Austrian Pine closely resembles ponderosa pine but the needles are in pairs 4 to 6 inches long and are generally stiffer, with the ends being very sharp to the touch and the buds are silver colored in winter and early spring. Originally introduced from Europe as an ornamental, it has considerable value in windbreaks and as Christmas trees. Austrian Pine is best used in east or south inside rows of windbreaks.

  • SPACING WITHIN ROWS: 12-16 FT                    • SPACING BETWEEN ROWS: 15-24 FT                 • HEIGHT: 40-60 FT

 
Black Hills Spruce is noted for its dark green foliage and conical form. One of the most adaptable of the spruces, it prefers rich moist soil in full sun, and also thrives in dry, well-drained sites. It has a medium growth rate and requires little, if any, pruning. This tree is commonly used for windbreaks, privacy screens and accent plantings.

  • SPACING WITHIN ROWS: 12-16 FT                    • SPACING BETWEEN ROWS: 15-24 FT                    • HEIGHT: 30-60 FT

Colorado Blue Spruce is native to the Rocky Mountain region. The color ranges from dark green to silvery blue green. Colorado blue spruce is best used as the inside row of farmstead windbreaks. Survival is best if the seedlings are protected from drying winds by placing wooden shingles on the south and west sides.

 • SPACING WITHIN ROWS: 12-16 FT    • SPACING BETWEEN ROWS: 12-24 FT            • HEIGHT:40-60

Concolor Fir also called white fir is native to the western U.S. and is the best fir for the Midwest. Concolor Fir has bluish green needles, conical form, and a moderate growth rate. The growth is light colored and remains so during much of the year. Excellent for an ornamental inside row of a windbreak.

 • SPACING WITHIN ROWS: 12-16 FT            • SPACING BETWEEN ROWS: 15-24 FT            • HEIGHT: 50-130 FT


Eastern White Pine soft, light green needles in clusters of five. Shade tolerant and grows well in wide range of soil types. Prefers sandy-loam soils: avoid clay wet soils. Excellent ornamental for the inside row of a windbreak.

• SPACING WITHIN ROWS: 12-16 FT                                    • SPACING BETWEEN ROWS: 15-24 FT            • HEIGHT: 50-100 FT

Jack Pine general pyramidal form and persistent branches make it a good substitute for red cedar. It is drought resistant and can be planted on a wide variety of sites, but not recommended for limestone soils. Can be used on outside rows in eastern Nebraska.

 • SPACING WITHIN ROWS: 8-16 FT                                • SPACING BETWEEN ROWS: 12-24 FT            • HEIGHT: 25-60 FT
 

Ponderosa Pine is native to northwest Nebraska. Needles are grouped in threes, and sometimes pairs, 5 to 10 inches long. It can withstand prolonged drought, and is the best pine to use on severe sites. It is best used on inside rows of windbreaks.

 • SPACING WITHIN ROWS: 10-16 FT                                    • SPACING BETWEEN ROWS: 12-24 FT              • HEIGHT: 40-60 FT
 

Red Cedar is native to Nebraska. It is highly adapted to a wide range of sites and has the highest survival rate of any conifer planted in Nebraska. Its deep roots and small leaf surface make it very drought resistant. The primary species in most windbreaks.

 • SPACING WITHIN ROWS: 6-12 FT                                        • SPACING BETWEEN ROWS: 14-24 FT             • HEIGHT: 30-40 FEET

Southwestern White Pine (Pinus strobiformis) is a broadly columnar evergreen growing to 40ft tall with a 20ft spread. It has low to moderate water needs, but does need to be watered in winter. Tolerant of high ozone levels and saline soil, this pine prefers full sun and well-drained soil. Drought tolerant once established.  The needles are soft-textured evergreen, 2.5 to 3.5 inches in length, blue green in color and are borne in bundles of five. Needle sheaths are deciduous and are shed after the first year.  Cones are large, 6 to 10 inches in length, cylindrical and ornamental. The scales are very long with a thin, narrow tip that spreads out and curves back. Cones mature between August and September.  Growth rate: moderate to fast [12” per year]; 35’-50’ in height, shade tolerant. 

