Tree Identification

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What's growing in your neighborhood?

Understanding plant species growing in the neighborhood not only allows for a greater connection to nature but insight into which beneficial species could be planted around the city. Trees recommended in our Approved Boulevard Tree List are chosen based off their size, form, adaptability, and tolerance for urban conditions. Tree species have been broken down into size classes small (15-30ft), medium (30-60ft), and large (60ft+) based off their average growing height.

Small-Stature Trees:

Amur maackia

Crabapple spp.

Crabapple Malus spp.

Height: 15-30’, varies by species
Width: 15-25’, varies by species
Hardiness Zone: 3 to 8
Description: Rounded, broad, spreading crown, fall color and intensity will vary by species. Flowering tree with small fruit that may persists into winter. Textured, scale-like bark. Due to the amount of cultivars available select cultivar that meets these requirements: 15ft or larger at maturity, fruit size is 1/2'' or less or has persistent fruit, and has good to excellent disease resistance against scab, fireblight, cedar apple rust, and mildew.
Cultivars include: Adams, Donald Wyman, Harvest Gold, Indian Magic, Prairie Fire, Profusion, Red Jewel, Royal Raindrops, Snowdrift, Sugar Tyme, Zumi Calocarpa, other cultivars upon approval.

malus leaf malus bud malus fruit malus flowers

Photo from: 2019 Virginia Tech Dept. of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation

Photos and text by: John Seiler, Edward Jensen, Alex Niemiera, and John Peterson

cherry, choke

Cherry, Amur Choke Prunus maackii

Height: 20-30’
Width: 18-25’
Hardiness Zone: 2 to 6
Description: Dense and broadly rounded crown, yellow fall color, attractive, exfoliating golden to russet brown bark. Produces fragrant white flowers in 6-10 flower clusters in April and May followed by 1/4'' diameter black cherry fruit.

amur cherry leaf amur cherry bark amur cherry flower

Photos from: USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / Herman, D.E., et al. 1996.

eastern redbud

hawthorn

Hawthorne, thornless Cretaegus crus-galli

Height: 20-30’
Width: 20-35’
Hardiness Zone: 3 to 7
Description: Dense and broadly rounded form, orange to scarlet fall color, white showy flowers in May lead to small 3/8'' diameter attractive rounded fruit that may persist into late fall.

Hawthorne bark Hawthorne flower hawthorne leaf and bud

Photos from: 2019 Virginia Tech Dept. of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation

Photos and text by: John Seiler, Edward Jensen, Alex Niemiera, and John Peterson

japanese tree lilac

Lilac, Japanese Tree Syringa reticulata

Height: 20-25’
Width: 30-50’
Hardiness Zone: 3 to 7
Description: Rounded crown, yellow fall color, glossy red-brown bark with elongated white lenticels. Produces creamy white, densely clustered, fragrant flowers in May and June. Attracts hummingbirds and butterflies. No serious insect or disease problems.

tree lilac leaf tree lilac bark

Photos from: USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / Herman, D.E., et al. 1996.

magnolia, star

Magnolia, star Magnolia stellata

Height: 15-20’
Width: 10-15’
Hardiness Zone: 4 to 8
Description: Spreading, rounded crown, yellow-gold fall color. Produces large distinctive buds and star shaped, white flowers in March.

star magnolia leaf star magnolia bark star magnolia bud star magnolia fruit star magnolia flower

Photos from: 2019 Virginia Tech Dept. of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation

Photos and text by: John Seiler, Edward Jensen, Alex Niemiera, and John Peterson

plum, princess kay

serviceberry

Medium-Stature Trees:

alder spp.

cherry, black

Cherry, Black Prunus serotina

Height: 50-80’
Width: 30-60’
Hardiness Zone: 3 to 9
Description: Narrow columnar to narrow rounded crown, yellow/rose fall color, attractive scale-like bark. Produces a showy, white fragrant flower in April and May followed by a 3/8’’ diameter very dark purple fruit, attracts birds.

black cherry leaf black cherry bark black cherry flower

Photos by: J.S. Peterson and Jeff McMillian, hosted by the USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

ginko

Ginkgo – Seedless selections only Ginkgo biloba

Height: 40-50’
Width: 25-30’
Hardiness Zone: 3 to 8
Description: Pyramidal crown with uniform, bright yellow fall color, no serious insect or disease problems. Cultivars include: Autumn Gold, Magyar, Princeton Sentry.

