Trees

Preferred Soil

Moisture

Space (feet)

Height (in feet)

Growth Rate

Comments

Black Hills Spruce

Sandy loam-clay

Moist-wet

8-16

30’ to 60’

Slow – needs full sun

Tolerates poor drainage, fairly drought resistant. Browsed by mammals. Nesting site for birds. Makes a good winter cover.

Colorado Spruce

well drained loams

Moist – wet

8-16

30’ to 65’

Slow – needs full sun

Does not tolerate flooding. Prefers moist areas, but is the mostdrought tolerant of the spruces. Good nesting site for birds

Norway Spruce

Sandy loam-clay

Wet, moist, or dry

8-16

40’to 60’

Fastest spruce-2-3’ per year (partial shade/sun)

Norway Spruce is one of the fastest growing of all the spruces.  As the tree grows older, the side branches become horizontal, turning upward at the tip. Secondary branches hang downward from the main branches, giving the tree a graceful appearance.

White Spruce

Acidic soils

Moist-west

8-16

Up to 60’

Slow-medium full sun to partial sun

White spruces are very important evergreens. Provide nesting sites and shelter and food for many kinds of wildlife. The foliage is eaten by grouse, rabbits and deer.

Austrian Pine

Various soils

Normal

8-16

40’-60’

Medium growth,

Full Sun

Birds and squirrels enjoy Austrian pine seeds as they do other pine seeds. The large evergreens also provide shelter and nesting sites, particularly for birds such as owls.

Ponderosa Pine

prefers deep moist well drained soil but will grow in a wide range; drought and salt tolerant

Tolerant of moist or dry

8-16

60’-100’

Medium growth

Full sun

Ponderosa Pines are drought tolerant and can grow in grassland habitats.  Provides perches for birds to hunt or rest.

Red Pine

 well drained, dry, highly acid, sandy soils

Dry to moist (well drained)

8-16

70’

Moderate growth- Full sun

 Red pine is an attractive tree that is used in recreational areas because of its colorful bark. This species provides cover for many species of mammals and birds. Deer, cottontails, and snowshoe hares browse songbirds, mice and chipmunks feed on the seed while seedlings

White Pine

Medium to fine soil texture, medium to high soil fertility

More tolerant of wetter conditions

8-16

50’-80’

Moderate growth- Full sun when mature

Grows well under a thin canopy of larger trees.  Plant on slopes, hilltops, or shoulders of hills.  While tolerating partial shade while young, it prefers full sun as a mature tree

Eastern Red Cedar

Moist, deep loam to sand.  Will tolerate alkaline and saline conditions.

Drought tolerant, but prefers moist soils.

6-10

30’ -45’

Moderate growth.  Full sun. Tolerates shade only in youth.

Provides food for birds and mammals. Nesting and winter cover for a variety of birds.  Browse for whitetail deer.

Trees

Preferred Soil

Moisture

Space

Height (in feet)

Growth Rate

Comments

Northern White Cedar

Grows best on well-drained sites, it may be dominant in swamps.

Best on moist, nutrient-rich sites.

6-10

40’-45’

Slow to moderate growth.  Full sun to light shade

Stands of northern white cedar also are valuable for wildlife habitat, particularly in severe winters for white-tailed deer, which use it for both shelter and browse. These trees also provide habitats for many species of birds.

Concolor Fir

Grows best in deep, rich, moist, well-drained sandy loam soils. May perform poorly in heavy clay soils.

Moist well drained soils

14-20

25’-40’

Slow to moderate growth.  Full sun to light shade

Small to medium conifer for farmstead windbreaks.  Summer range for elk where it occurs naturally.

Norway Poplar

Clay loams to sandy loams.

Requires a moist site.

8-16

45’-60’

Fast growing –full sun

Narrow-crowned, fast-growing tree in field and farmstead indbreaks, and riparian plantings.  Cover and snow protection. Buds provide a source of food to birds. Twigs and young branches make good browse. Young trees are used for food by deer, rabbits, mice and beaver.

