Shelterbelt & Ornamental Species

Colorado spruce (Picea pungens) is an attractive hardy tree used for landscaping and shelterbelts.  About 30% of the seedlings grown from our seedlot have grey-blue needles.  Those with green needles, however, are still ornamental with a more attractive form than white spruce.  Seed-propagated.

Black Hills white spruce (Picea glauca densata) is an attractive form of white spruce from the Black Hills of South Dakota.  It has a slower growth rate than white spruce but is a valuable landscape tree. Seed-propagated.

Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) is an attractive pine that can be used for landscaping, shelterbelts and Christmas trees.  We have Ukrainian and Russian seedlots.  Both are very hardy, have good colour and shape.  The Russian seedlot produces trees that are slightly fuller than the Ukrainian seedlot.  Seed-propagated.

Ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) is a beautiful long-needled (10-20 cm) pine with attractive orange-brown furrowed back.  It is slow-growing but has good hardiness.  Native to southern British Columbia.  Seed-propagated.

Siberian larch (Larix siberica) is a deciduous soft-needled conifer like tamarack but has a more attractive form with gracefully arched branches.  It has beautiful fall colour.  Seed-propagated.

Hybrid poplar (Populus x deltoides) are hardy, fast-growing clones that were developed for agroforestry.   Okanese is a male clone (no fuzz) with a spreading-upright habit with a fast growth rate.  Northwest is a male clone with a moderately fast growth rate and a broad spreading habit.  All hybrid poplars have relatively short lifespans (40-50 years) but are valued for their fast growth rate.  Propagated by cuttings.

Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) is a nitrogen fixing shrub that produces abundant orange berries on female plants.  Plants have silvery green leaves and large thorns.  The astringent fruit are believed to have curative benefits and contain high levels of vitamin C.  Seedlings will be a mix of male and female plants.  Seed-propagated.

Silver buffaloberry (Shepherdia argentea) is a tall (3-5 m) salt-tolerant, nitrogen-fixing shrub that suckers well and tolerates poor soil quality and high salinity.  Like Canada buffaloberry, fruit are borne only on female plants.  Suckers well and produces a dense thicket over time.  Seed-propagated.

Ussurian pear (Pyrus ussuriensis) is a dense deciduous tree that is covered in spectacular showy white flowers in spring. It has good fall colour and a consistent oval shape.  The fruit are low quality and may be messy.  Requires some maintenance. Seed-propagated.

Villosa lilac (Syringa villosa) is a large flowering shrub with fragrant purple flowers that grow in clusters at the end of its branches.  Late flowering, it grows quickly and produces excellent privacy and wind protection.  Its good drought resistance makes it suitable for planting in outer rows.  Seed-propagated.

Common lilac (Syringa vulgaris) will produce purple, fragrant flowers on a large shrub that provide excellent privacy and wind protection.  Its bushy habit and profuse suckering results in a tall, dense hedge.  Seed-propagated.

American elm (Ulmus americana) is an attractive street tree that shows the distinctive vase shape seen in elms.  It is susceptible to Dutch Elm disease so it shouldn’t be planted in areas where this disease has been found.  A large tree, it grows to 80 feet with a spread of 50 ft.  Seed-propagated.

Manitoba maple (Acer negundo) is a fast-growing, short-lived cold-hardy tree with pinnately compound leaves that grows to 80 ft (25 metre).  Fruit are paired samaras that provide food for birds and squirrels.  Seed-propagated.

Red elder (Sambucus racemosa) is an attractive multi-stemmed deciduous shrub with showy clusters of creamy white flowers that develop into red fruit clusters.  Good for attracting birds.  Seed-propagated.

Caragana (Caragana arborescens) is a tough hardy leguminous shrub, widely planted on the Prairies with a moderate to fast growth rate.  It tolerates drought well with an extensive root system that can help with erosion control.  Fixes nitrogen.  Seed-propagated.

Beaked hazelnut (Corylus cornuta) is propagated infrequently due to the difficulty in collecting sufficient seed (hazelnuts), an important food source for squirrels and other wildlife.  Seed-propagated.  Call for availability.

Golden willow (Salix alba vitellina) is an attractive tree that has glossy leaves on golden branches that stand out in winter.  Makes a good windbreak but can be messy with dropped branchlets.  Do not plant near buildings. Seed-propagated.

Laurel leaf willow (Salix pentandra) is a hardy, fast growing willow with glossy green leaves and a dense deciduous habit. Requires regular care and upkeep.  Suited for moist or wet areas.  Seed-propagated.

Acute leaf willow (Salix acutifolia) is a hardy, fast-growing willow with shiny, elongated leaves.  It prefers moist areas but tolerates some drought.  Seed-propagated.