All Facility Details

Facility Description

Take in the beauty of the great outdoors on this 100-acre “wild arboretum” designated as a National Urban Wildlife Sanctuary. Discover hundreds of varieties of woody plants, wildflowers, native grasses, as well as several species of birds and a large variety of wildlife along three miles of National Recreation trails. The nature center also features a spring-fed pond stocked for fishing, picnic areas, a family playscape area, and a Visitor’s Center filled with interactive displays and exhibits.

• Visitor’s Center: Take a Closer Look at Nature with our recently renovated interactive exhibits and displays (completed in Fall 2014). The Visitor’s Center also includes a meeting room that can be rented out for private parties and groups; a nature library; natural science classroom; observation deck; and a gift shop.
• Taylor Shady Lane Cabin and Courtyard: Features a main room for meetings, family reunions, receptions etc., a catering kitchen with a serving window into the meeting room, men’s and women’s bathrooms, storage for tables and chairs. Outside the building there is a covered patio and grassy courtyard.
• Jim Smith Family Playscape: Young families and their children are invited to create, explore, and get a little dirty while having fun in this one-of-a-kind outdoor exploration center, completed in Spring 2012 thanks to a grant from the United Health Ministries Fund and several donors and volunteers.

Admission & Hours

Admission:

FREE to the public

Hours:

Trails & Grounds Hours:

• Open Weekdays 8:00am to Dusk
• Weekends & Holidays – 9:00am to Dusk

Visitor’s Center Hours:

• April through September: Open Weekdays 8:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.
• October through March: Open Weekdays 8:00 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Saturdays: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Sundays: 1-5 p.m.

Who to Contact

John Gallagher

Superintendent: jgallagher@hutchrec.com

Stephanie Carlson

Education Coordinator: scarlson@hutchrec.com

Steve Kinser

Natural Resource Officer: skinser@hutchrec.com

Lacey Browning

Customer Service Manager: lacey@hutchrec.com

 

Facility Rentals

Community Room Inside Visitor’s Center:

Attached kitchen with refrigerator, oven/stove top, sink, and serving area.

Taylors’ Shady Lane Cabin:

Attached kitchen with refrigerator, oven/stove, sink, and serving area.

Wedding Areas:

• Wedding Nook area
• Rabbit Glen area
• Mary Clark Community Courtyard & Taylors’ Shady Lane Cabin

For rentals, please call (620) 663-7411 for rental rates, reservation dates, and additional details.

Fishing Info & Rules

• Fishing is only allowed in the upper pond, which is adjacent to the visitor center building. The lower pond is strictly for wildlife study. Please note that certain areas of the upper pond are off limits to fishing. This includes on or under the visitor center’s observation deck and just north of the visitor center in the garden areas. Signs mark the areas that are off-limits to fishing.
• This pond is stocked with catfish in the warmer months and trout in the colder months. An approximate schedule of these stockings is posted at the nature center.
• Everyone from 16 to 65 years of age must have a valid Kansas Fishing License to fish at the nature center. Everyone regardless of age must have a valid trout permit to fish for trout at the nature center. The nature center does not sell licenses or permits.
• No other animals including turtles, snakes, frogs, etc. may be caught or harmed in any way at the nature center. If a turtle is accidentally caught, it should be released in the lower pond near the front gate where fishing is not allowed.
• Fishing is never allowed after dark or when the gates are closed.
• No setlines, bank lines, trot lines, of any kind are allowed.
• Live minnows are not allowed as bait.
• Please put litter in the trashcans provided at the nature center, including discarded fishing line, which is very dangerous to other wildlife.
• Only bait and lure and fishing are allowed. Snagging, archery, hand fishing, netting, gigging, etc. are not allowed.
• Boats, floatation devices, canoes, etc. are not allowed on our pond except for programs conducted by Dillon Nature Center staff.
• Canoes being used by students or for nature center programs have the right-of-way on the pond. Please be careful casting near them.
• Special Creel Limits: Bass – 1 per day; Catfish – 5 per day
• Special Length Limits: Bass – 15 inches; Catfish – 12 inches
• Note on creel limits: There are not creel or length limits on other fish such as blue gill and crappie. You may not share your catch with other people to increase your creel limit. Once you catch that limit (e.g. five trout) you cannot catch any more trout for the day. Catching more than your limit and taking it home and returning in the same day to catch more is a state crime that is punishable by severe penalties.

