Trees

All trees and shrubs listed below are potted or balled and burlapped (B&B), branched, and nicely shaped. If windbreak/hedge plants are desired, see Windbreak page. When carrying trees in an open pickup or trailer, please bring sheets or tarps to protect leaves and buds during travel.

Ornamental and Shade Trees

ASPEN, Quaking: excellent native tree for natural landscaping; delicate leaves "tremble" in the breeze; beautiful white bark; brilliant yellow fall color; extremely hardy and adaptable to soil types; available in single and multi-stem form; needs ample water; Montana native. (40-60') see another image

ASPEN, Swedish Columnar: columnar form excellent for screening or narrow locations; fast growing and very hardy. (30-40')

BIRCH, Paper: beautiful white bark; multi-stem form; needs moist, well drained soil; very hardy. (40') see another image

BlRCH, Water: multi-stem form with shiny, cinnamon red bark; leaves yellow to orange-red in fall; attractive year-round; this has to be one of our favorite trees; prefers moist soil; Montana native. (25') see another image

BUCKEYE, Ohio: hardy flowering shade tree with distinctive palmate leaves; vibrant fall color; performs best in deep, moist soil; grows beautifully in Big Timber area - one of our favorites, seldom found in nurseries in Montana; related to Horse Chestnut. (40') see another image [2]; [3]

CATALPA: fast growing, upright large shade tree; white 2" flowers in June followed by fruit pods in summer; drought tolerant. (50-60')

CHERRY, Canada Red: attractive maroon-red foliage on this small, very hardy tree makes this a good substitute for red-leaved maples where hardiness is essential; white, fragrant flowers in spring and red fruits in summer that birds love; drought tolerant; also available in shrub/multi-stem form. (20-25')

CHOKECHERRY, Amur: exceptional small tree with white flowers followed by black berries birds devour; exfoliating golden bark beautiful in winter; available in single and multi-stem form. (20-30')

COTTONWOOD, Black/Balsam (Populus trichocarpa): rapid grower and largest of the American cottonwood; used by the Lewis and Clark Expedition for dugout canoes; broad, dark green, shiny leaves; prefers moist sites; cottonless; native to the western half of Montana. (75-90')

COTTONWOOD, Lanceleaf (Populus x acuminata): naturally occurring cross between Narrowleaf and Plains Cottonwood; native from Alberta to New Mexico; hardy to 6,000'; 4" long leaves shaped like the head of a spear turn yellow in fall; cottonless. (40-50')

COTTONWOOD, Narrowleaf (Populus angustifolia): the predominant cottonwood along the Yellowstone River and its tributaries west of Billings; hardy to 10,000'; narrow leaves turn yellow in fall; tends to sucker; cottonless. (60')

COTTONWOOD, Plains (Populus deltoides): large, fast growing cottonwood native to eastern Montana and Wyoming at lower elevations; along the Yellowstone River, most common east of Billings; deeply furrowed barks gives it lots of character; broad triangular leaf with a flat bottom; defoliates later than most cottonwoods; cottonless; a Blake Nursery favorite. (60-90')

COTTONWOOD, 'Dakota' Plains (Populus deltoides 'Dakota'): very hardy and cottonless; will live to over 100 years of age; native to the midwestern U.S. and Canada. (80')

COTTONWOOD, Sargent (Populus sargentii): fast growing, oval shaped and valued for its tall, straight growth habit; deep furrowed bark on older trees; similar to its cousin to the east, Plains Cottonwood/Populus deltoides, except that it defoliates earlier, ideal for those locations that tend to get early wet snows in the fall; cottonless. (70')

ELM, Accolade: upright, spreading tree with beautiful glossy, dark green foliage turning golden yellow in fall; highly Dutch elm disease resistant. (60-70')

ELM, Brandon: selected from Manitoba for excellent winter hardiness; popular in boulevard plantings throughout the Canadian prairie provinces; stately vase-shaped form, rapid growth, and adaptable to many soil types. (60-70')

ELM, Prairie Expedition: Also known as Lewis & Clark Elm. A tough, cold hardy variety from Fargo, North Dakota. Highly resistant to dutch elm disease. Dark green foliage with vase shaped canopy. (50-60')

ELM, Princeton: fast growing, graceful, symmetrical branching; adaptable to extremes in pH, moisture, heat and wind; highly Dutch Elm disease resistant. (60-70')

FLOWERING CRAB, Brandywine: beautiful, fragrant, double, deep pink flowers smother this tree in spring; foliage dark green with burgundy overcast; vigorous grower. (20')

FLOWERING CRAB, Dolgo: this tree is a fabulous ornamental with large, pure white flowers and has the added attraction of producing brilliant crimson fruits ideal for jelly making; extremely hardy. (20-25')

FLOWERING CRAB, Klehm's Bechtel: beautiful, fragrant, large pink double blossoms are loved by bees; blooms later than most flowering crab; minimal fruit. (20')

FLOWERING CRAB, Gladiator: bright pink flowers followed by small reddish-purple fruit on a stately, upright crown; leaves glossy bronze-purple; ideal for space-challenged sites, including under power lines and as a small, boulevard tree; high disease resistance; seedling selection of Royalty; hardy to -50. (15-20')

FLOWERING CRAB, Radiant: single, deep pink flowers and bright red, persistent, small fruit; leaves lustrous reddish, changing to green. (20')

FLOWERING CRAB, Royal Raindrops: fragrant magenta flowers in mid spring; cut-leaf purple foliage; persistent red fruit in winter. (15-20')

FLOWERING CRAB, Spring Snow: this is the ideal tree for somebody who wants a profusion of flowers but no fruit; fragrant flowers are white and foliage is bright green; outstanding for its tidy, rounded shape. (25-30') see another image

HACKBERRY: very hardy fast growing tree; tolerant of drought and wind; unusual corky bark. (50-75') Tree available on special request, please contact us for details.

