2025 SHELTERBELT PROGRAM
M.D. OF BONNYVILLE
GOING LIVE MARCH 11, 2025 @ 10 A.M.
TheMunicipalDistrictofBonnyvilleNo.87willnotbeheldliableorresponsibleforseedlings soldthroughourprogramthatdonotbreakdormancyandproducenewgrowthwithinthe first30days Itistheresponsibilityoftheownertoplantseedlingsinatimelymannerand intoappropriatesiteconditions.Pleaserefertoourbestpracticesandresourcesfor informationonpropercareandplantingtechniquesforseedlings.
Blackberry-Chester Thornless
Rubus fruticosa Chester (Thornless)
Self-pollinating,fruit-bearingshrub.
Produceslarge,sweettasting,heart-shaped blackberries,perfectforfresheating.
Chesterthornlessblackberriesarefloricanes, primarilyfruitingonsecondyearcanes.
Height:0.9m(3ft)
Spread:3m(10ft)
Moisture:normal
Light:fullsun
Maintenance:high
Berries:black,heart shaped
Flowers:pink
Lifespan:short
Growthrate:fast
Suckering:high
Chesterthornlessblackberries prefertogrowinaverageto moistconditions,andshouldnot beallowedtodryout.
Don’tforgettoprotect yourberries-birds lovethisshrubalmost asmuchasyouwill!
BlackCurrant
Ribes nigrum
Amedium-sized,fruit-bearingshrub,thatis coldhardyandproduceslotsofberries.
Producessweetberries,rangingincolour fromdeeppurpletoblack.
Theseberriesaresuitableforjams,jellies, syrups,pies,andcordial.
Height:1.8m(6ft)
Spread:0.9m(3ft)
Moisture:normal
Light:fullsun,partial
shade
Maintenance:low
Berries:deep purple/black
Flowers:white
Lifespan:short
Growthrate:fast
Suckering:none
Blackcurrantspreferwelldrainedbutmoistsoils.Can toleratelessthanideal conditions,butyieldswillbe smaller.
Pruneoldbranches righttotheground whendormant,during thewinter
BurningBush
Euonymus alatus
Burningbushisauniqueshrubwithleaves thatturnfireyredinthefall.
Plantburningbushinfullsuntogetitsbest fallcolour.
Youcanplantitinarowtocreateahedgeor plantitonitsown.
Height:5m(15ft)
Spread:3m(10ft)
Moisture:normal
Light:fullsun, partialshade
Flowers:yellow, green
Growthrate: slow Lifespan:long
Maintenance:low Suckering: medium
Burningbushprefersmoist,welldrainedsoil.
Burningbushrequires littlemaintenance andthrivesinjust aboutanykindofsoil, whichmakesita goodchoicefor inexperienced growers.
Cherry-Carmine Jewel
Prunus x kerrasis Carmine Jewel
Carminejewelcherryisahardy,deciduous shrub.
Self-pollinating,buttheywillproducemore fruitifthereisanothercherrytreenearby.
Producesdark,blackcherrieswithsmallpits thatareoftenthefirstcherriesreadyinthe summer.
Height:2m(7ft)
Spread:1.8m(6ft)
Moisture:normal
Light:fullsun, partialshade
Maintenance:low
Suckering:low
Flowers:white
Lifespan:medium
Berries:large, darkberries
Growthrate: medium
Cherriesdonotlike"wetfeet" andarenottolerantofpoor drainingsoils.Selectyour plantingsitecarefully.
Pruneintheearly springbeforethebush breaksdormancy Pruningencourages newgrowth
Cherry-Evans
Prunus cerasus Evans
Acold-hardytreedevelopedinAlberta.
elf-pollinatingandlowmaintenance.
Whiteblossomsinthespringandreddishorangefruitthatripenstoadarkburgundy.
