Canopy Connectors: Connecting Trees and People

Fifty fruit and shade trees were planted in Unity’s gravel bed in May and will be cared for through the summer. Volunteers will be needed throughout the season to distribute flyers and conduct site visits, and in the fall to transplant the trees. Please join us! Contact Lisa Burke at [email protected] for more information. 

For the fourth year Unity Church-Unitarian’s Canopy Connectors are offering trees, for free, to residents of the Summit-University-Rondo area. This year priority will be given to those living in neighborhoods with lower tree canopy. Selected trees will be planted on private property. 

We will assist those adopting our trees every step of the way, from helping you select the right spot for your tree and arranging for utility lines to be marked to planting your tree in the fall. ​

Those interested in planting a tree on the boulevard should contact the city.

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Our 2024 Trees 

CONTENDER
​PEACH

No longer an option. All have been requested.

Produces rounded, large sized freestone peaches with firm, melting, aromatic flesh. Excellent for eating, freezing, or canning. The Contender is self-pollinating but will produce larger crops with another variety of peach tree nearby for cross-pollination. Expect tree to start fruiting 2-3 years after planting. Tree is resistant to bacterial leaf spot and blooms later in the spring, potentially avoiding late frosts.

Mature height: 15-20'
Mature spread:15-20’
Shape: Spreading
Exposure: Full sun
Zone: 4-8

Source: Arbor Day Foundation

RED BARON CRABAPPLE

No longer an option. All have been requested.

This small statured ornamental crabapple blooms early in the season with dark red blossoms. The abundance of persistent half-inch bright red fruit makes it lovely for year-round interest. Leathery, shiny green foliage is disease resistant to fireblight, cedar apple rust and mildew.

Mature height: 18’
Mature spread: 6’
Shape: Upright form
Exposure: Full sun
Zone: 4-6

​Source: Bailey Nursery

QUAKING
​ASPEN

Fast growing tree native to all parts of Minnesota. Its distinct gray-green bark and leaves that tremble in the slightest breeze give aspen its "quaking" name. Leaves turn golden yellow in the fall. Aspens are shade tolerant and can be grown in a variety of soils. May sucker from the base but is easy to prune.

Mature height: 20-60'
Mature spread: 20-30'
Shape: Open, rounded crown
Exposure: Full sun to part shade
Zone: 1-7

Source: Faller Landscape

STELLA
​​CHERRY

No longer an option. All have been requested.

Produces fruit with dark red skin and dark red flesh. The fruit is sweet and juicy, perfect for fresh eating. You can expect an abundant number of cherries after three years of growth. This zone 5 sweet cherry will cross pollinate other sweet cherry varieties like Tartarian or Rainier. Self-pollinating, but will produce larger crops with another variety of cherry tree nearby for cross-pollination. 

Mature height: 12’
Mature spread:12-15’
Shape: Spreading
Exposure: Full sun
Zone: 5-9 

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 long-lasting rose-pink to magenta pea-like flowers emerge along its branches in May and form small seed pods in the summer. The heart-shaped leaves turn buttery yellow in fall. Prefers well drained soil and does not tolerate salt so should be planted away from the street.

Mature height: 25'
Mature spread: 30’
Shape: Vase-like with umbrella canopy
Exposure: Part shade to full sun
Zone: 4-7

Source: MN Horticulture Society

PRAIRIE STATURE OAK

This smaller stature oak is perfect for urban yards. A cross between an English columnar oak and a native white oak give it a narrower pyramidal form. It is a tough tree, well adapted to life in an urban environment with emerald green leaves that change to a reddish purple in the fall. Mature oaks are great habitat for urban wildlife.

Mature height: 40’
Mature spread: 30’
Shape: Pyramidal
Exposure: Full sun
Zone: 3-5 

Source: University of North Dakota

AUTUMN BRILLIANCE SERVICEBERRY

No longer an option. All have been requested.

This small statured ornamental crab blooms early in the season with pink buds that yield fragrant, self-pollinating white flowers. The abundance of persistent half-inch 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.
​
Mature height: 12-15’
Mature spread: 8-10’
Shape: Upright, spreading form
Exposure: Full sun
Zone: 4-6

Source: U of MN Extension

BLUE
​BEECH

The Blue Beech is a Minnesota native understory tree also known as the musclewood or the American hornbeam. Its smooth blue-gray bark and interesting fluted trunk make it an attractive tree. Male and female catkins are present through winter and spring, yielding hop-like seed pods in summer. Adaptable to a variety of soil types and moisture levels. 
​
Mature height: 20-35'
Mature spread: 20-35'
Shape: Rounded
Exposure: Full shade to full sun
Zone: 3-9

​Source: U of MN Extension

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