April 22, 2009
ReTree Nebraska's Nine for 2009 Promotes Species Diversity
LINCOLN, Neb. — Forestry experts agree that species diversity is a hallmark of healthy rural and urban forests.
"Good species diversity minimizes the chances of a single insect or disease pest destroying an area's entire forest resource," said Jessica Kelling, ReTree Nebraska coordinator. "This is a lesson we learned the hard way with dutch elm disease and pine wilt. Given the abundance of ash across Nebraska, the arrival of emerald ash borer will also have significant impacts on our state's tree resources."
Emerald ash borer is a non-native, or invasive, insect that attacks and kills all native ash species, including white, green, black and autumn purple. The beetle, which is metallic green and approximately 1/2 inch long, kills ash trees by disrupting their ability to transport water and nutrients.
Kelling says there are a variety of tree species that grow well in Nebraska but are frequently under planted.
"Many people don't realize the variety of both native and well-adapted trees that will grow and thrive in Nebraska," Kelling said.
To promote these species, ReTree Nebraska developed its list of Good Trees for the Good Life. From this list, a handful of preferred species have been highlighted as ReTree Nebraska's Nine for 2009. At the top of this year's list is Miyabe maple.
Kelling says Miyabe maple (Acer miyabei) grows well in Nebraska but has long been overlooked for better-known species of maple such as silver maple and red maple.
"Miyabe is highly adaptable and tolerant, making it a great candidate for Nebraska's often harsh growing conditions," said Kelling.
Miyabe maple has no serious insect or disease problems that are known.
At maturity, Miyabe reaches 40 to 50 feet tall and has a spread of 30 to 35 feet. Younger trees are oval in shape, but the tree becomes rounded with maturity. After establishment, Miyabe has a slow to moderate growth rate, growing approximately 10 to 14 inches per year.
Miyabe's dark green leaves are approximately 4 to 6 inches wide and 3 to 5 inches long with deep sinuses and rounded teeth. The trees seeds are a double samaras, approximately 1/2 to 1 inch long.
Kelling said that while Miyabe does not have highly ornamental flowers, its vibrant yellow fall color makes it an ideal specimen tree in many landscapes, and its mottled grayish-tan bark also provides year-round visual interest.
Miyabe maple is native to Japan and was introduced to the United States in 1892. State Street is an improved variety of Miyabe maple that was introduced by the Chicagoland Grows Association. This variety was developed from a parent tree at the Morton Arboretum near Chicago.
To view the entire list of ReTree Nebraska's Nine for 2009 or to find out where you can purchase these species, visit ReTree Nebraska: Good Trees.
To learn more about emerald ash borer, visit here.
ReTree Nebraska is a 10-year cooperative initiative to restore Nebraska's community forests by properly planting and maintaining 1 million community trees by 2017. To learn more about ReTree Nebraska and find out how you can get involved, visit ReTree Nebraska.
ReTree Nebraska is a cooperative initiative of the Nebraska Forest Service, Nebraska Statewide Arboretum, University of Nebraska Rural Initiative, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, Nebraska Community Forestry Council and the university's Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
4/22/09-BE Jessica Kelling
Nebraska Forest Service ReTree Nebraska Coordinator (402) 472-0220
 
Becky Erdkamp Education & Outreach Specialist (402) 472-9869
Department:
Nebraska Forest Service
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