PLANT USE KEY
- C = Christmas Tree
- E= Erosion Control
- F = Human Food
- H = Habitat/Food Wildlife
- N = Native
- T = Timber/Wood
Fruit Trees
Conservation practices: H, N
Soil: Acidic, Moist, Well Drained
Growth Rate: Slow
Sun: Full
Description: A low-maintenance tree that produces a large amount of apples that you will be able to pick in September. A sweet to tart tasting, crisp apple that is perfect for fresh eating, cooking and canning. that has a yellow-green background with red over top. This apple does require a pollinator and does best in full sun.
Uses: This tree is a wonderful source of food for both humans and wildlife.
Conservation practices: H, N
Soil: Well-drained & Loamy
Growth Rate: Fast
Sun: Full
Description: Empire apple trees are a low-maintenance tree that will bear fruit within 3 to five years. Plant in full sun and the soil should be well-drained and loamy. The mature tree will be 12 to 15 feet tall and the same size in width. The Empire apple tree is a semi-dwarf cultivar of M. domestica, resulting from a cross between McIntosh and Red Delicious apple varieties. It produces fragrant, pure white flowers in mid-spring, attracting bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. These trees were bred to be disease resistant to the common apple blights of Apple Rust and Cedar Apple Rust as well as fire blight, but they are still susceptible to winter damage and other pests. Empire apples require another apple tree to be within approx. 50 feet to permit cross-pollination. Pollinators like bees and birds will unintentionally bring pollen from other nearby apple trees to fertilize the white blossoms. Without cross-pollination, your tree will not produce fruit.
Uses: This tree is a wonderful source of food for both humans and wildlife. A sweet to tart tasting apple that is perfect for fresh eating and cooking.
Edible Berries
Conservation Practices: E, F, H, N
Soil: Moist – Wet
Growth Rate: Moderate
Sun: Full to Partial shade
Description: With full sun to partial shade these shrubs can grow up to 12′ tall and wide. The more hours of direct sunlight the more berries will be produced. Cranberries tolerate poorly drained soil but live longest in soil that is moist but well drained. They don’t compete well with grass and weeds. maintaining a weed-free bed until the plant is a couple of years old would be very beneficial. After two or more years, the shrub will be large and dense enough to shade out most weeds itself. Water weekly in the absence of rain during the first year. After the first year, you only need to water during prolonged dry spells. Cranberries grow and produce just fine without pruning, but they grow quite large. You can keep them smaller by pruning in spring after the flowers fade. Or you can prune a little at the tips of the stems to keep the shrub looking neat but keep its large size.
Uses: Cranberry has tart, acidic fruit that is best served in jellies, jams, sauces and relishes.
Conservation practices: F, H, N
Soil: Moist – Well drained
Growth rate: Moderate
Sun: Full
Description: This plant produces large black fruit that is firm, fleshy, and sweet. Blackberries will produce over a long period of time. It is a very hardy and heavy producer. The root systems of this plant have a great soil holding capacity.
Uses: The fruit is attractive to wildlife and edible for humans. It can be used to make wine, liqueurs, jams, preserves, or syrups.
Conservation Practice: F, H, N
Soil: Moist-Well Drained
Growth Rate: Slow to Moderate
Sun: Full to Partial
Description: Forms an upright multi-stemmed shrub typically 3-6’ feet tall. In spring, the white flowers form clusters that are 2 to 2 ½ inches across. As the seasons progress, the trees turn a deep glossy green. In mid-to-late summer the fruit begins to form. The pea-sized fruit ripens and darkens to a purplish- black color.
Uses: The fruit is attractive to wildlife and edible to humans. Although the fruit is bitter raw, it makes excellent jellies, jams and juices. The berries also provide a natural red dye.
Conservation practices: F, H, N
Soil: Wide tolerance
Growth rate: Fast
Sun: Full to Partial
Description: Forms a large (5-12′) multi-stemmed shrub/small tree. Small white flowers appear in the summer and small purple berry-like drupes mature in late summer. It tolerates a wide variety of soils and roadside conditions.
Uses: The fruit is attractive to wildlife and edible for humans. It can be used to make preserves, jellies, pies and wine.
‘Jersey’ & ‘Blue Ray’ Varieties
Conservation Practices: F, H, N
Soil: Moist – Wet, Well Drained
Growth Rate: Moderate
Sun: Full to Partial
Description: A large shrub or small tree reaching up to’, with an open crown and arching branches. It has small, white flowers occurring in round topped clusters that appear in spring. And dark blue, oval drupe fruit, up to 1/2 inch long, occurring in hanging clusters from red stems, that ripen in fall.
Uses: Useful for ornamental purposes as well as for fruit production. It can be effective in shrub borders and hedges. Provides food for wildlife.
Conservation Practices: F, H, N
Soil: Wide tolerance
Growth Rate: Moderate
Sun: Full to Partial
Description: Form: A large shrub or small tree reaching up to’, with an open crown and arching branches. It has small, white flowers occurring in round topped clusters that appear in spring. And dark blue, oval drupe fruit, up to 1/2 inch long, occurring in hanging clusters from red stems, that ripen in fall.
Uses: Can be used as shrub borders, taller barriers, hedges, and windbreaks. The fruit is eaten by many species of birds and other wildlife. The fruit is also edible for humans. Berries are edible raw or used in a variety of ways in beverages or baked goods.
Conservation practices: F, H, N
Soil: Wide tolerance
Growth rate: Fast
Sun: Full
Description: Forms small (3-5’) arching canes. Dark Green above and nearly white below. Bright red berries ripen in late summer. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Bees and flies. The plant is self-fertile.
Uses: The fruit is attractive to wildlife and edible for humans. It is good for jam and jellies.
Conservation Practices: E, F, H, N
Soil: Moist – Wet
Growth Rate: Slow
Sun: Full to Partial
Description: 3-18’ Small suckering white flowering shrub. Produces an abundance of bluish-purple juicy & edible berries in July.
Uses: Best in woodland, naturalized or native plant gardens, especially with dark or shaded backdrops which tend to highlight the form, flowers and fall color of the plant. Also effective along stream banks and ponds.
Conservation Practices: F, H, N
Soil: Moist – Wet, Well Drained
Growth Rate: Moderate
Sun: Full to Partial
Description: With an excellent flavor and delicious aroma, you can enjoy this large, juicy berry fresh or frozen. Self-pollinating and cold hardy, you will be able to pick strawberries in June. The plant prefers full sun and well-drained to average moisture soil. This variety is disease resistant to leaf spots and scorch.
Uses: Useful for fruit production. It can provide food for both humans and wildlife.
Nuts
Also referred to as American Hazelnut
Conservation practices: E, F, H, N
Soil: Moist, well drained
Growth rate: Medium – fast
Sun: Full
Description: Forms a small (8-15’) multi-stemmed shrubby tree. The nut on this tree will mature in late September. It is pH adaptable, and it prefers well-drained soil.
Uses: The fruit/nut is attractive to wildlife and edible for humans.