Category Archives: Trees

Leaf Tatter Alert

May 18, 2012 – 10:54 am

Heavy winds on May 17th and 18th when the new leaves of some trees are very thin and tender has caused some tearing and racking of the tissue of the leaves.  Some leaves get torn off and others lose a piece or two of the leaf, which results in leaf litter on the ground.

Within 24 to 72 hours, places on the leaves that are slightly torn or cracked start to have some cells of the leaf tissue dry out and turn brown.  After a few more days, the dead brown areas fall off the leaf, leaving what looks like feeding holes from insects.

This unsightly condition is called leaf tatter.  Leaf tatter can cause a little stress on the tree, but usually not excessive stress, but it certainly can make it look pretty bad.  Often people think their tree is dying, but this is not the case.

My recommendation is to give your tree a mild fertilization with Miracle Grow at a rate of 1 T of the green crystals per gallon of water.  Apply 2 gal. for small trees under 2″ trunk diameter, 5 gals for trees 2″-4″ and 10-15 gallons for larger trees.  A healthy tree will put out some more new growth, and if heavy winds do not affect this new growth before it thickens and matures, the new growth should appear normal.  Good luck with your leaf tattered tree!

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By Leif Knecht | Tagged | Comments (0)

Crimson Sunset Maple

May 18, 2012 – 5:57 am

Crimson Sunset Maple (Acer truncatum x Acer platanoides PP21838) is a nice edition to the maple varieties that have colorful reddish/burgundy leaves.  Intitial field trials at North Dakota State University have been encouraging which is especially good news since Crimson Sunset Maple has so many fine qualities that make it attractive for use in urband landscapes.

Crimson Sunset Maple not only displays excellent reddish/burgundy leaf color, but it has a lovely almost star shaped leaf that adds a very nice texture to its appearance.  A modest mature size of 35′ tall by 25′ wide makes Crimson Sunset Maple an excellent choice where space is limited and a large shade tree might be too overhwelming.

Crimson Sunset Maple is a hybrid of the versatile Norway Maple, and the handsome Truncatum Maple.  This combination results in a tough tree that is pleasing to the eye.  For a nice addition of great color and beautiful form to your landscape, you may want to consider Crimson Sunset Maple.

For best results, plant in soil that drains properly, and where there is plenty of sunlight.  As with most maples, it is a good idea to put a white tree trunk protector on the tree in the fall and winter during its first 4-6 years in your landscape.   (Photo courtesy of J.Frank Schmidt & Son Nursery)

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By Leif Knecht | Tagged , , | Comments (0)

Creative Evergreens

May 9, 2012 – 3:27 pm

Every once in a while, you need to step outside the box when considering landscape plants.  At the end of February, we toured several of our nursery suppliers on the west coast and were awe struck at the Iseli Nursery in Boring, Oregon.  We just received our shipment of creative evergreens this week and they are definitely amazing. 

Whether you are thinking tall and skinny evergreens, contorted shapes, shorter, slower growing, whatever – we now have the evergreens needed for that special spot. Definite conversation starters for sure!

To the top left, you’ll see the ‘Uncle Fogy’ Contorted Jack Pine!  Wildly, undulating, pendulous branches give unique character to every plant of this distinctive form of Jack Pine.  The plants bend and swoop to create a curvy, living sculpture.  This is definitely a collector’s plant!

One that is absolutely beautiful (and a little more traditional) is the ‘Cupressina’ Norway Spruce.  This is an upright narrow form that makes it a must have for urban lots where size is a definite consideration.  (see previous blog)

Perhaps one of the most impressive plants that we saw in the massive display beds at Iseli was the Weeping Norway Spruce – pictured here on the right.  We saw a mature plant that reached nearly 30 feet in height and was perfect in every way.  Incredible.  The dark green, Weeping Norway Spruce is trained into an outstanding upright specimen or can even be trained to become a undulating groundcover. 

These are just a few examples of what we have for “Creative Evergreens”.   Quantities are limited in these varieties so if this is something that gets your imagination going – don’t delay in stopping in and “stepping outside the box”.