Trails & Grounds

Woodard Interpretive Trail Loop

(.75 mile) (blue arrows)
Surface varies from crushed rock to grass to dirt. Includes some steps and slopes. An interpretive booklet is available for this trail. Features found along trail: ponds, marsh, small stream, small prairie, thickets, woods, and gardens.

Outer Loop Recreation Trail Loop

(.86 mile) (red arrows)
Surface is mostly dirt and grass. Not always outside of the Woodard Trail but mostly follows the perimeter of the nature center. Good jogging trail. Features found along trail: ponds, small prairie, thickets, woods, and gardens.

Upper Pond Hard-surface Trail

(.29 mile) (just follow the concrete walkways)
Surface is all concrete and at least five feet in width. Circles pond, goes through beautiful garden areas, and connects to visitor center. Even though it may be officially rated as accessible, some slopes may be challenging for some users.
(Note: There are several cutoffs and small loops that connect the Woodard, Outer Loop, and Upper Pond trails. These other short trail pieces can serve to shorten your walking route or add length to it, as you want.)

Prairie Hills/Westar Energy Trails

(.66 mile one way between the west trailhead and east trailhead near Prairie Hills Middle School) (Not really marked just follow the mowed paths)
The surface is mostly sand and grass. This trail system is still under development and there is an alternate loop that can add some distance to it. Interpretive signage can be found along the trail. Features found along trail: marsh, prairie dog town, thickets, and expanses of native grasses and wildflowers.

Download DNC Trail Map

The following types of birds and wildlife are commonly spotted at DNC:

Birds

• Great Blue Heron
• Canada Goose
• Mallard
• Wood Duck
• Gadwall
• Screech Owl
• Great Horned Owl
• Wild Turkey
• Turkey Vulture
• Mississippi Kite
• Red-tailed Hawk
• Northern Harrier
• American Kestrel
• Killdeer
• Rock Dove
• Mourning Dove
• Yellow-billed Cuckoo
• Ruby-throated Humingbird
• Barn Swallow
• Northern Rough-winged Swallow
• Purple Martin
• Belted Kingfisher
• Red-Bellied Woodpecker
• Red-headed Woodpecker
• Downy Woodpecker
• Eastern Kingbird
• Western Kingbird
• Eastern Phoebe
• Blue Jay
• American Crow
• Black-capped Chickadee
• White-breasted Nuthatch
• Red-breasted Nuthatch
• Gray Catbird
• Brown Thrasher
• House Wren
• Carolina Wren
• American Robin
• Eastern Bluebird
• European Starling
• Bell’s Vireo
• Warbling Vireo
• Red-eyed Vireo
• Yellow Warbler
• Yellow-rumped Warbler
• Common Yellowthroat
• Eastern Meadowlark
• Western Meadowlark
• Red-winged Blackbird
• Baltimore Oriole
• Brown-headed Cowbird
• Northern Cardinal
• House Finch
• American Goldfinch
• Harris’s Sparrow
• White-crowned Sparrow
• Dark-eyed Junco
• House Sparrow

Mammals

• Eastern Cottontail
• White-tailed Deer
• Racoon
• Eastern Fox Squirrel
• Eastern Wood Rat

Herps

• Tiger Salamander
• Great Plains Toad
• Plains Leopard Frog
• Bullfrog
• Snapping Turtle
• Northern Painted Turtle
• Red-eared Slider
• Spiny Softshell
• Ornate Box Turtle
• Great Plains Skink
• Six-lined Racerunner
• Prairie Kingsnake
• Bull Snake
• Northern Water Snake
• Plains Garter Snake
• Common Garter Snake

Plants & Habitat

Info & List for Plants

*Common Name, Botanical Name: DNC Rating & Notes

Trident Maple, Acer buergeranum: Good but slow, fall color good

Hedge Maple, Acer campestre: Good, drought tolerant, squirrels

Amur Maple, Acer ginnala: Very good, fall color great, squirrels

Canyon Maple, Acer grandidentatum: Fairly good, slow, drought tolerant, fall color good

Box Elder, Acer negundo: Poor, fast, weak limbs

Red Maple, Acer rubrum: Good, medium, fall color variable

October Glory Maple, Acer rubrum ‘October Glory’: Good, medium, fall color good

Red Sunset Maple, Acer rubrum ‘ Red Sunset’: Poor, medium, winter damage to trunk

