Hazelnut – Corylus sp. 1’-2’ $12 each, 4 for $35 mix/match. We believe hybrid Hazel nuts are an excellent nut choice for our cold climate and have a big role to play in our future. They are incredibly tough shrubs, very cold hardy, and begin producing nuts at a relatively young age (~3-5 yrs) compared to other nut trees. They will grow 8’-12’ and make a great hedge. With semi-regular pruning, these plants will offer nuts for many, many years. The pruned canes are great for a variety of garden structures and natural fencing. The nut clusters in their fringed husks are beautiful and the fall colors range from red, orange, yellow, and green. We could go on and on about Hazels, they truly deserve to be planted widely!

We are offering 4 different varieties of Hazels as listed below. Please indicate which varieties you would like.

Asian/Quebec – This source is likely a hybrid between C. heterophylla x C. americana. Original parent tree came from a Quebec enthusiast who saw potential in this original hybrid. The seedlings offered are 2nd generation off-spring of the original parent.

Saskatchewan Source – Les Ker, a research scientist from the Morden Station in Manitoba, was responsible for crossing C. americana from Saskatchewan with pollen from the Geneva Research Station in NY. We offer 1st generation seedlings from a mixture of resulting selections.

Dermis – Dermis produces an excellent nut. It was selected from a population of ‘Skinner’ seedlings in Grimo’s Nut Nursery orchard and is believed it is superior to the parent in a number of ways. ‘Skinner’ was a cross made in Manitoba using pollen from the Geneva Experiment Station in NY on a native American hazelnut. It is a late ripening nut. In zones 3-5 it could be matched with early ripening Saskatchewan source selections. The nut is medium size, slightly oval yielding about 40% kernel. 1st generation seedlings.

MN/WI Source – These are hazel hybrids crossed with European hazels with years of exposure to the MN/WI climate. They are productive trees with moderately thick shells. There is wide variation in tree size, nut size and the ease of husking. Originating from breeding work by Carl Weschcke and Phil Rutter. Suited for climate zone 3-8. 1st generation seedlings. Seem to be fastest growers.

Thimbleberry – Rubus Odoratus 2’-3’ $6 each, 3 for $15, 10 for $40. Thimbleberries are similar to a raspberry, and yet quite unique. You can find them growing in the wild, in shady places. Thornless canes with large, very ‘sugar maple’ looking leaves . They make lovely light purple flowers that transform into dark purple fruits with deep, complex flavors. Not a heavy cropping plant, but so unique and special it belongs in the shady corners of any good forest garden! We’ve seen some fruit production on canes in nearly complete shade. Between 3’ to 4’ on average. One of the most shade tolerant fruiting crops we know of. Right at home in the woods, or deep in the hedgerow. Seems to like rich soils.Hardy to zone 3.

Northern Red Oak – Quercus rubra 6”-12” 5 for $15, 10 for $25.

Oaks can provide abundantly to wildlife and humans alike. All sorts of animals feed on acorns and they have been demonstrated to be a stable food of peoples across North America in times past. Long lived and a hard wood. Relatively fast growing oak. Seeds collected from trees with large acorns, producing some even in non-mast years.

Cherries – Prunus sp. 2’ to 3’ trees, $16 each. Our cherry varieties are known as ‘pie’ or ‘sour’ cherries (not sweet cherries – Bing, Black Tartarian, etc. – are hardy this far north) can flourish in our cold climate. They are great for pies, juice, and of course fresh eating! Sometimes it is a race between the wildlife and the kids as to who eats the most. Late spring frost may occasionally kill the blossoms on these early blooming trees. Planting in protected locations, such as south side of house or tops of hills, may help prevent this. Grows best in rich, well-drained soil. They are hand grafted on to P. mahaleb rootstock which results in very hardy and standard size tree. We believe in long lived, healthy trees for the long haul.

Fruiting: Will begin to fruit in 3-5 years in favorable location.