Height:3m(10ft)
Spread:1.8m(6ft)
Moisture:normal
Light:fullsun
Fallcolour:bright orange
Maintenance:low
Flowers:white
Lifespan: medium
Growthrate: medium
Suckering:low
Cherriesdonotlike"wetfeet" andarenottolerantofpoor drainingsoils.Selectyour plantingsitecarefully.
Thefruitisgoodfor cookingoreatingfresh whenfullyripe.
Chokecherry
Prunus virginiana
Chokecherryisashruborsmalltreecommonly usedforfarmsteads,andwindbreaks.
ullsunencouragesmorefruitproduction, utwilltolerateshade.
Thefruitisgreatformakingjams,jellies,or wine,butarenotverypalatabletoeatraw.
Height:7m(23ft)
Spread:5m(16ft)
Moisture:normal
Light:fullsun
Fallcolour:reddish, purple
Flowers:white
Lifespan:short
Growthrate:fast
Suckering:low
Maintenance:low
Moistsoilisideal.Chokecherries cangrowinawiderangeofsoil conditions.
Itisbesttoprune chokecherriesinthelate winterorearlyspring Theycanbeprunedintoa shrubortree
ColoradoSpruce
Picea pungens
Ideallysuitedforshelterbelts,privacy screens,orasaccenttrees.
Peopleareattractedtothedistinctivebluegreencolourofthishardyevergreen.
Tough,long-lived,andadaptedtoawide rangeofgrowingconditions.
Height:27m(90ft)
Spread:6m(20ft)
Moisture:dry, normal
Light:fullsun
Maintenance:low
Cones: monoecious
Lifespan:long
Growthrate: slow
Suckering: none
Wateryourseedlingsregularlyto keepthesoilmoistthroughthe firstseasonandthenonlyduring dryspells.
Coloradospruceis grownfromseed.The needlesvaryincolour fromgreentoblue.
CommonPurpleLilac
Syringa vulgaris
Cold-hardyvariety,easytogrow,andcan toleratemostsoiltypes.
Thispopularlilacisalargeshrubproviding excellentprivacyandwindprotection.
Flowersarepleasantlyfragrantandadda beautifullavendercolourtoyourproperty.
Height:5m(16ft)
Spread:2.7m(9ft)
Moisture:dry, normal
Light:fullsun
Maintenance:low
Flowers:purple, fragrant
Lifespan: medium,
Growthrate:fast
Suckering: medium
Commonpurplelilacsgrowbest inwell-drainedsoils,butcan toleratesomemoisture.
Somepeoplealternate commonpurpleand villosalilactocreate theimpressionthat thehedgeisinflower foralmostamonth
GreenAsh
Fraxinus pennsylvanica
Nativetotheprairiesandwell-suitedfor droughtandcold.
antoleratesoilcompaction,periodsof ooding,andawidevarietyofsoilconditions.
Fast-growingtreewithincrediblegolden leavesinthefall.
Height:18m(60ft)
Spread:12m(40ft)
Moisture:dry, normal
Light:fullsun
Fallcolour:bright yellow
Growthrate:fast
Suckering:low
Maintenance:low
Lifespan:long
Greenashisveryadaptabletoboth moistanddrylocations,andwill growwellunderaveragehome landscapeconditions.
Pruningfordiseased, damaged,ordead branchesshould occurinthespring.
Haskap-Aurora
Lonicera
caerulea Aurora
Verycoldhardy,fast-growingshrub.
elfandearly-pollinatingvariety.
Auroraisagreatcompanionvarietyfor Borealis.
Height:3m(10ft)
Spread:1.8m(6ft)
Moisture:normal
Light:fullsun
Berries:blue, oblong
Lifespan: medium
Growthrate: medium
Suckering:none
Maintenance: medium
Waternewplantsnearthebase. Astheygrow,wateratthe dripline.Well-establishedshrubs donotrequirealotofwater.
Theberriesaresimilarto blueberriesbutlargeand haveatastebetweena raspberryandblueberry. Berriesarereadyfor harvestattheendof June.