Silver Maple, Acer saccharinum: Poor, fast, weak limbed, squirrels

Caddo Sugar Maple, Acer saccharum ‘Caddo’: Very good, fairly fast, drought tolerant, fall color great

Legacy Sugar Maple, Acer saccharum ‘Legacy’: Fair, medium, some heat stress, fall color fair

Shantung Maple, Acer truncatum: Good, medium, some winter damage, fall color great

Autumn Blaze Maple, Acer x freemanii ‘Autumn Blaze’: Good, medium fast, fall color good

Red Buckeye, Aesculus pavia: Not rated yet

Ohio Buckeye, Aesculus glabra: Good, slow, better if protected from south winds

Mimosa, Albizia julibrissin: Fair, fast, winter kills often, hummingbirds

Seaside Alder, Alnus maritime: Good, slow, interesting, for very wet areas

Black Alder, Alnus glutinosa: Very good for heavy soil or wet area, very upright form

Regent Serviceberry, Amelanchier alnifolia ‘Regent’: Good, slow, small shrub, song birds, fall color good

Shadblow Serviceberry, Amelanchier canadensis: Good, slow, needs good soil, song birds, fall color good

Apple Serviceberry, Amelanchier x grandiflora: Good, slow, flowers, fall color good, birds

Porcelain Vine, Ampelopsis brevipedunculata: Good, fast, can spread, song birds, beautiful fruit

Devil’s Walking Stic, Aralia spinosa: Good, interesting, very thorny, birds, will spread

Brilliant Chokeberry, Aronia arbutifolia ‘Brilliantissima’: Some winter kill, fiery color, medium shrub, birds

Black Chokeberry, Aronia melanocarpa : Good, drought tolerant, shrub, fall color great, birds

Redleaf Barberry, Berberia thunbergii ‘Atropurpurea’: Good, some winter kill, birds, very thorny, red leaves

Crimson Pygmy Barberry, Berberis thunbergii ‘ Crimson Pygmy’: Fair, some winter and summer kill, small, red leaves

Kobold Barberry, Berberis thunbergii ‘Kobold’: Good, some winter kill, birds

Rose Glow Barberry, Berberis thunbergii ‘Rose Glow’: Very good, beautiful coloration

Cherrybomb Barberry, Berberis thunbergii ‘Monomb’: Not rated yet

William Penn Barberry, Berberis x gladwynensis ‘William Penn’: Very good, birds, good heat and cold resistance

Mentor Barberry, Berberis x mentorensis: Good, heat and cold resistant, birds

River Birch, Betula nigra: Very good, likes heavy wet soil, beautiful bark

Paper Mulberry, Broussonetia papyrifera: Fair, fast but winter kills, interesting bark and leaves

Butterfly Bush (several types), Buddleia davidii: Good, flowers attract butterflies, prune way back

Gum Bumelia, Chittamwood, Bumelia lanuginosa: Good, very slow, glossy leaves, very thorny

Incense Cedar, Calocedrus decurrens: Good, medium, very upright form

Carolina Allspice, Calycanthus floridus: Fair, slow, unusual fruit, birds

Trumpet Vine, Campsis radicans: Very good, hummingbirds, can spread rapidly

Siberian Pea Shrub, Caragana arborescens: Good, drought tolerant, bees, butterflies, pretty foliage

Columnar Hophornbeam, Carpinus betulus ‘Columnaris’: Good, medium, very upright form, smooth shiny bark

American Hornbeam, Carpinus caroliniana: Fair, slow growing

Blue Mist Shrub, Caryopteris x clandonensis ‘Blue Mist’: Good, cut back annually, bees, butterflies

Dark Knight Bluebeard, Caryopteris x clandonensis ‘Dark Knight’: Very good, cut back annually, bees, butterflies

Chinese Chestnut, Castanea mollis: Good, some blight damage, glossy leaves, squirrels

Northern Catalpa, Catalpa speciosa: Good, fast, hardy, very big leaves, long pods

New Jersey Tea, Ceanothus americanus: Good, small shrub, flowers, butterflies

American Bittersweet, Celastrus scandens: Very good, fast, spreads, birds, colorful fruit

Sugarberry, Celtis laevigata: Poor, slow

Hackberry, Celtis occidentalis: Good, medium, birds, interesting bark

Chinese Hackberry, Celtis sinensis: Fair, slow, glossy leaves

Buttonbush, Cephalanthus occidentalis: Very good, heavy wet soil, butterflies, bees

