Classics
The following article has been selected because it is deemed very important to the arboricultural profession
and deserves special recognition. It has appeared in a previous Seminar and because of this it is not eligible for earning certification credits; there is no test at the end of this article.
Right Tree - Right Place
Edited by Len Phillips
Planting sites can be a major challenge to the arborist working in an urban environment. We have all heard that the answer to this is simply growing the right tree in the right location for the right reasons. But what does this really mean? Most arborists have an idea of what it means to them. Here are my opinions on this subject.
Growing the Right Tree
First of all, the right tree is a tree that will do well with the urban atmosphere; it will tolerate urban soils; and it will grow despite all the abuse and lack of care that one finds on trees in our cities. The mature tree size is an important factor in selecting the right tree. One reason is not planting a large shade tree under the utility wires or in a small space. While this should be obvious, I recall on a couple occasions working with residents about where to plant their tree, I looked for indicators of all the underground utilities, shade and root competition from other trees, lawn sprinklers, property lines, tree qualities desired by the resident, etc. but I forgot to look up. It was then I saw wires directly overhead.
The right tree should also be resistant to serious insect and disease problems. Will it grow with a minimal amount of care? Is the form and aesthetic value of the tree suitable for the site? Does the tree possess the attributes you want for the site and are its liabilities too much for the care the tree is expected to receive? Are there sufficient maintenance funds available to care for the tree?
Selecting the Right Place
Is the site able to provide for the space and needs of the tree? It is very difficult to try to squeeze a large shade tree into that three foot (90+ cm) wide ribbon of green between the sidewalk and the street. If you restrict the root space, you will restrict the crown development, possibly the tree health, and shorten the tree longevity. As someone else said, “When the good soil for root space is full, growth stops, and decline begins.” If you do not have adequate root space you will have to plant a smaller tree or expand the root space by improving the planting soil deeper and wider, improving the soil deep under the sidewalk, or by using structural soil or soil cells under the street and sidewalk to provide the necessary amount of soil and pore spaces for roots, oxygen, and water.
If none of the above options will work, call the green ribbon a utility strip and don’t plant anything in it. Using this option, all new trees are planted behind a relocated sidewalk, or on private property where there is more room for the roots and crown to spread. I have used this approach for many years and discovered that the trees grow faster and achieve a nice canopy over the street in a shorter period of time compared to the same tree planted next to the street where it has to deal with road salt, exhaust fumes, compaction, damage from vehicles, etc.
The soil conditions at the site should be suitable to support the long-term growth of the tree. Consider the soil's fertility level and pH. Check the soil type, the amount of soil, and porosity to be sure it is suitable for the tree being selected.
Planting sites should be large enough to accommodate the tree's roots at maturity. Published research reports indicate five square feet (4.5 sq. meters) of soil surface area for every one square inch (6.5 sq cm) of trunk diameter the tree is expected to attain, or two cubic feet (0.06 cm) of soil for every square foot (0.1 sm) of the future crown projection (which is the area under the drip line). The soil should always be about three feet (90 cm) deep for normal growth and vigor. A simpler method consists of the following:
Right Tree Guide
I would like to offer a guide for what trees should be planted within a given area for proper root development. The guide of species and cultivars below are trees that tolerate the urban environment based on my experience in the Boston, Massachusetts area as well as the recommendations from leading arborists around the US that I have talked with.
This guide has been developed to do the calculations for you. Listed below are excellent street trees, their height, spread, and trunk diameter at maturity, and the amount of surface area in square feet for a planting site three feet (1 m) deep. An asterisk (*) denotes trees that are extremely tough and will tolerate most urban soils. All other trees will do well in suburban soil locations and urban sites with improved soil. This list is a guide and must be adapted to your locality.
The size indicated is the maximum growth that the particular tree could attain with an ideal root space. The sizes of the trees indicated come from nurseries where the soil conditions are close to perfect. You may have to modify these numbers for your local climate and the site. Irrigation will alter the root area requirements, as will the local rainfall.
Not indicated on this list are the qualities of each tree. What colors does the tree have in each of the seasons; what soil pH will it tolerate; what are the leaf characteristics and branching structure; is the tree disease and pest resistant; are fruits and dropping branches an issue; how fast will it grow; and what means of transplanting works best. The links on each tree will help provide some of this information. One other excellent means of assisting you with the selection process is this University of Florida website. This site was developed in cooperation with the USDA Forest Service. The site develops a list of trees according to your soil, desired tree size, plant attributes, site requirements, etc. Click on various items and a list appears for you. This is a great resource that should be listed on your computer’s favorites/bookmark list.
