Hickory

Hickory (Shagbark)

If you enjoy Blue Jays, you’ll want to plant at least one hickory tree in your yard. The nut of the hickory – maturing from September to October – is sweet and delicious, and must be considered a delicacy to jays who seem to flock to it constantly when ripened.

You’ll have to wait a few years though, nut production does not start for 20 years! Virtually disease free, Shagbark Hickory prefers deep, moist, rich, well-drained soils under sunny conditions, but is often found in the dry upland soils of woods or fields because of its superior drought tolerance. It tolerates the shade of nearby trees when young, when its branching is upright and spindly and it first develops its deep taproot system.

Eastern White Cedar

Eastern White Cedar

Botanical name: Thuja occidentalis. a Zone 3 tolerant plant growing best in full sun to partial shade, and reaching 20-40′ tall/10-20′ wide. Frequently referred to as  Arborvitae, (Tree of Life) because the Native Americans and early European explorers used the foliage  – which is rich in vitamin C – to treat scurvy.

White Cedar is a commonly occurring tree of the northern forests, where several species of birds feast on the fruits or use the dense branches for cover. Since it is most often associated with cool, moist, nutrient-rich sites, White Cedar may need extra care in southern MN areas.

Flower buds form in autumn and expand the following spring. Cones are full grown by mid-August, ripen in August and September.  Woody scales of mature female cones enclose double-winged seeds which are released the year after development.

Bittersweet

American bittersweet (Celastrus scandens)

 

American Bittersweet is a deciduous twining woody vine that is best known for its showy orange-red berries that brighten up fall and winter landscapes. reaching 15-20′ tall/ 3-6′ wide it is not a first choice of birds, however, the fruits hold on during the winter which may provide an additional feast for some in the winter or spring. Bittersweet needs full sun to fruit well, but will tolerate a variety of Zone 3 soil conditions. Caution: Fruits can cause nausea and vomitting if ingested. Female plants need a male pollinator to produce fruit. Be careful that some nurseries do not sell the vines as male or female. Generally one male plant is needed for 6-9 female plants.

NOTE: Be wary of the invasive species, Oriental bittersweet. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) website includes photos comparing American and Oriental bittersweets. [CLICK HERE]