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Shagbark Hickory
A group of white oaks
Swamp white oak
Northern pin oak seedlings, fall color
Fall color of the shingle oak
Chinkapin oak in late summer
English Oak
Northern red oak seedlings in fall
Black oak seedlings showing fall color
Japanese white oak seedling in fall
Mongolian oak fall color
Moosewood maple,
early fall color
early fall color
American chestnut leaves in fall
Kentucky coffee tree
Shagbark hickory; this one is about a
million feet tall
million feet tall
Tree Catalog
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Why Buy Our Trees? Here at TNF we concentrate on supplying quality trees that will give shade, beauty and a host of other benefits for decades and maybe even centuries to come. Many of the trees we sell are superior for landscaping but are not sold by large commercial nurseries because they are difficult to propagate or grow slowly the first several years. Trees such as oak and hickory may grow slowly at first, but once established in your yard, the growth rate can surpass that of other species that start out more quickly. Provenance is a term describing the geographic area that a particular species of seed has been collected from and is an important consideration when growing native trees. Trying to grow a white oak in Minnesota from a seed that was collected in Kentucky is doomed to failure! Research has shown that provenance affects hardiness, flowering and the growth rate for a wide variety of native tree species. Because of this we collect local native seeds for our stock whenever possible, and if we do buy seed commercially, we pay particular attention to the location of the seed source. The advantage for you, the customer, is a better tree! The hardiness ratings listed below are compiled from review of native range data, extension service research in various states, other catalogs, and our personal experience. Sometimes, there is no agreement whatsoever among these sources about hardiness of a particular species, and we have to make our best guess! Complicating the picture is the fact that the last "hard" winter here (-35 to -40 F) was 1996-97 and many zone 5 trees have been growing without winter dieback here on our farm for several years. Available Forms Most of our trees are sold as either bare root or potted seedlings. Bare root seedlings establish quickly and can adapt to many different soil types, but can only be planted in the spring or fall. Typically, these are 1, 2 or 3 year old plants. Our potted seedlings are 2-3 month old actively growing seedlings sold in either 2" diameter 4" deep plug pots or 2 1/4" diameter 4" deep Rootmaker root pruning trays. Potted seedlings must be ordered by April 1. After being adapted to outdoor conditions, they are ready to ship in late May. In the upper Midwest, I would recommend planting out by mid June so that the seedlings can harden off properly by fall. This is an easy way to get many types of tree seedlings started. Rootmaker growbag trees are larger specimens grown in root constriction bags. These bags allow small nutrient gathering roots to leave the bag (typically 12-24" in diameter), but larger nutrient storing roots stay within the bag. The result is an easily transplantable larger tree that establishes quickly in its new location. Because we are a small operation, collecting seed locally and growing locally, the selection of species and sizes will vary greatly from year to year. Native/Large Oaks Oaks are some of the best trees for landscaping a large yard. They provide a stately shape that few other trees match and most exhibit a great fall color. Oaks do not shed branches and are not prone to limb breakage like some other commonly sold lawn trees. Also, oak root systems are relatively deep, avoiding some of the problems with grass growth and sidewalk lifting that are often seen with maples. Oaks grow very slowly their first several years while building their deep taproot system. Should I avoid planting oak trees because of oak wilt? Disease resistance of oaks is typically excellent, although if you live in a locality with a lot of oak wilt, a member of the white oak group will be a better choice, as members of the