Don’t forget to consider the function of each tree in the landscape. Is it there to provide shade, block a view, provide a street canopy, etc.? On the other hand, will the tree block the view of a store or will the dropping leaves or fruit be a problem to neighboring urban uses. These are all features about each of the trees on your plant list that you should know, if you are truly trying to grow the right tree in the right place.
The following article has been selected because it is deemed very important to the arboricultural profession
and deserves special recognition. It has appeared in a previous Seminar and because of this it is not eligible for earning certification credits; there is no test at the end of this article.
Right Tree - Right Place
Edited by Len Phillips
Planting sites can be a major challenge to the arborist working in an urban environment. We have all heard that the answer to this is simply growing the right tree in the right location for the right reasons. But what does this really mean? Most arborists have an idea of what it means to them. Here are my opinions on this subject.
Growing the Right Tree
First of all, the right tree is a tree that will do well with the urban atmosphere; it will tolerate urban soils; and it will grow despite all the abuse and lack of care that one finds on trees in our cities. The mature tree size is an important factor in selecting the right tree. One reason is not planting a large shade tree under the utility wires or in a small space. While this should be obvious, I recall on a couple occasions working with residents about where to plant their tree, I looked for indicators of all the underground utilities, shade and root competition from other trees, lawn sprinklers, property lines, tree qualities desired by the resident, etc. but I forgot to look up. It was then I saw wires directly overhead.
The right tree should also be resistant to serious insect and disease problems. Will it grow with a minimal amount of care? Is the form and aesthetic value of the tree suitable for the site? Does the tree possess the attributes you want for the site and are its liabilities too much for the care the tree is expected to receive? Are there sufficient maintenance funds available to care for the tree?
Selecting the Right Place
Is the site able to provide for the space and needs of the tree? It is very difficult to try to squeeze a large shade tree into that three foot (90+ cm) wide ribbon of green between the sidewalk and the street. If you restrict the root space, you will restrict the crown development, possibly the tree health, and shorten the tree longevity. As someone else said, “When the good soil for root space is full, growth stops, and decline begins.” If you do not have adequate root space you will have to plant a smaller tree or expand the root space by improving the planting soil deeper and wider, improving the soil deep under the sidewalk, or by using structural soil or soil cells under the street and sidewalk to provide the necessary amount of soil and pore spaces for roots, oxygen, and water.
If none of the above options will work, call the green ribbon a utility strip and don’t plant anything in it. Using this option, all new trees are planted behind a relocated sidewalk, or on private property where there is more room for the roots and crown to spread. I have used this approach for many years and discovered that the trees grow faster and achieve a nice canopy over the street in a shorter period of time compared to the same tree planted next to the street where it has to deal with road salt, exhaust fumes, compaction, damage from vehicles, etc.
The soil conditions at the site should be suitable to support the long-term growth of the tree. Consider the soil's fertility level and pH. Check the soil type, the amount of soil, and porosity to be sure it is suitable for the tree being selected.
Planting sites should be large enough to accommodate the tree's roots at maturity. Published research reports indicate five square feet (4.5 sq. meters) of soil surface area for every one square inch (6.5 sq cm) of trunk diameter the tree is expected to attain, or two cubic feet (0.06 cm) of soil for every square foot (0.1 sm) of the future crown projection (which is the area under the drip line). The soil should always be about three feet (90 cm) deep for normal growth and vigor. A simpler method consists of the following:
- trees larger than 50 ft tall or spread need 2,700 cu. ft. of soil,
- trees that grow 30 to 50 ft tall or spread need 1,200 cu. ft. of soil,
- trees that grow less than 30 ft tall need 600 cu. ft. of soil,
Right Tree Guide
I would like to offer a guide for what trees should be planted within a given area for proper root development. The guide of species and cultivars below are trees that tolerate the urban environment based on my experience in the Boston, Massachusetts area as well as the recommendations from leading arborists around the US that I have talked with.
This guide has been developed to do the calculations for you. Listed below are excellent street trees, their height, spread, and trunk diameter at maturity, and the amount of surface area in square feet for a planting site three feet (1 m) deep. An asterisk (*) denotes trees that are extremely tough and will tolerate most urban soils. All other trees will do well in suburban soil locations and urban sites with improved soil. This list is a guide and must be adapted to your locality.
