Native Flowering Trees In Minnesota (9 Types To Know)
Flowering trees bring an additional level of beauty and excitement to any yard or garden, for some reason. The sight of imposing trees bearing vibrant flowers is truly something to behold and can make anyone smile.
In Minnesota, where the state’s natural beauty is already a source of pride for its residents, adding native flowering trees to your backyard can make it even more special.
This article will provide you with useful information on nine of the most common native flowering trees in Minnesota. You’ll have all the information you need to make an informed choice about which flowering trees to add to your yard or garden because of the in-depth descriptions, stunning photos, and details on their physical traits, natural habitats, and range preferences.
So, let’s dive in and discover the beauty and benefits of these native flowering trees in Minnesota.
1. Basswood
- Common Name: Basswood
- Scientific Name: Tilia americana
- Mature Height: 60 to 80 feet
- Native/Non-Native: Native
- Flowers/Cones: Fragrant flowers
- Uses: Wood is used in manufacturing and for ornamental plantings.
Basswood is one of the tallest flowering trees in Minnesota that can grow upo to 60 to 80 feet. It has a straight trunk that goes up to a dense, spherical crown. The tree’s bark is light brown, with shallow, vertical ridges.
In the summer, Basswood produces fragrant flowers that bees use to produce high-quality honey. The blooms are little, but they grow in clusters. Basswood fruit is spherical and nut-like, with 1 to 2 seeds and a diameter of about half an inch.
These fruits are covered in short, thick, brownish wool and are linked to a leafy bract in clusters. Later on, the bract serves as a wing, allowing the wind to carry the seeds away. The fruit often remains on the tree well into the winter.
The tree has heart-shaped, thin leaves that are sawtoothed and sharp-pointed at the tip during the summer. Basswood leaves are thick, lustrous, and green above, becoming whiter beneath as they age.
The wood of basswood is light, soft, strong, and not long-lasting. It has a light brown tint with little discernible sapwood. It may be used to make everything from paper pulp and furniture to kegs, barrel heads, timber, and trunks. For ornamental plantings, basswood trees are also recommended.
Finally, Basswood is a native tree that offers numerous advantages. Its fragrant blossoms are required for the production of high-quality honey, and its wood has numerous purposes.
It’s also ideal for ornamental plantings due to its height and beauty.
2. Hemlock
- Common Name: Hemlock
- Scientific Name: Tsuga canadensis
- Mature Height: 50 to 75 feet
- Native/Non-Native: Native
- Flowers/Cones: Flowers in spring; cones ripen in the first autumn
Hemlock trees are another tall flowering trees in Minnesota with a straight, erect trunk and can reach heights of 75 feet!
In the spring, hemlocks produce tiny flowers. These blossoms mature into cones, which ripen in the first autumn. The cones are about four inches long, with scales nearly as long as they are wide.
When the cones reach maturity, the seeds are released. The winged seeds are about a half-inch long, slightly sticky, and winged.
Hemlocks are distinguished by thick bark that is sharply divided into small rounded ridges and covered in thick, tightly appressed scales. The bark can be cinnamon-red or grayish in hue.
Hemlock needles are flat and blunt, ranging in length from half an inch to three-quarters of an inch. The needles are spread out and carried in multiple rows, but they are usually twisted into a two-rank pattern. They remain on the twig for two or three years before falling off, roughening it with woody, elevated projections.
Hemlocks thrive in acidic soil high in organic matter. They can be found in the northeast and southeast of the United States. Even though hemlock wood is not very durable, it is used to make coarse lumber for the exterior finish of structures.
Hemlock inner bark is also used in leather tanning, and young branches are used to extract hemlock oil.
3. Red Ash
- Common Name: Red Ash
- Scientific Name: Fraxinus pensylvanica
- Mature Height: 40 to 60 feet
- Native/Non-Native: Native
- Flowers/Cones: Flowers
- Uses: Similar to those of white ash
Red Ash, scientifically known as Fraxinus pensylvanica, is a stunning tree that can reach heights of 60 feet. Its sturdy, upright branches combine to form a compact, irregularly shaped head. The trunk of the tree is grayish-brown and heavily ridged, although not as rough as white ash.
The most noticeable feature of a Red Ash tree is its blossoms. They appear in late spring, just as the leaves are beginning to emerge. These tiny blooms appear in clusters. While the flowers aren’t particularly impressive, their timing and placement make them a one-of-a-kind sight to behold.
The leaves of a Red Ash tree are large, complex, and oblong, with each leaflet narrowing at the apex into a long, slender point. The leaflets are a light yellowish-green above and a lighter green below, and they are asymmetrical at the base.
The leaves have a prominent midrib as well as branching veins. Before falling from the tree, the leaves turn yellow or rusty brown.
The Red Ash tree’s fruit is winged and appears in clusters. The fruit is 1 to 2 inches long, and the seed is located near the base of the wing.
