Small trees and flowering trees
Ohio Buckeye
Aesculus glabra
The lower branches of buckeyes often bend down, giving them a rounded form. The compound leaves create a somewhat coarse texture. White, trumpet-shaped flowers in upright spikes are found in the foliage in spring. Buckeyes grow best in full sun, but will flower in light shade. They develop leaf scorch easily on dry sites or in drought, so locations with adequate summer soil moisture are best. As with other buckeyes and horsechestnuts, leaf blotch disease often ruins Ohio buckeye's late summer foliage.
Hardiness Zones: 3b-7
Red Buckeye
Aesculus pavia
The red buckeye is a small tree with single or multiple trunks. The light red flowers in upright panicles are produced in early spring and are a source of unusual spring color. Summer leaves have a bright green color, but drop early in fall without significant color. Leaf blotch is a common disease that attacks buckeyes in late summer and may add to early defoliation. This tree is easily grown, but fairly slow growing.
Hardiness Zones: 6-9
Northern Catalpa
Catalpa speciosa
Catalpa does not rank high among landscape trees because of its coarse appearance, bean pods and feeding by the catalpa sphinx moth larvae. Nevertheless, for difficult sites with poor soils, a variety of light conditions, hot weather and low humidity, catalpa has a place. Tubular white flowers with yellow spots are produced in upright spikes in late spring and are very showy. Catalpa develops a large oval-shaped crown. Fall color is a dull yellow.
Hardiness Zones: 4-8
Amur Corktree
Phellodendron amurense
Amur corktree develops into a medium-sized tree with a very broad, rounded crown and dark green foliage. Ridged, corky bark that develops with age becomes a unique characteristic. It is basically free of pests and adapts to many soil conditions as well as pollution and drought. Trees may be either male or female and can be identified easily in fall when female trees have clusters of black berries. Old trees with massive branches and attractive bark develop a sculptured look.
Hardiness Zones: 4-7
Hophornbeam
Ostrya virginiana
The hophornbeam, also known as ironwood, is well-suited to urban conditions. It grows as a small- to medium-sized tree tolerant of dry, rocky soils. The fruit is papery, white and resembles hops, which is the reason for its name. These are showy against the dark green leaves in summer. It is free of any major pests and tolerates some shade. Hophornbeam is a slow growing tree, suited to almost any area.
Hardiness Zones: 3b-9
Horsechestnut
Aesculus hippocastanum
Horsechestnut and buckeye are close relatives that require about the same conditions and are affected by the same problems. Horsechestnut has larger leaves and grows more upright with an oval shape. Flowers are white in upright panicles backed by the foliage. They need moisture in the heat of summer and can be damaged by drought. The fruit can be a litter nuisance. The cultivar `Baumannii' has double flowers and does not produce fruit. Hybrids combining horsechestnut and buckeye are also sometimes available.
Hardiness Zones: 3b-7
Pawpaw
Asimina triloba
Pawpaw is a small native tree that may be grown in full sun or in shade. It is generally not available because establishing it is difficult. It should be transplanted when small in moist, acid soils. The large, long leaves create a somewhat tropical look. Pawpaw has a tendency to grow multiple stems. Flowers are an unusual blackish-purple but not easily seen. Fruits are edible and are sometimes called Missouri bananas because they have a longish shape. Consistency is somewhat custard-like when ripe.
Hardiness Zones: 5b-8
Hardy Rubbertree
Eucommia ulmoides
The hardy rubbertree develops into a wide-spreading shade tree. It should be planted only in the southern portion of the state or in protected areas since low winter temperatures or rapid temperature changes may cause damage. Rubbertree is pest free, but not extremely pollution tolerant. It is suited to many different soil types with good drainage and full sun. It can endure drought conditions well and leaves do not scorch easily. Hardy rubbertree is a very uncommon tree that could be planted more.
Hardiness Zones: 5b-7
Sassafras
Sassafras albidum
The native sassafras grows naturally as a single specimen or in a grove. It is sometimes hard to establish, so transplant when the tree is young. Yellow-green flowers are produced before leaves and are fragrant but not very showy. Trees develop a rather loose, irregular shape that could be considered artistic. Sassafras needs acid soil with full sun or partial shade. Its outstanding quality is the fall color that may be yellow, orange, scarlet or a blend of these. Fruits in fall are dark blue and attract birds.
Hardiness Zones: 5-9
Silverbell
Halesia carolina
When in bloom, the hanging bell-shaped white flowers of silverbell are hard to equal. This small tree should be planted on protected sites in light shade where there is plenty of moisture, good drainage and acid soils. General growth of the young tree is somewhat upright, but growth spreads as it develops. Silverbell has no significant pest problems and makes a good understory tree for the edge of a wooded area.
Hardiness Zones: 5-8
Sourwood, Sorrel Tree
Oxydendrum arboreum
Sourwood is a small- to medium-sized forest tree of the eastern United States that is not commonly planted in Missouri. It should be moved at a small size and planted in partial shade in acid soils. Drought can be damaging, so in our climate it may require irrigation. Because of the drooping clusters of white flowers in midsummer, the tree is also called Lily-of-the-Valley Tree. Flowers and seed structures contrast well with the foliage. Fall color develops early and leaves turn an outstanding bright red to crimson.
Hardiness Zones: 5b-9
Yellowwood
Cladrastis kentukea
Yellowwood is a medium-sized shade tree native to southwest Missouri. The white, pealike flowers hang in long panicles similar to a wisteria bloom. It does not have serious pest or disease problems. It should be planted in full sun where there is
adequate moisture. Leaves will scorch or drop under drought conditions. Yellowwood grows well in many soil types and appears able to tolerate low fertility soils. The bark is an unusual, smooth light gray that is distinctive in all seasons.
Hardiness Zones: 4-8
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