Eastern Redbud, Cercis canadensis: Very good, medium, bright flowers, hummingbirds

Whitebud, Cercis Canadensis ‘Alba’: Fair, slow, bright white flowers

Common Flowering Quince, Chaenomeles speciosa: Good, medium, large very hard fruit, bright red flowers

Chinese Fringetree, Chioanthus retusus: Too early to evaluate yet

Yellow-wood, Cladrastis lutea: Very good, slow, pretty white flowers, smooth bark

Sweet Autumn Clematis, Clematis paniculata: Good, showy cream flowers, climbing vine, butterflies

Rough-leaved Dogwood, Cornus drummondii : Good, large spreading shrub, flowers, fruit, bees, birds

Chinese Dogwood, Cornus kousa: Poor at first, now in sheltered site with good soil

Cornelian Cherry Dogwood, Cornus mas: Very good, fast, weird yellow flowers, red fruit, birds

Redtwig Dogwood, Cornus sericea: Very good, fast, birds, nice branch color

American Filbert, Corylus americana: Very good, spreads quickly, squirrels

Contorted Filbert, Corylus avellana ‘Contorta’: Good, very unusual shape, must cut back suckers common Smoketree

Upright Cotoneaster, Cotoneaster divaricatus: Fair, slow, birds, drought tolerant

Round Rock Cotoneaster, Cotoneaster horizontalis ‘Robusta’: Good, slow, great for rock garden, pretty fruit, birds

Cockspur Hawthorn, Crataegus crus-galli: Very good, fall color good, birds, very thorny

Washington Hawthorn, Crataegus phaenopyrum: Good, fall color good, birds, gets cedar-apple rust

Reverchon Hawthorn, Crataegus reverchonii: Poor, heat stress, cedar-apple rust

Melontree, Cudrania tricuspidata: Fair, unusual edible fruit

Slender Deutizia, Deutizia gracillis: Poor, pretty white flowers, too early to evaluate yet

Common Persimmon, Disopyros virginiana: Good, opossums, raccoons, edible fruit, nice bark

Russian Olive, Elaeagnus angustifolia: Good, fast, birds, interesting bark and leaves

Autumn Olive, Elaeagnus umbellata: Good, spreads, birds, butterflies, bees, small red fruit

Hardy Rubbertree, Eucommia ulmoides: Very good, glossy leaves, latex in sap, insect free

American Euonymus, Euonymus americana: Good, drought tolerant, interesting fruit, birds

Winterberry Euonymus, Euonymus bungeanus: Good, medium, fall color good, birds

Red Cap Euonymus, Euonymus europaea ‘Red Cap’: Good, slow, pretty fall color

Emerald ‘N Gold Euonymus, Euonymus fortunei ‘Emerald ‘N Gold’: Fair, too early to rate yet, pretty foliage

Emerald Gaiety Euonymus, Euonymus fortunei ‘Emerald Gaiety’: Fair, too early to rate yet, pretty foliage

Bee Bee Tree, Evodia daniellii: Fair, some winter kill, too early to rate yet

New Mexico Privet, Foresteria neomexicana: Good, fine foliage, drought tolerant, butterflies

Dwarf Fothergilla, Fothergilla gardenii: Too early to evaluate yet

White Ash, Fraxinus americana: Fair, spreads by seed, great fall color, insect problems

Green Ash, Fraxinus pennsylvanica: Good, yellow fall color, some insect problems

Blue Ash, Fraxinus quadrangulata: Slow, too soon to rate yet, seems drought tolerant

Gingko, Gingko biloba: Fair, very slow, interesting leaves, good fall color

Honey Locust, Gleditsia triacanthos: Good, some are thorny, rabbits like the pods

Kentcky Coffeetree, Gymnocladus dioicus: Good, unusual compound foliage, interesting pods

English Ivy, Hedera helix: Very good, pretty aggressive, very hardy, nice foliage

Seabuckthorn, Hippophae rhamnoides: Fair, silvery foliage, birds

Climbing Hydrangea, Hydrangea anomala petiolaris: Very slow to establish, too early to evaluate yet

Kalm St. Johnswort, Hypericum kalmianum: Poor, stressed by cold and heat, pretty yellow flowers