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By Deb Knecht | Tagged , , , | Comments (0)

Prairie Rose Flowering Crab

May 8, 2012 – 7:34 am
Prairie Rose Flowering Crab

The Prairie Rose Flowering Crab has to have the most stunning flowers of any crabapple tree!  These rose like flowers bloom just a little after the other flowering crabs put on their color show. 

This tree is one of the few flowering crabapple trees that are fruitless.  For those who do not want any berries  on their trees – this is the tree for you!  These deep pink double blossoms are very fragrant and  grows to a height of 20 feet tall by 20 feet wide with a more rounded mature shape.
 
We have a limited number of these trees – in a larger balled and burlapped package available – and they are now on sale at 50% off!  We sold 2 yesterday to a couple who are lining the one side of their yard with flowering trees.  These two Prairie Rose will be joined by 2 Royal Raindrops Flowering Crab, 2 Spring Snow Flowering Crab and a Minnesota Strain of Redbud.    This combination will give these folks a pink, deep pink/red, white and a rose/purple spring color palette.
 
The Prairie Rose Crabs are in full blossom right now.  Stop in and check them out so you can see the beauty of the Prairie Rose Crab!
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By Deb Knecht | Tagged , | Comments (0)

Triumph Elm and Discovery Elm

May 3, 2012 – 5:56 pm

It’s safe to plant elm trees!   Now that many excellent varieties have been developed that are extremely resistant to Dutch Elm Disease.  You can plant Elms with confidence.  Triumph Elm is a complex hybrid elm that has been extensively tested and proved itself to rank very high in its resistance to Dutch Elm Disease.

Not only is Triumph Elm a great choice for it’s disease resistance, but it is also a beautiful, fast growing, hardy, and versatile shade tree.  While triumph Elm is not a true American Elm, it certainly has an appearance very similar to American Elm, with noticeably larger leaves than Asian elms and a graceful, upward spreading vase shape that becomes a large tree casting plenty of cooling shade.

Triumph can grow in almost any soil, but will grow most quickly in soils with good moisture retention qualities, and plenty of sunshine.  At maturity Triumph Elm will reach 60′ – 70′ tall by 40+ feet wide.  Hardy in zones 4-7.

Another variety that has shown itself to be quite resistant to Dutch Elm Disease, and it offers a modest sized alternative to most of the other new Elm varieties that grow to a larger size.  Discovery Elm grows quickly, forming a dense, rounded, compact shape, and has limited seed production, which reduces litter.  The appearance is tidy and shapely, so much so that when I met a tree spade operator in one of our fields recently, he remarked how nice they were, and wanted to know which variety it was!

Like other elms, Discovery can be grown in a very wide variety of soil types and is super winter hardy with a rating into the very cold zone 3!

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By Leif Knecht | Comments (0)

Rennaissance Oasis Paper Birch and Rennaissance Reflection Paper Birch

April 29, 2012 – 4:27 pm

White barked birch trees have long been among the most graceful and eye catching landscape trees, and Renaissance Oasis Paper Birch ranks among the best choices for use in the upper Midwest.   Oasis Paper Birch grows quickly, tolerating a fairly wide range of soil types, and as stems increase to a diameter of 2″ to 3″ and more, a very pure white bark develops with nice accents of reddish brown that add a lively appearance and a subtle color counter point.

Renaissance Oasis Paper Birch is a result of a 40 year breeding program at Evergreen Nurseries in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin that set a goal to develop paper birches with increased resistance to bronze birch borer.  Oasis took it’s name from its demonstrated ability in test plots to survive in drought, excessively drained soils, but Oasis  Paper Birch really grows its very best in soils with good, but not excessive moisture levels.  Avoid water logged soils.  Happily, Oasis can tolerate soils with moderate alkalinity that can cause the more widely planted River Birches to gradually turn yellow and die.  If you have alkaline soils, you may want to give Oasis Paper Birch a try.

Renaissance Oasis Paper Birch is most often seen in the landscape as a clump form, but you may want to consider using 5 or 7 single stem trees in a staggered layout that imitates the thickets of birch commonly found in the wild.

