$5 Seedlings
Trees are one or two years old and offered to you at this price to help diversify the community forests of Cambridge and Rockdale. Limit of two trees per household and they should be planted within the Villages of Cambridge or Rockdale or in nearby townships. By purchasing seedlings one agrees to water and care for them until they become large enough to grow on their own. Quantities are limited so reserve your seedlings now by emailing us at info@cambridgetreeproject.org
Buckeye, Ohio This tree might have the best looking leaves of any native Midwestern tree. Buckeyes also feature a flower show each May and, of course, there's the famous 'lucky buckeye' nut that kids carry around in their pockets. The nuts do cause lawn litter in fall but squirrels run off with them almost immediately. We feature buckeyes that have an excellent red fall color and are one of the first trees to leaf out in the spring. more
Buckeye, Yellow Considered by many to be the best buckeye for its exceptional foliage and attractive yellow flowers in May. Grows more quickly than other buckeyes/horsechestnuts and looks substantial even as a younger tree. Though native only to the lower Midwest, large mature yellow buckeyes growing locally (UW Arboretum, UW campus, MacKenzie Environmental Education Center in Poynette) prove hardiness far beyond their original range. more
Chestnut, American While not technically a Wisconsin native, the largest remaining stand of American chestnut trees in the world (5,000+ trees) is located near La Crosse in West Salem. The blight that killed American chestnuts in their native range hasn’t reached the Madison area and numerous healthy specimens can be found locally including three in the UW Arboretum. SOLD OUT
The edible and delicious chestnuts arrive about 15 years after a tree is planted. It takes two trees within 100 feet of each other to cross-pollinate and produce nuts. Because chestnuts have prickly burs that litter the ground each fall, it's best to grow this tree over a ground cover or in a naturalized setting. American chestnuts are a beautiful sight in early July when they flower and throughout the summer given their attractive leaves. Chestnuts tolerate sun or shade, slopes, rocky or sandy soil, and drought.
Cucumbertree This tree, the northern-most American magnolia, features a very pleasing form, interesting leaves and textured grey bark. Cucumbertrees growing in the UW-Arboretum woods stand out among other trees; they have greenish-yellow flowers in the spring that arrive about the same time as the deep green leaves. Japanese beetles will not eat this tree's foliage. Cucumbertrees can live up to 350 years and grow quite well locally - one in Beaver Dam is 66’ high which is fairly close to the National Champion. The next time you're at Concert on the Square look for a beautiful specimen on the Capitol grounds. Medium to fast growth rate. more
Dogwood, Pagoda Native dogwood that has an attractively tiered, horizontal branching pattern…bushy, large shrub growing to 15-20 feet tall at a rate of about 12” annually…fragrant white flowers bloom from late May to early June for a week or two…fall color is nothing special…like most dogwoods, the pagoda prefers life in the shade; best conditions are with morning sun and afternoon shade though it will thrive in shady areas as well...a great large shrub to frame the side of a house or to naturalize the edge of a property...Hardy to -30
Horsechestnut: Cambridge has numerous mature horsechestnut trees; one on Main Street looks great when flowering in late May. Unrelated to the American chestnut, horsechestnuts are actually a European version of our native buckeye trees. A great yard and park tree with attractive leaves and bark. The inedible nuts stop kids and adults alike for a closer inspection. Is isn't uncommon during dry years for horsechestnut leaves to start browning off in early fall but there's no harm to the tree. Horsechestnuts are an American classic that deserve more use in Cambridge. more
Oak, Chestnut and Chinkapin: We offer these because they grow quickly and are nearly resistant to Japanese beetle bites. They're also nice-looking oaks, featuring attractive leaves and bark. Chestnut oaks have one of best-looking mature brown acorns of any northern oak and are drought-resistant - thus they're easier to grow as seedlings. These oaks grow well just about anywhere sunny: they can handle heavy clay, sand and poor soils (including rocky, thin and compacted). more
Misc. $5 Seedlings: crabapple (white-flowering); hawthorn; Northern catalpa; American beech