowers open just before the leaves appear, making a superb display. Jane Magnolia trees are strong, vigorous, upright growers and are distinguished by their beautifully shaped, extremely fragrant large flowers opening in early May.

S.E. Wild Crabapple
Malus angustifolia

The Southern Crabapple tree, Malus angustifolia, also called a wild crabapple or narrowleaf crabapple, is a small tree. This deciduous tree grows fast and reaches a height of 30/35 ft. Its flowers have deep pink buds that open lighter pink, then eventually fade to white. In fall the leaves turn many shades of red, orange and gold. It has fragrant pink flowers in the spring and small green crabapples in fall. Its fall foliage is attractive. Small apples provide food for wildlife.

Camelot® Crabapple
Malus 'Camzam'

The Camelot® Crabapple tree, Malus 'Camzam', is a dwarf cultivar that has a rounded shape and thick, leathery, dark green leaves with a touch of burgundy. The flowers are fuchsia-pink on white and produce a rich burgundy colored fruit. The 1/2 inch burgundy fruits ripen in late summer. Best grown in medium moisture, well-drained, acidic loams in full sun, and it does adapt to a wide range of soils. Prune as needed after flowering, but before June. This crabapple may be planted as a specimen or in small groups. The crabapples mature in the fall and may persist into winter. The fruit has a medium texture, is very flavorful and may be harvested for jellies. Birds are attracted to the fruit as well. This tree has good disease resistance and no main insect pests. Crabapples require little pruning once established. In late winter, prune dead, diseased, and broken branches and trim off any sprouts that arise at the base of the tree.

Radiant Crabapple
Malus 'Radiant'

The Radiant Crabapple tree, Malus 'Radiant', produces crimson buds that open to single, striking pink flowers that will light up your landscape. This tree puts on a spectacular spring show. It produces 1/2 inch bright red fruits in the fall. The new foliage has a reddish tint which ages to green. Performing best in full sun, it is a fast-growing, compact, deciduous tree. This crabapple forms a compact, symmetrical crown and is very hardy. It performs best in moderately moist, acidic, well-drained soil. The Radiant Flowering Crabapple tree is very disease resistant to scab, cedar-apple rust, mildew and fire blight. It is grown for cider, cooking, eating, or a combination of uses. Prune in spring to maintain shape and structure.

Royalty Crabapple
Malus 'Royalty'

The Royalty Crabapple Tree, Malus 'Royalty', is an outstanding variety with single, dark red blossoms in spring that produce large, dark red fruit in the fall. The new foliage is a glossy rich purple with a green undercast, turning purple-green in mid-summer and brilliant purple in the fall. This very hardy, blight resistant crabapple has outstanding foliage with the leaves having a bright, varnished appearance and nice purple fall color . It prefers full sun and moist, well drained soil. This upright, vigorous growing tree provides three-season interest for visual enjoyment. Crabapples require little pruning once established. In late winter, prune dead, diseased, and broken branches and trim off any sprouts that arise at the base of the tree.

Sargents Crabtree
Malus sargentii

The Sargent Crabapple tree, Malus Sargentii, is a dwarf flowering tree that flowers profusely in early spring with pink to white scented blossoms. Excellent for wildlife because of its edible dark red berries. Summer foliage is a dark green color. It is used as a specimen or patio tree. This deciduous tree has moderate water requirements and a moderate tolerance to salt and alkali. One of the smallest crabapples, it is a mounded, wide spreading tree, with disordered branching and frequent cross branching. Flowers are white, red when bud is opening. The fruit is bright red. This crabapple has the smallest leaves of all the crabs. Sargent Crabapple trees are know for their stunning flowers.

Spring Bride Crabapple
Malus 'Spring Bride'

The Spring Bride Crabapple Tree, Malus 'Spring Bride’, produces double white blossoms each spring. The flower stalks are short and follow the branch structure closely, creating a garland of white flowers. The Spring Bride will produce very little fruit and maybe none. This hardy variety came from Canada . Its shower of white flowers is an eyecatcher. This deciduous tree is fast-growing, with an upright form and reaches about 25 feet at maturity. The branch structure provides interesting forms in winter. Select a site with full sun and well-drained soil. Crabapples require little pruning once established. In late winter, prune dead, diseased, and broken branches and trim off any sprouts that arise at the base of the tree.