 • sPACING WITHIN ROWS: 14-20 FT                                • SPACING BETWEEN ROWS: 16-24 FT                • HEIGHT: 35-45  FT

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Black Cherry also called rum cherry, is a native species valuable for its rich, reddish-brown wood. It grows best on deep moist, fertile soils in eastern Nebraska. The wood is used in fine furniture, and the cherries are used in jellies and wine. The cherries are excellent bird food during mid-summer.

 • SPACING WITHIN ROWS: 14-20 FT                                        • SPACING BETWEEN ROWS: 16-24 FT                • HEIGHT: 25-50 FT

Black Walnut is a medium to large, spreading, round headed tree which may reach 50-60 feet in height on favorable sites. Prefers a moist, well-drained soil. The fruit is a hard shelled nut.

 • SPACING WITHIN ROWS: 16-20 FT                                    •    SPACING BETWEEN ROWS: 16-24 FT                • HEIGHT: 30-60 FT
 

Bur Oak is a medium to large, adaptable, long-lived tree with a wide, spreading crown which may reach a height of 40-60 feet on favorable sites. Bur Oak is native to Nebraska. It grows on a wide variety of sites, but grows best on rich, moist bottomlands. It is an excellent species to include in wildlife habitat plantings.

 • SPACING WITHIN ROWS: 14-20 FT                        • SPACING BETWEEN ROWS: 16-24 FT                    • HEIGHT: 25-50 FT

Chinkapin Oak  a worthy specimen for larger lawns, estates, or parks. A medium to large size oak with 4"-6 1/2" glistening dark green leaves in summer turning yellow-orange to orangish-brown in fall. Produces 1" sweet acorns that mature in a single season. The acorns are at the top of the food preference list for many wildlife species. The bark is an ashy light gray that breaks into narrow, thin flakes. As this species matures, it becomes a magnificent specimen and a conversation piece. Grows 40'-50' high with a similar spread under landscaping conditions, becoming 70'-80' high in the wild. Does best in well-drained soil and adapts to many different soil types. Grow in full sun.   The sweet acorns are at the top of the food preference list for many wildlife species. Chinkapin oak is sometimes called yellow chestnut oak, rock oak, or yellow oak. Its heavy wood makes excellent fuel.

 • SPACING WITHIN ROWS: 14-20 FT                              • SPACING BETWEEN ROWS: 16-24FT                         • HEIGHT: 50-60 FT

Cottonwood (seedless)

Cottonwood (seedling) is the Nebraska state tree. It is native across the state and usually is found adjacent to rivers, streams, and around lakes. Cottonwood has a fast growth rate and provides most of the lumber processed in Nebraska today. It is planted in riparian areas for filter strips, and near streams to reduce sedimentation and stabilize stream banks. It also can be used in multiple row windbreaks for height and quick protection.

  • SPACING WITHIN ROWS: 16-20 FT                                    • SPACING BETWEEN ROWS: 20-30 FT                        • HEIGHT: 60-90 FT

Honeylocust is native to eastern Nebraska. This medium-lived, relatively fast growing tree lends itself  well to windbreak plantings. Thornless honeylocust is used in multi-row windbreaks to increase the effective height of the windbreak. The twisted flat seed pods are 6-10 inches long.

  • SPACING WITHIN ROWS: 14-20 FT                                  • SPACING BETWEEN ROWS: 16-24 FT                            • HEIGHT: 25-50 F

Kentucky Coffee Tree is a medium to large tree of the legume family reaching 50 to 75 feet in height on favorable sites.  Grows naturally on moist, streamside soils but adapts well to varying soil types and conditions, moderately drought tolerant when established.  Open crowned with sparse branching.  Fruit is a large brown pod.  It is important to use seedlings grown from seed with known hardiness.  Native to the central and northern Midwest to the northeast U.S.

