Trees of Merit
38 City Trees
Rich Weber is the Horticulturist for the Indiana
University-Purdue University Fort Wayne (IPFW) Physical
Plant-Grounds Department. Weber developed a tree
inventory with data on over 9500 IPFW campus trees
and designed and maintains the Native Trees of Indiana
River Walk and website.
In this first installment in a series, Weber shares his
observations and pictures of some small-maturing
(under 30 feet/9 m), non-native trees that he has found
to be particularly pleasing and functional. Weber says,
"All are low maintenance and generally require only
minor pruning of dead branches. None have significant
disease or insect problems. All survived the week of
-15 F (-26 C) temperatures in Fort Wayne (Zone 5b) last
winter with no damage."
Shirofugen Oriental Cherry (Prunus serrulata 'Shirofugen', left
and above) has the coolest flower of any of the cherries - dainty,
drooping, pink/white. Tolerates a variety of soil types but needs
good drainage.
Shantung Maple (Acer truncatum) has a rounded form. Fall foliage
color is red/orange/yellow; Fire Dragon shantung maple is bril-
liant red. It can tolerate prolonged periods of dry soil.
2001 DBH and height at planting: 3.5 inches (9 cm)/11 feet (3.4 m)
2015 DBH and height: 11 inches (28 cm)/24.5 feet (7.5 m)