red oak group are more susceptible. Since oak wilt spreads mainly via root systems, oak wilt shouldn't be a concern for someone considering planting oaks in their yard, so long as the yard is not adjacent to a stand of oak wilt infected trees and so long as all pruning is done in late fall or winter. Establishing Oak Trees Because they develop a large, deep root system when very young, oaks will become established more quickly and perform best if planted in their permanent location when they are still very small. I shudder when I see a 2" diameter/10' tall oak sitting in a 10 gallon pot in a nursery, as getting this oak to grow and prosper in a yard will be very difficult. (If you really want to fork out a lot of money for a larger sized oak, get one balled and burlapped, buy one that has been raised in some type of root pruning container, or buy a spaded tree that has had its roots pruned periodically by the spade in the years prior to sale.) Sorry, due to quarantine regulations, oaks may not be shipped to CA, FL or OR. White Oak, Quercus alba Anyone who has seen a huge old white oak knows that this really is the king of the forest. In the yard, white oaks provide a stately look and a beautiful deep red late fall color. White oaks grow at a snail's pace their first several years but after that make up for lost time by growing very quickly. Prefers a well drained site and will tolerate more shade than most other white oaks. Usually has good resistance to oak wilt. Unfortunately, in many forests of the Midwest, white oaks are not regenerating in adequate numbers and the huge old white oak forest may someday be very rare. Help preserve the king of the forest by planting some white oaks this spring. Grown from locally collected seed. Hardy to zone 4. Bare root (3-0) 2-3' tall: $ 3.00 each, 10 for $ 20.00, $ 1.50 each for 100+ Growbag: 6-8' $ 120.00 plus freight Swamp white oak, Quercus bicolor (white oak group) Large oak that prefers lowlands and mildly acidic soil. Interesting plate-like bark when young and intense orange leaves in the fall. Grown from native seed collected around LaCrosse, Wisconsin. Hardy to zone 4. Bare root (2-0) 12-24" tall: $ 5.00 each, 10 for $ 40.00 Growbag: 6-8' $ 100.00 plus freight Northern Pin Oak, Jack Oak, Hill’s Oak, Quercus ellipsoidalis (red oak group) Relatively fast growing oak with bright red color late in the fall. Quite adaptable and does well in partial shade and poor soils. Grown from locally collected seed, zone 4. Bare root (2-0) 8-16" tall: $ 5.00 each, 10 for $ 40.00 Shingle Oak, Quercus imbricaria (red oak group) The shingle oak has thick intense green summer leaves that lack lobes, similar to a live oak. Fall color is a brick red. Farther south this is a medium sized tree, here in zone 4 is more shrublike, especially in the sun. Grown from seed collected in central Iowa. I’ll call it hardy to zone 4, as we haven’t had any winter dieback here in Minnesota for the last several years. Bare root (3-0) 2-3' tall: $ 4.00 each, 10 for $ 30.00 Bur Oak Quercus macrocarpa (white oak group) Growing faster than most other white oaks, the bur oak is the lord of the prairie with massive branches that resist fire, wind, and ice damage better than any other tree. Fall color is usually a dull orange to brown. Prefers deep rich soil and plenty of room. Relatively resistant to oak wilt. Grown from locally collected seed. Zone 3. Bare root (3-0) 12-24" tall: $ 5.00 each, 10 for 40.00 Chinkapin Oak, Quercus muehlenbergii (white oak group) This is one of my favorites. The chinkapin oak is relatively fast growing and tough like the bur oak but has a better fall color, typically brick red on the soils here at TNF. In the wild it is found either at the bottom or top of limestone bluffs, so it will thrive in any dry, alkaline and rocky soil you may have; however, it also does well in any non-swampy setting. The acorns are supposed to be some of the sweetest, but I can’t really say that my palate is good enough confirm this. Summer leaves on mature trees are deep green and look a lot more like chestnut leaves than the chestnut oak. A word of caution: A lot of the "chinkapin oak" seedlings we have seen are actually hybrids of the chinkapin oak and