greengate is a leading provider of healthy zone three trees and shrubs for a variety of landscaping and gardening needs.
With a commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship, greengate offers a wide selection of high-quality plants that are specifically suited to thrive in colder climates and challenging growing conditions.
Whether you're looking to enhance the natural beauty of your outdoor space, create a sustainable garden, or simply add some greenery to your surroundings, greengate has the expertise and resources to help you make the most of your gardening experience. greengate makes it easy to find and purchase the perfect trees and shrubs for your unique needs. So why wait? Lets get going.
Deciduous Trees
A deciduous tree is a type of tree that sheds its leaves annually as a part of its natural growth cycle.
This means that during certain times of the year, the leaves of deciduous trees will change color, typically to yellow, orange, or red, before falling off. This process is known as leaf fall or leaf drop and typically occurs during the fall season. Examples of deciduous trees include oak, maple, birch, and apple trees.
Why Plant a tree?
Planting a tree in your yard not only enhances the beauty and curb appeal of your home, but it also adds value to your property. Mature trees can increase the value of a property by up to 20 percent, making them an excellent investment for homeowners.
In addition to adding value to your property, trees provide numerous environmental benefits. They absorb carbon dioxide and other pollutants from the air, helping to reduce the effects of climate change. One mature tree can absorb up to 48 pounds of carbon dioxide per year, making them an essential tool in combating global warming.
Trees also provide a natural source of shade, which can help to keep your home cool during hot summer months. This can lead to a reduction in energy costs associated with air conditioning, as well as a more comfortable living environment for you and your family. In addition, trees can act as a windbreak, providing a barrier against strong winds and helping to reduce heating costs during colder months.
But the benefits of planting trees extend beyond just environmental and economic factors. Trees also provide significant social benefits, including improving mental health and well-being. Studies have shown that people who live in neighborhoods with more trees and green spaces have lower rates of stress, anxiety, and depression than those who live in areas without greenery.
Furthermore, trees can enhance the overall quality of life in a community by providing recreational opportunities, such as shaded areas for picnics or quiet spaces for reading and relaxation. They can also help to reduce noise pollution, making neighborhoods more peaceful and enjoyable.
Overall, the decision to plant a tree in your yard is an investment in both your property and your community. It can provide a range of benefits, from improving curb appeal and home value to promoting environmental sustainability and enhancing quality of life.
Even in this mountain desert we call Calgary, there are some delightful varieties of trees that thrive despite our short summers, arid climate, and clay soil. Columnar Aspens, for one, have become super popular in the past few years. They grow quickly and fit in the smallest of places. Many use these beautiful trees as shelter belts from neighbors, roads, and other nuisances. Other upright cultivars you may want to look at include some recently introduced crab apples, junipers, pines, poplar, larch, and oak.
With more gardeners seeing the value in growing their own food, Calgarians can now choose to include fruit trees in their precious outdoor spaces. Romance Series cherry trees can produce some tasty fruit and are really hardy here. Don't forget apple trees! Combination apples are a really great way to go! A combination apple is a tree that has more than one variety of apples grafted to it. So, you can have multiple types of apples growing, all in one space, which is really cool!
Of course, there will always be the tried and true varieties that make shade, look great, and will always do well here. But you may want to try a Burr Oak or a Hot Wings Maple. These can grow in Calgary, which surprises many. You don't have to settle for Birch, Spruce, or Mountain Ashes unless of course, you love them. Look for flowering trees like the Toba Hawthorns.
Before You Choose
If you are a gardener in zone 3, there are several things you should know about deciduous trees. Here are some key points:
Hardiness:
At our nursery, we specialize in selling trees that are hardy and well-suited to our local climate. If you're gardening in zone 3, it's crucial to choose deciduous tree species that can tolerate the cold temperatures and harsh winter conditions.
Timing of leaf fall:
The timing of leaf fall can vary depending on the species of deciduous tree and the local climate. In general, deciduous trees in zone 3 will begin to shed their leaves in late September or early October, with most of the leaves falling by mid-November. This process can be accelerated by early frost or cold temperatures.
Pruning:
Deciduous trees require regular pruning to maintain their health and shape. Pruning can be done in the late fall or early spring, before the leaves emerge. This is also a good time to remove any dead or diseased branches, as well as any branches that are crossing or rubbing against each other.
Fertilization:
Deciduous trees benefit from regular fertilization to promote healthy growth and development. In zone 3, it's best to fertilize in the early spring, before new growth begins. Use a balanced fertilizer that is specifically formulated for trees.
Watering:
Deciduous trees in zone 3 typically require less watering than those in warmer climates, but it's still important to provide adequate moisture during periods of drought or dry weather. Water deeply once a week, and avoid watering the foliage to prevent fungal diseases.
By keeping these tips in mind, you can successfully grow and maintain deciduous trees in your zone 3 garden.
Choose a Good Location:
When it comes down to planting, always try and remember that in a few short years your small young tree is going to get bigger. Plant it in an appropriate space. Take care not to plant under eaves and power lines and not too close to buildings. Always keep the mature size of the tree in mind. Dig a hole twice the width and depth of the pot and amend the soil with good compost. Use Myke! Myke is a fungus-based fertilizer that attaches to the roots and must be applied at the time of planting. Not only does it help new trees establish themselves, but at greengate Garden Centres you will get a five-year warranty to boot. Plant your new tree at the same depth that it is in the pot. Planting deeper will often result in suckering which is not only unsightly but a pain to deal with. Water well. Water deeply with a trickle at the base of the tree and keep an eye on it. The tree will tell you what it needs. Yellowing leaves are a sign of too much water; wilting leaves are a sign of not enough. You can fertilize in spring and summer with the last feeding in late July.