The Red Ash tree is far less common than the Green Ash tree, which grows primarily on low terrain throughout the state. Its wood has a coarse texture and is dense, hard, and brittle. The color is similar to that of the more expensive white ash, with thicker lighter brown sapwood striped with yellow. The Red Ash tree is both attractive and useful to the ecosystem.
4. Cottonwood
- Common Name: Cottonwood
- Scientific Name: Populus deltoides
- Mature Height: 50 to 80 feet
- Native/Non-Native: Native to North America
- Flowers/Cones: Female trees produce cotton.
Cottonwood trees are a common type of flowering trees in Minnesota that are famous for their distinctive blossoms, which are drooping “catkins.”
Two to four thin capsules with little, pale brownish-white seeds are found in these catkins. Cottonwood seeds spread and grow easily because female trees produce cotton, which is transported large distances by the wind.
Cottonwood trees can grow to be quite tall, reaching heights of 50 to 80 feet. They grow quickly and have a long, pyramidal, or crown shape. As a result, they are a popular choice for planting in regions where shade is required immediately.
Cottonwood bark on young trees is light gray, while on mature trees it is dark gray and rough.
Cottonwood leaves are alternating and widely oval or triangular. They have finely toothed or wavy edges and delicate white hairs on the underside. Cottonwood tree winter buds are covered in chestnut-brown, sticky scales.
Cottonwood wood is soft and light in weight, but it is utilized for a variety of uses, including boxes, fencing, fuel, and rough lumber for interior usage.
Cottonwood is also utilized in the production of high-quality magazine paper for printing half-tone graphics. Cottonwood is widely used for windbreaks due to its quick growth and soil flexibility. Cottonwood trees are commonly found along water courses and can be propagated through “cuttings” or seedlings.
Although cottonwood trees are one of the most commonly found flowering trees in Minnesota, they are not advised to grow in backyards due to their feathers blocking HAVC systems.
5. Wild Plum
- Common Name: Wild Plum
- Scientific Name: Prunus americana
- Mature Height: 15 to 25 feet
- Native/Non-Native: Native to North America
- Flowers/Cones: Beautiful white or pink flowers
- Uses: Fruit is prized highly for jellies and preserves, ornamental purposes.
Wild Plum is a lovely shrub or small tree that can grow to be 15 to 25 feet tall. It has a small, thorny trunk that splits just above the ground.
The main attraction of the tree is the lovely, white or pink, fragrant blossoms. These blooms normally appear in April or May, before the leaves.
The bark is thin and reddish-brown, with thin plates fractured into it. The leaves of Wild Plum are alternating, oval, long and narrow-pointed, and double-toothed along the margin. The leaves are 2 to 5 inches long and 2 inches wide and are dark green on top and white on the bottom.
In late summer, the Wild Plum bears a fruit that is highly prized for jellies and preserves. When fully ripe, the fruit is half an inch long with an orange-red outer peel and yellowish delicious flesh that adheres to the seed.
Wild plums can be found in thickets throughout the state, especially near stream banks. They thrive in harsh environments and grow best in rich soil or damp areas, but they can grow anywhere due to their resilience.
Wild Plum wood is strong, durable, and close-grained, with a dark brown color and light sapwood. The tree, on the other hand, serves no commercial purpose other than for decoration and fruit.
6. Chokecherry
- Common Name: Choke Cherry
- Scientific Name: Prunus virginiana
- Mature Height: 20 to 25 feet
- Native/Non-Native: Native
- Flowers/Cones: Flowers
- Uses: Food for birds, ornamental planting
Chokecherry is a native shrub that can grow to be 20 to 25 feet tall. Their bark is thin and grayish-brown, becoming rougher with age.
Chokecherry is a rose family plant that produces stunning white flowers in dense clusters. These flowers have spherical, white petals, and the flower buds bloom in May or June.
When completely ripe, chokecherry fruits are crimson in hue and virtually black. The fruit’s exterior is thick, with thin and dark flesh inside that is bitter to the taste. Although these berries are not suitable for human consumption, they are an important source of food for birds.
Chokecherry leaves are generally oval-shaped, abrupt, and sharply pointed. They have fine-toothed borders and are brilliant green on top and lighter underneath. These leaves measure 2 to 4 inches long and 1 to 2 inches wide.
Chokecherry wood is heavy, hard, and weak, hence it has no commercial use in Minnesota. Many people plant them for decorative purposes, and they are a favorite of birds.
Chokecherry can be found growing near streams, in open woodlands, in cut-over regions, and scrub areas throughout the state. Chokecherry’s inner bark has a bitter cherry flavor and scent, which makes it more fascinating. Overall, chokecherry is a lovely shrub that gives a natural touch to a variety of environments, and it is popular with both humans and birds.
7. Pin Cherry
- Common Name: Pin Cherry, Wild Red Cherry
- Scientific Name: Prunus pennsylvanica J
- Mature Height: Shrub or medium-sized tree
- Native/Non-Native: Native
- Flowers/Cones: White flowers borne in clusters
- Uses: The flesh is used in homes for making jellies, furnishing homes, and ornamental.