Hackberry

Performs well on a variety of soils.

Moderately drought tolerant but does best on moist, well drained sites.

10-16

40’60’

Fast Growing –full sun

Fruit is eaten by many birds and mammals. Excellent tree for wildlife.  Medium to tall tree for farmstead and field windbreaks, riparian plantings and highway beautification.

Silver Maple

Sandy, loam, or clay

Wet or moist

10-20

50’-70’

Fast Growing - Partial shade to full sun

Carefully consider this tree's problems such as weak wood and invasive roots before using it.  May be used in a location with poor soil conditions requiring fast shade or as a filler until more desirable, slow growing trees become established. 

Sugar Maple

Sandy or loam 

Wet, moist, or dry 

10-20

60’-75’

Slow to medium growth.  Partial shade to full sun.

Requires fertile, moist, well-drained soil.  Does best when planted in location where it will have ample room to spread. Not salt tolerant and not very pollution tolerant.  The fire-red to yellow color of the Sugar Maple fall foliage is beautiful.  The sap of this tree can be boiled down to produce maple syrup and sugar.  Mature Sugar Maples show a wide variation in form, but tend to have a broad, rounded head.

American Linden

Grows well on deep, fertile, well-drained loam and clay soils. Flood plain tree.

Intermediate tolerance to flooding. Not drought resistant.

10-20

50’ 70’

Moderate growth.  Full sun, but will tolerate shade

Medium to tall tree for farmstead windbreaks, and riparian Planting. 

Common Cottonwood

Loams to sands are most favorable.

Requires a moist site. Tolerates drought on upland sites with high water table.

10-20

50’-100’

Fast growth.  Requires full sun.

Hollow trees make ideal den sites for wildlife. Young trees are used by deer, rabbits, mice and beaver for food. Twigs and young branches make good browse. Buds  used by grouse.  Tall tree for field and farmstead windbreaks and riparian plantings.

Trees

Preferred Soil

Moisture

Space

Height (in feet)

Growth Rate

Comments

Black Walnut

Sensitive to soil conditions. Does best on deep, well-drained, fertile, loamy soils.

Prefers moist well-drained soils. Does not withstand

extended ponding or drought.

10-20

35’-60’

Moderate growth.  Full sun, tolerates partial shade.

Medium tree for protected areas of farmstead windbreaks.  Used extensively by over 20 species of wildlife for food and cover.

Burr Oak

Grows best in fertile loam, but will do well in a wide variety of soils.

Drought tolerant, but prefers moist well-drained soils.

10-16

40’-70’

Slow growth.  Full sun preferred, but is moderately shade tolerant

Excellent tree for wildlife food and cover.  Medium to tall tree for farmstead and field windbreaks. Slow growing particularly if under stress.

Red Oak

Grows in acidic, drought tolerant, loamy, moist, sandy, well drained, clay soils.

Normal moisture with some drought tolerance.

10-16

60’-75’

Rapid growth.  Full sun.

Its large acorns mature earlier in the season than those of most other Oaks, thus providing a source of food by late summer and throughout autumn and winter for many forms of wildlife.

Swamp White Oak

Moist, acidic soils, bottom-lands

moist to wet

10-16

40’-60’

Slow to medium growth.  Full sun to partial sun.

The acorns are eaten by many kinds of wildlife.  It is one of the best hardwoods for wet soils,,

Mountain Ash

Prefers well-drained loams

Requires additional water during droughts. Does not withstand ponding or water-logged soils.

6-12

20’-30’

Moderate growth.  Full sun.

Fruits may hang on well into the winter and on some plants appear to be more palatable to birds after they have been subjected to freezing and thawing.  Small tree for farmstead windbreaks in eastern half of state in protected areas.

Black Cherry (50)

Widely adaptable

Widely adaptable

10-16

70’-80’

Rapid growth.  Full to partial sun. 

Black Cherry trees produce fruit that are bitter and inedible fresh off the tree, but the fruit can be used to make jams and jellies. Fruits have also been used to flavor certain liquors such as brandy and whiskey.