  • SPACING WITHIN ROWS: 14-20 FT                • SPACING BETWEEN ROWS: 16-24 FT                    • HEIGHT: 50-75 FT

Laural Leaf Willow (Salix Pentandra)  is a small to medium sized tree reaching 25 to 35 feet in height and spread on favorable sites. Leaves are glossy and dark green in color. Attractive as a specimen tree. Native from Europe to central Asia.

 •  SPACING WITHIN ROWS: 20 FT                                                • SPACING BETWEEN ROWS: 20 FT -50 FT               • HEIGHT: 20-30 FT

Littleleaf Linden - Tilia Cordata -  a medium sized tree species reaching 35 to 45 feet in height, spread of 20 to 30 feet.  Leaves smaller than American Linden, and more densely branched.  Suitable for farmstead and conservation plantings where moisture is adequate.  It is not particularly tolerant of drought, scorching at the leaf margins in summer drought.  But this apparently does little long-term harm. It is more tolerant of heat and compact soil than American Basswood.  The tree grows in sun or partial shade, will tolerate alkaline soil if it is moist, and it transplants well. Many communities plant Linden along the streets due to its rapid growth rate and dense, symmetrical crown but Littleleaf Linden is sensitive to road salt. Oval Shape, Medium Growth.
  •  SPACING WITHIN ROWS: 14-20 FT                                          •  SPACING BETWEEN ROWS: 16 -24 FT                    • HEIGHT: 35-45 FT

Northern Pecan tree has a tall trunk and broad rounded crown of massive spreading branches, and familiar pecan nuts. The wood is used for furniture, flooring, veneer, and charcoal for smoking meats. Pecans grow best on moist well-drained loamy soils of river flood plains and valleys; in mixed hardwood forests.

 •  SPACING WITHIN ROWS: 14-20 FT                                        • SPACING BETWEEN ROWS: 16-24 FT                                • HEIGHT: 50-100 FT

Norway Poplar  is a large, vigorous, narrow crowned male tree which may reach 70 ft. in height, upright in overall growth. Fast growing tree planted between 12-15 feet apart in windbreaks.

  • SPACING WITHIN ROWS: 14-20 FT                                                • SPACING BETWEEN ROWS: 16-24 FT                                    • HEIGHT: 35-70 FT

Red Maple is a medium-sized tree highly prized because of its bright red flowers in early spring before leaves appear. Medium to dark green leaves turn yellow to brilliant red in fall. An excellent wetland species, can tolerate wet, swampy conditions.

 •  SPACING WITHIN ROWS: 14-20 FT                                                • SPACING BETWEEN ROWS: 16-24 FT                                        • HEIGHT: 40-60 FT

Red Oak is a medium to large-sized tree native to eastern Nebraska. Red oak has a medium growth rate and oval shaped crown with bronze-red autumn color. This long-lived species is excellent for wildlife. It will provide food, shelter, and nesting for a wide variety of birds and animals.

 •  SPACING WITHIN ROWS: 14-20 FT                                                • SPACING BETWEEN ROWS: 16-24 FT                                        • HEIGHT: 25-50 FT

Shagbark Hickory is a narrow, upright growth habit. Fall colors are yellow and golden brown tones. Popular for its sweet edible nuts and shredding bark. Nut production should start in 25 to 30 years. Plant at least ten for pollination.

 •  SPACING WITHIN ROWS: 14-20                                                • SPACING BETWEEN ROWS: 16-24                                                • HEIGHT: 90 FT
 

Silver Maple is a fast growing, long-lived tree native to eastern Nebraska. The species is ideal for wet bottomland sites and can easily recover from extended periods of flooding. Silver maple is a very good choice for filter strips next to streams and for stream bank stabilization. The wood of the silver maple is brittle and can break in wind, snow, or ice storms.

 •  SPACING WITHIN ROWS: 16-20 FT                                            • SPACING BETWEEN ROWS: 20-30 FT                                        • HEIGHT: 35-60 FT

Sugar Maple is a medium to tall tree (to 100 feet) with very dense elliptical crown.   Sugar maple is used to make furniture, veneer, paneling, flooring, gunstocks, tool handles, plywood dies, cutting blocks, woodenwares, bowling pins, musical instruments, etc. Sugar maple is commonly planted as an ornamental because of its potential for fantastic bright orange fall foliage. Sugar maple is the classic maple syrup provider - 15 to 25 gallons of sap are required to produce 1 gallon of maple syrup. It's wood is very hard.

