Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources • Oklahoma State University

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Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Fact Sheetsare also available on our website at:

http://www.osuextra.com

An OBGA Series

Deciduous Treesfor Oklahoma

Michael A. SchnelleAssistant ProfessorExtension Ornamentals/Floriculture Specialist

Paul J. MitchellProfessorOrnamental Horticulture

Dale M. MaronekProfessor and HeadHorticulture and Landscape Architecture Dept.Director, OBGA

The trees listed in this fact sheet should help guidethe homeowner in making informed plant selections.Not all of the trees listed in this publication will necessar-ily thrive throughout Oklahoma, nor have all been listedwhich could be grown in various locations within thestate. Also, keep in mind that all trees have inherentproblems with various susceptibilities to diseases, in-sects and environmental stresses. The best policy is tostrive for tree diversity in the home landscape. Try avariety of trees, not only to guarantee survivability of atleast most of the plantings but also to increase thediversity which often enhances the aesthetic quality ofthe landscape.

It should be noted that trees pictured are not neces-sarily the best or only appropriate trees for Oklahoma,nor have they been listed in order of desirability. How-ever, they have been found to perform above averagethroughout many areas of the state, and they arecommercially available from most Oklahoma nurseriesand garden center outlets. Other trees listed below, butnot pictured, may grow equally well in numerous givensites throughout the state.

Ten tips for new tree care

1. Dig the planting hole 2-3 times the diameter ofthe trees’s rootball.

2. Avoid digging the hole too deep since the treeshould be planted at it’s original grade orslightly higher (1-2 inches above grade). If thetree is planted above grade it is important tocover the edges of the exposed rootball withsoil tapered down to the surrounding soil line.

3. Fill in the planting hole with native soil andtamp lightly.

4. Do not overfertilize the new tree. A newlyplanted tree has a very limited capacity forutilizing fertilizer until it starts to establishitself.

5. Stake young trees (topheavy or planted inwindy areas) when necessary but allow forsway. Remove all stakes after the first sea-son if possible.

6. Avoid overpruning new trees. Leave lowerlimbs intact the first season if possible.

7. Keep a 5-6 feet weed- and turf-free circlearound the tree. Place an organic mulch 1-3inches deep around the tree.

8. Apply at least one inch of water weekly.9. Wrap young trees as fall approaches. Tree

wraps protect tender bark from rodent dam-age and environmental stresses as a result oftemperature fluctuations. One should notethat some young trees benefit from summerwrapping to avoid sunscald.

10. Winter irrigate, when temperatures remainabove freezing for more than a few days, toavoid dehydration injury.

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Chinesepistache(Pistacia chinensis) is25-35 feet at matu-rity. It has pest freefoliage with attractivered or blue fruit on thefemales. It has anexcellent orange-redfall color. Prune outthe narrow forkswhen young. It is me-dium in growth rateand becomesrounded in habit atmaturity and is hardy throughout Oklahoma (zone 6 to 9).

Lacebark elm(Ulmus parvifolia) is40-60 feet at matu-rity and has pest freeglossy leaves. It mayhave good yellow fallcolor and has attrac-tive red fruit. It hasexceptional brown-ish-orange mottledbark. Prune out thenarrow forks whenyoung. With irriga-tion and fertilization,the growth rate willbe fast. It becomesrounded at maturity.It is an excellent disease-free substitute for the American Elmand is hardy throughout Oklahoma (zone 4 to 9).

Commonhackberry(Celtis occidentalis)is 40-70 feet at matu-rity. It is a very tough,ideal tree for difficultsites (drought). It hasan occasional yellowfall color. It is sus-ceptible to nipple gall,which will not harmthe plant but may beunsightly. It has amedium to fastgrowth rate and ishardy throughoutOklahoma (zone 2 to 9). Pictured is a related species, C.laevigata (Sugarberry).

Shumard oak(Quercus shumardii)is 50-75 feet at matu-rity with shiny darkgreen foliage, and itis a pest free plant. Itis not as susceptibleto chlorosis (yellow-ing) as Pin Oak. Ithas a reddish-yellowfall color and mediumin its growth rate. It ishardy throughoutOklahoma (zone 5 to9).

Bald cypress( T a x o d i u mdistichum) is 50-80feet at maturity withfern-like foliage. It isdrought tolerant andis reddish-brown infall color. It has at-tractive, roundedfruit. It becomes py-ramidal at maturityand is medium to fastin growth rate. It maygrow “root knees” inwet sites and is hardythroughout Oklahoma (zone 4 to 9).