Pollination: All the cherries listed below are self-fertile, i.e. they do not require a second tree to bear fruit.

Cultivars available:

Meteor – very hardy to -50F. Abundant producer and more vigorous than Northstar. Fruit is delicious, and although not as deep red as a Northstar, is good for pies, etc. Introduced by University of MN in 1952.

Northstar – moderate hardiness, to -40F with occasional winter injury. Introduced by Univeristy of MN in 1950. Fruit has red flesh and juice.

Bali – Very hardy to -50F. Discovered growing near Edmonton, Alberta by Dr. Leaun Evans, Bali is a vigorous grower and precocious producer. Excellent for pies, sauces, jams, and fresh.

Carmine Jewel – Hardy to -40F. Traditionally offered as a bush or dwarf cherry, we have grafted to standard P. mahaleb rootstock to produce a trees version of this cultivar. The skin and the flesh are dark red. It is the first sour cherry to ripen, however the fruit becomes much sweeter if left on the tree until it turns a dark shade of black-red.

Butternut – Juglans cinerea 2’-3’ $12 each, 5 for $50. Sometimes known as the ‘white walnut’, it is one of the most northern nut species. The species has diminished over the past half century due to disease – an unfortunate trend with many tree species – butternut canker, these seedlings were grown from trees still producing in areas of high disease pressure. Fast growing, tasty, buttery, thick shelled nuts. There is a chance that seedlings represent wild hybrids between butternut and Japanese walnut. The hybrids are much more resistant to butternut canker and produce similar nuts. Hardy to zone 3-4.

Chestnut – Castanea sp. 1’-2’ $12 each, 5 for $50. The great American Chestnut was almost completed wiped out in the early 1900’s by a devastating disease, the chestnut blight. These seedlings are the result of crosses and contain mostly American Chestnut genetics, but also include European and Chinese Chestnut genetics that confer blight resistance. Formerly a dominant tree in the eastern forests of N. America, unlike most nut trees that produce large mast years and then bear lightly for a few years, chestnuts bear large crops annually. Also unlike most nuts, chestnut is relatively low in fatty oils and high in carbs, making its nutrition profile similar to brown rice. A true staple food for humans and wildlife since time immemorial. Many groups working to restore this tree to its former stature.

Gooseberry – Ribes sp. 8”-12” $8 each, 5 for $30. Pixwell variety, very hardy selection originating in North Dakota in 1932. Fruit is medium in size and turning deep purple when ripe. Small bush, 3’, has small thorns, very productive. Plant 3’ apart.

Currants – Ribes sp. 6”-18” $8 each, 5 for $30.

We love currants! Easy to grow, not bothered by deer or rabbit, produce delicious fruit that are high in vitamin C, potassium and bioflavinoids, what is not to like?! We offer a black and red varities. The black has a strong flavor that is popular is Europe and catching on in our part of the world. Produces more than red and ripens later. The red is sweeter and juicer, ripens earlier. One of few berries that can produce in shader spots, but largest crops will be in locaitons of full sun.

‘Russian Black’ – Ribes nigrum

‘Red Lake’ – Ribes rubrum

Grapes – Vitis sp. 1’, $8 each 3 for $20, Hardy grapes can do very well in our cold climate and produce abundantly year after year with some simple care. They grow best in rich gravelly-loam soil, but can tolerate a range. Annual pruning is helpful in most situation to maintain vigor and production of grapes. Most grapes are self-fruitful, but benefit from some cross-pollination.

‘Duluth Hilside’ – A selection originally offered by Deb Shubat and found growning in the Duluth hillside. Takes a couple of years to establish, but very hardy and produces a purple seeded grape that is great for fresh eating or juicing.

‘Valiant’ – Bluish-purple grape. Tart, best used for jams and jellies. Low acid. Vigorous grower. Reported to make a good wine.

‘Tom Krick’ – Selection of a wild grape growing near Sauk Centre, MN. Quick to establish and produces purple seeded grapes in tight clusters. Very hardy to at least -40 F. Good for fresh eating, freezing, juicing.

