Small Trees

Shorter trees are required when planted underneath wires or other obstructions. The list below details various trees that should do well in these special circumstances.

Cherry

Hardy and attractive.
Tolerates acidic and alkaline soil as well as road salt.
Sensitive to drought conditions, poor drainage, and air pollution.
Native to Japan and Korea.

Pink Flair Sargent Cherry
Prunus sargentii

Red-orange fall color
Height: 25'

Description Source: The Morton Arboretum.

Crabapple

Beautiful two-week show of flowers in May.
Some can be prone to diseases such as scab, fire blight, rust, leaf spot, and powdery mildew.
Cultivars listed here are more disease-resistant, and many will hold their fruit throughout the winter.

Spring Snow Crab
Malus 'Spring Snow'

White flowers and no fruit
Rust resistant
Height: 20-25'

Cardinal Crab
Malus x 'Cardinal'

Purple foliage
Flowers red, fading to pink
Excellent disease resistance
Height: 10-18'

Prairie Rose
Malus ioensis (Wood) Britt.

Pink or white flowers.
Fruit are yellow-green crabapples.
Height: 20-30'

Description Sources: NDSU Woody Plant Improvement Program, Morten Arboretum, and Stearns County Soil and Water Conservation District.

Hawthorn

Has white flowers in spring and leaves turn orange or red in the fall.
Tolerant to alkaline and acidic soils, but is sensitive to salt.
Tolerant of drought conditions and air pollution.
Red fruit persists through the winter.

Thornless Cockspur Hawthorn
Crategus crus-galli var. inermis

Thornless
White flowers
Good fall color
Tolerant of alkaline soils
Height: 25'

Crusader Hawthorn
Crategus crus-galli var. 'Cruzam'

Thornless
Multi-stemmed
Height: 25-35'

Snowbird Hawthorn
Crataegus x mordenensis 'Snowbird'

Very hardy
White flowers in spring
Good disease resistance, but has thorns

Description Sources: Morton Arboretum, Missouri Botanical Garden, and TLCGarden Plant Finder.

Ivory Silk Japanese Lilac

Tolerant of urban conditions.
Clusters of white flowers.
Attracts pollinators.

Ivory Silk Japanese Lilac
Syringa reticulata 'Ivory Silk'

Showy white flowers
Rounded crown
Adaptable tree for a variety of uses
Height: 20-25'

Description Source: The Morton Arboretum.

Nannyberry (Tree Form)

Prefers alkaline soil, moist and well-drained.
Small tree or multi-stemmed shrub.
Adaptable to full sun or partial shade.
White flowers later turning to edible berries in fall.
Caterpillar and larvae host of spring azure butterfly.
Native to Minnesota.

Nannybear
Viburnum lentago

Multi-stemmed height:14-16'
Single-stemmed height: 30'
Berries persist into winter.

Description Sources: Missouri Botanical Garden and The Morton Arboretum.

Pear

Introduced from northeastern Asia.
pH adaptable, but not tolerant of salty soil.
Should be protected from rabbit and mice browse.
Some of the first trees to flower

Prairie Gem Pear
Pyrus ussuriensis 'Mordak'

White flowers
No fruit unless another pear is near to pollinate
Hardiest of ornamental pears
Tolerant of urban pollution
NDSU introduction
Height: 25'

Mountain Frost Pear
Pyrus ussuriensis 'Bailfrost'

Ornamental tree
White flowers
Burgundy fall color
Bears fruit
Height: 30'

Korean Sun Pear
Pyrus faurei 'Westwood'

Ornamental tree
Red fall color
Fruits are inedible
Height: 20'

Description Sources: NDSU Woody Plant Improvement Program, Gertens, and Gardening Know How.

Serviceberry

Serviceberries can be grown as shrubs, multi-stemmed trees, or single-stemmed trees.
White flowers in spring, fruit is edible.
Fruit can be used in jams, jellies, and pies.
Attractive to pollinators and other wildlife.
Does best in soil pH 5.5-7, but can tolerate higher pHs.
Native