some other member of the white oak group. When collecting out in the field we collect only from pure stands and avoid collecting seed from sites where other white oaks are nearby. Also, some strains (and hybrid seedlings) of the chinkapin oak seem quite susceptible to mildew. The seedlings we sell have shown good resistance to mildew. Grown from seed collected from the northern and westernmost ends of the chinkapin oak's range in northeastern Iowa and western Wisconsin. Hardy to zone 4. Bare root (3-0) 2-4' tall: $ 4.00 each, 10 for $ 30.00 Growbag: 5-8' $ 120.00 each plus freight Pin Oak, Quercus palustris (red oak group) A black oak with a broad pyramidal shape and intensely red fall color. Needs a mildly acid soil. Seed collected locally from trees showing good zone 4 hardiness. Bare root (3-0) 2-4' tall: $ 4.00 each, 10 for $ 30.00 Quercus robor, English Oak (white oak group) Large, relatively fast growing oak from northern Europe. Dull brown-yellow fall color. Prone to mildew so should be grown in an area with good air circulation. Hardy to warmer parts of zone 4. Bare root (3-0) 2-3' tall: $ 4.00 each, 10 for $ 30.00 Northern Red Oak, Quercus rubra (red oak group) Relatively fast growing oak with a striking deep red fall color. Usually found on deep upland soils and becoming very large after the first century of growth. The acorns from this northern strain are much smaller than southern varieties. Grown from locally collected seed, zone 3. Bare root (3-0) 2-3' tall: 4.00 each, 10 for $ 30.00, $ 1.50 each for 100+ Growbag: 4-6' $80.00 plus freight Post Oak, Quercus stellata (white oak group) Medium sized tree preferring dry soils throughout the southeastern US. Seed collected in Missouri. Hardy to warmer parts of zone 5. Bare root (2-0) 6-12" tall: $ 3.00 each, 10 for $ 20.00 Black Oak, Quercus velutina (red oak group) Large native of the east, prefers light soils, orange- yellow to maroon fall color. Zone 4. Grown from seed collected in Illinois. Bare root (2-0) 8-12" tall: $ 4.00 each, 10 for $ 30.00 Growbag: 4-5' $ 80.00 plus freight Small Oaks Though generally thought of as high and mighty, some oaks are small and shrubby, meaning they could suit a small yard much better than the big guys. The small oaks as a group are not very fast growing, but often produce large crops of acorns once established. Gambel Oak, Gambel's Oak, Quercus gambelii (white oak group) Native of the western USA, the Gambel oak grows in dry, sunny locations, usually getting no more than 30 ft. high. Brown to yellow fall color. Grown from seed collected in Utah. Zone 4. Bare root (2-0) 6-12" $ 3.00 each, 10 for $ 20.00. Dwarf Chinkapin Oak, Quercus prinoides (white oak group) This is a shrub or small tree of the eastern USA that often forms thickets. Tolerates poor soils well and has a nice deep red fall color on our soils here. These are grown from seed collected in central Iowa. Zone 4. Sorry, dwarf chinkapin oak is sold out for 2009 (see what's new). I should have some seedlings available in 2010. Bear Oak, Quercus ilicifolia (red oak group) This is another small thicket forming oak from the eastern USA. Bears acorns at a young age and has a brilliant red fall color. Growbag: 2-3' $ 120.00 each plus freight Asian Oaks These are medium sized oaks with varying degrees of hardiness. Most seem to grow relatively quickly. With more news of exotic diseases of oaks such as sudden oak death cropping up, we may someday badly need the Asian genetics that these trees provide. Japanese white oak, Quercus aliena (white oak group) I really like this oak because of its fast growth, uniquely shaped leaves and nice orange to red fall color, similar to a swamp white oak. Bears acorns at about 5 years of age here. Good zone 4 hardiness here thus far. Sorry, unavailable in 2009. Mongolian Oak, Quercus mongolica (white oak group) Medium sized tree favoring dry soils. Fall color ranges from red to brown. Hardy to zone 3, very limited number available. Bare root 6-12" $ 5.00 each Growbag: 4-7' $ 120.00 each plus freight Maples Moosewood Maple, Striped Maple, Acer pensylvanicum Small maple perfect for shady, cool spots. Rich yellow fall color with green and white striped bark adding winter interest. May need