ginkgo leaf ginkgo bark ginkgo bud ginkgo flower

Photos by: 2019 Virginia Tech Dept. of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation

Photos and text by: John Seiler, Edward Jensen, Alex Niemiera, and John Peterson

hornbeam, american

Hornbeam, American Carpinus caroliniana

Height: 20-35’
Width: 20-35’
Hardiness Zone: 3 to 9
Description: Globular crown with yellow, orange, and red fall color. Grey, fluted bark resembles flexing muscles. Slender, zigzag branches form an impressive winter silhouette. Leaves may persist into winter. No serious insect or disease problems.

hornbeam leaf hornbeam seeds

Photos by: Robert H. Mohlenbrock, hosted by the USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / USDA SCS. 1989.

Horsechestnut, Red

Horsechestnut, red Aesculus carnea

Height: 30-40’
Width: 25-35’
Hardiness Zone: 5 to 8
Description: Upright, oval crown with yellow fall color. Large distinctive buds. Produces very showy red flowers in May followed by prickly husks enclosing 2 to 3 inedible horsechestnuts.

red horsechestnut leaf and flower

Photos by :2019 Virginia Tech Dept. of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation
Photos and text by: John Seiler, Edward Jensen, Alex Niemiera, and John Peterson

Hophornbeam

Magnolia, Cucumber

Magnolia, cucumber Magnolia acuminata

Height: 40-60’
Width: 20-20’
Hardiness Zone: 3 to 8
Description: Pyramidal when young, matures to rounded. Fall color is tan to yellow. Produces large distinctive buds and green tinted flowers in April and May followed by small and 'cucumber-like' fruit and turns pink-red in late summer.

cucumber magnolia leaf cucumber magnolia bud cucumber magnolia bark cucumber magnolia flower

Photos by: 2019 Virginia Tech Dept. of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation

Photos and text by: John Seiler, Edward Jensen, Alex Niemiera, and John Peterson

Mountain Ash, European

Mountain Ash, Korean

Mountain ash, Korean Sorbus alnifolia

Height: 40-50’
Width: 20-25’
Hardiness zone: 3 to 7
Description: Dense, pyramidal to round crown. Yellow fall color. Showy white flowers bloom in May flowed by clusters of red fall fruit that may persist into winter.

Korean mtn ash leaf Korean mtn ash bark Korean mtn ash bud Korean mtn ash fruit Korean mtn ash flower

Photos by: 2019 Virginia Tech Dept. of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation

Photos and text by: John Seiler, Edward Jensen, Alex Niemiera, and John Peterson

yellowood, american

Large-Stature Trees:

Birch, River

Buckeye

Buckeye, Ohio Aesculus glabra

Height: 20-40’
Width: 20-35’
Hardiness Zone: 3 to 7
Description: Rounded crown, yellow to orange fall color, attractive bark texture and large distinct buds provide winter interest. Ohio buckeye’s have a prickly husk enclosing a buckeye nut.

buckeye leaf buckeye fruit buckeye flowers

Photos by: USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / Herman, D.E., et al. 1996

Horsechestnut Aesculus hippocastanum

Height: 50-75’
Width: 40-65’
Hardiness Zone: 3 to 8
Description: Upright, oval crown with yellow fall color. Large distinctive buds. Produces showy white flowers in May followed by prickly husks enclosing 1-2 inedible horsechestnuts.

horsechestnut leaf horsechestnut bud horsechestnut bark horsechestnut flower

Photos by:2019 Virginia Tech Dept. of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation

Photos and text by: John Seiler, Edward Jensen, Alex Niemiera, and John Peterson

Catalpa, Northern

Coffeetree, Kentucky

Coffee tree, Kentucky - Seedless Selection Only Gymnocladus dioica

Height: 60-80’
Width: 40-55’
Hardiness Zone: 3 to 8
Description: Open oval to vase shape canopy, fall color is yellow. No serious insect or disease problems. Cultivars include: Espresso, Stately Manor.

coffeetree leaf coffeetree bark coffeetree bud coffeetree flower

Photos by: 2019 Virginia Tech Dept. of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation

