Planning & Zoning Administration
Forestry & Trees - Recommended Tree Species
Sherburne County is located in the southeastern part of Minnesota and is part of the ecological area referred to as the Anoka Sand Plain. Much of the county is relatively flat with sandy soil types. Approximately 30% of the county is considered wooded. Forest composition consists primarily of northern pin oak, bur oak, and red pine. Other common species found in Sherburne County include hackberry, green ash, elm, black cherry, boxelder, aspen and scotch pine. Understory vegetation consists largely of hazel, prickly ash, elderberry, black raspberry, and buckthorn.
Tree Selection
Providing a specific tree species or list of trees that do well can be subjective. The success and long-term health of a tree often depends on whether it is the right tree for the right site. The trees' characteristics and limitation regarding the shade or light tolerance, resistance to insects and disease, soil types and drainage patterns, winter/summer hardiness, sensitivity to disturbances, and drought tolerance are all important qualities to consider when selecting a tree for a property.
Where the tree is placed is also important in terms of the tree's spatial requirements, the purpose or function of the planting, and the expected maintenance required. Other important factors include purchasing planting stock in good condition, planting the tree correctly and following recommended cultural practices.
Recommended Trees for Sherburne County
Some of the information from the following list was collected from a publication titled " Recommended Trees for Southeast Minnesota" developed by the Minnesota DNR, the Minnesota Extension Service, and Heartwood Forestry.
Note that those designated as native are recommended over non-native.
Hardwoods
| SPECIES | NATIVE | NOTES |
|---|---|---|
| Aspen | ||
| Bigtooth | X | |
| Quaking | X | |
| Ash | ||
| Green | X | |
| Black | X | |
| White | ||
| Birch | ||
| Paper | X | Susceptible to birch bores |
| River | ||
| Yellow | ||
| Black Cherry | X | |
| Boxelder | X | |
| Catalpa | ||
| Coffee Tree, Kentucky | X | |
| Cottonwood, Eastern | X | |
| Crabapple | Many cultivars | |
| Elm | Several species/cultivars | |
| Hackberry | X | |
| Hickory, Bitternut | X | |
| Honey Locust | X | Several cultivars |
| Ironwood | X | |
| Linden (basswood) | X | Several cultivars |
| Maple | ||
| Silver | X | Shallow roots, grows fast |
| Red | X | |
| Sugar | X | Slower growing |
| Mountain Ash | ||
| Oak | ||
| Bicolor | X | |
| Bur | X | |
| Northern Pin | X | Susceptible to oak wilt |
| Red | X | Susceptible to oak wilt |
| White | X | |
| Balsam Poplar | X | |
| Walnut, Black | X |
Conifers
| SPECIES | NATIVE | NOTES |
|---|---|---|
| Cedar | ||
| Eastern red | X | |
| Fir | ||
| Balsam | X | |
| Fraser | ||
| White | ||
| Larch | ||
| Pine | ||
| Eastern white | ||
| Jack | X | |
| Ponderosa | ||
| Red (Norway) | X | MN State Tree |
| Scotch | X | Susceptible to pests |
| Spruce | ||
| Black | X | |
| Norway | ||
| Black Hills | ||
| White | X |
Sherburne County Govt Center
ATTN: Zoning Administration
13880 Business Center Dr NW
Elk River, MN 55330-1692
Office Location & Hours
| Phone: | 763-765-4450 800-438-0578 |
| Fax: | 763-765-4467 |
zoning@co.sherburne.mn.us