Haskap-Borealis
Lonicera caerulea Borealis
Verycoldhardy,fast-growingshrub.
oesnotself-pollinate.PlantwithanearlyollinatingspeciessuchastheAurora ariety.
Willproduceanabundanceoffruitwithinthe firstthreeyears.
Height:1.5m(5ft)
Spread:1.5m(5ft)
Moisture:normal
Light:partial shade,fullsun
Berries:large, blue
Waternewplantsnearthebase, butastheygrow,wateratthe dripline.Well-establishedshrubs donotrequirealotofwater.
Theberriesaresimilarto blueberriesbutlarger andhaveataste betweenaraspberryand blueberry.Berriesare readyforharvestatthe endofJune.
HybridPoplar
Populus x Okanese
Oneofthehardiestandfastestgrowingtrees youcanplantontheprairies.
akesforgoodprivacyscreensonlarger operties.
Producesnofuzz.
Height:18m(60ft)
Spread:8m(26ft)
Moisture:any
Light:fullsun
Maintenance:low
Fuzz/fluff:no
Lifespan: medium
Growthrate: medium
Suckering:high
Hybridpoplarisavery adaptableplant,toleratingboth dryconditionsandevensome standingwater.
Prunehybridpoplarsat theendofthesecond orthirdgrowingseason whentheyaredormant tocorrecttheirshape
LaurelLeafWillow
Salix pentandra
Laurelleafwillowisaround-shapedtreewith attractivedarkgreenleaves.
Thiscold-hardytreecanwithstandbitter wintersandstillputonsignificantgrowth.
Laurelleafwillowsprefertogrowinfullsun, butcantoleratepartialshade.
Height:15m(49ft)
Spread:8m(25ft)
Moisture:normal, wet
Light:partial shade,fullsun
Maintenance:low
Lifespan: medium
Growthrate:fast
Suckering: medium
Fuzz/fluff:yes
Laurelleafwillowprefersmoist towetground
Thisspeciesisalso knownasoneofthe moresalt-tolerant speciesforthosewith salinesoil
LewisMockOrange
Philadelphus coronarius
Deciduousshrubthathasadense,rounded growthhabit.
Thewhiteflowerssmelllikeorangeswitha hintofjasmine.
Suitableforplantingaloneoringroupsasa hedgeorprivacyscreen.
Height:3m(11ft)
Spread:3m(11ft)
Moisture:any
Light:partial shade,fullsun
Maintenance: medium
Flowers:white
Lifespan: medium
Growthrate: medium
Suckering:high
Thisshrubcantolerateawide rangeofsoiltypesaslongas theyhavegooddrainage.They prefermoist,butnotsoggy,soil.
Mockorangeshrubs bloomonthepriors year 'sgrowth.To avoidmissingouton flowersforthenext year,pruneright afterblooming.
LowbushCranberry
Viburnum edule
AshortdeciduousshrubnativetoNorth America.
wbushcranberryisagreatoptionwhen ndscapingindampconditions.
Thewhiteflowersbaresourbutediblefruit thatripenstoabrilliantredinthefall.
Height:0.9m(3ft)
Spread:1.2m(4ft)
Moisture:normal
Light:partial shade,fullsun
Berries:edible,red
Flowers:white
Lifespan: medium
Growthrate: medium
Suckering:none
Maintenance:low
Lowbushcranberryprefersto growinaveragemoist conditions,andshouldn'tbe allowedtodryout.
Theberriesareediblebut tart,andarebestpicked inlatesummerorearly fallafterthefirstfrost
Raspberry-Black
Ribes nigrum
Amulti-stemmedshrubthatproducesedible redberriesthatdeepentoblackasthey mature.
Blackraspberriesarefloricanes,producing fruitonsecondyearcanes.
White,rose-likeflowersbloominlatespring andattractpollinators.
