Beginning in August of 2008, the following seedlings will be available for $5 each. Trees are one or two years old and are 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
American Chestnut: 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. Our seedlings are grown from nuts provided by the Chestnut Cooperator's Society and are disease resistant.
The edible and delicious chestnuts arrive about 15 years after two trees are 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.
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
Yellow Buckeye: 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
2009 Seedling Availability:
American Sycamore: A Wisconsin native (found in wet areas along the Mississippi, Rock and Wisconsin rivers) that grows fast: up to three feet annually under ideal local conditions. Look for a nice, large mature sycamore at the end of North Street by St. James Church. The trees have interesting exfoliating bark but the juvenile leaves can become blotchy during wet springs until they mature by June. Sycamores can cause allergic reactions during the summer months for some. An often-utilized park and street tree in many parts of America and the world (NYC, DC, Paris, London, etc.) because they are tough, adaptible and long-lived. Sycamores tolerate all soils (rocky, sandy, thin, compacted), wet areas, slopes, confined spaces and neglect. Needs full or part-day sun. more
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 foilage. 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
Chestnut Oak: We offer chestnut oaks because they grow relatively fast for an oak, are resistant to Japanese beetles and feature attractive leaves and bark. They also have one of best-looking mature brown acorns of any northern oak. Chestnut oaks are highly drought-resistant and as such they're easier to grow as seedlings. In some ways this tree is similar to the bur oak - tough, long-lived and handsome. Chestnut oaks grow well just about anywhere sunny: they can handle heavy clay, sand and poor soils (including rocky, thin and compacted). more
Ohio Buckeye: 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. Buckeyes have a good yellow fall color some years and are one of the first trees to leaf out in the spring. more
2010 Seedling Availability:
American Beech, Catalpa, Coffeetree, Katsuratree, Red Oak and a cold-hardy Sweetgum.