Ornamental Trees
Availability Notes: Not every variety released over the years by the University of Minnesota is still available. When known, the "availability" column in these lists indicates whether, to the best of our knowledge, each variety is current (meaning you can expect to find it through major sources), an heirloom variety (you will likely need to seek through specialized sources), or a variety that is believed to no longer be available.
Buckeye - Corktree - Flowering Crabapple - Jack Pine - Kentucky Coffeetree
Prunus - Redbud - Red Maple - Red Pine
This list is not exhaustive. There certainly were additional releases not reflected in the available records and the memories of the contributors. MAES welcomes corrections and additions: contact Dave Hansen.
Buckeye
Also known as the Ohio Buckeye, the 'Autumn Splendor' variety is a small- to medium-sized tree with very showy flowers in late spring. It is winter-hardy and very tolerant of deicing salts.
| Name and Year Released | Availability | Variety Notes | |
| Autumn Splendor 1980 |
 |
selection with red fall color |
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Corktree
Corktrees derive their name from having a deeply furrowed and corky bark. They develop open, spreading crowns with coarse branches and dark green foliage. Female trees produce clusters of green, berrylike fruits that blacken at maturity and are readily eaten by birds.
| Name and Year Released | Availability | Variety Notes | |
| His Majesty 1996 |
 |
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Crabapple
Crabapples bloom abundantly in the spring and have attractive displays of fruit. Tree sizes can vary from 7 to 25 feet. Foliage colors vary from light, bright green to deep maroon or silvery red. Forms may be horizontal, columnar, rounded, or weeping. Most flowering crabapples provide little or no fall color.
| Name and Year Released | Availability | Variety Notes | |
| Flame 1934 |
 |
white flowers, red fruits | |
| Radiant 1958 |
oval tree, red fruits | ||
| Sparkler 1969 |
 |
flat-topped tree, deep red fruits | |
| Vanguard 1963 |
vase-shaped tree, red fruits |
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Jack Pine
Sometimes thought of as a novelty tree due to its irregular growth habit, this fast growing tree can grow well on impoverished, sandy sites with acidic soil.
| Name | Year Released | Availability | Variety Notes |
| Uncle Fogey | 1971 | selection with prostrate, drooping habit |
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Kentucky Coffeetree
An open, spreading tree with large, finely divided leaves, the coffeetree is native in southern Minnesota as far north as the Twin Cities. Large, broad pods add interest during the winter, though occasionally the quantity of pods can cause a litter problem. It also has an interesting gray bark and yellow fall color.
| Name and Year Released | Availability | Variety Notes | |
| Stately Manor 1995 |
 |
male selection, no pods |
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Prunus
Two types of Prunus make up this group, the flowering almond (Prunus glandulosa) and wild plum (Prunus americana). The almond produces early May white to pink flowers. The plum grows larger, potentially forming a thicket useful to wildlife, with fragrant blooms and fruit for jelly.
| Name and Year Released | Availability | Variety Notes | |
| Manitou 1923 |
almond of hybrid origin, pink flowers | ||
| Newport 1923 |
 |
plum hybrid with purplish-red leaves | |
| Princess Kay 1986 |
 |
double-flowered selection of Canadian plum |
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Redbud
This spreading tree is native to areas of the United States south and east of Minnesota, but with variable winter hardiness few large specimens grew in Minnesota prior to development of the 'Minnesota Strain' variety. Flowers are rosy pink, opening before the leaves appear.
| Name and Year Released | Availability | Variety Notes | |
| Minnesota Strain 1992 |
 |
hardy C. canadensis population |
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Red Maple
This symmetrical tree is native to the slightly acid soils of northeastern Minnesota southward to the central part of the state. It is fast growing and can provide good fall color. Since red maples are native as far south as Florida, only northern strains such as these, selected from northern seed sources, should be planted.
| Name and Year Released | Availability | Variety Notes | |
| Autumn Spire 1992 |
 |
upright A. rubrum selection, good fall color | |
| Northwood 1980 |
 |
hardy A. rubrum selection, good fall color |
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Red Pine
A dwarf from of a tree which in its native growth habit could otherwise reach 100 feet, and dominate a lanscape.
| Name | Year Released | Availability | Variety Notes |
| Wissota | 1996 | dwarf form |