Spring 2010 tree sale now sold out
Tree sale sold out
For the fourth year, the city has received an overwhelming response from residents for the annual tree sale and trees are now sold out. After selling 1,438 trees this year the natural resources division hopes to plan another tree sale next year. Thank you for your interest in planting a tree.
Think spring and plan to plant! The city of Minnetonka tree sale is back for a fourth year to help you celebrate spring and Arbor Day. This special program is offered only once a year, exclusively for Minnetonka residents. To encourage tree replanting and to improve the diversity of Minnetonka’s community forest, the city is pleased to offer residents a selection of 12 tree species at value pricing.
Planting a diversity of tree species makes your yard and the city’s community forest more resilient to disease and invasive species, which often thrive on specific tree species. For example, while Emerald ash borer has not yet been found in Minnetonka, if you have lots of ash trees this is a great opportunity to plant different types of trees in order to protect the tree cover on your property.
Below you will find a comprehensive look at the trees offered this year, including sun requirements, anticipated fall color, mature size and special features. You can also visit the Tree Selection and Planting page to find tips on how to choose the right tree for your yard. The Tree Sale Program page also has answers to common questions. A tree information packet with the same information is also available at Minnetonka City Hall and at Minnetonka Public Works. Forms may be mailed in or dropped off at Minnetonka Public Works between 7 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Picking up trees
- 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 be planted in a Minnetonka park.
- You may ask someone (family member, friend, landscaper) to pick up trees on your behalf. Please be sure to give them your confirmation postcard to give to city staff.
- Some assistance will be provided with loading trees into vehicles, but please order a tree that you can realistically transport home.
- Written planting and care instructions will be provided for each order.
- Unlike a retail nursery, these trees do not have a warranty.
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.
Bur Oak (sold out)
- Mature height
- 60–80′
- Spread
- 60–80′
- Fall foliage
- Yellow–brown
- 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, acorns for wildlife and strong, majestic branching structure. Requires very little formative pruning to develop strong branch structure. Never prune oaks between April–October to avoid oak wilt. Plant in full sun.
- Photos and more information
- Stock type
- Container
- Height at time of purchase
- 7–8 feet
- Weight at time of purchase
- 55 pounds
- Price
- $30
Ginkgo ‘Autumn Gold’ (sold out)
Photo courtesy of Bailey Nurseries
Photo courtesy of Bailey Nurseries
- Mature height
- 50′
- Spread
- 30′
- Fall foliage
- Yellow
- Summary
-
Ginkgo trees are often called “living fossils” because the fossil records indicate it has been on earth for over 200 million years. Researchers believe it once had a huge natural range, and today it is planted throughout the world. It is often planted in tough urban sites including Minneapolis because it can tolerate poor soils and is resistant to insect and disease attacks. It is slower growing, but is extremely long lived with specimens in China as old as 3,000 years old.
The ‘Autumn Gold’ selection is male (produces no fruit) and has a symmetrical form and pyramidal shape, Special features include its unique branch structure, bright yellow fall color and resistance to pests. Plant in full sun or partial shade.
- Photos and more information
- Stock type
- Container
- Height at time of purchase
- 7–8 feet
- Weight at time of purchase
- 55 pounds
- Price
- $30
Hackberry (sold out)
- Mature height
- 50–75′
- Spread
- 50′
- Fall foliage
- Yellow
- Summary
- Hackberry is native to Minnesota and develops a vase-shaped rounded crown. It has a roughly similar silhouette to an elm tree but is not susceptible to Dutch elm disease. 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. Plant in partial or full sun.
- Photos and more information
- Stock type
- Container
- Height at time of purchase
- 6–8 feet
- Weight at time of purchase
- 55 pounds
- Price
- $30
Kentucky Coffeetree (sold out)
Photo courtesy of USDA Forest Service.
- Mature height
- 50′–60′
- Spread
- 40′–50′
- Fall foliage
- Yellow
- 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
- Stock type
- Container
- Height at time of purchase
- 5–6 feet
- Weight at time of purchase
- 40 pounds
Red Maple ‘Northwood’ (sold out)
- Mature height
- 50′
- Spread
- 35′
- Fall foliage
- Orange–dark red
- Summary
- Red maple is native to Minnesota, and ‘Northwood’ is a cultivar released by the University of Minnesota with a round, oval crown. It does best in moist soil, but will tolerate a variety of soils if kept mulched with wood chips and watered regularly during periods of drought. Prefers a lower pH soil and may not develop optimum fall color if soil pH is too high. Special features include tiny red flowers in the spring and good fall color. Plant in partial sun or full sun to obtain the best fall color.
