Canopy Connectors: Connecting Trees and People

The 2022 Canopy Connectors season is over. Please visit us in 2023 to reserve a tree!

​Unity Church-Unitarian’s Canopy Connectors are offering 75 trees, for free, to homeowners in the Summit-University-Rondo neighborhood. The area is defined as that within the boundaries of University and Summit Avenues to the north and south, and Lexington Parkway and Marion Street to the west and east. We will help those adopting trees every step of the way, from arranging for utility lines to be marked in your yard, to planting your tree in the fall. Interested in caring for a free tree? Learn more about our trees and then fill out the form to claim one for yourself.  ​

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Our Trees • Check back for the 2023 tree options!

RELIANCE PEACH

The hardiest yellow-fleshed peach available grows well in cold climates. Produces rounded, medium sized peaches with a dull blush over green-yellow color. Flesh is bright yellow with a soft and juicy texture. Self-pollinating, but will produce larger crops with another peach tree nearby for pollination. Expect the tree to start fruiting 2-3 years after planting. The tree itself has gorgeous pink blossoms in spring.
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Height: 15-20'
Spread:15-20'
Shape: Spreading
Exposure: Full sun

DOLGO CRABAPPLE

This ornamental crab blooms early in the season with apricot pink buds yielding fragrant, self-pollinating white flowers that last for weeks, making Dolgo an excellent pollinator for other apple varieties. The large 2” diameter fruits are a brilliant crimson that ripen in late summer and are good for fresh eating but also make wonderful jelly, pies and cider. The fruit is persistent, giving winter landscape interest as well as food for wildlife.

Height: 25-30’
Spread: 25-30’
Shape: Open, wide-spreading
Exposure: Full sun

SWAMP WHITE OAK

Despite its common name, the Swamp White Oak grows well in a variety of soil types. It has rounded, shallowly lobed, dark green leaves with a paler green underside that turn golden in the fall. Leaves a lasting mark, typically capable of living hundreds of years. Mature trees produce clusters of acorns in the fall.
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Height: 50-60'
Spread: 40-50'
Shape: Rounded, vase-like shape with open branch form
Exposure: Full sun

TARTARIAN CHERRY

This low maintenance tree adapts to many types of well-drained soil and withstands drought better than many counterparts. It blooms early, with abundant clusters of showy, sweet-smelling white flowers and attracts birds and butterflies. Requires a pollinator to bear large, juicy, purplish-black fruit in 3 to 4 years. Can cross pollinate with any other sweet cherry that blooms at the same time.

Height: 12-30'
Spread: 12-30'
Shape: Pyramidal
Exposure: Full sun

PURPLE PRINCE CRABAPPLE

Purple Prince has purple-bronze foliage, outstanding rose-red blossoms, and persistent maroon fruits that are good forage for wildlife. It is a fast-growing variety that resists stem splitting and matures quickly. Excellent resistance to scab, fire blight, and cedar-apple rust.
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Height: 20'
Spread: 20'
Shape: Rounded
Exposure: Full sun

COMMON HACKBERRY

Hackberry is known for its attractive bark that is corky and rough in texture. The bright green elm-like foliage turns to a soft yellow in the fall, and the fruits are relished by wildlife. With a round open form, it grows at a moderate to rapid rate. Extremely hardy, and adaptable to a range of urban environments including alkaline soils, drought, and windy conditions. Harvested in the fall, the nut-like fruit is edible and highly nutritious.
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Height: 50-75'
Spread: 50'
Shape: Spreading, rounded
Exposure: Full sun

SWEET SIXTEEN APPLE

Developed at the University of Minnesota in 1977, this is a very hardy tree that grows well in harsh, cold climates. Blooms in late spring.  White blossoms are extremely fragrant and last long on the branch. It requires a pollinator to bear super-sweet, crunchy fruit with a complex flavor.  The crisp, juicy apples are yellow with vibrant, bright red-pink stripes. Their richly complex flavor is similar to vanilla with a hint of molasses and bourbon.
 
Height: 20'
Spread: 20'
Shape: Spreading
Exposure: Full sun

AMUR CHOKECHERRY

This chokecherry produces white flowers in spring with edible black fruit in June. The cinnamon colored, exfoliating bark has a glistening metallic sheen that adds landscape interest throughout the year. The pale green leaves turn yellow in the fall. A good wildlife plant for both pollinating insects looking for nectar and birds feeding on the ripe fruit.
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Height: 20-30'
Spread: 25-30'
Shape: Rounded
Exposure: Full sun