Three Edible Fruit Trees in Wisconsin

With the Wisconsin landscape changing rapidly, trees that flower and produce berries are beautiful additions to any landscape. The Serviceberry and Hackberry are known for their flowering nature and production of berries. Each of these trees will bring color to your landscape, and beauty to your backyard or front yard.

Serviceberry

The Serviceberry is a deciduous tree within the Rosaceae family. The Serviceberry is equipped to grow in a moderate climate and is tolerant of varying soils.

What can I expect the Serviceberry to look like?

The Serviceberry grows to 15-25 feet tall in most landscapes but can reach up to 40 feet when grown in good conditions. This tree sets itself apart by blooming white flowers in clusters during the early spring before many trees begin growing leaves. The flowers found on the Serviceberry are known for transitioning to round berries maturing throughout the Spring, turning into dark purple edible berries in summer.

Musclewood

The Musclewood is typically found growing in the lower canopy of hard-wood forests. This tree is known for its relatively low stature and hardwood structure. This tree is known for its structural integrity, and its smooth, fluted bark.

What sets this tree apart?

The Musclewood is unique due to its long oval. Musclewoods produce fruits, commonly known as bracts. Bracts are leaves that incorporate a fruiting structure, and typically hang off the end of their branches.

Hackberry

The Hackberry is most known for its wildlife appeal. During the Wisconsin winter, we find that most birds will fly south, or look for housing and food within trees. Birds such as the mockingbird and the robin take residence in the Hackberry during these cold months and use the fruit of the Hackberry as vital nutrients to assist them in surviving the brutal winter.

Beyond allowing birds access to their fruit during the winter months, the Hackberry is structurally sound during strong winds, heat, drought, and salt exposure. With this ability, the Hackberry mirrors an elm, without the susceptibility to Dutch elm disease that comes with an elm tree.

The Hackberry with its rounded vase shape will develop a full crown arching its branches, allowing for ample summer shade.

Norway Spruce

The Norway spruce is such a popular tree due to its fast growth. In fact, the Norway spruce can increase its height anywhere from 10 to 20 inches in one year. Once Norway spruce have reached optimal maturity, they can range anywhere from 50-80 feet high, and due to their pyramid shape their spread can reach 25 feet or more.

Would the Norway spruce keep its needles during winter?

During the winter months, the Norway spruce is a tree that maintains its dark green needles. These needles and complex branch structures provide many animals, including songbirds and deer, with a safe and protected shelter during winter storms.

Finally, if you are looking for a windbreak for your house or backyard, the Norway spruce is the tree for you. Due to its complex branch structure and dense needles, the Norway spruce works well for breaking winds rushing through landscapes.

In conclusion, if you are interested in adding some color to your landscape this spring or summer, consider planting one of these commonly found trees. Wachtel Tree Science is knowledgeable about these varying trees, and the type of environments they prefer in any landscape. Contact our team of Certified Arborists for more information on our Wisconsin edible fruit trees.