In the right place in the landscape, a small thicket of single stem Oasis Paper Birch can provide a striking frame or backdrop for other landscape elements.  Oasis grows to a mature size of 60′ tall by 30′ wide, and like it’s close cousin Reflection Paper Birch, is able to produce a fairly straight tree, even in pretty windy locations.

Renaissance Reflection Paper Birch offers homeowners, landscape designers, and landscapers a white barked birch variety with very nice characteristics.  Part of the Renaissance series of birch hybrids, Reflection Paper Birch is most recognizable for its’ very straight stems and nice white bark that develops as stems increase to 2″ to 3″ in diameter.   Reflection will go to 50′ tall and also 20′-30′ wide.

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By Leif Knecht | Tagged | Comments (0)

The Greening of Northfield

April 26, 2012 – 2:46 pm

Last year, the Northfield Garden Club’s President – Mrs. EdDee Imm, helped the City secure a MnDOT grant for $10,000 to be used to  beautify the City.  It was determined that one of the areas that needed “help” the most was along the Hwy 3 corridor from the Cannon River to Jefferson Parkway.

EdDee approached us regarding the trees.  The City of Northfield and the Northfield Garden Club, in a cooperative effort,  purchased the 64 trees from us and we donated all of the labor and other materials used to plant the trees.  Each year we give back to the City of Northfield with  donations and this year, it is the Hwy 3 beautification project.  This donation amounted to $4,000 in labor, equipment costs and materials. 

The Garden Club also has received funds to be used to cover the costs of watering these trees for two years which is a committment under the grant.  We will be working with the Garden Club on keeping these trees well watered for the next two years!

Our crew – Jim Westlund, Todd Marnie & Ben Danielson planted these trees which consisted of Elms, Maple, Hackberry, Birch, Crabapples and Oak trees.  Once again we are very pleased to have the opportunity to give something back to the community that supports our business each and every year.

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By Deb Knecht | Also posted in Community | Tagged , | Comments (1)

Flowering Crabapple Trees

April 26, 2012 – 2:03 pm

Marilee Flowering Crab

 

 

 The many different varieties of Flowering Crabapple trees here at the nursery makes for an incredible color explosion.  It’s hard to pick a favorite.  You walk by one, and say that’s so beautiful – that’s my favorite.  Then you go to the next aisle – and say the same thing!

We carry approximately 20 different varieties of crabapple trees ranging from small dwarf varieties to larger ornamental trees.  They range from snow white flowers to a deep rose/pink/magenta color scheme.

The top 3 photos on the right are of the Candymint Flowering Crab.  A smaller sized tree – reaches a height of 10′ and spans up to 15′ across.  The new foliage is tinged in purple and turns a bronze-green in summer.  This tree shows excellent disease resistance.  The beautiful red buds emerge to show-stopping shades of pink.  The fruit is a bright red.

The bottom 2 photos show  off the Royal Raindrops Flowering Crab.   This tree is one of the larger flowering crabs, growing to 20′ tall and spreading up to 15′ wide.  The purple foliage adds a contrast to all of the “green” in the summer landscape.   The bright red persistant fruit is small – only 1/4″ in size.  The Royal Raindrops also provides for excellent disease resistance.

The white flowers belong to the Marilee Flowering Crab.  This is one of the taller crab trees we carry – but it is also narrow.  It’s tops out at 24′ in height and only 10′ wide.  A great tree for a smaller yard.  The one attribute that some folks find attractive about Marilee, is that it is fruitless.  You have the beautiful white flowers which will produce no fruit and shows good disease resistance.

Crabapples are always a good choice.  They’re versatile – they love well drained soil but can also grow in soils that are a little more damp  (but no water logged soil).  Choose a spot that gets lots of sun.  Crabapple trees that receive shade will only have limited blossom production.     Think about the mature size tree that you want – and the color of the blossoms and we can certainly help you find that perfect crabapple tree!

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By Deb Knecht | Tagged | Comments (0)

Minnesota Strain Redbud

April 14, 2012 – 10:21 am

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The calls we are getting alot this past week or two is “What’s that tree with the rose/pink flower” or “I came through Arkansas and Missouri and saw the Redbuds, are they hardy here in Minnesota?”