Zumi Crabapple
Malus x zumi 'Calocarpa'

The Zumi Crabapple tree, Malus x Zumi 'Calocarpa', is valued for its profuse, spring bloom of fragrant, white flowers and for its glossy, small, bright red crabapples which mature in the fall and often persist into December. A dense, rounded-to-spreading, deciduous tree which grows 12-20' high. The small fruits are edible, but not usually used in cooking. Fruits are long-lasting and attractive to birds. This deciduous tree has rich, dark green foliage. This crabapple is the standard for which other white flowering trees are compared. The flower buds are pink, foliage is green, disease resistance is excellent. In the fall, a long lasting display of small red fruit is offered. This is a semi-dwarf crabapple which is effective when planted as background for other early flowering plants, near fences, in groups as a screen or hedge, or as a specimen planting in the lawn or near the patio. May be used as a street tree.

May Day Tree
May Day Tree

The May Day Tree, Prunus padus 'European Bird Cherry', is one of the first trees to leaf out in spring. European Bird Cherry is generally described as a perennial tree or shrub and has dark-green summer foliage that turns yellow to red in fall. The white flowers are large and fragrant and appear in early May. They are borne in slender drooping clusters. It differs from other wild and garden cherries in having flowers in long cylindrical spikes. The fruit is black, about 1/3” or less, and taken by the birds. This low-branched tree is rounded to about 15-20’. May Day Tree is available in single stem and clump form. The European Bird Cherry has a moderate life span relative to most other plant species and a moderate growth rate. This small-fruited cherry tree is frequented or fed on by birds!

Maple - McKay Seedless
McKay Seedless Maple

The McKay Seedless Maple, Acer saccharinum, has an upright, oval form and is a very vigorous, seedless form of the common Soft Maple. This stately tree is a rapid grower, easy to transplant and a seedless Silver Maple variety. Its fall color is a stunning yellow. This tree is best planted in flood plains, wetlands, and farm windbreaks. A breeze blowing through a Silver Maple causes a striking effect, exposing the silvery underside of the leaves. It is the male specimen that is seedless. Easily grown in average, medium to wet soils in full sun to part shade. McKay Seedless Maple prefers moist soils, but shows somewhat surprising tolerance for poor dry soils.

Dawn Redwood
Metasequoia glyptostroboides

The Dawn Redwood tree, Metasequoia glyptostroboides, is a deciduous conifer, with soft needle-like leaves that look like evergreens, but are bright green in the spring and brilliant orange/red in the fall. The needles are shed in the cold season of winter. Dawn Redwood trees are a very ornamental and interesting large tree, one of the few deciduous conifers in the world. It is feathery pyramidal in form with a straight, fluted trunk. It grows very fast to 40’ and can grow to 70’. The bark is red- brown, fissured and exfoliating in long strips. It is a beautiful and stately tree, well suited for large areas. It makes a very effective, fast growing screen, perfect as a long driveway alley. This tree does best in full sun and when provided with adequate moisture. The Dawn Redwood has been called "a living fossil" because it was first discovered in Japan in 1941 and then found growing in the wild in China. The species is over 50 million years old. It is a very hardy tree and tolerates windy sites.

Musashino Zelkova
Musashino Zelkova

The Musashino Zelkova, Zelkova serrata 'Musashino', is a recent introduction from Japan. This selection is ideal for narrow street use. The tightly upright branches allow good vehicle and pedestrian clearance beneath the green canopy. So, therefore, it is ideal for tight locations. Musashino Zelkova is a medium to large, moderate to fast growing tree. It can reach a height of 45' and has smooth gray bark and narrow, oval, saw-toothed leaves. This Zelkova turns an attractive yellowish-red to rusty-red color in autumn, and it is very upright and only spreading 20 feet. It performs well across a wide range of climates.