Spring Season:
In zone 3, deciduous trees typically begin to leaf out in the spring between late April and mid-May, depending on the species of tree and the local weather conditions. However, it's important to note that some species may leaf out earlier or later than this depending on their individual growth patterns.
As a gardener in zone 3, it's important to be patient and wait for the leafing out process to occur naturally, as it can take some time for trees to fully awaken from their winter dormancy. It's also important to recognize that some trees may experience delayed leafing out due to factors such as cold temperatures, frost, or damage to the root system.
If you have purchased a deciduous tree that has not yet leafed out by mid-May, it's important to assess the tree's overall health before assuming it is dead. Check the branches and trunk for signs of life such as green tissue or buds. If you find signs of life, continue to care for the tree and give it time to recover. However, if there are no signs of life after several weeks, it may be time to consider replacing the tree.
Overall, the leafing out process is a natural part of the growth cycle for deciduous trees, and as a gardener, it's important to be patient and understanding of the factors that can impact the timing and success of this process.
Recommended Varieties:
Prairie Tested Trees is a recommended tree list developed by the Western Nursery Growers Group (WNGG) based on the results of an eight-year tree trial and the personal experiences of its members. The trees are classified into four categories: Recommended, Marginal, Not Recommended, and Need More Information. The trial was conducted at four sites across Western Canada, and all trees were grown in a commercial tree nursery under similar conditions. However, it's important to note that the chart should be viewed as a guideline rather than a guaranteed fact of tree performance since many factors can affect tree growth in a specific region. Nonetheless, the WNGG list provides a useful starting point for selecting trees suitable for the prairie region.
Recommend (R) – trees that performed best and sustained no more than 10% winter kill during the trial period. These trees must have a high to complete resistance to disease and insects, well adapted to prairie soils, display a dominate ornamental value and be commercially available.
Marginal (M) – trees that sustained between 10 – 50% winter kill during the trial period. These trees need regular pruning to take the dead wood out.
AB SOUTH:
Here are some evergreen trees that are hardy to Calgary that you may consider:
- Flame Amur Maple (R)
- Royal Crown Amur Maple (R)
- Baron Manitoba Maple (R)
- Hot Wings Tatarian Maple (R1)
- Rugged Charm Tatarian Maple (R1)
- Pattern Perfect Tatarian Maple (R1)
- Homestead Horsechestnut (R)
- Sunset Ohio Buckeye (R)
- Standing Ovation Serviceberry (R)
- Chickadee Paper Birch (R)
- Renaissance Reflection Birch (R)
- Prairie Dream Birch (R)
- Cutleaf Weeping Birch (R)
- Dakota Pinnacle Birch (R)
- Parkland Pillar Birch (R)
- Prairie Vision Asian White Birch (R)
- Snowbird Hawthorn (R)
- Toba Hawthorn (R 11)
- Nobility White Ash (R)
- Trojan Green Ash (R)
- Foothills Green Ash (R)
- Patmore Green Ash (R)
- Prairie Spire Green Ash (R)
- Northern Gem Hybrid Ash (R 6)
- Northern Treasure Hybrid Ash (R 6)
AB CENTRAL:
Here are some evergreen shrubs and ground covers that are hardy to Calgary that you may consider:
- Flame Amur Maple (R)
- Royal Crown Amur Maple (R)
- Baron Manitoba Maple (R)
- Hot Wings Tatarian Maple (R1)
- Rugged Charm Tatarian Maple (R1)
- Pattern Perfect Tatarian Maple (R1)
- PSN 204 Freeman Maple (R)
- Sienna Glen Freeman Maple (M)
- Prairie Horizon Manchurian Alder (R)
- Standing Ovation Serviceberry (R)
- Chickadee Paper Birch (R)
- Renaissance Reflection Birch (R)
- Prairie Dream Birch (R)
- Cutleaf Weeping Birch (R)
- Dakota Pinnacle Birch (R)
- Parkland Pillar Birch (R)
- Prairie Vision Asian White Birch (R)
- Snowbird Hawthorn (R)
- Toba Hawthorn (R 11)
- Nobility White Ash (R)
- Northern Blaze White Ash (R)
- Mancana Manchurian Ash (R 6)
- Fallgold Black Ash (R 2,6)
- Trojan Green Ash (R)
- Foothills Green Ash (R)
- Patmore Green Ash (R)
- Prairie Spire Green Ash (R)
- Northern Gem Hybrid Ash (R 6)
- Northern Treasure Hybrid Ash (R 6)
Watering Care
Proper watering care is crucial for the survival and growth of newly planted trees. To ensure your trees receive the necessary water, a slow trickle from a hose (minimum of 10-gal water) for 20 to 30 minutes twice a week is recommended. However, if there has been rain, adjust your watering accordingly. In hot and windy weather, additional watering may be necessary. To check for moisture, dig down at the root ball of the tree. Avoid using sprinklers as they only water the surface and do not reach the root ball of the tree. It can take several years for the tree to fully colonize the surrounding soil.
Fall is also a critical time to maintain your trees. It's important to continue watering until the ground freezes, which can be as late as December. Many trees die over the winter due to lack of water. Applying Rage Plus in the fall can also help trees get through the winter. By following these watering care tips, you can ensure the health and longevity of your newly planted trees.