We definitely carry the handsome Minnesota Strain of Redbud.  We have them in all sizes, some in clump form and others are single stem trees.  They are blossoming right now (which is early due to the crazy spring) and are absolutely gorgeous.  The pictures here are of our Redbud clump at our home.  This tree has been planted for 4 years now and is getting more and more beautiful with each passing year.  The early morning sunlight today provided for a magical color show.  The greens - of all shades – were glowing as was the Redbud with it’s rose/pink color, the Purple Leaf Sandcherry tree was full of blossoms and our flowering crab is in it’s glory.  

The redubd is an ornamanetal tree – reaching only 20′-30′ in height and 25′ wide.  The vase shaped tree even turns a brilliant yellow in the fall.  Preferring moist, well-drained soil,  it can be grown in full sun to partial shade.   The northern Redbud was developed at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. 

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By Deb Knecht | Tagged , , | Comments (1)

Seedless Maples

April 14, 2012 – 9:52 am

Celebration Maple

Autumn Spire Maple

While maples are among the most favored of shade trees, due to good form and nice fall color, many produce seed crops most years.  Happily, there are a handful of seedless maple varieties currently available for people who want to avoid seed litter.

Fast growing and colorful hybrid maple varieties that are seedless include ‘Celebration’, ‘Sienna Glen’ and ‘Firefall’.  Red Maple varieties known to be seedless include ‘Autumn Radiance, ‘Northwood’, ‘Sun Valley’, and ‘Autumn Spire’.

Check out these lovely seedless maple varieties if you desire a tree that provides cooling shade, good fall color and less litter.  Be aware that these trees all like acidic soil, especially the Red Maples.  Avoid strongly alkaline soil and poorly drained areas and you will have a tree that serves your needs well for a long time, as well as putting on a color show!

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By Leif Knecht | Also posted in Fall Color | Tagged , , | Comments (0)

Autumn Blaze Maple

April 11, 2012 – 9:39 am

Red fall color of the Autumn Blaze

Autumn Blaze Maple – Great Color Times Two!

Over the last 15 years, Autumn Blaze Maple has gained widespread popularity as a fast growing shade tree with excellent red fall color.  Tolerant of a wide variety of soil types, and climates from frigid Zone 3 to a balmy zone 8.  Autumn Blaze Maple rapidly develops a handsome rounded oval shape, and can provide welcome shade in just a few years, and blazing red fall color match it’s name.

While it’s fall color is a feast for the eyes, and quite long lasting, Autumn Blaze Maple also puts on a spring color show that lasts about 3 weeks!  As sap begins to flow in late winter/early spring, the buds begin to swell and soon the beautiful burgundy red flowers emerge, pollen production begins and the flowers last for 10-12 days.

But that’s not all!  Just as the lovely red flowers fade, the seeds begin to form and grow, and they are even more colorful than the flowers, and an almost identical bright burgundy red.  This color show continues for another 10-14 days as the seeds of Autumn Blaze Maple mature, finally changing to a tan/parchment color just before they are displaced by spring winds.

Considerable seed is produced, but the volume is a bit less than the silver maple.  If you really enjoy a  colorful tree that sports beautiful red color in both spring and fall, Autumn Blaze Maple may be a good choice for you, if you can tolerate a seed crop produced each spring.

Autumn Blaze Maple also requires careful pruning to establish a strong branch architecture that will stand up well to summer thunderstorms and winter snow and ice storms.  I recommend an aggressive pruning to remove steeply angled branches which tend to form weak

Spring color of the Autumn Blaze

attachments to the tree trunk, every other year the first ten years after planting.  After that a pruning every 4-5 years should be sufficient.  Your investment in pruning will yield a tree that will delight the eye with wonderful red color both in spring and in fall for decades to come and weather storms gracefully.

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By Leif Knecht | Also posted in Fall Color | Tagged , , | Comments (0)

Magnolia Magnifica

March 22, 2012 – 2:12 pm

Winter hardy Magnolias are bursting into bloom all across southern Minnesota.  A few days after the bright yellow color bursts of the Fosythias start, the Magnolias swell and unfold their visual feasts of white/pink and reddish purple blossoms.