Height:1.8m(6ft)
Spread:1.8m(6ft)
Moisture:normal
Light:fullsun.partial
shade
Maintenance: medium
Berries:redto black
Flowers:white
Lifespan:short
Growthrate:fast
Suckering:high
Blackraspberriesgrowbestin fertile,well-drainedsoil.
Pruneinearlyfall,the secondyearafter planting,theninearly springandfall
Raspberry-Killarney
Rubus x Killarney
Coldweatheranddisease-resistantvariety, developedinManitoba.
Self-pollinating,producingfruitonsecond yeargrowth.
Berriesarefirmwithgoodflavour,greatfor pies,jams,andjellies.
Height:1.8m(6ft)
Spread:1.2m(4ft)
Moisture:normal, dry
Light:fullsun
Berries:large,firm, goodflavour
Lifespan:short
Growthrate:fast
Suckering:high
Maintenance: low
Raspberriesneedenoughwater thatthesoilisalwaysslightly moisttothetouch.Toomuch waterandtherootswillrot.
Prunestalksdown eachwinterorearly springtogethigher fruityieldsandeasier harvesting.
RedMaple
Acer rubrum
Abeautifuldeciduoustreethatbloomswith smallredflowersinthespring.
Growsbestinfullsuntopartialshadeand growswellunderaveragelandscape conditions.
Oneofthefirsttreestochangecolourin thefall,turningabrilliantreddish-orange colour.
Height:15m(49ft)
Spread:9m(30ft)
Moisture:any
Light:partial shade,fullsun
FallColour: reddish-orange
Lifespan:long
Growthrate: medum
Maintenance: low Suckering: none
Flowers:small,bright red
Toleratesbothmoistanddry conditions Itcanbeaffectedby alkalineorsaltyconditions
Redmaplesarealowmaintenancetree They don’tnormallyrequire pruning,butifneeded, prunewhentheyare dormant
Saskatoon
Amelanchier alnifolia
Popularwithhomeownersbecauseofits tallertree-likeshapeandlargerberries.
oducesdelicious,ediblefruitthatisgreatin es,preserves,orfresheating.
Saskatoonsproducefruitonthepreviousyear’s growthandonolderwood.
Height:5m(16ft)
Spread:3m(10ft)
Moisture:normal
Light:partial shade,fullsun
Maintenance:low
Berries:blue
Lifespan: medium
Growthrate: fast
Suckering: low
Saskatoonsthriveonplentyof organicmatter,butneedgood drainagebecausetheydonot likewetroots.
Prunesaskatoonsin earlyspringafterthe dangerofcold weatherhaspassed, butbeforebudbreak.
ScotsPine
Pinus sylvestris
Hardy,adaptableevergreen.
valcrownanddistinctiveorangebarkwhen ature.
Mostcommonpinetreeusedinshelterbelts andwindbreaks.
Height:15m(49ft)
Spread:5m(16ft)
Moisture:dry, normal
Light:fullsun
Cones: monoecious
Lifespan: medium
Growthrate: medium
Maintenance:low Suckering:none
Scotspineprefersdryto averagemoisturelevelswith verywelldrainedsoil.
PruningyourScots pineisnecessaryonly ifyouwanttomaintain theclassicChristmas treeshape
SeaBuckthorn
Hippophae rhamnoides I.
Growninornamentalhedgesorasafirstrow inashelterbelt.
Attractivepalesilvery-greenleaves,dense branches,largethorns.
Producesattractiveberriesthatarehighin vitaminC.
Height:5m(15ft)
Spread:4m(12ft)
Moisture:dry, normal
Light:fullsun
Maintenance:low
Berries:small, edible
Lifespan: medium
Growthrate: medium
Suckering:high
Seabuckthornisextremely drought-tolerant,sothereisno needtogetthewateringcanout forthisshrub.
Seabuckthornberries containvarious essentialfattyacids andantioxidants.
