In Regina, the pruning ban extends from April 1st to August 31st. Please check with your municipality, the ban may be different in your area.

   --- Also please remember to band those Elms!

That is the phrase our horticultural tree identification class heard during the introduction of the Horse Chestnut. I would have to say the same thing of it's close, prairie hardy relative, the Ohio Buckeye. This tree should be easy to recognize in any landscape. Although, you may not want to plant it in just "any" landscape. This is another one of "those" trees. The Ohio Buckeye needs a large landscape to spread it's wings. And please, never ever place a swing set under this tree.

Ohio Buckeye
(Aesculus glabra)

• Grows full sun
  
• Prefers alkaline soils
• Slow growth rate
• Showy yellow green flowers
• Large fruit do fall before the squirrels can get them (remember the swing set)
  

Zone 2
Height: 12m x 6m (40' X 20')
Crown Shape: rounded
Landscape uses:  Large park, or acreage tree

So, if you cannot identify this tree or are not really interested in dental classes, I have one hint for you. Only Aesculus species have,
   --- the five finger or palmately compound look! 
 

In my mind, there is no greater fragrance from any prairie hardy tree. I used to have an apartment balcony over a row of these trees, the smell would waft up and I could sit there for hours.

Russian Olive
(Elaeagnus angustifolia) 

• Grows full sun to part shade
• Adaptable to soil conditions
• Medium growth rate
  
• Fragrant flowers, silver berry like fruit changing to brown
  
• Silver Leaves
• Interesting bark
  

Zone 2
Height: 6m x 6m (20' x20')
Crown shape: Depends on what you want, can be a tree or a shrub
Landscape Uses: hedges, highways, parks, specimen, birds love the fruit.

This tree was used extensivly as a wind break along Saskatchewan highways. It is highly adaptable to many soil conditions. It does great in Canada because unlike our neighbours to the south, this tree is not agressive in our cold climate. 

If you want to smell this wonderful scent, visit Larry in June. I know he is not happy with his tree, but that is only because someone previous wanted to smell this tree in the house. So they planted a 20' tree under the eve-troughs of the house.
 --- Just another case of 'nos-scents' besting common sense!

I was fortunate enough to have a large yard with many trees. I did not care what variety or what weedy characteristics each possessed, I loved the natural beauty. I have dear memories of building forts in and eating the sweet nectar of the Caraganas. We climbed the Cottonwood Poplar tree and had an amazing tree house in a Manitoba Maple. We travelled through the Choke Cherry patch, as if we were in another world. There was always an adventure.

Now that you know my personal feelings for trees, I want to address some common requests from potential tree buyers.

Everyone strives to find the perfect tree for their situation. Someone with a pool wants a tree that is clean. I have one tree to recommend. Here it is the perfect tree for over a pool are you ready. 'Plant a dead one!'

I know that may be a bit harsh, but really all trees have leaves which must fall. Every tree has characteristics that may be unpopular but if you can just look past that, you may find the real beauty of trees.

While biking with my son the other day we came upon a very fragrant 40 ft magnolia. It was absolutely marvelous. Quite possibly the best display I have ever witnessed. Next time we biked passed, the owner of the tree was out raking the front lawn. Those beautiful 4 inch petals had to fall somewhere.

When shopping for trees, there are many things to consider. I understand yards are smaller, yes people today book less time for yard work, but there is a wonder to behold. As with everything, you just have to look past the negatives to see the real beauty.

--- Because we all know, every lovely 'rose' still has 'thorns'! 

Then on Thursday morning they received their first real good drink, of course this drink, now makes them twice as heavy as they were prior to same.

Why am I telling you this, well we are supposed to experience a not-so-nice minus 6^o C (21^o F) chill tonight.

So we are now carting most of the trees and shrubs into the perennial greenhouse, to protect those new soft buds from that miserable frost.

   --- Oh, and yes, that weighty drink really does make a difference!
 

'Snowbird' and 'Toba' Hawthorn
(Crataegus x mordenensis)

• Grows full sun to part shade
• Adaptable to soil conditions
• Medium growth rate
• Beautiful fragrant double flowers turning to red fruit
• Is described as spiny
• Glossy green leaves
  

Zone 3
Height: 5m x5m (15' x15')
Crown shape: Upright, rounded
Landscape Uses: Specimen, spring flowering, winter interest, red fruit

One great feature of these trees, they do better in colder climates. In zone 7 the tree suffers greatly, But,
   --- what else would you expect from a Manitoba native! 

"Oh, what's that?"

"We should plant a Prunus triloba 'Multiplex' 

What you just witnessed is what every greenhouse owner witnesses when anyone sees this plant in the spring. They want one or more. We currently have a smoke bush that is suffering from heat and drought. Let's just say, it is not what it could be. In our case, this could be the perfect plant for our spot and we may just do another plant shuffle to add it in.

Double Flowering Plum, Rose Tree of China
(Prunus Triloba 'multiplex') 

• Grows full sun
• Adaptable to soil conditions
• Medium growth rate, slower on the prairies
• Beautiful double flower in spring

Zone 2
Height: 2.5m x 2.5m (6-8' x 6-8')
Crown Shape: Round
Landscape uses: Buffer strips, specimen, back of bed, can be a tree (if pruned) or a shrub

This plant is perfect because we want a little shade for the scorched lawn but can not plant a tall tree due to wires overhead.

This special ash, which Mr. Patmore discovered in northern Alberta, has been tested at the Morden Research station and has been found to have superior qualities. It was patented and today it is being grown in many parts of Canada and the United States.

Patmore Ash:

• Grows best in full sun
• Very adaptable to soil conditions, tolerates drought
  
• Fast growing
• Seedless
• Yellow fall colour

Zone 2
Height: 18m x11m (60' x 35')
Crown Shape: oval when mature
Landscape Uses: streets, parks, yards, and fall colour

And what I like:

It tolerates a wide range of conditions, from zone 2 to 9, and the complete range of moisture amounts avalible in those zones.

    --- See, many great things do come from the prairies! 

This seedless hardy ash has an upright oval shape. 

 
Foothills Ash:

• Grows best in full sun
• Fraxinus pennsylvanica is used as a grow anywhere plant.
• Tolerates high pH, salt, drought, wind and sterile soils
• Fast growing
• yellow fall colour
  

Zone 2
Height: 12m x 9m (60' x 30')
Crown shape: Oval, prune in fall if needed to maintain tree shape
Landscape Uses: streets, lawns, fall colour

Trees were shrubby when tested in Fairview Alberta, producing many branch leaders and it is not recommended for growing there.

 --- Apparently it only likes real foothills type weather!