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Nursery 
WI Natives 
Trending Topics February 26, 2011
Wisconsin Red™ Musclewood Carpinus caroliniana ‘Wisconsin Red™’ Description & Overview A Johnson’s Nursery origination; J.N. Plant Selections introduction, the Wisconsin Red™ Musclewood is a fantastic small-scale tree with a dense canopy! Improved fall color on our Wisconsin strain is reliably orange-red. Its leaf and bark characteristics resemble a small beech […]
January 9, 2011
Bur Oak Quercus macrocarpa Description & Overview The iconic oak of Wisconsin! Bur Oak is one of the toughest oaks, tolerant of highly alkaline soils and drought. Most have interesting corky bark on young branches. The acorns make it an excellent plant to attract wildlife. Use where space is not […]
December 1, 2010
Sugar Maple Acer saccharum Description & Overview The Wisconsin State Tree, Sugar Maple is one of the hardiest and long lived of all the maples. Valued commercially for timber and syrup production, this tree is a staple of Wisconsin woodlands and fall color. With fall color ranging from gold to […]
October 29, 2010
Pagoda Dogwood Cornus alternifolia Description & Overview Native to Wisconsin’s woodlands and forests, Pagoda Dogwood is an incredibly useful small tree or large shrub that provides year-round interest in the landscape. 2-inch clusters of slightly fragrant flowers in spring give way to blue-black berries on red peduncles (flower stalks) in […]
October 1, 2010
White Oak Quercus alba Description & Overview White Oak is a large, strong, imposing Wisconsin native specimen tree. It has a stocky trunk with wide-spreading horizontal limbs that are picturesque. Its foliage turns to a brilliant display of colors in autumn with showy shades of orange, red, and violet. This […]
September 28, 2010
Hybrid Swamp x Bur Oak Quercus x schuettei Description & Overview Quercus x schuettei is a naturally occurring hybrid between the Bur Oak (Quercus macrocarpa) and the Swamp White Oak (Quercus bicolor). This oak is a great choice for lowland areas with saturated soils or sites that are high and […]
September 17, 2010
Cockspur Hawthorn Crataegus crus-galli Description & Overview Cockspur Hawthorn is a deciduous tree that features a stunning, umbrella-shaped growth habit, spring flowers, fall fruit, and brilliant orange fall color. It’s incredibly versatile in most landscape styles. This tree has large sharp thorns. It’s best to avoid planting in areas where […]
September 11, 2010
Common Hackberry Celtis occidentalis Description & Overview Common Hackberry is a large, Wisconsin native shade tree with a vase shape canopy. It tolerates tough sites and excels in urban plantings. Hackberry has characteristic wart-like bark and dark-red to purple fruits, lending itself well to bird-centric landscapes. Core Characteristics Wisconsin Native: […]
August 19, 2010
Black Cherry Prunus serotina Description & Overview Black Cherry is a medium-to-large sized deciduous tree that is native to much of eastern North American, Mexico, and Central America. It typically occurs in both lowland and upland woods and along streams. It is noted for its fragrant white flowers, attractive glossy […]
August 19, 2010
Musclewood Carpinus caroliniana Description & Overview Musclewood is a hardy, Wisconsin native tree that exhibits beautiful fall color that ranges from yellow to orangey-red. Multiple stems give it the appearance of a large shrub, but we also commonly grow it as a single-stem tree. Over time, the grey bark exhibits […]
August 11, 2010
River Birch Betula nigra Description & Overview Excellent for wet soil conditions. Beautiful exfoliating cinnamon-brown bark exposes the pink inner bark. Resistant to bronze birch borer. River birch is also known as Black Birch, Red Birch, and Water Birch. Core Characteristics Wisconsin Native: Yes USDA Hardiness Zone: to zone 3 […]
July 25, 2010
Ironwood Ostrya virginiana Description & Overview Ironwood is a small, slow-growing pyramidal tree native to the dry understory in our local oak woods. Its small mature size is great for restricted spaces and the tree will thrive in sun or heavy shade. While it has shown promise as a street […]
July 15, 2010
Black Walnut Juglans nigra Description & Overview Black Walnut is a large deciduous tree native to Eastern North America that produces edible nuts in the fall. The nuts are a valuable food source for local wildlife. It is one of North America’s most valuable trees due to its high-quality timber. […]
March 25, 2010
Swamp White Oak Quercus bicolor Description & Overview Oak genetics are amazingly diverse and there seems to be an oak tree adapted for almost every situation. The Swamp White Oak is no exception – it’s not only native to our local ecosystem but can also adapt to different soil conditions. […]
March 6, 2010
Showy Mountainash Sorbus decora Description & Overview Wisconsin native, Showy Mountainash provides true all-season interest in our northern climate. White showy spring flowers give way to bright red, eye-catching fruit clusters throughout summer. The tree has reliable fall color and fruit persists during winter for birds to feed on. Not […]
February 10, 2010
American Beech Fagus grandifolia Description & Overview American beech is an aristocrat of the forest! Large, stately tree with light gray, smooth bark that can resemble an elephants hide. Edible nuts are attractive to most wildlife and are produced at 2-8 year intervals. Slow growing. Climax forest tree. Core Characteristics […]
February 5, 2010
Quaking Aspen Populus tremuloides Description & Overview Quaking Aspen is a fast-growing, narrow-oval to pyramidal, Wisconsin native tree with lustrous dark green foliage that shimmers in the slightest breeze. This pioneer species is quick to colonize open spaces, especially where there is bare soil. Its creamy white bark and rapid […]
January 21, 2010
Yellow Birch is one of the largest Wisconsin native birch trees, reaching 80 feet tall and 50 feet wide. Delightful, tiny male and female catkins bloom in spring, followed by cone-like fruits with seeds in late summer. Yellow Birch leaves are golden yellow in fall, lighting up the landscape with color, while peeling bark provides interest in winter.