Photos and text by: John Seiler, Edward Jensen, Alex Niemiera, and John Peterson

Corktree, Amur

Corktree, Amur - Seedless Selection Only Phellodendron amurense

Height: 30-45’
Width: 30-60’
Hardiness Zone: 3 to 7
Description: Rounded, broad spreading crown, yellow fall color, lovely corky bark. No serious insect or disease problems. Cultivars include: Macho, Shademaster or Superfection.

corktree leaf corktree bark corktree bud corktree flower

Photos by: 2019 Virginia Tech Dept. of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation

Photos and text by: John Seiler, Edward Jensen, Alex Niemiera, and John Peterson

Filbert, Turkish

Filbert, Turkish Corylus colurna

Height: 40-80’
Width: 30-50’
Hardiness zone: 4 to 7
Description: Pyramidal crown, yellow fall color. Some mature trees develop peeling bark that exposes orange beneath. Produces showy, edible fruit, no serious disease or insect issues.

filbert leaf filbert bud filbert bark

Photos by: 2019 Virginia Tech Dept. of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation

Photos and text by: John Seiler, Edward Jensen, Alex Niemiera, and John Peterson

Hackberry

Hickory, Shagbark

Hickory, shagbark Carya ovata

Height: 70-90’
Width: 50-70’
Hardiness Zone: 4-8
Description: Irregular, oval-rounded crown, yellow to golden brown fall color, textured 'shaggy' bark peels off in long, vertical strips. Produces edible, oval rounded nuts. No serious insect or disease problems.

shagbark hickory leaf shagbark hickory bark shagbark hickory buds

Photos by: Robert H. Mohlenbrock, Rebecca Weller, W.D. Brush, hosted by the USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

Honeylocust

Honeylocust, Thornless - Seedless Selection Only Gledistia triacanthos var. inermis

Height: 60-80’
Width: 60-80’
Hardiness Zone: 3 to 8
Description: Broad spreading crown, yellow fall color. On mature trees, bark breaks into thin, flat longitudinal ridges. Produces a twisted dark purple-brown seed pods. Dappled shade is produced by leaflets in summer. Cultivars include: Northern Acclaim, Skyline, Shademaster, Sunburst.

honeylocust leaf honeylocust bark honeylocust seed honeylocust flower

Photos by: 2019 Virginia Tech Dept. of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation

Photos and text by: John Seiler, Edward Jensen, Alex Niemiera, and John Peterson

Linden, American

Maple spp.

Maple, black Acer saccharum subsp. nigrum

Height: 60-75’
Width: 40-60’
Hardiness Zone: 4 to 8
Description: Dense, rounded crown. Fall color is yellow, orange, and red. Tree sap may be tapped for syrup that is equal in quality to than obtained from sugar maple.

black maple leaf black maple bud black maple samaras black maple bark

Photos by: 2019 Virginia Tech Dept. of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation
Photos and text by: John Seiler, Edward Jensen, Alex Niemiera, and John Peterson

Maple, red Acer rubrum

Height: 40-70’
Width: 30-50’
Hardiness zone: 4 to 8
Description: Rounded to oval crown. New growth, leaves, leafstalks, twigs, winter buds, flowers, fruit and fall color are tinged with red.

red maple leaf red maple bud red maple bark

Photos by: 2019 Virginia Tech Dept. of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation

Photos and text by: John Seiler, Edward Jensen, Alex Niemiera, and John Peterson

Maple, sugar Acer saccharum

Height: 40-80’
Width: 30-60’
Hardiness zone: 3 to 8
Description: Dense, rounded crown, bright yellow-orange fall color. Sap is used for maple syrup.

sugar maple leaf sugar maple bark

Photos by: J.S. Peterson, W.D. Brush, Steve Hurst, hosted by the USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

oak spp

Oak, white Quercus alba

Height: 50-80’
Width: 50-80’
Hardiness zone: 3 to 9
Description: Pyramidal structure when young but matures to broad, rounded crown. Fall color varies from brown to red and leaves may persist throughout winter. Produces acorns. Attracts wildlife.

white oak leaf white oak acorn white oak buds

Photos by: J.S. Peterson, Steve Hurst, W.D. Brush, hosted by the USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