Pin Cherry, also known as Wild Red Cherry or Prunus pennsylvanica, is one of the most commonly found medium-sized flowering trees in Minnesota.
In early May, when the leaves are about half developed, Pin Cherry blossoms into stunning white flowers that are borne in bunches. The flowers are lovely and would add a touch of class to any garden.
Pin Cherry fruit has a thick, light crimson peel and a thin, sour flesh enclosing an oblong stone that is roughly 4 inches in diameter.
The flesh is used to produce jellies at home, and the fruit grows on long-stalked clusters that ripen in the middle or late summer. Pin Cherry wood has no commercial value despite being medium light, medium soft, and brownish with yellowish sapwood.
Pin Cherry, on the other hand, is hardy and provides a feeding site for our more beneficial songbirds.
Except in the southeastern part of the state, Pin Cherry is common in woodlands. It’s common in cleared areas, old fields, and along roadsides.
The reddish-brown bark of the Pin Cherry is divided into papery layers with uneven, horizontal bands of orange color lenticels. When completely grown, the leaf is 3 to 4 inches long and 1 inch wide, rectangular and pointed, with finely incurved teeth around the edge that are glossy green.
8. Juneberry
- Common Name: Juneberry or Serviceberry
- Scientific Name: Amelanchier canadensis
- Mature Height: Up to 20ft
- Native/Non-native: Native
- Flowers/Cones: White flowers
- Uses: Ornamental tree, fruit for birds and people
Juneberry, also known as Serviceberry, is one of the shortest flowering trees in Minnesota with a maximum height of 20 feet and a thin, rounded crown. On branches and the upper section of the stem, the thin bark is usually grey and smooth, whereas the short trunk has tiny fractures.
The Juneberry’s alternating leaves are oval and slender-stocked, with a rounded and finely serrated edge. The leaves are around 2 to 4 inches long and remain purplish-brown until near maturity. The leaves mature to a pale green color with dispersed, silky hairs.
Juneberry is prized for its lovely white blooms, which occur in erect or drooping clusters in April or May before or alongside the leaves. The blossoms add to the tree’s beauty and provide visual delight.
When ripe, the Juneberry fruit is sweet, edible, spherical, and dark purple, and it usually ripens in July or August. Both humans and birds enjoy these fruits, which range in diameter from 12 to 34 inches.
This little tree thrives on stream banks, lake coastlines, and open highland woodlands. Juneberry wood is heavy, hard, robust, and close-grained, with a dark brown color.
Although it has no commercial value, it is attractive as an ornamental tree and bird habitat. Consider Juneberry, a delightful tree with sweet edible fruit and beautiful white flowers, if you want to plant a native tree in your yard.
9. Willow
- Common Name: Willow
- Scientific Name: Salix species
- Mature Height: 6 to 70 feet depending on species and growing conditions
- Native/Non-Native: Native and non-native varieties
- Flowers/Cones: Flowers in dense elongated clusters known as “catkins”
- Uses: Fuel, erosion control, ornamental planting, windbreaks, and baseball bats.
Willows are a diverse group of trees and shrubs that can reach varying heights depending on the variation and growing conditions. They are most usually found near streams and other wet areas, but certain types can grow in drier, less suitable conditions.
Some trees can reach heights of 50 feet or more, whilst some bushes can only reach a few feet. The tallest is the peach-leaf willow, which can grow to be 60 to 70 feet tall.
Willows are well-known for their distinctive blossoms, which bloom alongside their leaves in the spring. Catkins are thick, elongated clusters of flowers. The tiny seeds mature in late spring or early summer. Willows can be propagated through “cuttings” rather than seeds.
The leaves of willows differ depending on the variety. White willow and crack willow leaves have a whitish underside. The finely-toothed leaves of the white willow are frequently permanently silky, whereas the crack willow has massive saw-toothed leaves.
The black willow has very narrow green leaves on both sides, whereas the peach-leaf willow has long, pointed, lance-shaped leaves with a whitish underside on long, slender, somewhat twisted stems.
Willow bark is dark brown to grey, thick, rough, furrowed, and flaking on large trees. Willow wood is light brown in color, soft, brittle, and flexible, with a coarse grain.
Firewood, erosion control, ornamental planting, windbreaks, and baseball bats can all be made from thin, pale sapwood. Large, excellent trees with straight grain are used to make artificial limbs.
Many European and ornamental varieties of willow have been introduced.
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Native Flowering Trees In Minnesota – Sources
The Regional Gardening team makes sure that the information in our articles is accurate by only using sources that are known to be trustworthy. Some of these sources are peer-reviewed journals from government agencies, well-known universities, and scientific research organizations.
- Minnesota’s Native Trees, Department Of Natural Sciences, Minnesota State.
- Forestry Division, Minnesota State.
- Yard And Garden, University Of Minnesota Extension
- Native Plants, University Of Minnesota Extension
- Select Trees And Shrubs For Minnesota Landscapes, University Of Minnesota Extension
- Trees and shrubs for pollinators, University Of Minnesota Extension
- Department Of Agriculture, Minnesota State.
