Native Trees & Shrubs

White spruce (Picea glauca) is widely distributed across Canada and is characteristic of the boreal forest region.  It grows in a variety of soils but is often found growing in well-drained soils.  Benefits from some shelter in early years. It is considered a climax species and is widely used for reclamation. Seed-propagated.

Black spruce (Picea mariana) can be found in many different soils and climates in central and northern Alberta.  It is found in association with tamarack on poorly-drained soils but also with jack pine and aspen on more xeric sites.  Seed-propagated.

Jack pine (Pinus banksiana) is native to central and eastern Alberta and may hybridize with lodgepole pine that occurs in central and western Alberta.  Seed-propagated.

Lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta) grows on the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains and eastward into central Alberta and may hybridize with jack pine.  It does well on a wide range of soil textures and soil moisture conditions.  Seed-propagated.

Ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) is a large pine, native to southeastern British Columbia. It has long needles, up to 29 cm long and distinctively thick bark, which may help it survive forest fires.  Seed-propagated.

Red pine (Pinus resinosa) is a long-needled pine that is native to Manitoba to eastern Canada. Beautiful branches with long needles and thick ornamental bark.  Grown in a smaller 310B plug.  Seed-propagated.

Tamarack (Larix laricina) is a deciduous, soft-needled conifer that is generally found in wet, poorly drained sites but produces the best growth on moist, well-drained soils.  It often grows in association with black spruce, alders and willows.  Seed-propagated.

Trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides) is a small to medium-sized deciduous tree, widely distributed in North America.  Reproduction by root suckers is the main method of spread for trembling aspen, resulting in large clonal stands.  Seed-propagated.

Balsam poplar (Populus balsamifera) is widely distributed in Canada and occurs in central and northern Alberta.  It is found on wet sites but is adapted to a range of soil moisture regimes.  It has a relatively fast growth rate.  Grows in association with white spruce, black spruce, white birch, alder and other species of the boreal region.  Propagated by seed or hardwood cuttings.

White birch (Betula papyrifera) is widely distributed in North America and produces a medium-sized deciduous tree.  It tolerates a wide range of soils but does best on well-drained sandy or silty-loam soils.  Seed-propagated.

Green alder (Alnus crispa) is a hardy long-lived deciduous shrub that grows up to 5 m.  It fixes nitrogen so it improves soil fertility over time.  Seed-propagated.

Red osier dogwood (Cornus sericea) is a small multi-stemmed deciduous shrub that can be found on a wide range of soil moisture conditions.  It will spread by root sprouts after it has established and has a moderate cover rate.  Seed-propagated.

Choke cherry (Prunus virginia) is widespread throughout Alberta and is found in open areas of the boreal region. It can be a large shrub or small tree (0.6 – 6 m high).  It has a good growth rate and self-propagates by suckering.  Seed-propagated.

Pin cherry (Prunus pensylvanica) is a small tree (12-15 m high) or shrub (3-4 m high) that grows singly or in groves along rivers.  Seed-propagated.

Canada or russet buffaloberry (Shepherdia canadensis) is a small deciduous shrub that can grow to 2 m high.  It fixes nitrogen so it will grow well on low fertility sites.  Found growing in association with jack pine, prickly rose and cranberry .  Seed-propagated

Prickly rose (Rosa acicularis) is a native shrub that grows to 2.5 m tall and can be found along river banks, roadsides and fields.  It can be found on a wide range of soil moisture conditions and soil textures.  Seed-propagated.

High bush cranberry (Viburnum opulus) can be a shrub or small tree up to 4 m tall.  It is shade-tolerant and is always found in the understory.  Seed-propagated.

Low bush cranberry (Viburnem edule) is a native shrub, up to 2.5 m tall and found in moist woods, stream banks and swamps.  Berries are strongly scented. Differs from high bush cranberry in height and floral structures.  Seed-propagated.

Saskatoon (Amelanchier alnifolia) is a multistemmed shrub or small tree (1-6 m high) that can be found in a wide range of habitats and climatic conditions.  It is found on all types of soils except poorly drained and heavy soils.  Seedlings have good drought tolerance.  Produces edible fruit with several commercially available cultivars.  Seed-propagated.

Bebb willow (Salix bebbiana) or beaked willow is a shrub or small tree up to 10 m in height and is found on a wide range of soil textures and moisture conditions.  It can withstand flooding during the growing season.  Bebb willow has low shade tolerance and grows best in fill sunlight.  Propagated by seed or hardwood cuttings.

Pussy willow (Salix discolor) is a shrub or small tree (up to 10 m high) that produces catkins before leaves appear in spring.  Is found along streams and sloughs.  Propagated by seed or hardwood cuttings.

Sandbar willow (Salix exigua) is a spreading shrub or small tree with narrow strap-like leaves.  Often found growing in ditches along roadways.  It suckers readily and forms dense thickets.  Propagated by seed or hardwood cuttings.

Yellow willow (Salix lutea) is a larger shrub willow, with yellow bark.  Propagated by seed.

Dwarf birch (Betula glandulosa) is a spreading shrub that grows to about 2 m high in marshes and muskegs.  Seed propagated.

Wolf willow (Eleagnus commutata) is not a willow but a member of the oleaster family.  It is found throughout Alberta but occurs mainly in central and southern Alberta.  It is a moderately branched shrub, up to 4 m tall, with silvery-green leaves and fragrant yellow flowers.  It fixes nitrogen so it can do well on poor fertility sites.  Seed-propagated.

Bog cranberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea) is a groundcover plant with small leathery leaves.  Flowers are borne on stalks a few cm tall.  Seed-propagated.

Labrador tea (Ledum groenlandicum) is a slow-growing shrub (to 1 m tall) in the heath family.  Thrives in wet areas.  Seed-propagated.

Blueberry (Vaccinium myrtilloides) is a low growing branched shrub up to 30 cm tall.  Berries are edible and sweet.  Seed-propagated.