Oak, swamp white Quercus bicolor

Height: 50-60’
Width: 50-60’
Hardiness zone: 3 to 8
Description: Broad, rounded crown with yellow, bronze fall color. Has attractive peeling bark when young. Leaves may persist throughout winter. Produces acorns. Attracts wildlife.

swamp white oak leaf swamp white oak bark swamp white oak bud swamp white oak reproductive parts swamp white oak acorn

Photos by: 2019 Virginia Tech Dept. of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation
Photos and text by: John Seiler, Edward Jensen, Alex Niemiera, and John Peterson

Oak, Northern Pin Quercus ellipsoidalis

Height: 50-70’
Width: 40-60’
Hardiness zone: 4 to 7
Description: Cylindrical shape and rounded crown with red fall color. Produces acorns. Attracts wildlife.

pin oak leaf pin oak bark pin oak flower pin oak buds

Photos by: 2019 Virginia Tech Dept. of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation

Photos and text by: John Seiler, Edward Jensen, Alex Niemiera, and John Peterson

Oak, Heritage Quercus x macdanielli

Height: 50-60’
Width: 40’
Hardiness zone: 4
Description: dense, uniform pyramidal crown; leaves leathery and dark glossy green; crown more rounded with age; good vigor and form and resistant to mildew.

heritage oak leaf heritage oak form

Photo by: J. Frank Schmidt & Son Co

Oak, bur Quercus macrocarpa

Height: 50-80’
Width: 60-80’
Hardiness zone: 3 to 8
Description: Broad spreading, rounded crow with yellow-brown fall color. Produces acorns. Attracts wildlife.

bur leaf bur acorn bur bark

Photos by: J.S. Peterson, Rebecca Weller, Steve Hurst, hosted by the USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

Oak, chinkapin Quercus muehlenbergii

Height: 40-60’
Width: 50-70’
Hardiness zone: 5 to 7
Description: Open, globular crown with yellow-brown fall color. Produces acorns. Attracts wildlife.

chinkapin oak leaf chinkapin oak bark

Photos by: Rebecca Weller, hosted by the USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

Oak, English Quercus robur

Height: 40-70’
Width: 40-70’
Hardiness zone: 5 to 8
Description: Broad spreading, rounded crown with brown fall color. Leaves may persist into winter. Produces acorns. Attracts wildlife.

english oak leaf english oak bud english oak bark english oak acorn english oak flower

Photos by: 2019 Virginia Tech Dept. of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation
Photos and text by: John Seiler, Edward Jensen, Alex Niemiera, and John Peterson

Oak, red Quercus rubra

Height: 50-75’
Width: 50-75’
Hardiness zone: 4 to 8
Description: Rounded, spreading, often irregular crown with red fall color. Produces acorns. Attracts wildlife.

northern red leaf northern red bark northern red bud northern red flower northern red acorn

Photos by: 2019 Virginia Tech Dept. of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation
Photos and text by: John Seiler, Edward Jensen, Alex Niemiera, and John Peterson

Oak, black Quercus velutina

Height: 50-60’
Width: 50-60’
Hardiness zone: 3 to 8
Description: Globular, spreading crown with yellow to yellow-brown to dull red fall color. Produces acorns. Attracts wildlife.

black oak leaf black oak bark black oak bud black oak acorn

Photos by: 2019 Virginia Tech Dept. of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation
Photos and text by: John Seiler, Edward Jensen, Alex Niemiera, and John Peterson

Silver Lake Tree ID Trail Web Application

Would you like to learn more about the different tree species in Rochester? The City of Rochester has an educational resource that bridges nature with technology, and is fun to use on your mobile device! A Tree ID Trail and web application are now available to the public at Silver Lake Park. If you visit the park, you will notice several signs posted near trees, these signs contain the species information about the nearby tree, and a QR code that when scanned with a mobile device, will bring you to the new web browser application. No download required! This application allows the user to follow their location in a map of the park and easily locate over 35 specially selected trees. You can also click the trees in the map to find out more information about each one! We hope the public will enjoy learning with the app and exploring Silver Lake Park in a new way.

Go directly to the web application.

If you would like to learn more about the creation of this application, you can read about it here – Silver Lake Web App Development

Rochester, MN

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Tree Identification

Small-Stature Trees:

Medium-Stature Trees:

Large-Stature Trees:

Silver Lake Tree ID Trail Web Application