Ask Mr. Smarty Plants

Let's see - no seeds/berries/nuts; large leaves (shady); pest resistant; and low maintenance. Mr. Smarty Plants assumes you will be willing to compromise on some of these characteristics, right? The seeds/berries/nuts are the way the tree propagates, so finding a tree that does not produce some kind of product is nigh unto impossible. Nevertheless, having lived in Ohio with a large oak in the yard that rained at least a ton of acorns biennially, I can relate to wanting a "cleaner" tree. Native trees are a good investment as they maximize pest resistance and tolerance to conditions of your specific location. Trees with large leaves tend to be large. Let's look at some common Ohio native possibilities, and you can decide where the compromises must be made.

Chionanthus virginicus (white fringetree) has leaves up to 8 inches long. If you are able to purchase a male variety of the tree, you will get showy flowers and no fruit, trusting that the nursery you patronize can determine the sex of the trees they sell. BUT, these trees may grow to 25 to 30 feet high, have high fertility needs and low drought tolerance.

Viburnum prunifolium (blackhaw) and its cousin, Viburnum rufidulum (rusty blackhaw), are strong candidates in terms of hardiness and size, topping out about 16 feet. BUT, the leaves aren't huge (between 1-1/4 and 3-1/4 inches) and the trees produce an edible fruit, enjoyed by birds. While there may be some powdery mildew, there are no serious diseases for the blackhaw. 

Cornus florida (flowering dogwood) grows to about 20 feet in height, has medium fertility needs and medium drought resistance. It is a beautiful and popular spring bloomer. Birds and squirrels will take care of the fruit for you, BUT it may be susceptible to many plant pathogens. One variant has been specifically adapted for your area and will have the best disease resistance, so if you select this tree, ask for a "Richland" species.

Though it may be an unusual choice, Rhus typhina (staghorn sumac) meets some of your criteria. Often seen in the wild, it is drought tolerant and pest resistant, requiring little nurturing. It grows about 15 feet in height, though some are reported to be up to 30 feet tall. The large fruits are actually quite attractive and usually are not messy. They provide sustenance for a wide variety of birds in the fall and throughout the winter as the fruits do not drop. BUT it may require careful trimming to encourage it to a desired height.

Though the leaves are not large,  Cercis canadensis (eastern redbud) may be your strongest candidate. Growing to about 16 feet, it has high drought resistance and low fertility needs. These small trees are Ohio's harbinger of spring when you see their bright pinkish-purple floral display all over Ohio, suggesting they are well adapted to the climate and soil.

Your nursery personnel may also be able to guide you to a suitable selection. Check our Native Plant Suppliers site and enter your city and state to find the suppliers closest to Perrysville. 

Check out tree suggestions at two sites: The United States Department of Agriculture and our Native Plant Database. You may find other tree options than the ones we have suggested. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry has great information about tree varieties and planting instructions. Thank you for the opportunity to research this information for you. 

Chionanthus virginicus

Viburnum prunifolium

Viburnum rufidulum

Cornus florida

Rhus typhina

Cercis canadensis