Green Ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica) is native throughout the state, with best growth in moist bottomlands. Green ash has been used as a windbreak tree throughout Nebraska because of its adaptability to soil and moisture conditions. This medium-sized tree has beautiful yellow foliage in the fall.

Lilac borers are often a problem on young trees, but can be controlled. Other possible problems may be caused by oystershell scale, ash rust, leaf scorch and stem canker.

Cottonwood (Populus deltoides) is the Nebraska state tree. It is native across the state and usually is found adjacent to rivers, streams, and around lakes. Cottonwood has a fast growth rate and provides most of the lumber processed in Nebraska today. It is planted in riparian areas for filter strips, and near streams to reduce sedimentation and stabilize stream banks. It also can be used in multiple row windbreaks for height and quick protection.

Native trees can become infested by leaf beetles, twig borers and stem canker, but these are rarely serious problems.

Cottonless clones are distributed.

Siberian Elm (Ulmus pumila) is sometimes called Chinese elm by mistake. It is adapted to almost all soil and moisture conditions in the state, but is usually short-lived. Siberian elm is resistant to Dutch elm disease. The wood is brittle and breaks in wind, snow and ice storms. Siberian elm should be planted only on severe sites where other species are likely to fail. Siberian elm can be invasive on pasture lands because of its prolific seeding.

Pest problems for the Siberian elm are elm leaf beetles and wetwood (slimeflux).

Hackberry (Celtis occidentalis) is a native tree found throughout Nebraska. It has a medium to long life span. Hackberry leaves are elm shaped; the grayish bark has a warty appearance. Once established, a moderate rate of growth and tolerance to adverse weather can be expected. Hackberry can be used in single row windbreaks to slow summer winds and increase the snow catch over fields during the winter.

Witches broom on branches and nipple-galls on lower leaf surfaces can be unsightly, but cause little adverse effect.

Honeylocust (Gleditsia triacanthos) is native to eastern Nebraska. This medium-lived, relatively fast growing tree lends itself well to windbreak plantings. The fine-textured foliage of the honeylocust gives partial shade and turns a golden yellow in the fall. Honeylocust is used in multi-row windbreaks to increase the effective height of the windbreak. The twisted flat seed pods are 6-10 inches long. Cattle often eat the seed pods because they have a sweet taste.

Mimosa webworm and other insects present minor problems. Canker diseases may cause occasional branch dieback but are usually not serious problems unless the trees are in a weakened condition.

The "thornless" variety is distributed.

Silver Maple (Acer saccharinum) is a fast growing, long-lived tree native to eastern Nebraska. The species is ideal for wet bottomland sites and can easily recover from extended periods of flooding. It performs well on uplands, but does not tolerate alkaline or calcareous soil or drought conditions. Silver maple is a very good choice for filter strips next to streams and for stream bank stabilization. The wood of the silver maple is brittle and can break in wind, snow or ice storms.

Possible problems are multiple main stems, scale insects, greenstriped maple worms, and maple bladder-gall mites.

Bur Oak (Quercus macrocarpa) is native to Nebraska. It grows on a wide variety of sites, but grows best on rich, moist bottomlands. Bur oak has a slow to moderate growth rate and is fairly drought tolerant. It is an excellent species to include in wildlife habitat plantings. It is less susceptible to oak wilt than northern red oak and has no serious insect problems.

Northern Red Oak (Quercus rubra) is a medium- to large-sized tree native to eastern Nebraska. Red oak has a medium growth rate and oval shaped crown with bronze-red autumn color. This long-lived species is excellent for wildlife. It will provide food, shelter, and nesting for a wide variety of birds and animals. Northern red oak is not recommended for planting in the western half or extreme northern part of the state due to moisture and soil limitations.

Oak wilt, a vascular disease, is potentially a serious problem along the eastern edge of the state.

Swamp White Oak (Quercus bicolor) is native to the central and southern United States. It grows best on moist, bottomland forested soils. It is a large tree with specimens over 60 feet tall. The tree is valuable for wildlife habitat and for its wood. The wood is used in fine furniture, flooring, and wine casks. It is only recommended for southeastern Nebraska.

Russian Olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) is a small tree tolerant of drought and alkaline conditions. It is a medium-height tree for multi-row windbreaks. The fruit of the Russian olive persists late into winter, making it an excellent food source for birds. The leaves are light green on top and a silver grey-green on the bottom.

Stem cankers can be a major problem on this species.

Black Walnut (Juglans nigra) is native to Nebraska's eastern and north central fertile bottomlands. It is highly prized for its rich, chocolate-brown wood and nut meats. Straight, limb-free trees are very valuable in the timber industry. Walnut trees have a medium growth rate and a long life span. Walnut requires a deep, silty-loam soil having good internal drainage for maximum growth. Walnut seedlings have been planted in the Sandhills for wildlife habitat and as a local source of nut meats.

Walnut caterpillars can defoliate trees in mid- to late summer, but this seldom does any permanent damage. Walnut is highly susceptible to broadleaf herbicide damage.