SiberianPeach
Prunus persica Siberian C
Siberianpeachisacold-hardypeach cultivar.
efruitisgreatforjuiceandfresheating.
Plantinasunnylocation.Peachtreesneedsix toeighthoursofsunduringthegrowing season.
Height:4m(12ft)
Spread:4m(12ft)
Moisture:normal
Light:partial shade,fullsun
Maintenance: medium
FallColours:red, orange,and yellow
Growthrate: medium Lifespan:low
Suckering: medium
Siberiancpeachtreesprefer deep,fertile,well-drainedsoils.
Unlikemostpeach trees,theSiberian peachdoesnot requirethinningandis quiteproductive.
Weed Suppressant
Improvesthegrowthandsurvivalofatree seedlingbypreventingweedsfrom germinating.
Protectsseedlingsfromcompetitiveweeds stealinglight,nutrients,andmoisture.
Theinsulationpropertiesinhempensure protectionfromtemperatureextremes.
Thornless Honeylocust
Gleditsia triacanthos inermis
Thornlesshoneylocust’smakesanexcellent shadetreewithitslacyfoliage.
eleavesarehoney-yellow,light,airy,and ovidesauniquetreetoyourlandscape.
Theseedsandpodsprovidefoodforwildlife suchasdeerandsquirrels.
Height:15m(50ft)
Spread:15m(15ft)
Moisture:any
Light:partial
shade,fullsun
Maintenance: medium
Fuzz/fluff:none
Lifespan:long
Growthrate: medium
Suckering:none
Thornlesshoneylocustistolerant ofdrought,varioussoil conditions,andevenroadsalt.
Thebesttimetoprune isinlatewinteronce thethreatofextreme coldhaspassed.
TowerPoplar
Populus x canescens
Fast-growing,tallcolumnartreethatclosely resemblestheSwedishaspen.
Itiscommonlyplantedinshelterbeltsortoline propertiesasaprivacyhedge.
Towerpoplarrequiresminimalmaintenance andnopruning.
Height:20m(66ft)
Spread:2m(7ft)
Moisture:any
Light:fullsun
Maintenance:low
Lifespan: medium
Growthrate:fast
Suckering:high
Fuzz/fluff:no
Towerpoplarcantolerateboth dryconditionsandevensome standingwater.
Towerpoplarisknown foritsdisease resistance,hardyand adaptablenature.
WhiteBirch
Large,attractive,deciduoustree.
Fast-growing,cold-hardyspeciesthathasa distinctivewhitepaperybark.
Makesabeautifulornamentalandaccent tree.
Height:18m(60ft)
Spread:11m(35ft)
Moisture:normal, wet
Light:fullsun
Bark:white, paper,peeling
Catkins:yes
Fuzz/fluff:none
Lifespan:long
Growthrate:fast
Maintenance: low Suckering:none
Whitebirchadaptstomost growingconditionsbutprefers moist,well-drainedsoils.
It'sbestnotto pruneawhitebirch unlessabsolutely necessary-it attractsinsectsand thetreebleedssap whencut.
Betula papyrifera
WhiteSpruce
Hardy,long-livedevergreentree.
Requiresverylittlemaintenance.
Well-suitedforuseinshelterbelts,privacy screens,hedges,andasanornamental.
Height:25m(82ft)
Spread:6m(20ft)
Moisture:
Whitespruceisadaptedto growinginmanysoiltypesand moisturelevels.
Whitesprucenormally doesnotrequirepruning. Pruningisonlyrequired whenremovingoverly dense,diseased,and driedbranches.
Betula papyrifera
BestPractices
Creating a plan for your shelterbelt before you plant is extremely important. It allows you to determine the purpose of your shelterbelt, where the shelterbelt will be planted, what species of trees and shrubs are most suitable, and how many rowsyouareplanting.
owledge of soil properties such as soil texture, salinity, anicmatter,andmoisturecontentisimportanttodetermine at types of trees and shrubs would be best suited on your perty.