 •  SPACING WITHIN ROWS: 14-16 FT                                            • SPACING BETWEEN ROWS: 20 FT                                            • HEIGHT: 100 FT

Swamp White Oak is native to the central and southern United States. It grows best on moist, bottomland forested soils. It is a large tree with specimens over 60 feet tall. The tree is valuable for wildlife habitat and for its wood.

 •  SPACING WITHIN ROWS: 14-20 FT                                                • SPACING BETWEEN ROWS: 16-24 FT                                        • HEIGHT: 25-50 FT

American Plum is native to Nebraska and is well adapted to a wide variety of soil and climate conditions. It forms dense thickets ideal for the outside rows of windbreaks and wildlife habit. Birds use the thickets for nesting, feeding and resting areas. White flowers bloom in May, with red to purple plums ripening during September.

 •  SPACING WITHIN ROWS: 3-6 FT                                                • SPACING BETWEEN ROWS: 12-16 FT                                •  HEIGHT: 6-10 FT

Amur Maple is an introduced medium-sized shrub from northern Asia. It is best used for wildlife habitat and as the outside row on the leeward side of windbreaks. Noted for its attractive autumn color of yellow, orange, and red.

 •  SPACING WITHIN ROWS: 8-12 FT                                            •  SPACING BETWEEN ROWS: 12-18 FT                                  •   HEIGHT: 16-20 FT

Bittersweet is a native vine which climbs by twining its stems around tree branches or fences, may reach a height of 20 to 30 feet. Female plants produce fruit in hanging clusters which split open at maturity to reveal showy bright orange-red persistent berries.

  • SPACING WITHIN ROWS: 3-6 FT                                                            • SPACING BETWEEN ROWS: 8-12 FT                                     • HEIGHT: 3-6 FT

Buffaloberry is native to western Nebraska. It is a thorny, tree-like shrub that is drought tolerant and adaptable to alkaline soils. The persistent, fleshy berries provide food for birds during the winter. The tart berries also are used in jellies.

  •  SPACING WITHIN ROWS: 3-6 FT                                                            • SPACING BETWEEN ROWS: 12-16 FT                                  • HEIGHT: 10-12 FT

Caragana, also called pea shrub, is a large spreading shrub. It provides dense cover for wildlife and is ideal for the shrub row in a windbreak. Caragana is adaptable to conditions of extreme cold and wind, and tolerates a wide range of soil types both alkaline and saline.

  • SPACING WITHIN ROWS: 3-6 FT                                                        • SPACING BETWEEN ROWS: 12-16 FT                                  • HEIGHT: 8-10 FT

Chokeberry is a medium sized, multi-stemmed, suckering shrub reaching 5 to 8 feet in height on favorable sites. Foliage is a shiny green turning wine red in the fall. The persistent, astringent fruits are dark purple black in color and borne in clusters. Tolerates low, wet areas though is adaptable to varying soil conditions. Native to the northeastern, eastern and mid-western U.S.

 •  SPACING WITHIN ROWS: 3-6 FT                                                                • SPACING BETWEEN ROWS: 12-18 FT                                    • HEIGHT: 5-8 FT

Chokecherry is a medium sized shrub that forms a dense thicket from root suckers. It is used for the outer row in multi-row windbreaks. Chokecherry is good wildlife habitat, providing food and cover for birds and small mammals. Snowy white flowers bloom in April or May, and the cherries ripen during July. Cherries can be used to make jellies and wine.

  • SPACING WITHIN ROWS: 3-6 FT                                                • SPACING BETWEEN ROWS: 12-18 FT                                     • HEIGHT: 8-14 FT
 

Cotoneaster (Pekin) is a low growing shrub introduced from Asia. It has dark glossy green foliage that turns orange to red during the fall. The berry like fruit ripens to a dark red or black in early October and persists late into the winter, providing a good winter food source for birds. This is a sturdy shrub for the outside row of windbreaks.