January 20, 2010
Shagbark Hickory Carya ovata Description & Overview I’ll give you one guess why it’s called Shagbark Hickory- and it’s not because it was the inspiration for 1970’s flooring. Its characteristic peeling, platy bark gives this tree four season interest no matter the location. Strong wood for timber and sweet nuts […]
January 19, 2010
Bigtooth Aspen Populus grandidentata Description & Overview Bigtooth Aspen is one of, if not the fastest-growing native trees in Wisconsin. It’s an early colonizer of prairies and woodland edges but prefers drier sites than its cousin, Quaking Aspen. Named for the large teeth on leaves that shimmer in a summer […]
January 9, 2010
Hills Oak Quercus ellipsoidalis Description & Overview Hills Oak is often found on dry, acidic soils with low nutrient content. The glossy green leaves have deep sinuses, and the tree tends to hang on to lower branches. A good choice for reliable fall color in tough, droughty sites, but will […]
January 9, 2010
Chinkapin Oak Quercus muehlenbergii Description & Overview Chinkapin Oak loves alkaline soil! This tree is a reliable grower, even in the poorest of sites. The small, sweet acorns are possibly the most preferred by wildlife. The chestnut-like leaves and bright fall colors make Chinkapin Oak a bold statement in any […]
January 9, 2010
Red Oak Quercus rubra Description & Overview A monarch of our climax forests in Wisconsin! Red Oak shines as a specimen tree with its brilliant red fall color and deep green leaves in summer. It is the fastest growing native oak in Wisconsin and its silvery smooth bark provides excellent […]
December 15, 2000
Apple Serviceberry is a Wisconsin native, early-blooming small tree with pink buds and white flowers. Pink to red berries ripen to resemble small blueberries and are quickly eaten by the birds. Brilliant fall color ranging from yellow to red.
September 27, 2000
Coming soon! We’re currently writing the plant profile for Speckled Alder. Please check back later.
March 24, 2000
Eastern Cottonwood is a Wisconsin native tree known for its towering height, upwards of 90' and its fast growth rate - sometimes over 6' per year in ideal conditions. One of the tallest species east of the Rocky Mountains, it grows best in moist, well-drained, fine sandy or silt loams close to streams.
March 24, 2000
Prairie Crabapple is a Wisconsin native tree noted for its spectacular fragrant, pink to white flowers that bloom in mid-spring. Nectar and pollen attract myriad pollinators including honeybees, bumblebees, long-tongued bees as well as butterflies, and skippers. Fruit is greenish-yellow and beloved by wildlife.
March 16, 2000
Hoptree is a Wisconsin native tree with a wonderful spreading habit, sweet-smelling, orange blossom-like flowers, and lustrous dark green foliage. Tan wafer-like seed clusters cover the tree in early fall as leaves turn brilliant yellow, providing food to many birds and mammals.
March 15, 2000
Paper Birch is a spectacular Wisconsin native tree with thin, white papery bark that peels to reveal the reddish-brown color underneath that becomes pure white with age. Dark-green leaves turn golden in autumn lighting up the landscape with color. Paper Birch also provides shelter and food to birds, pollinators, and small mammals.
March 15, 2000
Bog Birch is an uncommon shrubby tree, with reddish bark, lovely small oval leaves, and catkins that bloom from mid-to late-spring. Many insects are drawn to the flowers, while buds and nutlets provide food for songbirds. Great as a shrub, hedge, or in a wildlife garden.
March 15, 2000
Chokecherry is a wonderful Wisconsin native tree with spikes of attractive fragrant white flowers that bloom in spring. Green fruit darkens to dark red as leaves turn an intense red in autumn. A great option for a hedge, screen, barrier, or within wildlife garden. Chokecherry is an extremely important tree for birds, butterflies, moths, and insects.
March 11, 2000
Allegheny Chinquapin is a Wisconsin native thicket-forming shrub or small tree with whitish-yellow flowers that bloom from May to July. Interesting-looking nuts appear in fall and are palatable for wildlife and humans. Perfect as a small shade tree or in a wildlife garden, attracting woodpeckers, bluejays, small mammals, turkeys, and white-tailed deer.
January 21, 2000
American Chestnut, while rare, are a stunning tree in the landscape with creamy white catkins, wide branching, and abundant fruit production. While other areas of the country struggle to grow American Chestnut, they seem to fare well in the Midwest, providing food for wildlife and bringing diversity to our forests.
January 21, 2000
Mountain Maple is a unique Wisconsin native plant that is an excellent alternative to a Japanese Maple. Shrub-like in form, Mountain Maple is cold-hardy and boasts pretty red stems, interesting leaves, and tiny white flowers in spring. Mountain Maple does well as understory plants, along river banks, and in wildlife and native gardens.