Possumhaw Holly, Ilex decidua (several varieties): Good, medium, fiery red fruit makes good winter show

Meserve Holly, Ilex x merservae (several varieties): Good, glossy leaves, females have shiny red fruit

Little Henry Sweetspire, Itea virginica ‘Sweetspire’: Too early to evaluate yet

Black Walnut, Juglans nigra: Very good, medium, squirrels

Kallys Juniper, Juniperus chinensis ‘Kallays’: Very good, hardy, dark green color, medium sized

Gold Coast Juniper, Juniperus chinensis ‘Gold Coast’: Good, some heat stress, nice yellow accent plant

Mint Julep Juniper, Juniperus chinensis ‘Mint Julep’: Very good, hardy, can get large, dark green foliage

Blue Pfitzer Juniper, Juniperus chinensis ‘Pfitzerana Glauca’: Very good, nice blue color

Sea Green Juniper, Juniperus chinensis ‘Sea Green’: Too early to evaluate

Hollywood Juniper, Juniperus chinensis ‘Torulosa’: Poor, not very heat resistant, spiral upright growth

Blue Chip Juniper, Juniperus horizontalis ‘Blue Chip’: Very good, low with some texture, nice bluish color

Andorra Juniper, Juniperus horizontalis ‘Plumosa’: Too early to rate yet

Blue Rug Juniper, Juniperus horizontalis ‘Wiltoni’: Very good, very low creeper, nice bluish color

Youngstown Juniper, Juniperus horizontalis ‘Youngstown’: Too early to evaluate yet

Greenmound Juniper, Juniperus procumbens ‘Greenmound’: Too early to evaluate yet

Dwarf Procumbens Juniper, Juniperus procumbens ‘Nana’ : Too early to evaluate yet

Broadmoor Juniper, Juniperus sabina ‘Broadmoor’: Good, medium sized spreader

Tamarix Juniper, Juniperus procumbens ‘Tamariscifolia’: Too early to rate yet

Table Top Juniper, Juniperus scopolorum ‘Table Top Blue’: Very good, medium size, nice bluish color

Blue Star Juniper, Juniperus squamata ‘Blue Star’: Very good, light blue color, nice texture, medium size

Eastern Redcedar, Juniperus virginiana : Very good, spreads by seed, great for birds

Canaerti Redcedar (Juniper), Juniperus virginiana ‘Canaerti’: Very good, beautiful shape and texture, birds

Japanese Kerria, Kerria japonica ‘Plentiflora’: Too early to evaluate yet

Goldenraintree, Koelreuteria paniculata: Good, bright yellow flowers, interesting pods

Willow-leaf Allspice, Lindera saliafolia: Good, fragrant, dark blue fruit eaten by waxwings and robins

Amur Privet, Lingustrum amurense: Good, dark blue fruit, birds

American Sweetgum, Liquidambar styraciflua: Good, interesting leaves and pods, variable fall color

Tulip Tree, Liriodendron tulipifera: Slow, too early to evaluate yet

Japanese Honeysuckle, Lonicera japonica: Too good, rampant spreading vine, hard to control

Amur Honeysuckle, Lonicera maackii: Very good, spreads by seed, song birds, hummingbirds

Arnold’s Red Honeysuckle, Lonicera tatarica ‘Arnold’s Red’: Good, bright red fruit, song birds, hummingbirds

Amur Maackia, Maackii amurensis: Slow, too early to evaluate

Osage Orange, Hedge Tree, Maclura pomifera: Very good, huge hard fruit, very thorny, squirrels

White Shield Osage Orange, Maclura pomifera ‘White Shield’: Good, drought tolerant, fruitless & thornless variety

Wichita Osage Orange, Maclura pomifera ‘Wichita’: Good, drought tolerant, fruitless & thornless variety

Yulan Magnolia, Magnolia denudata: Good, fast, likes protection, no flowers yet

Saucer Magnolia, Magnolia soulangiana: Good, beautiful flowers are often frost damaged

Star Magnolia, Magnolia stellata: Good, shrub form, white flowers very early

Donald Adams Crabapple, Malus ‘Donald Adams’: Very good, white flowers, red fruit, birds, squirrels

Donald Wyman Crabapple, Malus ‘Donald Wyman’: Very good, white flowers, red fruit, birds, squirrels

