Landscape Tree Cultivar Preferences in Iowa, U.S.    (View PDF)

Jeffery K. Iles and Anna M. Vold

Abstract: A survey questionnaire was mailed to all 142 active members of the Iowa Nursery and Landscape Association to characterize landscape tree cultivar preferences among green-industry professionals and their clients. Respondents identified Acer rubrum 'Franksred' (Red Sunset® red maple), Acer saccharum 'Green Mountain' (sugar maple), Acer platanoides 'Pond' (Emerald LustreÔ Norway maple), Acer ´ freemanii 'Jeffersred' (Autumn Blaze® Freeman maple), Fraxinus americana 'Junginger' (Autumn Purple® white ash), Fraxinus pennsylvanica 'Patmore' (green ash), Gleditsia triacanthos var. inermis 'Skycole' (Skyline® honeylocust), Tilia americana 'Redmond' (American linden), and Tilia cordata 'PNI 6025' (Greenspire® littleleaf linden) as the best-selling cultivars within nine species of trees. Betula nigra 'Cully' (Heritage® river birch) and Malus 'Prairifire' (crabapple) were identified as the best-selling cultivars in their respective genera. Considering all landscape trees sold in Iowa, our respondents identified Acer ´ freemanii 'Jeffersred' (Autumn Blaze® Freeman maple) as the overall best-selling selection. Overuse of these popular selections, however, could be problematic should any prove susceptible to serious, health-threatening insects, diseases, or abiotic disorders.

Keywords: Survey questionnaire; plant material trends; genetic diversity; tree preferences.

https://doi.org/10.48044/jauf.2003.041