Ask Mr. Smarty Plants

We are going to use our Native Plant Database to see how close we can come to fulfilling your requirements. We will begin with the database (link above), search on trees that grow natively in Minnesota, and by adding different specifications, see if we can find the perfect tree for your purposes. If you need more information on a specific plant, go to the bottom of the webpage on that plant to Additional Resources, click on the Google link, and you will get links to more information.

To begin with your first request, a taproot tree-lots of gardeners are looking for this one. While many trees and woody plants start off with a taproot, as they develop they will, of necessity, put out extensive, close to the surface roots that will likely be more extensive underground than the spread of the canopy aboveground, often as much as three times the size of the canopy. The majority of the roots will be within 12 inches of the surface of the soil, to facilitate gas exchanges. In order to carry on photosynthesis, green plants need a supply of carbon dioxide and a means of disposing of oxygen. 

It is important to remember that the plant has no choice in how it grows. Nature takes care of that. You have the choice in where you place the plant, so you need to consider the requirements and ultimate size of the plant when you select a place for it in your garden.

We went to the database and, using the Combination Search, indicated Minnesota as the state, tree as the Habit or General Appearance. We have no way of indicating in our search how fast-growing a plant is, but sometimes the webpage will have that information, as well as pests and diseases. So, we'll run our first search and see what we get.

Trees for Minnesota:

Amelanchier laevis (Allegheny service-berry)

Betula nigra (River birch)

Carpinus caroliniana (American hornbeam)

Cornus sericea ssp. sericea (Redosier dogwood)

Crataegus mollis (Downy hawthorn)

Gymnocladus dioicus (Kentucky coffeetree)

Ilex verticillata (Common winterberry)

Larix laricina (Tamarack)

Malus ioensis (Prairie crabapple)

Picea mariana (Black spruce)

Prunus americana (American plum)

Quercus macrocarpa (Bur oak)

You can go back to our database and select on other specifications, such as height, light requirements, soil moisture, etc. Go to our National Suppliers Directory, put your town and state (or zip code) in the "Enter Search Location" box and you will get a list of native plant nurseries, seed suppliers and landscape specialists in your general area. All have contact information; if the one you reach does not have the species you are looking for, they may be able to recommend a supplier who does.