Elyi Crabapple, Malus ‘Elyii’: Poor, gets cedar-apple rust very badly

Ingliss Crabapple, Malus ‘Ingliss’: Very good, white flowers, red fruit, birds, squirrels

Prairie Fire Crabapple, Malus ‘Prairie Fire’: Very good, bright dark red flowers

Profusion Crabapple, Malus ‘Profusion’: Very good, masses of pinkish flowers

Radiant Crabapple, Malus ‘Radiant’: Very good, very showy dark pink flowers

Spring Snow Crabapple, Malus ‘Spring Snow’: Very good, compact form, bright white flowers

Sargent Crabapple, Malus sargentii: Very good, wide spreading form, bright white flowers

Zumi Crabapple, Malus zumi calocarpa: Fair, some cedar-apple rust damage

Moonseed Vine, Menispermum canadense: Good, interesting foliage, strange seeds

Royal Medlar, Mespilus germanica ‘Royal’: Fair, slow, unusual (supposedly edible) fruit

White Mulberry, Morus alba: Fair, light purple fruit, birds, mammals, box turtles

Red Mulberry, Morus rubra: Fair, dark purple fruit, birds, mammals, box turtles

Bayberry, Myrica pensylvanica: Very good, fragrant leaves, very heat tolerant

Black Gum, Nyssa sylvatica: Good, slow, fiery red fall color, likes wet areas

Persian Parrotia, Parrotia persica: Too early to evaluate, doing best in good soil location

Virginia Creeper, Parthenocissus quiquefolia: Very good, tree climbing vine, red fall color, birds

Boston Ivy, Parthenocissus tricuspidata: Very good, fast, climbs bricks, red fall color, birds

Purple Boston Ivy, Parthenocissus tricuspidata ‘Purpurea’: Very good, large purple leaves, red fall color, birds

Empress Tree, Paulownia tomentosa: Good, catalpa-like flowers, some winter damage

Ninebark, Physocarpos opulofolius ‘Monlo’: Too early to evaluate yet

Colorado Spruce, Picea pungens: Fair, slow, some summer heat damage, blue color

Bird’s Nest Spruce, Picea abies ‘Nidiformis’: Fair, slow, low growing, some heat damage

Japanese Red Pine, Pinus densiflora: Good, fast, open habit, some ice storm damage

Tanyosho Pine, Pinus densifora umbaculifera: Very good, very ornamental, compact

Pinyon Pine, Pinus edulis: Good, very slow, very heat resistant

Austrian Pine, Pinus nigra: Very good (so far), fear of coming pine wilt disease

Longleaf Pine, Pinus palustris: Good, very slow, seems drought tolerant

Ponderosa Pine, Pinus ponderosa: Good, slow, not as attractive as some species

Red Pine, Pinus resinosa: Good, slow, drought tolerant

Southwestern White Pine, Pinus strobiformis: Very good, slow, soft needles, hardy, wilt resistant(?)

Scotch Pine, Pinus sylvestris: Very good, beautiful bark and shape, most will die from pine wilt

Loblolly Pine, Pinus taeda : Good, drought resistant, coming wilt problems(?)

Eastern White Pine, Pinus strobus: Good in protected sites, soft needles, wilt(?)

Chinese Pistache, Pistacia chinensis: Fair, beautiful fall colors, some severe winter damage

Sycamore, Platanus occidentalis: Good, anthracnose problems in wet cold springs, birds

London Planetree, Platanus x acerifolia: Good, medium fast

Oriental Arborvitae, Platycladus orientalis: Poor, winter and summer damage, birds

Silver Lace Vine, Polygonym aubertii: Too early to evaluate yet

Hardy Orange, Poncirus trifoliata: Fair, very thorny, unusual green branches, weird fruit

Eastern Cottonwood, Populus deltoides: Very good, very fast, bird and mammal dens

Golfinger Potentilla, Potentilla fruticosa ‘Golfinger’: Too early to evaluate yet

Cherry Prinsepia, Prinsepia sinensis: Too early to evaluate yet

Wild Plum, Prunus americana: Good, pretty white flowers, birds, mammals

Desert Peach, Prunus andersonii : Poor so far but a little early to properly evaluate

Chickasaw Plum, Prunus angustifolia: Very good, our native plum, birds, mammals

Western Sand Cherry, Prunus besseyi: Very good, small bush, pretty leaves, birds, mammals