Rugosa Rose – Rosa rugosa 18”-36” $8 each, 3 for $20. Tough rose bush that can handle grows to 3’-6’. Very hardy, can handle temps of -50F with no damage. Flowers are pinkish red and bloom continuously throughout summer. Produces some of the largest and highest vitamin C rich hips of any rose, which can be dried for tea, or used in jam, jelly, syrup, and oxymel. Plant 1’-2’ feet apart for hedge.

Hackberry – Celtis occidentalis, 8”-18” 8$ each. These attractive, native, shade trees produce small dark berries that are high in protein, fat, and vitamins. They are more like a nut/berry than just a berry. Great wildlife tree, they are magnets for birds. They are commonly planted near roads as beautiful shade trees. They are fast growing trees able to reach over 80 feet tall. Highly drought and flood tolerant, they do best in well drained soil, but will grow well in most locations.

Juneberry – Amelanchier sp. 6”-8” 2nd yr seedling. $6 each, 5 for $22 Sometimes thought of as the ‘tree blueberry’ due to similar appearance and taste, Juneberries produce fruit that hangs in clusters from a spreading, open shrub/small tree. There are a wide variation and many different species within the Amelanchier genus. Our offerings are seed grown from parents that produced especially tasty berries, heavy fruit set, and more shrub form (6-10ft). Plants are initially small, but once established are easy to grow on a wide variety of soils, from dry to moist conditions. They are self-fertile, but planting more than one will enhance yields.

Bitternut Hickory – Carya cordiformis. 6”-12” $8 each, 5 for $30.

Akiva Silver says hickory nuts are the best tasting nuts in the world. Hickory trees are slow growing.They have very strong and tough wood, lending themselves to a variety of uses from flowering to furniture to tool handles to firewood.

More common to the south and east, the warming climate is making hickory a candidate for our area. Bitternut is the hardiest hickory and the first we are offering for sale. We are currently trialing Shagbark hickory and may offer this in the future if results are promising.

According to Akiva Silver,

“Hickory nuts deserve far more attention than they receive. The reason they are not more widely known and eaten in the world is because they are difficult to shell. There are a couple ways to not let that stop you from enjoying hickory nuts. The first method is ‘smash and boil’, nuts and shells together. After a while, a lot of the nut meat will rise to the surface and the shells will sink. Drink the broth and eat the nuts. Another method is to select trees that crack out easier and use a good hard shell nut cracker (The Master Nut Cracker is our favorite).

Plant two for pollination. Hickories are slow to bear and will not begin producing nuts until somewhere between age 10-30 depending on care, site, and genetics.”

Basket Willow – Salix viminalis 1’-2’ $6 each, 2 for $15. This yellow-stemmed will is a fast growing, upright tall bush that will produce 5-7 unbranched stems per season. Great for weaving and as hedge planting. Does well in wet soils. Should be cut back hard every 2-3 years and mulched heavily.

Pears – Pyrus sp. 2’ to 3’ trees, $16 each. Our pear varieties are hand grafted on to P. communis seedling rootstock which results in very hardy and standard size tree. Many pear trees that are available from nurseries are dwarf or semi-dwarf varieties, which have pros and cons. They tend to fruit a bit earlier, but they are shorter lived and more susceptible to damage/disease. We believe in long lived, healthy trees for the long haul.

Cultivars available:

Ely – Extremely cold hardy to -50F or colder. Parent tree has been growing in Ely, MN for at least 100years. Small, sweet, good for canning and processing.

Hillside Garden – Parent tree located in Duluth near the Hillside community garden. It appears to be a cultivar of unknown origin. Produces large pears that are great for fresh eating or canning. Ripens Aug-Sep.

Fruiting: Will begin to fruit in 5 years in favorable location.

Pollination: A few pear can be self-fertile, but most need another variety is near by to pollinate.

