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In today’s episode, Nebraskan Trees and Shrubs for Bored Suburbanites, we chat with Heather Byers, owner of Great Plains Nursery, about keystone species, the best time of year to plant trees, and beautiful and native options for woody plants humans, pollinators, and yes, even squirrels can enjoy.
Host Stephanie Barelman
Stephanie Barelman is the founder of the Bellevue Native Plant Society, a midwest motivational speaker surrounding the native plants dialogue, and host of the Plant Native Nebraska Podcast.
Guest Heather Byers
Heather Byers is a native tree enthusiast and, along with her husband Brian, owner of Great Plains Nursery near Weston, NE. She graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2006 with a Bachelor's of Science degree in Horticulture Production and shortly after started the business with a passion for growing and planting native trees and shrubs and sharing the importance of native plants for the ecosystem.
Episode Sponsors
Today's episode is sponsored by Lauritzen Gardens:
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Episode ContentTRIGGER WARNING: We occasionally discuss plants with a more eastern or western range. But we make a point to only discuss midwestern U.S. plants. Always check BONAP or other range maps to determine the best estimates of historical nativity.
Top Trees and Shrubs at Great Plains Nursery
Most of the plants we discuss can be found online at https://greatplainsnursery.com/
Although there are differences between Eastern and Western Nebraska, Heather stresses planting trees and shrubs with high ecological value.
Her recommendations for Eastern NE:
Oaks, baby!
Did you know that oaks support 500 species of caterpillars. And consequentially, oaks support a variety of birds such as bluejays (beautiful jerks) and species of warblers. Many different kinds of oaks to choose from such as:
- Chinquapin or Dwarf Chinquapin Oak (great for smaller spaces)
- Chestnut Oak
- Hills Oak
- Red Oak
- Burr Oak
Some recommendations for Western NE:
- Burr Oak
- Hackberry
- American Elm
- American Linden- great bee forage plant
Recommendations also for Southeastern NE:
- Hickories
- Honey Locust
Looking to Build Bird Habitat?
Heather reminds us to not only provide plants with fresh nuts and berries for birds, but also focus on trees and shrubs that act as larval hosts.
96% of songbirds rear their young on caterpillars: big, fat juicy caterpillars full of protein. So help mama bird and also encourage a nice diversity of birds to your garden for your own viewing pleasure.
Some plants to focus on:
- Aronias
- Serviceberries
- Prunus family of plants including: Sand Cherry, American Plum, and Black Cherry (a great pollinator forage plant, bird forage plant, and larval host plant)
- Ribes (pronounced rye-bees) family of plants including native currants and gooseberry
- American hazelnut- but give it 5 years for strong nut production and plant multiple for any nut production at all
- Salix family of plants- if you have room plant Sand Willow, Peachleaf Willow, or Black Willow... if you don't have room plant Prairie Willow (only 3 feet tall, great filler plant, and can tolerate dryness)
Fast Growing Trees for the Impatient Gardener
- American Elm 'Princeton'
- Cottonwood- even a male option is available if you can't abide the fluff
- 'Prairie Gold' Aspen- can be used for screening
- American Linden
- Black Cherry
- Tulip Tree- great pollinator forage plant
Windbreak Trees- Think Past Non-Native Evergreens
For the furthest boundary away from the house on the north-side you can plant:
- Eastern Red Cedar (though this will spread and maintenance can be problematic)
- Swamp White Oak
- Red Oak
- Shingle Oak
The next layer could consist of:
- Colorado Blue Spruce or Black Hills Spruce- nice pyramidal form (both only regionally native)
The innermost layer of this windbreak could be:
- Aronia
- American hazelnut
Check out this book, “Woody Plants for the Central and Northern Prairies,” illustrated by my friend, Nancy Scott, here.
