Minnesota Valley Country Club

Fourteen Black Hills Spruce, Picea glauca densata, and one specimen Autumn Spire Red Maple, Acer rubrum 'Autumn Spire', have been planted behind the 17th green. These trees were placed there to provide a buffer between the turfgrass maintenance building and the green. They are planted far enough away from the green, so the tree roots will never compete with the turfgrass on the green for water and nutrients. We purchased these beautiful trees from Wilson's Nursery, a wholesale nursery business in Chanhassen. Wilson's has several growing ranges including their largest along the southside of Hwy. 7, near New Germany, MN.

The Spruce will grow to H 35-45' X W 20-30', which required us to plant some distance apart. They are nicely shaped and ornamental with short bluish foilage and is very useful as a buffer, windbreak, or hedge. This particular Red Maple, the Autumn Spire, is known for it's consistent red fall color. It's a columnar form introduced by the University of Minnesota, with a mature size of H 50' X W 20'. It also has showy red flowers, yet is one of very few maples that does not produce a seed pod. I expect these trees to attractive from the start, and eventually create a needed buffer between the busy maintenance building and the golf course.

In addition to these trees, we will be planting six Dakota Pinnacle Birch further west in the same general area. These trees should be arriving later this week. They have a narrow, spire-like habit, are tough and attractive, and thye also produce good yellow fall color. More on those once they're in. Hope you like the new trees! I know are feathered friends will!