protection from deer browsing when young. Grown from seed collected in Pennsylvania. Occasional dieback here in zone 4. Bare root (3-0) 2-4': $ 8.00 each, 10 for $ 60.00 Black Maple Large native of the upper Midwest providing dense shade and striking fall color. Black maple is a type of sugar maple better adapted to the soils and winters of the Midwest than eastern sugar maples. Collected in southeastern Minnesota from trees showing outstanding timber form and fall color. Most of the seedlings tend toward an iridescent yellow or orange fall color. Grows in sun or shade, at its best on the north side of your house or somewhere where the roots can stay cool. Bare root (2-0) 10-16": $ 3.00 each, 10 for $ 20.00 American Hazel, Corylus americana Hazels are important understory shrubs occurring throughout deciduous woodlands of the northern and eastern US. Besides bearing sweet nuts that are prized by wildlife, hazels put on a show of orange to red fall colors, making them a favorite shrub for native landscaping. These seedings come from our farm here in SE Minnesota and should be hardy to zone 3. Bare root (2-0) 8-12": $ 3.00 each, 10 for $ 20.00 American Chestnut, Castanea dentata Before being mostly wiped out of North America by the chestnut blight in the early and mid-1900’s, the chestnut was one of the dominant trees of the eastern American forest. It was valued for its giant size, rot-resistant timber, and huge crops of sweet nuts. Fortunately, intensive breeding efforts of the American Chestnut Foundation are beginning to pay off and the American chestnut will someday return to its rightful place in the Eastern woodlands. In the upper Midwest, outside the original range of the chestnut, isolated plantings of the chestnut have continued to thrive, producing handsome trees and bountiful crops of real American Chestnuts. If you live in the upper Midwest or some other region where chestnut blight is not endemic, you too can grow the American Chestnut. Chestnuts do no self-pollinate, so plant at least two (preferably several) chestnuts grouped together for good nut production. American Chestnuts grow quickly and do very well here in the Midwest, so long as the soil is well drained and mildly acidic. Our chestnuts are grown from seed collected here in Minnesota, from trees that are blight free and very hardy. Hardy to zone 4. Sorry, no shipments to CA, FL, OR or WA. Bare root (3-0) 2-3': $ 5.00 each, 10 for $ 40.00 Growbag: 4-6' $ 120.00 plus freight Chinkapin, Allegheny Chinkapin, Castanea pumila This is a small tree from the eastern and southeastern US that is related to the American chestnut. The nut is sweet but very small and the trees have some susceptibility to chestnut blight. The seedlings I offer here come from a group of trees growing in my front yard that are blight free and seem to tolerate the Minnesota climate remarkably well. Hardy to zone 4. Sorry, no shipments to CA, FL, OR or WA. Potted seedlings $ 3.00 each or 10 for $ 20.00. Hybrid Chestnut Hybrids of the American and Chinese chestnuts that grow quickly and produce nuts of variable size. Variable blight resistance. Blight free stock. Great for wildlife plantings, will usually bear nuts within 5 years. Bare root (3-0) 2-3' $ 4.00 each or 10 for $ 30.00 Northern Catalpa, Catalpa speciosa Large native tree with white flowers followed by long seed pods which ripen in the fall. Planted widely by pioneers as they settled in the Midwest and still used as a landscape tree because of its resistance to disease and tall, cylindrical growth habit. Grown from locally collected seed, hardy to zone 4. Growbag: 5-7' $ 80.00 each plus freight Common Hackberry, Celtis occidentalis Medium to large tree with corky bark and yellow fall color. Hackberries are often a favorite of park departments to replace elms, given their similar size and leaf form. The fruit was eaten by native Americans and the seedlings we offer are grown from local trees bearing particularly sweet berries. Medium growth rate, disease resistant. Hardy to zone 3. Sorry, no availability in 2008. Kentucky Coffee Tree, Gymnocladus dioicus Medium sized native of the Midwest that is very well suited for the yard. Has a nice yellow fall color and rugged