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SEPTEMBER 2017 HOME 7 (Editor's note: Arborist Bill Reichenbach was asked to whittle down many fine tree choices to just five favorites. All leaf-bearing trees, he said they are durable, long-lived, distinc- tive and hardy.) By Bill Reichenbach Special to Waukesha Home 1. Bur oak (also spelled "burr") — Quercus macrocarpa — A long- lived, majestic and durable tree that should be planted more often. Oaks are not as slow-growing as often thought. A very adaptable tree to various soil types and urban conditions. Bur oak has lustrous dark green foliage. Its rough, deeply furrowed bark and corky twigs give the tree a rugged appearance. Bur oaks get BIG; give them space from structures and other trees. 2. Ginkgo — Ginkgo biloba — One of the world's most distinctive trees, dating back to the time of the dinosaurs, it was once thought extinct but is now widely cultivat- ed. Unique foliage adorns this tree, bright green in summer with luminous golden-yellow fall color. Ginkgo is extremely pest- resistant as well as being resistant to wind and storm damage. It does have a slow- to medium-growth rate. Providing adequate water, proper mulching and fertil- ization will increase growth rate. Ginkgo has separate male and female plants; plant only male varieties to avoid foul-smelling fruit which are produced by female ginkgo. Ginkgo do get large in age; give them space in the landscape. 3. Kentucky coffeetree — Gymnocladus dioicus — Looking for a tough, beautiful, large-scale tree? Consider the Kentucky cof- feetree. A relatively rare native tree of the American Midwest. Found on flood- plains as well as rocky slopes, it is a very adaptable tree. The leaves are large and ferny with small leaflets, blue-green in sum- mer and soft yellow in fall. The foliage is truly unique. Coarsely branched with rough, scaly brown bark, this tree has a wonderful silhouette in the winter dor- mant season. Young trees can appear gaunt, almost devoid of branching until they reach the size of a baseball bat. But with sun- light and ample moisture you will be rewarded with a maturing tree that is a sight to behold. 4. Katsura — Cercidi- phyllum japonicum — A tree with uncommon beau- ty, native to Japan and China, Katsura means "tree" in Japanese. Obvi- ously, the Japanese think highly of this tree. Katsura is attractive year-round. Delicate heart-shaped leaves emerge in spring with a slight purple tinge, gradually taking on a rich blue-green color. Fall foliage is an impressive show of bright yellow to apricot orange. Katsura is relatively disease- and pest- free, however it does demand good moisture and does best on moisture reten- tive soils. This tree matures at 40 to 60 feet tall. 5. Musclewood (also known as American hornbeam, blue beech and ironwood) — Carpi- nus caroliniana — Need a smaller-scale tree? Time to plant a musclewood. Mus- clewood is a native under- story tree found in wood- lands throughout Wiscon- sin. The foliage is clean and bright green. Fall foliage is variable, from yellow to orange with some individu- als exhibiting red fall color. Musclewood is a graceful, fine textured tree with won- derful bark characteristics. Strong-wooded with smooth gray, sinewy stems and bark. Musclewood is shade- tolerant, and matures at about 20 feet tall and wide in cultivation. Photo courtesy of Bill Reichenbach 4.The heart-shaped leaves of the katsura change from a purple tinge to blue-green in the summer to bright yellow or apricot orange in the fall. Photo courtesy of Bill Reichenbach 1.The bur oak can grow more quickly than people often think. Give it room. Photo courtesy of Bill Reichenbach 2.The ginkgo is extremely pest-resistant. It's bright green leaves turn golden-yellow in the fall. (See photo on page 6.) Photo courtesy of Bill Reichenbach 3.The Kentucky coffeetree has ferny leaves that are blue-green in the summer. It's highly adaptable. Photo courtesy of Bill Reichenbach 5. Of arborist Bill Reichenbach's five choices, the sturdy musclewood, also known as ironwood, is the shortest, reaching about 20 feet. He also said it should be planted at least 20 feet from structures. It does well in shade. Related story What should you consider when buying trees? Two experts weigh in. Page 7 Whittled down: One arborist's five favorites

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