Canopy Connectors: Connecting Trees and People

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All of the 2023 trees have all been claimed. Please check back in 2024! Thank you!

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​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. ​

pictures • media • resources

Our 2023 Trees 

REDHAVEN
​PEACH

Produces rounded, medium sized peaches with a beautiful red and golden-yellow skin. This freestone peach has flesh that is yellow with a sweet, firm texture. Excellent for eating, freezing, or canning. Self-pollinating, but will produce larger crops with another peach tree nearby for pollination.  Expect tree to start fruiting 2-3 years after planting. Tree is resistant to bacterial spot.

Mature Height: 15-20'
Mature Spread:15-20’
Shape: Spreading
Exposure: Full Sun
Zone: 4-8

Source: Arbor Day Foundation

MINNESOTA STRAIN REDBUD

Smaller statured understory tree developed at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, this tree is typical of eastern and southern climes but has been bred to be hardy to Zone 4.  Beautiful clusters of rose-pink to magenta pea-like flowers emerge along its branches in May and form small seed pods in the summer.  Prefers well drained soil and cannot tolerate salt. Can be susceptible to verticillium wilt, leaf spots, mildew, Japanese beetles, borers and scale.
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Mature Height: 25'
Mature Spread: 30’
Shape: Vase-like with umbrella canopy
Exposure: Partial to Full Sun
Zone: 4-7

Source: Gerten's

IRONWOOD

Medium statured understory tree that is native to Minnesota, the ironwood or American Hophornbeam has birch like leaves and finely textured, grayish-brown bark on mature trees.  Disease and pest resistant, this tree gets its common names from the strength and density of its wood and the hop-like seed pods that develop in summer.
 
Mature Height: 20-50’
Mature Spread: 20-30’
Shape:  Rounded
Exposure: Part Shade to Full Sun
Zone: 4-9

Source: Minnesota DNR and  Minnesota Wildflowers

MONTMORENCY
​CHERRY

Produces red skinned, firm, yellow fleshed sweet and tangy cherries that are perfect for fresh eating, baking, or drying. One of the most popular cold climate tart cherry varieties, you can expect an abundant number of cherries after 3 years of growth. Self-pollinating, but will produce larger crops with another cherry tree nearby for pollination.

Mature Height: 15-18'
Mature Spread:15-18’
Shape: Spreading
Exposure: Full Sun
Zone: 4-7

Source: Arbor Day Foundation

HERITAGE RIVER BIRCH

This medium sized native Minnesota tree is common in swamplands and river bottoms. Heavy exfoliating bark with salmon-cream to dark brown colors create year round visual interest in both single stemmed and multi-stemmed forms.  The ‘Heritage’ variety is a vigorous grower that is resistant to the bronze birch borer.  Prefers moist, fertile soils, but can tolerate drier conditions as well, making it a good choice for an urban environment.
 
Mature Height: 40-70’
Mature Spread: 40-60’
Shape:  Oblong or rounded
Exposure: Part Shade to Full Sun
Zone: 4-9

Source: Fast Growing Trees 

NORTHERN
​PIN OAK

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

Source: Minnesota Wildflowers

RED JEWEL CRABAPPLE

This small statured ornamental crab blooms early in the season with pink buds that yield fragrant, self-pollinating white flowers.  The abundance of persistent ½” bright red fruit makes it lovely for year-round interest. Leathery, shiny green foliage is moderately disease resistant to fireblight, cedar apple rust, scab and mildew.
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Mature Height: 12-15’
Mature Spread: 8-10’
Shape: Upright, spreading form
Exposure: Full Sun
Zone: 4-6

Source: Nature Hill Nursery

COFFEETREE

Despite being commonly named the Kentucky Coffeetree, this tree is native to small pockets of moist woodlands in Minnesota. It is tolerant of many conditions including a variety of soil types, road salt, and occasional drought, making it a good choice for an urban environment.  The fragrant flowers attract pollinator insects and the seed pods do create winter interest, but can be messy.
 
Mature Height: 60-75’
Mature Spread: 40-50’
Shape:  Irregular, Oval
Exposure: Full Sun
Zone: 3-8

Source: Minnesota Wildflowers