  • SPACING WITHIN ROWS: 3-6 FT                                                • SPACING BETWEEN ROWS: 12-16 FT                                    • HEIGHT: 5-10 FT
 

Crab Apple is a medium sized tree growing to 20 feet. It will have a rounded crown when open and will maintain its branches close to the ground. It is extremely hardy and disease resistant. The small apples are only ¼ to ½ inches in diameter. The persistent fruit make excellent wildlife food throughout the fall and winter. The white blossoms are attractive during the spring. Crabapple is good for single row windbreaks where a shorter tree is needed, and between the central and outside rows of multi-row windbreaks.

  • SPACING WITHIN ROWS: 8-12 FT                                            • SPACING BETWEEN ROWS: 12-16 FT                                     • HEIGHT: 14-18 FT

Cranberry Highbush  is a large shrub (15 feet tall), arching stems, very dense, rounded form Flower: White, flat top cluster about 2 to 3 inches across, outer flowers larger and sterile, appearing in late spring and early summer.

 •  SPACING WITHIN ROWS: 4'-6' FT                                            • SPACING BETWEEN ROWS: 10-12 FT                                     •  HEIGHT: 15 FT

Eastern Redbud is a large shrub or small tree with a short often twisted trunk and spreading branches. Flowers are perfect reddish purple in bud, opening to a rosy pink with purplish tinge in early spring. Very effective as a mass planting. Wildlife such as the ring-necked pheasants, bobwhite quail, and squirrels eat the fruit.  NOT AVAILABLE 2010
  • SPACING WITHIN ROWS: 8-12 FT                                             • SPACING BETWEEN ROWS: 12-16 FT                                        • HEIGHT: 20-30 FT
 

Elderberry is native to Nebraska. It is primarily used in wildlife planting for summer food. The dark purple berries are formed on umbrella-type heads and ripen during mid to late summer. The berries make excellent jelly and syrups.
 •  SPACING WITHIN ROWS: 3-6 FT                                            • SPACING BETWEEN ROWS: 12-16 FT                                       • HEIGHT: 4-8 FT

Golden Currant is a winter hardy and drought-tolerant, small native shrub. On the better sites it will grow to 5 to 7 feet tall. Yellow flowers bloom during May. The edible fruit is yellowish to purplish black when ripe. The fruit can be eaten directly from the bush or made into jelly. Golden currant is excellent for wildlife habitat or can be used on the outside row of multi-row windbreaks.

  • SPACING WITHIN ROWS: 3-6 FT                                                • SPACING BETWEEN ROWS: 12-16 FT                                       • HEIGHT: 4-6 FT

Hardy Apricot is a small spreading tree 15 to 20 feet tall. It has a beautiful pinkish flower that blooms in the spring before the leaves emerge. The fruit provides food for wildlife during the fall. It can be used for one of the outer rows in a multi-row windbreak.

• SPACING WITHIN ROWS: 8-12 FT                                             • SPACING BETWEEN ROWS: 12-18 FT                                       • HEIGHT: 12-18 FT

Hazelnut, American

Honeysuckle is a small to medium size shrub with spreading branches. It has abundant and fragrant white to pink blossoms that appear in late May to early June. The blossoms are very attractive to honeybees. Honey suckle provides summer food for songbirds and is used in outer rows of windbreaks.

• SPACING WITHIN ROWS: 3-6 FT                                                • SPACING BETWEEN ROWS: 12-18 FT                                        •  HEIGHT: 5-10 FT

Juneberry is a small to medium suckering shrub which may reach a height of 8-10 feet.  White flowers followed by an edible fruit in late June to early July.  Also known as Saskatoon.  It is native to the Northern Great Plains.  Intermountain west, and Canada.  June Berry is an excellent species for wildlife plantings.

