Whether in the wild, in managed landscapes or in a home landscape, trees are facing unprecedented challenges. A warming climate and changes in historic weather patterns are putting extraordinary pressure on our urban and wild forests worldwide.
Urban foresters tell us that planting for a diverse mix of Genus and species is the best defense against climate change, pests and diseases. Our native and urban forests are increasingly falling victim to pests and diseases (native and exotic) that can weaken and/or outright kill once-healthy trees. With an eye to the future, our nursery has been working for decades to identify climate-resilient tree species and to develop, trial and introduce climate-forward trees.
The editors of Turf®, a magazine for Lawn Care and Landscape Professionals, invited us to share our thoughts on selecting trees for landscapes of the future, along with a sampler of recommended trees. A dozen are featured in the September issue, “Protect Tree Health By Planting For Diversity.” With an emphasis on ornamental value and multi-season appeal, several more tough, resilient, adaptable cultivars are described below.
Autumn Treasure® Hophornbeam
Ostrya virginiana ‘JFS KW5’
Every beer lover should enjoy their favorite hoppy brew in the shade of this unique North American native tree. In late summer through autumn, its dark green leaves are topped with unique, cone-like seed pods that resemble hops. Well-suited for city living or restricted planting spaces, its predictably upright narrow form facilitates uniform street tree plantings. Unlike many Hophornbeams of seedling origin that hold their dry brown leaves throughout the winter, fall leaf drop is clean and complete.
Pink Flair® Cherry
Prunus sargentii ‘JFS-KW58’
Big clusters of bright pink, single flowers burst from the upright branches of this compact, narrowly vase-shaped flowering cherry. Blooms avoid frost damage by appearing a week or two later than is typical of the species. Flowers are followed by large, dark green, exceptionally healthy leaves that withstand the heat of summer and periods of drought. Orange red fall color is consistently bright and long lasting. Upright symmetry lends winter appeal, along with distinctive, polished brown bark accented by tannish-cream lenticels.
The most disease resistant cherry we grow, its leaves stay clean and fresh even in our wettest, coolest springs. Since its introduction in 2004, it has proven to be exceptionally adaptable to extremes of heat and cold via successful plantings in North Dakota, New England, California and the Midwest and Southeast.
Raspberry Spear® Crabapple
Malus ‘JFS KW213MX’ PP 31008
Swoon-worthy magenta-pink flowers, purple foliage and columnar form distinguish this remarkable new ornamental crabapple. Ideal for use in space-challenged, compact landscapes including rooftop gardens, courtyards, container plantings, streetscapes and hedgerows. Its dense foliage makes it a good option for visual screens. Bright flowers attract pollinators, and the dark red, persistent fruit extends the seasonal show into the winter months. USDA Zone 4 hardiness.
Ivory Spear® Crabapple
Malus ‘JFS KW214MX’ PP 31076
Deep pink buds open to white flowers on this densely upright, narrow crabapple. Leaves stay clean and disease free throughout the growing season, forming a uniform column of dark green foliage in the landscape. Bright cherry red fruits contrast well with the dark green leaves and persist into late autumn, when a touch of yellow fall color adds seasonal interest. 18’ x 7’
Ruby Dayze® Crabapple
Malus ‘JFS KW139MX’ PP 31232
This tree scores on all fronts, featuring the most scab resistant foliage among red-leafed crabs that we have yet seen. Growers will love its more upright, tightly oval shape, as will those who maintain landscapes and streetscapes. Beautiful bright magenta-pink flowers are abundant in spring. Deep red fall fruits are tiny and persistent. 22’ x 16’
Firestarter® Tupelo
Nyssa sylvatica ‘JFS-red’ PP 26975
A grower’s delight, this highly disease resistant cultivar offers remarkable uniformity and branching habit that require minimal pruning to produce a picture-perfect tree. Deep green summer foliage is followed by intense, reliably bright red fall color that appears earlier in autumn than that of most cultivars.
Relatively narrow in form as it reaches a mature height of approximately 35’ x 18’, Firestarter® Tupelo presents a superbly neat and narrowly oval appearance that’s perfect for street use. Its fruitless nature will also appeal to street tree managers and homeowners in search of low maintenance trees . Zone 5 hardiness and species adaptability to seasonal inundation as well as low-oxygen and dry soils make it a top choice for challenging landscape settings.
Greenstone® Elm
Ulmus davidiana ‘JFS KW2UD’
Grown from seed collected from cold hardy native trees at the northern edge of its native range in China, this new elm cultivar is well suited for cold and difficult growing conditions.
Selected as the most attractive and most like the American elm in appearance, it offers good branch structure, upright arching vase shape, rich green leaves and yellow fall color. Foliage falls cleanly in autumn to reveal a winter silhouette that recalls the classic Ulmus americana. Mature height and spread are approximately 60’ x 40’. Hardiness is USDA Zone 5.
June Snow™ Dogwood
Cornus controversa ‘June Snow-JFS’
Named for its drifts of large, flat-topped clusters of white, star-like flowers that float above its horizontally spreading branches in late spring. These give way to abundant clusters of tiny blue-black fruits that are quickly devoured by birds. Lush, dark green leaves stay fresh through the heat of summer and offer a kaleidoscopic medley of purple, red and yellow-orange fall colors. Broad spreading to a height and spread of 40’ x 30’ feet, it presents a unique winter silhouette.
Gardeners! Please note that our nursery is strictly wholesale. To purchase these and other trees grown by our nursery, please use our Retailer Locator to find sources of JFS trees near you.