Ground Cherry, Prunus fruticosa: Fair, more of a ground cover

European Bird Cherry, Prunus padus: Good, slow, pretty white flowers, birds

Wild Black Cherry, Prunus serotina: Good, medium, big tree, birds, pretty bark

Sloe, Prunus spinosa: Too early to evaluate yet, very good for wildlife

Nanking Cherry, Prunus tomentosa: Very good, profuse flowers & fruit, bees, birds

Choke Cherry, Prunus virginiana: Very good, spreads by suckers, birds

Canada Red Cherry, Prunus virginiana ‘Schubert’: Very good, pretty red leaves, white flowers

Beach Plum, Prunus maritima: Good, very slow, drought tolerant, no fruit yet

Purple-leaved Sand Cherry, Prunus x cistena: Very good, dark red leaves, light pink flowers

Douglas-Fir, Pseudotsuga menziesii: Fair, very slow, drought tolerant

Stinking Ash, Ptelea trifoliata: Fair, very slow

Chinese Wingnut, Pterocarya stenoptera: Very good, very fast, nice foliage, weird seed capsules

Lowboy Pyracantha, Pyracantha coccinea ‘Lowboy’: Good, bright orange fruit, very thorny, birds

Teton Pyracantha, Pyracantha coccinea ‘Teton’: Very good, large bush, orange fruit, birds

Bradford Pear, Pyrus calleryana ‘Bradford’: Good, beautiful flowers and fall color, weak limbed

Sawtooth Oak, Quercus acutissima: Very good, fast, interesting leaves, birds, mammals

White Oak, Quercus alba: Very good, fast, dark red fall color, birds, mammals

European Turkey Oak, Quercus cerris: Fair, slow, some heat stress, interesting leaves

Scarlet Oak, Quercus coccinea: Good, medium, good fall color, birds, mammals

Mountain Live Oak, Quercus fusiformis: Fair, unusual evergreen leaves, still very young

Gambell Oak, Quercus gambellii: Too early to evaluate yet

Shingle Oak, Quercus imbicaria: Very good, fast, interesting leaves, birds, mammals

Bur Oak, Quercus macrocarpa: Very good, slow, drought tolerant, birds, mammals

Blackjack Oak, Quercus marilandica: Good, very slow, nice fall color, birds, mammals

Swamp Chestnut Oak, Quercus michauxii: Very good, medium, likes wet areas, birds, mammals

Chinkapin Oak, Quercus muehlenbergii: Good, medium, nice fall color, birds, mammals

Pin Oak, Quercus palustris: Good, good fall color, birds, mammals

Chestnut Oak, Quercus prinus: Good, birds, mammals, nice foliage

Post Oak, Quercus stellata: Good, slow, nice fall color, birds, mammals

Swamp White Oak, Quercus bicolor: Very good, slow at first, two-toned leaves, wildlife

Willow Oak, Quercus phellos: Very good, fast, birds, mammals, fall color

English Oak, Quercus robur: Good, medium, birds, mammals

Shumard Oak, Quercus shumardii: Very good, fast, great fall color, birds, mammals

Common Buckthorn, Rhamnus cathartica: Good, fast, drought tolerant, birds

Dahurian Buckthorn, Rhamnus davurica: Fair, slow

Black Jet Bead, Rhodotypus scandens: Good, low growing, white flowers, black fruit, birds

Fragrant Sumac, Rhus aromatica: Very good, strong aroma, butterflies, birds, fall color

Shining Sumac, Rhus copallina: Fair, slow, fiery fall color

Smooth Sumac, Rhus glabra: Very good, native, medium, spreads, fall color, birds

Staghorn Sumac, Rhus typhina: Too good, spreads, short-lived, fall color, birds

Grow-Low Sumac, Rhus aromatica ‘Grow Low’: Good, shorter and tamer than native fragrant sumac

Skunkbush, Rhus trilobata: Poor, barely alive, can’t take heat or drought very well

Gooseberry, Ribes missouriense: Good, medium, thorny, birds

Golden Currant, Ribes odoratum: Very good, very fragrant, bees, butterflies, birds

Bristly Locust, Robinia fertilis: Very good, spreads, fragrant flowers, bees

Black Locust, Robinia pseudoacacia: Very good, fragrant flowers, weak limbs, bees

Multiflora Rose, Rosa multiflora: Very good, fragrant flowers, spreads, bees, birds

