Trees for the upper mid-west

[Elmore]

What trees would you recommend for planting in the upper mid-west?

 

[treeseer]

Japanese maples and ginkgoes!

 

[Elmore]

Just 5 acres but I want a good return in about 30 to 40 years. Any you Yankees up there know what we should plant?

 

[Elmore]

Japanese maples and ginkgoes!

There you go...that is pretty much what I told my partner. I said grafted Ginkgoes and hardy Asian Maples. Ornamentals. No pulp. Guy...good ole Southern Boy knows his stuff.
Nothin' but the best and later for the garbage.

<img src="http://www.arboristsite.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=36055&stc=1&d=1152757688"width=500>

 

[Elmore]

Any other suggestions?

 

[kyle1!]

What area of the upper midwest?

Elmore, It has been 3-4 years but the extension forester reccommended silver maple here in central IA at the end of one of talks he gave. He cited fast growth with harvestability in 20years. There was demand for it in the furniture making industry. Of course that probably has changed now.

With 30-40 years, maybe black walnut. That time frame seems to short for oak, hard maple etc.

Plant some locust for firewood. I can't wait to see what energy prices are like in 20years.

Brian

 

[Kneejerk Bombas]

What is the porpose of the trees? Are they to be grown short term to sell as nursery trees, as a crop to be harvested like lumber or firewood, as ornimentals, or what?

 

[Elmore]

What is the porpose of the trees? Are they to be grown short term to sell as nursery trees, as a crop to be harvested like lumber or firewood, as ornimentals, or what?

Well, my partner up there in Wisconsin seems like he would be more inclined to grow trees more for lumber than ornamental purposes. Maybe a compromise...relatively fast growing and marketable ornamentals. How fast do improved Red Maple cultivars grow up in zone 4 to 5? There always seems to be a ready market for October Glory and such.

 

[Kneejerk Bombas]

There are a lot of Autumn Blaze around here and they seem to be doing very well.

 

[Elmore]

There are a lot of Autumn Blaze around here and they seem to be doing very well.

Thanks...maybe Freeman Maple cultivars will do.

 

[suaf]

Northern Catalpa is a great deciduous specimen. Here are some reasons why: tropical and unique look, beautful/unique flowering large deciduous tree, wood does not rot (ie - for use as fenceposts etc), excessive growth rate - under optimal conditions can reach 5+ ft. per year. I highly recommend against trees such as Ash and Locust. They are WAY overplanted as landscape trees in this part of the country and of even more importance is the Emeral Ash Borer - a very destructive non native beetle which has decmiated populations of Ash trees in Michigan, Indiana and Ohio. It's only a matter of time before it makes its way to WI. Amazingly the stupid nurseries continue selling Ash after overplanting and the threat of this insect. It amazes me what money and greed will do to people.

 

[Gark]

Honey locust for ornamental and silver maples for FAST GROWTH. The silver maples are weeds here and the honey locust is tolerant of poor conditions. Wild (pin) cherry grows fast and tall in our woods. Catalpas, too.