Trees

Preferred Soil

Moisture

Space

Height (in feet)

Growth Rate

Comments

Elderberry

Moist fertile soil but will tolerate many soil types and some drought.

Moist or wet habitats.

3-8

12’-30’

Moderate growth.  Full to partial sun. 

The sweet and juicy fruit can be used to make jelly, pies, and wine. It is also eaten by over 50 species of songbirds.  White-tailed deer sometimes feed on the leaves of elderberry.

Nanking Cherry (300)

Prefers loamy soils

Tolerates considerable wind and dryness,

3-8

6’-12’

Moderate to fast growth.   Full sun

Medium shrub for farmstead windbreaks.  Fruit is relished by many songbirds. Nesting cover for a few species of songbirds. Browsed by rabbits, mice, and deer, which could cause serious injury if control measures are not taken.

Common Chokecherry

Adapted to a wide variety of soils.

Moderate drought tolerance.

6-12

12’-25’

Moderate to fast growth.  Shade tolerant, but needs full sun to produce a good fruit

crop.

One of the most important plants for food and cover. Twigs and foliage are heavily browsed by deer.  Tall shrub for farmstead and field windbreaks, riparian plantings and highway beautification.

Red Splendor Crab

Adapted to a variety of soils, prefers a heavy loam soil.

Prefers well-drained, moist soils. Moderately drought

tolerant.

6-12

10’-25’

Moderate to fast growth.  Full sun.

Small tree for farmstead windbreaks and highway beautification.  Crabapples provide fair cover and high quality fruit and browse for many birds and mammals. Rodents and rabbits can destroy trees by girdling the stem or trunk.

American Plum

Adapted to a wide variety of soil types.

Fair to good drought tolerance.

6-10

8’-10’

Fast to moderate growth. Full sun to partial shade.

Medium to tall shrub for farmstead windbreaks, highway and riparian plantings.  Important to songbirds and animals for nesting, loafing, and bedding area. Fruit is not a preferred food for songbirds and game birds. Twigs and foliage browsed by deer.

Canada Red Cherry

Moist well drained soil

Moderate water needs.

6-10

20’-30’

Fast growth.  Full Sun.

Attracts wildlife.

Siberian Crabapple

Adapted to a variety of soils, prefer a heavy

loam soil.

Need well-drained, moist soils

6-12

15’-25’

Fast to moderate growth.  Full sun.

Small tree for farmstead windbreaks, riparian plantings, and highway beautification.  Crabapples provide fair cover and high quality fruit and browse for many birds and mammals. Rodents and rabbits can destroy trees by girdling them.

Downy Hawthorne

Well drained soil

Drought tolerant (also tolerant to moist soil, well-drained)

6-10

20’-30’

Fast to moderate growth.  Full Sun.

Provides cover and nesting sites for birds and fruit for various wildlife.

Serviceberry

Rich loamy soil and in heavy clay.

Moderate water needs.

3-8

18’-20’

Moderate growth.  Although fruit production is best when grown in full sun, partial shade is also tolerated.

Fruit is a berry-like pome that is edible and appeals to both man and wildlife, especially birds. Sweet and juicy, it can be eaten fresh, canned, frozen, made into jams and pies, or dried and eaten like raisins.

Trees

Preferred Soil

Moisture

Space

Height (in feet)

Growth Rate

Comments

Red-Osier Dogwood

Adaptable to a variety of soils.

Grows best in moist to somewhat wet loams.

3-8

7’-10’

Fast growth. Full sun to partial shade.

Medium to tall shrub for farmstead and field windbreaks, riparian plantings, and highway beautification.  Fruit and twigs are used by several species of wildlife, such as robins, cedar waxwings, rabbits, and deer.  Provides dense cover for a large number of wildlife species.

Gray Dogwood

adapts to a wide range of soil conditions.

prefers moist, well drained soil

3-8

10’-15’

Slow growth.  Full sun. 