branching pattern adds winter interest. Grown from locally collected seed, hardy to zone 4. Bare root (3-0) 16-24"": $6.00 each The Hickories Native to the eastern, southern and midwestern regions of the United States, the hickories play an important role in many forest ecosystems, provide valuable timber and some of the best tasting of all nuts. Hickories grow very slowly in their first several years of life, but after establishing a massive root system begin to grow quickly at a rate of 1-2 ft. per year. Most hickories start producing nuts at 20-25 years of age. Hickories do not self pollinate, so plant two or more seedlings or varieties for good nut production. With their long taproot, hickories are best planted as seedlings no older than 2- 3 years. Older trees are impossible to transplant unless some type of root pruning growth system is used. Shagbark Hickory, Carya ovata One of the great forest trees of North America, the Shagbark Hickory is an important timber tree and produces sweet, edible nuts. It has a yellow fall color and distinctive shaggy bark. Prefers rich, well drained upland soils. Grown from local seed collected from native stands in southeastern Minnesota, and northeastern Iowa. Hardy to zone 4. Bare root (3-0) 8-12": $ 2.00 each, 10 for $ 15.00, $ 1.00 each for 100+ Bitternut hickory, Yellowbud hickory, Carya cordiformis A nice hickory for the yard, the bitternut grows faster than other hickories, has smooth, pale bark (similar to a beech) and has a nice deep yellow fall color. The nuts and husks are small and won’t cause a mess in your lawn. Grown from seed gathered in southeastern Minnesota. Zone 3 hardiness. Bare root (3-0) 6-18": $ 4.00 each, 10 for $ 30.00 Shellbark Hickory, Kingnut hickory, Carya laciniosa Shaggy bark and yellow fall color like the shagbark but grows a bit larger and produces very large sweet nuts. Native of the Midwest that occurs in deep rich bottomlands. Has been timbered out to near extinction in the western part of its range. Grown from seed collected from an isolated planting in northern Iowa, outside of the natural range. Hardy to warmer parts of zone 4. Bare root (3-0) 8-12": $ 4.00 each, 10 for $ 30.00 Butternut, White Walnut, Juglans cinerea Medium to large tree with leaves similar to the walnut but lighter colored bark and sweet, flavorful nuts prized for baking and candies. The butternut grows quite quickly both when young and in later years. Over the past two decades, a fungal disease called butternut canker has decimated native butternut populations throughout much of its range. As mentioned on our butternut page, we have been scouring the upper Midwest for healthy butternut trees for the last decade and have been able to collect and plant thousands of butternuts to screen for signs of resistance to butternut canker. Dave's Better Butternut: Now we are able to offer seedlings of trees that have shown signs of tolerance to butternut canker for the last 15+ years. These seeds are collected only from cankered trees that show good timber form and minimal or no crown dieback. Currently, planting seeds from these trees types of trees offers the best hope of finding trees resistant to butternut canker. Grown from seed collected in southeastern Minnesota and Northern Iowa. Hardy to zone 3. Sorry, no shipments to AZ, CA, NM and TX. Bare root (1-0): 12-24"': $ 5.00 each, 10 for $ 40.00 Black Walnut Highly prized Midwest native with valuable wood and flavorful (if not hard to crack) nuts. Black walnut prefers the sun, heat (grow in a spot with a lot of southern exposure if possible), and a neutral to slightly alkaline soil. Seed collected in southeastern Minnesota. This local variety will thrive in the upper Midwest when more southern and eastern strains fail. Bare root (3-0): 3-4': $ 5.00 each, 10 for $ 40.00 Larch or Tamarack The tamarack is one of the few deciduous conifers, putting on showy soft lime green needles in the spring and later exhibiting a deep yellow fall color. A beautiful addition to larger yards. Prefers moist or heavy soils and part to full sun. May need protection from deer the first few years. Seed collected in northern Minnesota. Hardy to zone 2. Bare root (3-0): 3-4': $ 5.00 each, 10 for $ 40.00 |