Summer Red Maple Shade Tree

Often when 1 envisions a quiet body of water, the graceful, elegant form of a Weeping Willow is seen at the water's edge, the long, light green, pendulous branches reflected in the water, gently swaying with each little breeze. The Weeping Willow is a majestic deciduous tree with green, weeping foliage. Though it does well in very moist soils, Weeping Willows may also be successfully used as a fast-growing specimen or screen in drier, more open areas where it should receive regular watering to prevent leaf drop in a drought. It will survive drought but loses some leaves without irrigation. Ultimately reaching a height of 35 ft. to 45 ft. with an equal or greater spread, Weeping Willow should be given plenty of room to develop its broad, rounded crown. Zones: 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9.

Live Oaks are large, strong and stately evergreens that have become a staple. This moderate-growing oak can reach a height of 60 ft. to 80 ft. with a spread between 60 ft. to 100 ft. With its height and spread, live oaks make for great shade trees. While the Live Oak is very adaptable, it does require a large area for its spreading trunk to be accommodated. With enough room to grow, however, Live Oaks give one's yard a sense of establishment and history. The wood of the Live Oak is hard, tough and strong and the tree also produces sweet, edible acorns. It is hardy to about 5° (Zones 7-10). Live Oaks can survive for centuries and planting 1 is a small task that can leave a large gift for future generations. The plant is shipped in a #5 pot with a minimum height of 24 in.

The Nuttall oak is a strong and adaptable oak that provides summer shade and nice fall foliage. The Nuttal is also an important species for wildlife management due to its high production of acorns. The small, reddish-brown acorns are 0.75 to 1.25 in. long. A Nuttall Oak tree must be approximately 20 years old before producing acorns. It has a medium growth-rate and reaches a height of 60 ft. to 80 ft. with a canopy of 35 ft. to 50 ft. The veins on the leaf are pinnate. In the fall, the leaves turn red. Nuttall Oak should be grown in full sun on any soil and is very tolerant of poorly-drained, wet sites. This should make it well suited for the soil conditions found at many urban sites. The plant is shipped in a #1 pot with a minimum height of 12 in. and is hardy in zones 6-9.

Growing up to 80 ft. tall with a 50 ft. to 60 ft. spread, Shumard Oak forms a large, stately tree with a narrow, rather open, rounded canopy. A lovely dark green during most of the year, Shumard Oak puts on a vivid display of brilliant red to red-orange fall and winter foliage, providing a dramatic landscape statement. Fall and winter coloration varies from year to year in USDA hardiness zones 8 and 9. During the winter the bare tree provides interesting branching patterns. The 1.5 in. W acorns are surrounded by a shallow, enclosing cup and are popular with wildlife. It is hardy in Zones 6-9. The plant is shipped in a #1 pot with a minimum height of 24 in.