Intermediate Sized Deciduous Trees (25-40 feet)
Tagged as: tree selection, Intermediate Sized Trees, Hornbeam, Deciduous Trees, Buckeye
Intermediate-sized trees generally grow 25-40 feet tall. Like large trees, intermediate-sized trees provide shade, warming, shelter, and privacy. They absorb noise, dirt, heat, and glare from the pavement and street. Be mindful of the growth needs of trunk and roots, leaving adequate space above, below, and to the sides of the tree. Become familiar with their flowers, seeds, nuts, and leaves for maintenance and landscaping purposes.
Botanical Name: Aesculus glabra
Common Name: Ohio Buckeye*
Height: 20-40' Spread: 20-30' Habit/Form: Round to oval Growth Rate: Slow to medium Zone: 4-7
Cultural Requirements: Prefers moist, well-drained acidic soil in full sun. Leaf scorch and premature leaf drop can be a problem during hot, dry periods.
Ornamental Characteristics: Low sweeping branches and dense foliage can create deep shade. The five to seven palmately compound leaflets and the beautiful, upright yellow green flowers make this a lovely addition to many landscapes. Fall color can range from yellow to a warm pumpkin-orange.
Uses in the Landscape: Best if used in large areas such as parks and open landscapes. This tree is not recommended for streets or small residential areas because of messiness. Native to the Midwest.
Botanical Name: Carpinus betulus
Common Name: European Hornbeam
Height: 40-60' Spread: 30-40' Habit/Form: Pyramidal, changes to oval to rounded with age Growth Rate: Slow Zone: 5-7
Cultural Requirements: Prefers full sun but will tolerate light shade. Grows in a wide range of soil conditions, but best in well-drained soils. It is generally resistant to serious disease or insect problems.
Ornamental Characteristics: Serrated, dark green leaves with distinct veins, yellow to yellowish-green fall color late in the season. Smooth, dark gray bark and muscular trunk adds texture to a winter landscape.
Uses in the Landscape: This is a superb tree for the Midwest landscapes. Use for screening, hedges, and in groupings.
Botanical Name: Carpinus caroliniana
Common Name: American Hornbeam*
Height: 25-35' Spread: 20-30' Habit/Form: Wide spreading and rounded Growth Rate: Slow Zone: 3-9
Cultural Requirements: Adaptable in full sun to heavy shade. This Midwest native is usually found as an understory plant in native forests. It is tolerant of dry sites, but will also grow well in full sun provided its roots are growing in a rich, cool, moist soil. This tree is noted for its relatively highinsect and disease resistance.
Ornamental Characteristics: Often grown as a single or multi-stemmed tree and admired for its graceful structure and smooth, sinewy, blue-gray bark. Fall color varies from yellow to a deep reddish-purple.
Uses in the Landscape: An excellent tree for small spaces, and shady residential areas. Native to the Midwest.
Botanical Name: Cercidiphyllum japonicum
Common Name: Katsura tree
Height: 40-60' Spread: 20-30' Habit/Form: Pyramidal Growth Rate: Medium to fast Zone: 4-8
Cultural Requirements: Enjoys full sun in rich, moist, well-drained soil. Tolerant of humid conditions, but shallow-rooted and must be watered during dry periods. It will also benefit with a 3-4-inch layer of organic mulch.
Ornamental Characteristics: Attractive silhouette with shaggy bark and strong branching habit. In spring, its heart-shaped leaves emerge reddish-purple, changing to blue-green as they mature. In autumn, leaves change to a brilliant yellow. During the fall these leaves release a warm and spicy fragrance, reminiscent of cotton candy.
Uses in the Landscape: Best in home landscapes, parks, and golf courses.
Botanical Name: Cladrastis kentukea
Common Name: Yellowwood
Height: 25-30' Spread: 15-25' Habit/Form: Wide spreading to rounded Growth Rate: Medium Zone: 4-9
Cultural Requirements: Best planted in full sun to light shade in moist, well-drained soils high in organic matter. Roots need ample room to develop and benefit with a 3-4 inch layer of organic mulch. Flowers can be subject to early frost damage.
Ornamental Characteristics: Large, deep pink, cup-shaped flowers bloom in early spring. Long, bold-textured dark green leaves remain long into fall. Smooth, gray bark and furry buds add winter interest.
Uses in the Landscape: Use near buildings or in home landscapes as a single specimen or in groupings.
Botanical Name: Ostrya virginiana
Common Name: Ironwood Hophornbeam*
Height: 25-30' Spread: 15-20' Habit/Form: Pyramidal in youth; rounding with age Growth Rate: Slow Zone: 3-9
Cultural Requirements: Best in full sun to part shade. Often found as an understory tree in deciduous forests. Grow in moist, well-drained soil. It is very tolerant of dry conditions but cannot survive flooding. This tree is not susceptible to any serious disease or insect problems.
Ornamental Characteristics: A strong central leader with graceful, fine-textured branching. Its reddish bark becomes shredded with age. Paper-thin leaves turn a pale yellow in the fall.
Uses in the Landscape: Excellent in natural areas, as a street tree, or ornamental shade tree. Native to the Midwest.
Botanical Name: Prunus maackii
Common Name: Amur Chokecherry
Height: 20-30' Spread: 20-30' Habit/Form: Pyramidal at youth becoming rounded with age Growth Rate: Fast Zone: 3-6
Cultural Requirements: Requires full sun in well-drained soil. This tree cannot tolerate excessive heat and grows best in colder climates. Should be located where roots can remain moist, but not wet. Often considered short-lived.
Ornamental Characteristics: Outstanding glossy, cinnamon colored bark. In youth, the bark tends to exfoliate, adding texture that can be enjoyed in the winter landscape. A profusion of 2 to 3-inch long white, fragrant flowers appear in spring, followed by tiny, black fruits that ripen in late summer and attract birds.
Uses in the Landscape: Use in in-ground planters, near deck or patio, specimen or street tree.
* Native to Illinois
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