HAWTHORN, Crimson Cloud: thornless variety with bright red flowers in spring; great tree for a smaller yard. (10-15') see another image

HAWTHORN, Russian: small, beautiful, drought tolerant tree excellent for xeriscaping and wildlife habitat; white flowers mature into bright red fruit; gnarled and irregular branching habit and ridged bark. (15')

HAWTHORN, Thornless Cockspur: small, rounded, charming tree with white spring flowers and red fall berries; distinctive horizontal branching; thornless; year-round interest. (15-20')

HONEYLOCUST: graceful form with delicate leaves; spreading, open crown makes this tree, like all Honeylocusts, ideal for filtered sunlight, where light shade is desired; fast growing; thornless and mostly seedless. Imperial (35') and Northern Acclaim (45').

LILAC, Dwarf Korean: profuse, fragrant, lilac flowers cover this amazing small tree; beautiful accent plant – a real show stopper! (5-6')

LILAC, Japanese Tree: large creamy white blooms in June; glossy foliage; a fabulous specimen plant and Blake Nursery favorite; very hardy and trouble-free; single and multi-stem forms. (20-25')

LINDEN, American: rapid growing, large and stately shade tree; fragrant yellow flowers; very hardy. (60-80')

LINDEN, Greenspire: very tidy Little-Leaf Linden with perfectly straight trunk; spicy, fragrant flowers; makes ideal street trees, as pruning is seldom necessary. (40-50') see another image

LINDEN, Littleleaf: excellent choice for street and residential use; glossy dark foliage and fragrant pendulous flowers in early summer; virtually disease free and very adaptable, it does well in poor soil. (35-40')

LINDEN, Redmond: we're rather partial toward this distinctive cultivar - for years we've admired it thriving in Montana; tidy, pyramidal growth makes it an ideal street tree; attractive foliage turns bright yellow in fall; reddish stems appealing in winter; very hardy. (35-45')

MAPLE, Amur: very hardy small tree that's a Blake Nursery favorite; graceful, spreading branches; disease-free and drought-tolerant; excellent choice for xeriscape landscaping; fragrant flowers; seeds attract birds; brilliant red fall foliage; available in single or multi-stem form. (15-20') See Shrub section for compact varieties.

MAPLE, Autumn Blaze: Silver and Red Maple hybrid; attractive oval shape with upright branching, striking red fall color, and rapid growth rate; adaptable to many soil types; one of best and hardiest maples for our area. (50-60') see another image

MAPLE, Celebration: upright with strong uniform branching; better adaptability to higher pH soils that Autumn Blaze, but not as brilliant red in the fall. (40')

MAPLE, Norway, Emerald Queen: straight-trunked, spreading shade tree; rapid growth; does very well in our area - many beautiful specimens in Big Timber and Livingston; glossy green in summer turn yellow in fall. (50-60') see another image

MAPLE, Norway, Helena: this hardy maple was found growing in Helena, MT, a climate not known as being friendly to most maple varieties; yellow-orange fall foliage. (45-50')

MAPLE, Sensation: this male seedless cultivar has more compact, uniform growth than other Box Elder; summer foliage is a pinkish green turning to soft red in fall; an excellent choice for dry, alkaline conditions; also tolerates wet soils; not susceptible to iron chlorisis. (35')

MAPLE, Sienna Glen: attractive shade tree with pleasing form requires little pruning; rapid growth; excellent winter hardiness - less susceptible to frost cracking, sun scald and dieback; burgundy fall leaves. (60')

MAPLE, Tatarian: high on our list of longstanding favorites because of extreme hardiness, manageable size, and attractiveness; white flowers followed by unusual coral samaras (winged fruit); striking, informal tree with abundant character; Cedar Waxwings nest in ours annually; available in single or multi-stem form. (25') We also carry 'Hot Wings' Tatarian Maple, selected for it's bright red samaras and brilliant fall foliage.

MOUNTAIN ASH, European: attractive throughout the year with reddish bark, clusters of white flowers in spring and orange-red berries in autumn; if you like having birds around, you should certainly consider planting one or more; very hardy. (30')

MOUNTAIN ASH, Oakleaf: started from Wyoming collected seed; uniform shape; blossoms and fruit like other Mountain Ash; leaves lobed like English Oak; fireblight resistant. (30') (shown at right)

MOUNTAIN ASH, Showy: same delightful features as European Mountain Ash but smaller and even hardier; one of our favorite trees. (25')

OAK, Bur: wonderful shade tree with amber to crimson autumn color; acorns with mossy fringe, thus nicknamed "Mossycup" Oak; likes lots of sun; not particular about soil; native to eastern Montana; extremely hardy, drought resistant, and long lived; needs lots of space, plant this tree for the long haul. (70')

Oak, Northern Red: large shade tree with glossy, dark green foliage; numerous acorns in summer; leaves turn deep red in fall; faster growing than Bur Oak. (60-80') see another image

SERVICEBERRY, Autumn Brilliance: unusual and spectacular small tree with white spring flowers and brilliant red fall foliage; fruit attracts birds, and excellent for jam; available in single and multi-stem form; Blake Nursery favorite. (20-25') see another image

WALNUT, Black: magnificent shade tree with heaps of character---including distinctive nuts, bark and leaves; prefers deeper, moist soils found in the bottomlands along rivers and creeks; wood prized by cabinetmakers. (50-75') see another image

WILLOW, Golden: graceful spreading habit; fast growing; excellent for screening; needs moist site; bark attractive and colorful in winter; very hardy. (50') see another image