(Hybrid Oak, Schuette's Oak)

One of the best hybrid oaks for wildlife, Schuette's oak usually produces heavy amounts of edible acorns even when a youthful plant. A slow-growing deciduous tree, it was discovered in Wisconsin by J. H. Schuette in the late 19th century. It is formed by a natural cross between the burr oak (Quercus macrocarpa)and swamp white oak (Quercus bicolor) in the Great Lakes Region of North America. Its bark is corky, shallowly furrowed, platy and beige-brown.

The glossy deep green...

(China Doll)

The Asian bell tree unites delicate, rippled, fern-like leaves with pretty white to yellow flowers that bloom in spring and summer. Widely known as "China doll" and grown as a pretty houseplant in temperature zones, this small evergreen tree is native to tropical southeastern Asia, including China.

This tree's leaves are compound - made up of many small, glossy, dark-green leaflets that are arranged on a central stem structured like a tiered feather. In the warmth of spring and midsummer, the...

(Chalan, Rose Tree, Tree Rhododendron)

Among the world's largest growing and largest flowering rhodendrons, the chalan or rose tree has massive trusses of blooms in springtime. Native to the mountainous areas of southern Asia, this tall growing species is found across the Himalayas as well as in Sri Lanka and Burma's highlands. In fact, this is the national flower of Nepal. There are over three natural varieties, varying in leaf characteristics, flower color and hardiness to cold. For example, red-flowering varieties are found in lower...

(Tree Rhododendron)

Large, tongue-like leaves are amazing to see year round on tree rhododendron, and its pink to white bell-like blossoms in spring are certainly pretty. This upright small tree is native to the mountains ranges of southern China, next to Tibet and Myanmar. Several natural varieties exist of this species, varying in their flower color, lobes, or number of blossoms in their trusses.

Leathery, bright green leaves are a highlight on this tree: long as a foot and wide as two fingers. In mid-spring the...

(Tree Rhododendron)

Large, tongue-like leaves are amazing to see year round on tree rhododendron, and its pink to white bell-like blossoms in spring are certainly pretty. This upright small tree is native to the mountains ranges of southern China, next to Tibet and Myanmar. Several natural varieties exist of this species, varying in their flower color, lobes, or number of blossoms in their trusses.

Leathery, bright green leaves are a highlight on this tree: long as a foot and wide as two fingers. In mid-spring the...

(African Sumac)

Excellent for providing shade in warm and arid regions, African sumac has fine, dark foliage. Its twigs are reddish brown while the smooth, sandy-brown bark cracks open to reveal an orange underlayer. This rounded but spreading, evergreen small tree is native to mild southern Africa.

This sumac's leaves are unique. Each leaf is made of three, very narrow leaflets that are held out to form a T. They are glossy and dark green and held densely in the tree's canopy. Flowers are inconspicuous, green,...

(Hybrid Black Locust, Purple Robe Locust)

A tough tree with billowy foliage and pretty violet-pink late spring flowers, 'Purple Robe' is no less than easy-to-grow. A small to medium-sized deciduous tree, it is a hybrid. Some consider it a cross between cultivars of Robinia ambigua and Robinia hispida while others believe it a cross between Robinia pseudoacacia and Robinia hispida.

It has compound leaves (made up of many smaller oval leaflets) that emerge bronze-red in spring, maturing to blue-green....

(Black Locust)

Though pretty and fast-growing, black locust is weak-wooded, short-lived and generally weedy. It is hardy, deciduous and forms a broad, upright canopy when mature. Some are more shrub-like. Natural populations are believed to have originated from the eastern United States, particularly along the Appalachians and Ozark Mountains, but have spread across much of the United States and up into Canada.

Green to blue-green compound leaves (leaves comprised of many small leaflets) cover its coarse,...

(Black Locust)

Lace lady locust is a shrubby tree native to the eastern and central United States. Its crooked stems add interest to the winter landscape making it a great focal point in the garden. It has dark green compound leaves with curled leaflets and blooms in late spring with extremely fragrant, white wisteria-like blossoms followed by dark brown fruit pods. Lace lady locust is best grown in moist loamy soils but will tolerate poor, dry conditions. It suckers freely from its roots which should be removed...

(Doubtful Locust)

This is a graceful deciduous tree prized its gorgeous, pendulous, clusters of pink flowers and rugged constitution. Its parent is Robinia ambigua, a species designated for new plants resulting from the cross of Robinia pseudoacacia and Robinia viscosa, both native to North America and Mexico. The leaves of ‘Idahoensis’ are arranged alternately on the branches and divided into rounded leaflets that give them a feathery look. With its single, upright trunk and spreading branches,...