The gray dogwood is a forage plant for white-tailed deer. The berries appear before most other dogwoods making it popular with the birds. Over 100 bird species and squirrels eat the fruit. It forms a dense thicket providing cover and nesting sites for wildlife habitat. It’s a low maintenance shrub with subtle year-round beauty. It is good for a screen or informal hedge, border, windbreak, embankments, naturalization, at the edge of water, and poor soil areas.

Silky Dogwood

moist to wet of various composition and pH

Adapts to dry soil conditions

3-8

10’

Medium growth.  Full sun to partial shade.

The blue-black fruits mature in mid-summer and are quickly consumed by birds, squirrels, and other woodland mammals. It is good for a screen or informal hedge, border, windbreak,

Highbush Cranberry

Prefers fertile loamy soils.

Does best on well-drained sites with better than average

moisture.

3-8

8’-12’

Moderate growth.  Partial shade to full sun.

Medium to large shrub for farmstead windbreaks and riparian plantings.  Fruit eaten by a variety of birds.

Nannyberry

Adapted to a variety of soils.

Limited drought tolerance

3-8

15’-20’

Moderate growth.  Full sun to partial shade.

Medium to large shrub for farmstead windbreaks, and riparian plantings.  Food for wildlife, good cover.

Buffaloberry

Grows well in most soils.

Drought tolerant. Not adapted to wet, poorly-drained sites.

3-8

6’-14’

Moderate growth.  Full sun.

A tall, thorny, thicket-forming native shrub. Well adapted to dry, moderately alkaline and saline soils. Tolerates infertile soils. Berries used for jellies.  Highly important for mule deer browse. Ideal cover and nesting site for many birds. Preferred food source of many songbirds and sharp-tail grouse. Good late winter food source for birds.

Trees

Preferred Soil

Moisture

Space

Height (in feet)

Growth Rate

Comments

Common Lilac

Adapted to a wide variety of soils.

Drought tolerant, does not withstand ponding.

3-8

8’-12’

Moderate growth.  Full sun.

Medium to tall shrub for farmstead windbreaks and highway beautification. Occasionally used in field windbreaks.  Spreads by suckering. Showy, fragrant flowers.

Black Chokeberry

acidic soils average to rich quality

Moist, well drained.

3-8

8’

Slow growth.  Full to partial sun.

The fibrous root system holds soil well, and the suckering habit and self-sowing nature of this shrub allows for the formation of a large colony within a few years. Abundant black fruits in autumn and winter serve as a source of food for desperate wildlife, when no other tasty food is left, as the name "chokeberry" implies about their astringent tasting quality.  Excellent fall colors.

Sand Cherry

Prefers loamy soils

Fair drought tolerance.

3-8

3’-6’

Fast growth. Full sun only. 

Fruits are relished by many songbirds. Nesting cover for a few species of songbirds. Makes good loafing and roosting cover for song and game birds. Browsed by deer.

Russian Almond

Prefers loamy soils. Performs satisfactorily

Fair drought res

3-8

3’-5’

Fast growth.  Full sun only

Very good browse. Provides good escape and loafing cover for game birds and rabbits.  Hardy, but not highly desirable for landscape purposes because its suckering habit makes it difficult to control. However, the dense thickets formed are excellent for wild-life food and cover. Abundant pink to rosy flowers in early spring.

Arrowwood

Adapted to a variety of soil types

Prefers moist, well-drained sites, very limited drought

tolerance

3-8

6’-10’

Moderate growth.  Full sun to partial shade

Birds like the fruits. Seeds are found germinating in many out-of-the-way places.  Medium shrub for farmstead windbreaks and riparian plantings.

Smooth Sumac

Adapted to a variety of soil types

Moderately drought tolerant. Available water determines

mature plant height.

3-8

5’-15’

Moderate growth.  Full sun, to partial shade

Small to medium shrub for farmstead windbreaks and riparian plantings.  Excellent escape and nesting ground cover.  A large, loose, open-spreading shrub with a flattish crown.  Usually grows in masses and suckers profusely. Outstanding red fall color. Similar to Staghorn sumac but shorter.