Elderberry – Sambucus canadensis 1’-2’ rooted cutting, $8 each, 3 for $18. Elders are serious growers! They can grow shoots of 9’-10’ in a single seasons and be absolutely covered in berries. In mid-summer they are filled in large white flower heads that attract all sorts of pollinators.

The berries are favorites of birds, but it usually no problem to share the harvest with them. Uses vary, but include making pies, jams, candies, syrup, cough medicine, juice, drying, and wine. Elderberries have powerful immune boosting qualities and are traditionally known as protectors of gardens.

The stems have a soft pith for their core and can easily be hollowed out to make flutes and maple syrup taps. Caution: Stems should be dried before using, as green stems are poisonous.

Elderberries can grow just about anywhere, they prefer rich, moist soils. They are cold hardy to at least -30 F. Plant two varieties for best pollination, though some individuals have no problem self-pollinating.

We are offering 3 varieties of Elder. Please indicate which varieties you would like.

‘York’ – Self pollinating, very large berries. One of the oldest and most productive varieties. Originating from New York. Able to bear fruit on new wood, so it can be cut to the ground every year.

‘Adams’ – Productive and vigorous. Adams can be a strong pollinator for other types of American Elderberry.

wild seedling – Smaller berries than cultivars, but highly productive.

Ultra Northern Pecan – Carya illinoinensis 1’ $12 each, 5 for $50. Seed source from southern Ontario and Michigan. We have been reliably growing pecans for years, although there is some question as to whether they will be able to produce nuts to maturity in our climate. They make an excellent yard tree in any case.

Nanking Cherry – Prunus tomentosa 1’ $8 each. A large shrub that produces small tasty cherries. The half inch cherries taste very good, like a sweet juicy berry. They are tough, disease resistant plants from central Asia. Nanking cherry is the most common garden plant in the Russian far east. Makes a great hedge. One of the very first things to flower in the spring, filling the air with a beautiful scent and providing early browse for the bees.

Can be very productive! We offer seedling grown plants, so each is a unique individual. Can grow up to 6’ tall x 6’ wide. Tolerates some shade. Hardy to zone 2.

Apples – Malus sp. 2’ to 3’ trees, $16 each. Our apple varieties are hand grafted on to M. antonovka seedling rootstock which results in very hardy and standard size tree. Many apple trees that are available from nurseries are dwarf or semi-dwarf varieties, which have pros and cons. They tend to fruit a bit earlier, but they are shorter lived and more susceptible to damage/disease. We believe in long lived, healthy trees for the long haul.

Cultivars available:

State Fair – Extremely hardy to -50F or colder, produces a bright red apple early in the season (July – mid August). White-fleshed, crisp, juicy. Great fresh

Haralson – Extremely hardy to -50F or colder, produces apple late-mid to late in the season (Sep- Oct). Yellow and red, striped fruit. Vigorous and productive tree. Firm, white flesh. Mild pleasant taste; good for cooking and cider. Moderate disease resistance to fireblight.

Fruiting: Will begin to fruit in 5 years in favorable location.

Pollination: Apples can be self-fertile, but do better when another variety is near by to pollinate.

Seaberry – Hippophae rhamnoides 1’-2’ $12 each, 3 for $30 (female). This extremely hardy fruiting bush is popular in much of Northern Asia and Europe. Seaberries are very ornamental with attractive grayish green willow like foliage and densely covered with orange berries in the fall. Incredibly productive, the fruits make a delicious orange/citrus like juice and is produced commercially in Russia and Germany. Berries are high in vitamin C, antioxidants and, unusually for a fruit, a spectrum of omega oils. They are tolerant of wind, cold and poor soil and grow 6-10 feet tall. Fix atmospheric nitrogen into soil, improving fertility. Need one male plant to pollinate up to 8 females. Zones 3-9.

Note: The seaberry does tend to spread by suckering, sometimes vigorously. We have not witnessed it spread by seedling. It needs full sun to grow and will decline when shaded. Has thorns on tips of branches.