Peach-leaved Willow, Salix amygdaloides: Very good, large native, weak-limbed, for wet areas

Coyote Willow, Salix exigua: Very good, small suckering habit, for erosion control

Sandbar Willow, Salix interior: Very good, small suckering native, wet areas

Black Willow, Salix nigra: Very good, large native, weak-limbed, wet areas

American Elder, Sambucus canadensis: Good, large flower clusters, black fruit, birds

Common Sassafrass, Sassafrass albidum: Good (surprisingly), slow, fragrant twigs, fall color

Buffaloberry, Shepherdia argentea: Good, silvery leaves, red fruit, birds, mammals

Eve’s Necklace, Sophora affinis: Too early to evaluate yet

Japanese Pagodatree, Sophora japonica: Fair, very slow, pretty late summer flowers

Ural False Spiraea, Sorbaria sorbifolia: Very good, fast, huge flower clusters, wet areas, bees

Bridal Wreath Spiraea, Spiraea prunifolia: Very good, old fashioned, small profuse flowers, bees

Vanhoutte Spiraea, Spiraea vanhouttei: Very good, braches covered with flowers, bees

American Bladernut, Staphylla trifoliata: Very good, slow, small pretty flowers, unusual fruit

Common Snowberry, Symphoricarpos albus: Very good, low growing, white fruit, birds

Wolfberry, Symphoricarpos occidentalis: Very good, low growing, suckers, red fruit

Inidancurrant Coralberry, Symphoricarpos orbiculatus: Very good, suckering, scrubby, red fruit

Japanese Tree Lilac, Syringa reticulata: Fair, beautiful flower clusters, bees, butterflies

Miss Kim Korean Lilac, Syringa patula ‘Miss Kim’: Good, small variety, unusual flowers, butterflies

Common Lilac, Syringa vulgaris: Very good, old standby, butterflies

Tamarix, Tamarix ramossisima: Fair, now declining, pretty pink flowers

Baldcypress, Taxodium distichum: Very good, slow at first, “knees”, loves wet areas

American Basswood, Tilia americana: Fair, slow, large leaves

Littleleaf Linden, Tilia cordata: Good, slow, bees

Greenspire Linden, Tilia cordata ‘Green Spire’: Too early to evaluate yet

Poison Ivy, Toxicodendron radicans: Beautiful plant, valuable to wildlife, bad for humans

American Elm, Ulmus americana: Dying out, only one large one left and a few seedlings

Lacebark Elm, Ulmus parvifolia: Very good, beautiful leaves and bark, great shape

Siberian Elm, Ulmus pumila: Poor, weak limbed, insect problems, etc., etc.

Korean Spice Viburnum, Viburnum carlesii: Good, very fragrant flowers, butterflies

Arrow-wood Viburnum, Viburnum dentatum: Good, scrubby appearance, birds

Wayfaring Tree Viburnum, Viburnum lantana: Good, drought and rabbit resistant, birds

Nannyberry, Viburnum lentago: Good, fragrant flowers, butterflies, birds

Compact Cranberrybush, Viburnum opulus ‘Compactum’: Fair, small, fruitless, usually flowerless

Snowflake Viburnum, Viburnum plicatum ‘Snowflake’: Too early to evaluate yet

Blackhaw, Viburnum prunifolium: Good, very slow, pretty flowers, fruit, birds

Alleghany Viburnum, Viburnum rhytidophylloides ‘Alleghany’: Good, medium, flowers, fruit, butterflies, birds, bees

Willow-wood Viburnum, Viburnum rhytidophylloides ‘Willow-wood’: Good, medium, flowers, fruit, butterflies, birds, bees

Leatherleaf Viburnum, Viburnum rhytidophyllum: Good, medium, flowers, fruit, butterflies, birds, bees

Rusty Blackhaw, Viburnum rufidulum: Too early to evaluate yet

Sawtooth Viburnum, Viburnum tomentosum: Too early to evaluate yet

Highbush Cranberry, Viburnum trilobum: Very good, flower clusters, bright red fruit, birds

Burkwood Viburnum, Viburnum x burkwoodii: Good, medium, flowers, fruit, butterflies, birds, bees

Riverbank Grape, Vitis riparia: Very good, climbing vine, birds, mammals

Goldenhorn Tree, Xanthoceras sorbifolia: Too early to evaluate yet

Zelkova, Zelkova serrata: Very good, beautiful trunk and shape