- Photos and more information
- Stock type
- Container
- Height at time of purchase
- 5–6 feet
- Weight at time of purchase
- 40 pounds
River Birch (clump) (sold out)
- Mature height
- 40–50′
- Spread
- 30–40′
- Fall foliage
- Bright yellow
- 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. Special features include beautiful golden brown exfoliating bark and dark green shiny leaves. Plant in partial or full sun.
- Photos and more information
- Stock type
- Container
- Height at time of purchase
- 5–6 feet
- Weight at time of purchase
- 30 pounds
- Price
- $30
Swamp White Oak (sold out)
- Mature height
- 50–60′
- Spread
- 40–50′
- Fall foliage
- Yellow–brown
- Summary
- Swamp white oak is native to the upper Midwest. It has a pyramidal crown when young, becoming oval and open with age. In nature it is found along streams and in swampy soils, but can also tolerate well drained soils. This is a good choice for a wetland edge or seasonally wet area. Leaves turn yellow-brown in autumn and persist through winter offering seasonal interest. Special features include glossy, dark green leaves, sweet acorns and furrowed bark. Resistant to oak wilt. Plant in partial or full sun.
- Photos and more information
- Stock type
- Container
- Height at time of purchase
- 7–8 feet
- Weight at time of purchase
- 55 pounds
- Price
- $30
Ornamental Trees
Choose an ornamental tree if you have a small yard, need a burst of color or if you want to plant under power lines.
Royal Raindrops Crabapple (sold out)
- Mature height
- 15–20′
- Spread
- 20′
- Fall foliage
- Insignificant
- Summary
- This cultivar is has reddish purple leaves and is able to tolerate a variety of soils. Special features include magenta pink flowers, persistent fruit that creates winter interest and provides a food source for songbirds, and resistance to fire blight disease. Plant in full sun for best flower and fruit development.
- Photos and more information
- Stock type
- Container
- Height at time of purchase
- 5–6 feet
- Weight at time of purchase
- 55 pounds
Thornless hawthorn (sold out)
- Mature height
- 15–20′
- Spread
- 15–20′
- Fall foliage
- Orange
- Summary
- Hawthorn is native to Minnesota, this is a thornless variety with a rounded crown. It does best in moist well drained soil, but will tolerate dry soils if mulched with wood chips and watered regularly during periods of drought. This variety is resistant to the disease cedar-hawthorn rust. Special features include white flowers in spring, red fruits in late summer/early fall, and shiny dark green leaves. Plant in full sun for best flower and fruit development.
- Photos and more information
- Stock type
- Container
- Height at time of purchase
- 5–6 feet
- Weight at time of purchase
- 40 pounds
Large shrub/small tree
(suitable for habitat restoration)
Try a tall native shrub or small tree; they are excellent replacements for buckthorn. Pagoda dogwood is also suitable for planting under power lines.
Pagoda Dogwood (sold out)
Photo courtesy of Bailey Nurseries
Photo courtesy of Bailey Nurseries
- Mature height
- 15–20′
- Spread
- 20–25′
- Fall foliage
- Red
- 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
- Stock type
- Container
- Height at time of purchase
- 3 feet
- Weight at time of purchase
- 40 pounds
- Price
- $30
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.
Canadian Hemlock (sold out)
Photo courtesy of Bailey Nurseries
- Mature height
- 30–40′
- Spread
- 15–25′
- Fall foliage
- Not applicable
- 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 and drying winds. This tree is ornamental, can be planted in groups as a hedge 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
- Stock type
- Container
- Height at time of purchase
- 4–5 feet
- Weight at time of purchase
- 40 pounds
- Price
- $30
White Pine (sold out)
- Mature height
- 50–80′
- Spread
- 20–40′
- Fall foliage
- Not applicable
- Summary
- White pine is native to Minnesota and has the fastest growth rate of all the state’s pine species. It has a pyramidal shape when young, with branches becoming more open, irregular and tiered as it gets older. White pine needles are long, bright green and “soft,” unlike the rigid needles of other pines. It does best in a well-drained soil, and will not thrive if planted in a wet, heavy clay soil. Additionally, it may become yellow if soil pH is too high (alkaline), but this can be remedied if you are aware of the issue. The cones provide a food source for songbirds including black-capped chickadee and white-breasted nuthatch. Special features include delicate needles, fast growth rate and winter interest. White pine will develop best in full sun but can tolerate partial sun.
- Photos and more information
- Stock type
- Container
- Height at time of purchase
- 4–5 feet
- Weight at time of purchase
- 40 pounds
- Price
- $30
Additional information
Should I purchase a tree guard to protect my 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 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
-
- MnDOT Plant Selector (click on “search by name” and look for general tree name, such as “oak”)
- Silvics of North America
- US Forest Service
- Bailey Nursery Image library