Staghorn Sumac

Adapted to a variety of soil types

Slightly less drought tolerant than Smooth Sumac.

3-8

10’-15’

Moderate growth.  Full sun, to partial shade

Medium or large shrub for farmstead windbreaks and riparian plantings.  Excellent escape and nesting ground cover.  A large, loose, open-spreading shrub with a flattish crown and rather picturesque branches resembling the velvety antlers of a deer, hence the name Staghorn. Borderline hardiness, may regularly freeze back in winter

Skunkbush Sumac

Adapted to a variety of soils

Moderately drought tolerant. Survives harsh growing

conditions of North Dakota Badlands.

3-8

3’-8’

Moderate growth.  Full sun, to partial (1/2 to 3/4) shade.

Small to medium shrub for farmstead windbreaks and riparian plantings.  Important fall and winter food for songbirds and emergency winter food for game birds. Excellent roosting and loafing ground cover. Preferred nesting site for birds.  Scented leaves and light yellow flowers.

Trees

Preferred Soil

Moisture

Space

Height (in feet)

Growth Rate

Comments

Common Ninebark

tolerates both wet and dry sites; tolerates alkaline soil.

Dry, moist, well-drained, wet

3-8

5’-10’

Moderate growth.  Full sun to partial shade. 

Excellent plant for a shrub border with its golden yellow fall leaf color.  Good food-great nectar source for wildlife food.  Fruits are eaten by several species of birds and offers good cover-nesting, escape and perching.

Blue Artic Willow

Adaptable to poor soils

Performs best in moist to wet soils

10-16

10’

Rapid growth.  Full sun to partial shade

Excellent when used near bodies of water, as an informal hedge, as a deciduous screen, on embankments.  Suckers easily.  Wet or dry site tolerant.

Items ordered not on list

Hazelnut

acidic, alkaline, drought tolerant, loamy, moist, rich, sandy, well drained, wide range, clay soils.

Moist, well drained.

3-8

15’-18’

Moderate to fast growth.  Full sun

The nuts are a preferred by squirrels, deer, turkey, woodpeckers, pheasants, grouse, quail, and jay. The male catkins are a food staple of ruffed grouse throughout the winter.  It will bear in 2-3 years after planting. The nuts are easy to crack and drop free of the husk when mature.  Female plant is red and male is yellowish brown.

Siouxland Poplar

Sandy loam through clay

Dry, moist or wet

8-16

70’-90’

Rapid growth.  Full Sun.

An enormous upright-oval shade tree, this is a seedless variety that's tolerant of the worst growing conditions; has an aggressive root system, so don't plant near the house; makes an excellent windbreak or quick shade tree.  Can be susceptible to disease.

Flame Willow

Some sand to some clay.

Normal to wet

10-16

20’

Moderate to fast growth.  Full Sun

This is a compact, oval, dense, deciduous shrub or small tree.  A beautiful specimen by water -  don't plant this tree anywhere near a septic system or its lines or you and the Roto-Rooter man will know each other on a first name basis. 

Golden Willow

Performs best on deep, moist loams, or along

stream beds and wetlands

Does well in moist sites and survives severe flooding. Often dies back during periods of extended drought.

10-16

40’-55’

Moderate growth.  Full sun to partial shade.

Medium to tall tree for farmstead and field windbreaks and riparian plantings.  Dense shrub form provides cover to many wildlife species. Buds and twigs are used by upland game and song birds. Fur-bearing mammals feed on buds, bark and wood. Small mammals feed on foliage and catkins. Hoofed browsers feed on twigs and foliage.

Butternut

deep, rich, soils

Moist, well-drained

10-16

60’

Slow growth.  Full sun

Best in bottomlands of rivers and creeks. It also performs reasonably well in relatively dry, rocky soils, especially those with limestone outcrops in higher pH soils.  The sweet nuts are eaten by humans and a variety of wildlife.