Royal Star Magnolia and Merrill’s Magnolia sport pure white blossoms, while Leonard Messel Magnolia delights the eye with a delicate pink and Ann Magnolia – a rich deep reddish purple.

These Magnolia varieties have proved themselves very hardy, even in tough Minnesota winters.  Mature sizes range from 10 feet up to 40 feet, depending on the cultivar your choose, so allow enough space for these magnificent small trees to reach their full potential.  Magnolias are able to prosper in locations with 1/2 day sun to full sun.

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By Leif Knecht | Also posted in Retail Sales, Shrubs | Tagged , | Comments (0)

Forsythia Trees – Bulbs – Pussy Willows

March 17, 2012 – 9:55 am

       Forsythia trees are in full bloom – already – March 17th!  This is truly a crazy winter – early spring season here in Minnesota.

The Gold Tide Forsythia trees come in a #7 container and are on sale at $59.00.  A great ornamental tree – it brightens up your yard when there is hardly any other color around.  After the flowering is over – its bright green color provides a great backdrop to other plants taking center stage. 

The crocus bulbs that we have in small containers for sale just started blooming.  You can bring spring inside – or plant them outside for a splash of color.   To accent your spring displays – add a stem or two of pussy willow branches.  We have a limited supply that I just cut this week.  If you want your own pussy willow shrub – we have those on sale at $19.99 and they just started blooming as well.

We are open early this season!  Stop in and just browse around for your early gardening fix!

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By Deb Knecht | Also posted in Retail Sales, Shrubs | Tagged , , , | Comments (0)

March Tree Sale

March 13, 2012 – 1:52 pm

Our first ever March tree sale has begun!  With the ground thawing early and trees beginning to swell buds on some varieties, it’s time to start planting trees!

At Knecht’s we have 150 balled and burlapped trees on sale at 50% off regular prices while supplies last.  There are maples, oaks, elms, honeylocusts, ornamental crabapple trees, lilac trees, pine trees, arborvitae, and spruce trees available. 

We also have 300+ potted trees available at March Madness prices of 30%, 40% & 50% off!   These potted trees are all deciduous trees including maples, oak, elm, crabapples and more!

Hours for March are 8 am to 4:30 pm on weekdays.   The weekend of March 24th & 25th- we’ll be open from 8 am to 4 pm on Saturday, and on Sunday, we’ll be open from 10 am to 4 pm.  Starting April 2nd, our hours will be 8 am to 6 pm Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm on Saturdays and 10 am to 4 pm on Sundays.  We will be closed on Easter Sunday.

As soon as the ground has thawed enough to dig holes, it’s an excellent time to plant trees, and there just happens to be some great discounts.   We can hold your purchase of larger balled and burlapped trees until early April.  They are going quickly so stop in soon for the best selection.   Now get growing!

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By Deb Knecht | Also posted in Retail Sales, Trees-Specials, Uncategorized | Tagged | Comments (0)

‘Cupressina’ Norway Spruce

March 5, 2012 – 2:42 pm

'Cupressina' Norway Spruce by Oregon Pride Nurseries

Tall, lean and handsome aptly describes a beautiful variety of Norway Spruce I saw recently.  Dense and upright, ‘Cupressina’ Norway Spruce sports the beautiful deep green disease resistant foliage of Norway Spruce while offering a great choice for smaller spaces.

Useful as an attractive specimen or focal point evergreen, ‘Cupressina’ Norway Spruce could also be used as a screening plant where a wide spreading plant would be too large.  ‘Cupressina’ looks interesting and attractive even when it is fairly small, so you won’t have to wait forever to enjoy this conifer.

Winter color is excellent, holding a true green throughout the long dormant season.  ‘Cupressina’ might be a ncie choice for somwehere in your landscape that calls for a beautiful evergreen that is hardy and won’t overhwhelm modest sized spaces.

This beautiful tree is a fairly fast grower, reaching 20′-30′ tall with only a 6′-10′ spread.  Hardy to Zone 3 makes it a top choice for Minnesota homeowners.  We’ll have a limited amount of these trees this spring.  Reserve one for your yard!

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By Leif Knecht | Also posted in Landscaping | Tagged , | Comments (0)