Cultivate the soil where you intend to plant your trees and shrubs.Wesuggestthisisdoneayearinadvancetogetastart oncontrollingunwantedvegetationthatwillcompetewithyour seedlings.
Plant your seedlings as soon as possible once they are picked up from the M.D. of Bonnyville. If you are unable to plant them right away, keep your seedlings in a cool, dark place for no morethanfivedays.
BestPractices
Seedlings should be planted at the same depth as at the tree nursery. Shallow planting can cause the roots to dry out, and deeperplantingcanpreventoxygenfromgettingtotheroots.
Seedlings can be planted by hand or mechanically depending your selection of trees and shrubs, the size of your elterbelt, and soil type. The M.D. of Bonnyville has a tree nteravailabletorentforlargeplotplantingofseedlings.Call 780-826-3901tofindoutmoreaboutourrentalequipment.
plying mulch is a great way to control weeds, conserve soil oisture,andprovideotherbenefitstoyourshelterbelt. consistent watering schedule is essential to ensure the vivalofyournewlyplantedseedlings.
GovernmentofAlberta (2014) Planning,PlantingandMaintenance ShelterbeltsforLivestockFarmsinAlberta,1,11-12 bit.ly/ShelterbeltPlanting.
Shelterbelts:DesignGuidelinesforFarmyard,Field,Roadside, Livestock,Wildlife,andRiparianBufferPlantingsonthePrairies
bit.ly/ShelterbeltDesignGuideline
ShelterbeltsforLivestockFarmsinAlberta:Overview bit.ly/ShelterbeltOverview
ShelterbeltsforLivestockFarmsinAlberta:Planning,Planting,and Maintenance
bit.ly/ShelterbeltPlanting
ShelterbeltsforLivestockFarmsinAlberta:ShelterbeltPlanning Workbook
bit.ly/ShelterbeltPlanningWorkbook
Agroforestry&WoodlotExtensionSociety www.awes-ab.ca
PestsofDeciduousTreesandShrubs bit.ly/TreePestsandDiseases ShelterbeltsinAlberta bit.ly/ShelterbeltsinAlberta
GlossaryofTerms
Catkins:afloweringspikeoftrees.
Coldhardy:theabilitytoresistinjuryduringexposuretolowtemperatures.
Compaction:occurswhensoilparticlesarepressedtogether,reducingporespacebetween them.Compactionreducestherateofwaterinfiltrationanddrainage.
Cross-pollination:pollinationofaflowerorplantwithpollenfromanotherflowerorplant.
Deciduous:atreeorshrubthatlosesitsleavesannually
Evergreen:relatingtoordenotingatreeorshrubthatretainsgreenleavesthroughouttheyear.
Height:themeasurementfrombasetotop.
Growthrate:referstotheverticalincrease,withcanopyspread.
Lifespan:thelengthoftimeforwhichanorganismfunctions(short10-30years,medium30-100 years,andlong100+years).
Monoecious:aplantspeciesinwhichmaleandfemaleorgansarefoundonthesameplantbut withdifferentflowers.
Native:(ofaplantoranimal)ofindigenousoriginorgrowth
Ornamental:servingorintendedasanornament;decorative.
Salinesoils:onethatinhabitsthegrowthofmostcropsbecauseofthehigherconcentrationof neutralsolublesalts.
Self-pollinating:aflowerisself-pollinatingifpollenistransferredtoitfromanyflowerofthe sameplant,whichcanalsobereferredtoasself-fertile.
Spread:themaximumwidthoftheplantasmeasuredatitswidestpartfromleaftiptoleaftip atmaturity
Suckering:vegetativeformationofanewstemandrootsystemfromanadventitiousbudofa stemorroot,naturallyorbyhumanaction
Variety:amorepreciselydefinedgroupofplants,selectedfromwithinaspecies,witha commonsetofcharacteristics.