Redbud [pictured is C. canadensis ‘Alba’ (Whitebud)](Cercis canadensis) is 20-30 feet at maturity. It is the statetree of Oklahoma and has durable green foliage and brightpinkish-purple flowers in spring. It has occasional yellow fallcolor. It has cinnamon-orange bark at maturity. The Redbudis particularly susceptible to herbicide injury (2,4-D). It canalso be purchased with purple leaves; ask for ‘Forest Pansy’redbud or look for double flowering types or those with whiteflowers (whitebud).

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Goldenraintree( K o e l r e u t e r i apaniculata) is 30-40 feet at maturityand has attractivefoliage with beau-tiful yellow flowersin summer and oc-casional yellow fallcolor. Itˇhas attrac-tive “Chinese lan-tern-like” fruit andis an extremelyadaptable tree. It becomes rounded in habit at maturity andis hardy throughout Oklahoma (zone 4 to 9).

Ginkgo(Ginkgo biloba) is40-70 feet at ma-turity and hasunique fan-shaped leaves. Ithas beautifulgolden fall colorand is extremelyadaptable. It ispest free and ispyramidal towidespreading inhabit at maturity.It is slow grow-ing. Choose maleselections to avoid foul smelling fruit. It is hardy east ofHighway 81 (zone 3 to 9).

Sweetgum( L i q u i d a m b a rstyraciflua) is 50-75 feet at maturitywith shiny star-shaped leavesand exceptionalyellow-orange-red-purple fallcolor. It hasmessy fruit withprickly spines. Itshould be grownin the eastern halfof the state andprefers moistsoils. There aremany improvedvarieties availableand most become rounded in habit at maturity (zone 5 to 9).

River birch(Betula nigra) is40-70 feet at ma-turity and has at-tractive foliage witha showy, reddish-brown and whiteexfol-iating trunk. Itprefers moist soilsand grows pyrami-dal to rounded inhabit. It has a me-dium to fast growthrate. It grows inzone 4 to 9 (east-ern Oklahoma native).

Possumhaw(Ilex decidua) is10-25 feet at ma-turity with shinygreen foliage (na-tive, deciduousholly) and attrac-tive red fruit thatpersists. It can begrown as a shrubor small tree, andthere are many im-proved varietiesavailable. It growsbest east of High-way 81 (zone 4 to 9).

Amur maple(Acer ginnala) is 15-20 feet at maturity with shiny three-lobedleaves. Some varieties have attractive red fruit. Ask forvarieties with red fall color. It is quite adaptable and pest freeand becomes rounded in habit at maturity. It too is hardythroughout Oklahoma (zone 3 to 8).

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Oklahoma State University, in compliance with Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Executive Order 11246 as amended, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Americans withDisabilities Act of 1990, and other federal laws and regulations, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, disability, or status as a veteran in any of itspolicies, practices or procedures. This includes but is not limited to admissions, employment, financial aid, and educational services.

Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Sam E. Curl, Director of Oklahoma CooperativeExtension Service, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma. This publication is printed and issued by Oklahoma State University as authorized by the Dean of the Division of AgriculturalSciences and Natural Resources and has been prepared and distributed at a cost of 20 cents per copy. 0803

Other deciduous trees for Oklahoma*Trees for wet sites

Red mapleRiver birchBald cypressWillowSweetgum

Trees for difficult (droughty) sitesCommon hackberryWinterberryBur OakSoapberryChittimwoodOsange orangeLacebark elmDesert willowFruitless mulberryJapanese tree lilac

Trees for small sites or large containers (architecturalpottery)

Golden raintreeAmur mapleTatarian mapleJapanese maplePossumhawOklahoma redbud

Oklahoma Botanical Garden and Arboretum

OBGA

The mission of the Oklahoma Botanical Garden and Arboretum (OBGA) is to serve the people of Oklahomaas coordinator and developer of educational and scientific activities pertaining to the role, function, and importanceof plants and proper design in their lives. OBGA is an integral part of the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service.

Trees for showy flowersSaucer magnoliaStar magnoliaGolden raintreeJapanese pagodatreeJapanese tree lilacCrabappleRedbudFlowering dogwood

Trees for showy fruitChinese pistacheSoapberryHawthorneCrabapplePossumhawWinterberry

Trees for fall colorChinese pistacheWhite ashGinkgoWhite oakRed oakCallery pear cultivarsRed mapleCaddo Sugar mapleTatarian mapleAmur maple

* This is only a partial list of trees suitable for Oklahoma. Some will thrive better than others depending upon conditions and access to supplementalirrigation and fertilization. It is important to remember that there is no substitute for consulting with a local certified nursery professional for his orher advice on species, cultivars and varieties that will grow particularly well in specific Oklahoma locations. The plants listed above are merely aninitial guide in selecting trees for a landscape.

For detailed information on a wide variety of trees for Oklahoma, Circular E-897 may be ordered or purchased atany Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Office.