Chapter 21. Trees, Shrubs and Woody Vines
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TREES, SHRUBS AND WOODY VINES James B. Calkins Introduction have broad leaves, flowers, variable fruit, and many, Trees, shrubs and woody vines represent the woody but not all, are deciduous or lose their leaves during a members of the plant world. The terms “tree”, “shrub” dormant period, usually during winter. Most and “vine” are non-scientific general descriptive words gymnosperms have narrow leaves called needles, are with no well-defined specific meaning. The American cone-bearing, and are evergreen. Again, there are Standards for Nursery Stock, which is included with notable exceptions to these generalizations. The term this manual, gives some definition to the terms, but in “woody” means that the cells of the stems and general, a “tree” is understood to be a woody plant branches contain ‘lignin’ which serves as a support approximately six feet to over 100 feet in height at structure and gives a permanence to branches even maturity with most major branches derived from a when the plant dies, whereas “herbaceous” plants single erect stem. Variations can include a two to five contain little or no lignin and collapse as soon as the stem clump or a multi-stem form of these same plant dies or goes dormant. species. Shrubs can be defined as almost always having branches deriving from multiple stems and Knowledge of a plant’s classification, characteristics, generally under 15 to 20 feet in height. Vines are and history or native habitat is essential to its highly apically dominant plants, generally with few production in the nursery and to its proper utilization in side branches. Vines have extensive, but flexible the landscape. Professional nursery growers, retailers, terminal growth that needs support to stay upright. landscape architects, designers and landscape contractors should become familiar with proper The term “Invasive Species” has been used in the nomenclature, plant identification, and the wealth of industry in recent years and can be ambiguous. It diversity among woody plants. generally has a negative connotation and sometimes can be confused with the concept of “non-native” Plant Identification plants. These two terms do not mean the same thing Plant identification begins with careful observation. and should not be substituted for one another. The Although visual observations of the morphological Minnesota Department of Agriculture has developed a characteristics of stems, buds, leaves, flowers, and list of regulated plants it considers “invasive and a fruits may be the most useful, all human senses should threat to native environments”. This list is called the be used in plant identification. See the white, “Noxious Weeds List”, which contains both traditional exfoliating bark of the paper birch (Betula papyrifera), herbaceous weed species as well as some woody the horseshoe-shaped leaf scar of the amur cork tree landscape species. Nursery professionals need to be (Phellodendron amurense), or the large, round, purple aware of the rules and regulations surrounding these buds of the scarlet elder (Sambucus pubens). Feel the plants. In addition, the MNLA has developed a policy prickly foliage of the Chinese juniper (Juniperus statement concerning non-native, invasive species. chinensis), the soft, fuzzy or pubescent twigs of the Refer to the chapter on Environmental Stewardship staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina), or the sharp ridged Part II for this information. Good nursery and thorns of the rugosa rose (Rosa rugosa). Smell the landscape practices should correspond with good pleasantly scented foliage of the savin juniper environmental practices, including the sale and use of (Juniperus sabina), the acrid aroma of the fragrant invasive plants. Be aware of, and practice, the “right sumac (Rhus aromatica), or the spicy scented blossoms plant in the right site” concept. of the clove currant (Ribes odoratum). Hear the distinctive rustle of quaking aspen (Populus Woody plants can be divided into two major tremuloides) leaves. Chew the twigs of the sweet birch categories: Angiosperms, which are generally (Betula lenta) to discern their distinct wintergreen flowering plants, and gymnosperms, which are taste. Many excellent references are available to learn generally cone bearing plants. Angiosperms typically the important identifying characteristics of plants, but 21-1 11/06 also, strive to discover new characteristics, which help or introduced species can no longer be recommended personalize the identification. Once familiar with the or planted because of potential disease problems, large common plants available in the industry, continue to size and perceived characteristics such as being search for and learn about new plants. structurally weak or "messy". In fact, some city ordinances prohibit the planting of certain species even The process of learning plant identification and culture though they are ubiquitous in native stands and many should be an ongoing process. Become excited about existing landscapes. Some plant species are plant materials, always observing where particular unavailable for landscape use because they are plants are growing well and where they are not, and relatively unknown, resulting in low demand, or under what conditions. Whenever possible, observe because their production and cultural requirements are native, undisturbed plant communities to discern site poorly understood which limits their availability. requirements and understand natural plant associations. Familiarity and production problems associated with Always be on the lookout for new introductions or plants that should be incorporated into landscape unfamiliar plant materials. designs and production schedules can be addressed through education and research. Attitudes regarding Plant Selection particular plant characteristics and the appropriateness Selection of plant materials should never be conducted of using certain plants in the landscape are more in sheer nescience, but rather on a working under- difficult to address. Although new plants become standing of site and cultural requirements. When available to growers, to landscape architects and selecting plant material, consider native plants which designers, and to the public each year through plant are adapted to existing environmental conditions. selection and breeding programs, the variety of plant Then consider materials which are found in similar material actually grown and used is quite limited. This environments from other regions and have been tested lack of diversity leads to "standard" landscape designs locally. However, most urban landscapes, in fact most that lack uniqueness, and production becomes limited landscapes in general, have been disturbed and may no to easily produced species. This results in the longer be appropriate for previously indigenous exclusion of the more interesting species, and the species. Several factors must be considered when planting of near monocultures that increase the selecting plant materials for specific sites: winter potential for serious insect or disease problems such as temperature or cold hardiness, summer temperature or Dutch Elm Disease. These concerns should be heat tolerance, humidity, wind, exposure to sun or addressed by increasing plant diversity rather than by shade, air drainage, precipitation or drought and limiting it. Yes, cottonwood does produce annoying moisture tolerance, soil type, drainage, pH tolerance, seeds or “cotton”, and it drops twigs and branches. On disease and insect resistance, pollution tolerance, the other hand, cottonwood is a native species that is longevity, salt tolerance, fertility requirements, growth well adapted to the Minnesota environment and is habit including height, form, plus aesthetic tolerant of tough sites. It has a valuable place in the characteristics such as foliage color and texture, landscape, perhaps not in the front yard of every home, flowers, fruits, and fall color. In addition to knowing but a valuable place just the same. Nearly every plant plant names, it is also important to know the that exists has some characteristic that might be environmental requirements of each plant. It is also considered undesirable. Even the revered oak vital to be knowledgeable of the cultural requirements produces "messy" acorns and drops leaves late in the of plant materials so this information can be passed on season after the raking should be done. The extremes to customers and so plants can be matched with site of this trend include the desire for fruitless selections conditions. Knowledgeable landscape designers and and more recent concerns about pollen production and architects are better equipped to create naturally allergies. Fruitlessness involves the selection of sterile aesthetic, functional design concepts that become plants or males forms of deciduous species. successful landscapes and that are sustained for years Avoidance of pollen favors the selection of female with minimal maintenance. Educated customers are plants. In the absence of sterile forms, this selection also more likely to have success with the plants they process could eliminate some excellent species from purchase. landscape use. Rather than excluding plants from landscape use, diversity should be promoted through Diversity should be an important component in the continued selection and production of new varieties selection of landscape plants. Diversity is, however, and potentially valuable species not currently grown. lacking in most landscapes today. Many native plants Plants should be matched with site conditions