• SPACING WITHIN ROWS: 3-6 FT                                            • SPACING BETWEEN ROWS: 12-18 FT                                         • HEIGHT: 8-10 FT

Lilac, Common is an upright, suckering, medium to tall shrub which grows 8-12 feet in height. Flower color is purple or white.

• SPACING WITHIN ROWS: 3-6 FT                                            •S PACING BETWEEN ROWS: 12-18 FT                                         • HEIGHT: 6-10 FT
 

Lilac, Villosa is a medium to large, dense, non-suckering, upright shrub. Flower color is pink and occurs about 2 weeks later than common lilac.

• SPACING WITHIN ROWS: 3-6 FT                                        • SPACING BETWEEN ROWS: 12-18 FT                                         • HEIGHT: 8-12 FT 

McDermand Pear is a small to medium, round headed tree, often branching low to the ground, reaching a height of 25 to 35 feet. White flowers appear in May followed by a small greenish-yellow fruit in fall.

• SPACING WITHIN ROWS: 8-12 FT                                                    •  SPACING BETWEEN ROWS: 12-18 FT                                         • HEIGHT: 15-25 F

Nanking Cherry is a medium sized, spreading shrub. On favorable sites it may reach a height of 6-8 feet. Attractive white to pink flowers produce small, edible red cherries.

  • SPACING WITHIN ROWS: 3-6 FT                                     •  SPACING BETWEEN ROWS: 12-18 FT                                      • HEIGHT: 5-7 FT

Red Osier Dogwood is also known as red stemmed dogwood. The young bark is red in color year-round. It can grow in a wide range of soil types especially in wetter soils along riparian areas. This dogwood will grow from 7 to 10 feet in height and can spread by ground suckers.

 •  SPACING WITHIN ROWS: 3-6 FT                                              • SPACING BETWEEN ROWS: 12-18 FT                                    •  HEIGHT: 6-10 FT
 

River Grape Vine is also known as red stemmed dogwood. The young bark is red in color year-round. It can grow in a wide range of soil types especially in wetter soils along riparian areas. This dogwood will grow from 7 to 10 feet in height and can spread by ground suckers.

  • SPACING WITHIN ROWS: 3-5 FT                                                •  SPACING BETWEEN ROWS: 10-12 FT                              •  HEIGHT: 20-30 FT
 

Sand Cherry is a low growing shrub native to Nebraska. It has showy white flowers in May and produces small, sweet, purplish-black cherries in July. Sand cherry can tolerate hot, dry conditions, and prefers well-drained soils. It will sucker to form small, four-to six foot wide thickets. The cherries are especially good for making jelly or jam.

 • SPACING WITHIN ROWS: 3-6 FT                                           •  SPACING BETWEEN ROWS: 12-16 FT                             • HEIGHT: 3-6 FT

Serviceberry - Amelanchier laevis is an upright growing, small tree or tall shrub reaching 18 to 25 feet or more in height.  Native from the northeast U.S. through the lake states and south through the Midwest.   Generally non-suckering, white flowers in spring followed by edible, sweet dark purple fruits in late June  to early July.  Excellent wildlife plant  and attractive, small tree in naturalistic landscape plantings. 
  
• SPACING WITHIN ROWS: 3-6 FT                                                   • SPACING BETWEEN ROWS: 12-16 FT                          • HEIGHT: 18-25 FT

Skunkbush Sumac is native to Nebraska. Can tolerate alkaline and drought conditions. The clusters of berry-like fruit is great for wildlife species providing food for birds throughout the winter.

• SPACING WITHIN ROWS: 3-6 FT                                                • SPACING BETWEEN ROWS: 12-16 FT                        • HEIGHT: 4-8 FT

Woodbine- Parthenocissus SP. - a climbing vine native to woodlands throughout the Midwest, may reach 25 to 30 feet in height on tree trunks or grow along and over fence rows. Stems may get several inches in diameter. Blue-black fruits in long-stemmed clusters mature in late summer are utilized by birds.  Bright red fall foliage.

• SPACING WITHIN ROWS 3-6 FT                                                          • SPACING BETWEEN ROWS: 8-12 FT                             • HEIGHT: 20-30 FT  ON TREES