Underrated Tree That Should be Planted More
Kentucky Coffee Tree https://greatplainsnursery.com/product/kentucky-coffeetree-2/
- Ancient badass tree that has evolved a new way of surviving
- Literally around since the mastadons
- Only plant in its genus-truly one of a kind and worldwide distribution
- Great pollinator forage- inconspicuous flowers (have fun looking for them)
- Charlie Brown stick tree that will eventually reward you with a gorgeous form if you believe in it (and sweet talk it occasionally)
Keystone Species
If you want to hear more about keystone species, go back and listening to our Soft Landings episode with guest Heather Holm:
https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm/episode/softerlandings
Plant families to consider:
- Oaks. If you haven't yet discovered the importance of oaks, a great fall or winter read The Nature of Oaks by Doug Tallamy here. Also check your local library and local booksellers.
- Salix family of plants
- Prunus family of plants
- Coralberry, Snowberry, Wolfberry: Symphocarpus family of plants (some of these are more regionally native in range)
Shade Garden- Don't Fear!
Still trees and shrubs you can plant for shadier areas. Try:
- Hackberry
- Paw Paw
- Serviceberries- especially Regent AKA the Prairie Blueberry
- American Hazelnut
- Dogwood- Gray or Roughleaf
A lot of these plants are used to growing under dense tree canopy in their natural habitats.
Got Squirrels?
Do you get a queer sense of joy out of seeing them prance through the garden and hoarding more nuts than they can possibly ever find? Plant these and stop buying store bought corn cobs:
- Oaks
- American Hazelnut
- Ohio Buckeye
- Black Walnut- careful of this one though, there are only certain plants you can plant nearby
- Pecan
- Hickory
If You're Scared of Deer
For the love of Goldenrod, just cage your trees.
Bucks will rub their antlers on young tree branches in fall. You can cage your trees for the first few years with wire fencing, t-posts. Make a 5-ft diameter ring around the tree with 5-6 foot fencing wire.
Privacy Screens!
Goodbye, arborvitae! Hello native options!
- 'Taylor' Juniper
- 'Prairie Gold' Aspen
- Dwarf Chinquapin Oak
- Black Chokeberry
- Viburnum- native options include nannyberry viburnum and regionally native options of arrowwood viburnum or cranberry bush viburnum
Closing Tips from Heather
- Mulch is a great tool to conserve moisture- just don't make mulch volcanoes.
- Be mindful
- Involve your kids
- Water deeply
- Plant trees in fall!
Thank you all so much for listening and your continued support of the podcast and native plants!!!!!
Additional Content Related to This EpisodeWhat Makes a Plant Native?
http://bonap.net/fieldmaps Biota of North America North American Plant Atlas database-select Nebraska
https://bellevuenativeplants.org Bellevue Native Plant Society
native (wild type) vs. nativar/native cultivar (native plant cultivated by humans for desirable characteristics)
Local Plant Suppliers
Midwest Natives Nursery
Great Plains Nursery
Nebraska Statewide Arboretum
Prairie Legacy Nursery
Mulhall's
Online Plant Suppliers
Prairie Moon Nursery
Prairie Nursery
Stock Seed
On the Web
BONAP aforementioned
Bellevue Native Plant Society on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/groups/bellevuenativeplantsociety
Books & Authors
Rick Darke- The Living Landscape
Douglas Tallamy- Professor and Chair of the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Entomology at the University of Delaware, author of The Living Landscape, Nature's Best Hope, naturalist, and curator of "Homegrown National Park".
Enrique Salmon- Iwigara
Daniel Moerman -Native American Ethnobotany
Heather Holm- https://www.pollinatorsnativeplants.com
Native Plants of the Midwest
Planting in a Post-Wild World
Jon Farrar's Field Guide to Wildflowers of Nebraska
Additional Resources- NSA at https://www.plantnebraska.org great articles and downloads
- Xerxes Society- champions of pollinator health
- Native Plant Finder- https://www.nwf.org/nativeplantfinder/
Other Local Organizations
- Green Bellevue
- PATH
- Milkweed Matters
- Nebraska Native Plant Society
Listen, Rate, and Subscribe!
Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/
Find us on Facebook
Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm
Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska
Support My Work via Patreon
The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.
