How2Day: Preferred Trees for North Central Kansas

North Central Kansas sits in U.S. Department of Agriculture Plant Hardiness Zone 5. Conflicting air masses from the Northwest, Southwest and the Gulf of Mexico reach this region, resulting in temperature extremes (down to -20 degrees F in winter). Assorted species do well in this climate, each with its own aesthetic and set of features.

The western range of the black walnut (Juglans nigra) includes North Central Kansas, with this nut-producing species also growing through the Midwest and most of the East. Black walnut grows to 75 feet, with compound leaves that may have as many as 23 leaflets attached to a main stalk. The fall color of the foliage is yellow, while the furrowed gray-black bark is an asset as well. The edible nuts develop in clusters in a yellow-green husk. Black walnut grows well in fertile, damp ground and full sun.

One of the few evergreens in Kansas, the eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana) grows all over the Sunflower State. Able to reach heights of 90 feet but usually growing to 30 or 40 feet high, the eastern red cedar has use as a tree to create windbreaks and as an ornamental. The tree has scale-like, blue-green foliage and produces cones that are waxy and light brown; wildlife seek these out and eat them. The peeling red-brown bark is attractive and the bark, wood and twigs are all aromatic. Eastern red cedar grows in nearly every environment in Kansas, including the hillsides of prairies, old fields, along the roads and in rocky, dry ground. The eastern red cedar endures droughts and it is cold hardy to -40 degrees F.

Native Americans chewed the bark and fruit of prickly ash (Zanthoxylum americanum) to relieve toothache symptoms, giving the species its nickname of toothache tree. Not a true ash, this tree grows to 25 feet but is often smaller and shrubby in form. The species occurs across the eastern half of the state, with North Central Kansas within that distribution. Prickly ash has twigs armed with prickles and compound leaves with as many as 11 leaflets per stalk. The tree's green flowers are nothing extraordinary in terms of beauty, but do bloom in spring before the leaves appear. Prickly ash is particularly well suited for a hedge or privacy screen. It develops in most soil conditions and can multiply by sending out new growth straight from its own roots.

Settlers planted the black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) throughout Kansas as an ornamental tree, where it now grows in the wild across the state. Black locust, which can grow to 70 feet but is typically in the 50-foot range, has an irregular branching habit. The twigs have thorns, the leaves are compound, the creamy white flowers are fragrant and the resulting fruit is a persisting brown pod of seeds. Black locust stands up to hot temperatures, exposure to salt and to air pollution, notes the University of Connecticut Plant Database. Use it as a shade tree or plant it to prevent erosion. Cultivars include Idaho, Tortuosa and Purple Robe.

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