The size indicated is the maximum growth that the particular tree could attain with an ideal root space. The sizes of the trees indicated come from nurseries where the soil conditions are close to perfect. You may have to modify these numbers for your local climate and the site. Irrigation will alter the root area requirements, as will the local rainfall.
Not indicated on this list are the qualities of each tree. What colors does the tree have in each of the seasons; what soil pH will it tolerate; what are the leaf characteristics and branching structure; is the tree disease and pest resistant; are fruits and dropping branches an issue; how fast will it grow; and what means of transplanting works best. The links on each tree will help provide some of this information. One other excellent means of assisting you with the selection process is this University of Florida website. This site was developed in cooperation with the USDA Forest Service. The site develops a list of trees according to your soil, desired tree size, plant attributes, site requirements, etc. Click on various items and a list appears for you. This is a great resource that should be listed on your computer’s favorites/bookmark list.
Don’t forget to consider the function of each tree in the landscape. Is it there to provide shade, block a view, provide a street canopy, etc.? On the other hand, will the tree block the view of a store or will the dropping leaves or fruit be a problem to neighboring urban uses. These are all features about each of the trees on your plant list that you should know, if you are truly trying to grow the right tree in the right place.
Species Trade Height (ft) Crown Diameter Area (sf) Surface Name Spread Trunk (in)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acer campestre Hedge Maple * 30 30 12 16
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acer x freemanii Autumn Blaze Maple * 50 40 24 32
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acer x freemanii Celebration Maple * 45 20 24 32
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acer x freemanii Marmo Maple * 55 45 24 32
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acer glabrum Rocky Mountain Maple 25 15 6 8
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acer miyabei State Street Maple * 50 35 24 32
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acer nigrum Green Column Maple 50 20 30 40
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acer platanoides Deborah Maple * 45 40 36 40
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acer rubrum Armstrong Maple * 45 15 30 40
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acer rubrum Autumn Flame * 35 35 30 40
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acer rubrum Bowhall Maple * 40 15 30 40
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acer rubrum Karpick Maple * 40 20 30 40
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acer rubrum October Glory Maple 40 35 30 40
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acer rubrum Red Sunset Maple * 45 35 30 40
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acer rubrum Sun Valley Maple 40 35 30 40
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acer saccharum Apollo Maple 25 10 20 27 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acer saccharum Bonfire Maple 50 40 30 40
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acer saccharum Commemoration Maple 50 35 30 40
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acer saccharum Endowment Maple 50 20 30 40
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acer saccharum Green Mountain Maple 45 35 30 40
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acer saccharum Legacy 50 35 30 40
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acer saccharum Steeple Maple 45 20 30 40 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acer tataricum Rugged Charm Tatarian Maple * 25 20 12 16
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acer truncatum Norwegian Sunset Maple * 35 25 30 40
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aesculus x carnea Fort McNair Horsechestnut 70 30 48 64
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amelanchier laevis Snowcloud Serviceberry 25 15 5 10
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Betula nigra Dura-Heat Birch * 40 30 28 37
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Betula nigra Heritage Birch * 40 30 28 37
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Betula papyrifera Renaissance Oasis Birch 40 30 24 32
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Betula papyrifera Prairie Dream Birch 40 30 24 32
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Carpinus betulus Emerald Avenue Hornbeam * 35 25 15 20
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Carpinus betulus Frans Fontaine Hornbeam * 35 15 15 20
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Carpinus caroliniana Native Flame Hornbeam 30 20 12 16
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Celtis occidentalis Magnifica Hackberry 50 40 30 40
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cercidiphyllum japonicum Katsura 40 40 20 27
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cladrastis kentukea Yellowwood 30 40 30 40
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cornus hybrid Venus Dogwood 25 20 20 27
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cornus kousa Aurora Dogwood 24 20 20 27
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Corylus colurna Turkish Hazelnut 50 25 20 27
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Crataegus crus-galli Thornless Cockspur Hawthorn * 25 25 12 16
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Crataegus x mordenensis Toba Hawthorn * 20 20 12 16
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Crataegus phaenopyrum Washington Hawthorn * 25 20 12 16
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Eucommia ulmoides Emerald Pointe Rubber Tree 45 45 24 32
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fagus sylvatica Fastigate Beech 45 15 36 48
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fagus sylvatica Rivers Purple Beech 50 40 40 53
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ginkgo biloba Presidential Gold Ginkgo 50 40 36 48
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ginkgo biloba Princeton Sentry Ginkgo * 40 15 36 48
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gleditsia triancanthos Shademaster Honeylocust * 45 35 30 40
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gleditsia triancanthos Skyline Honeylocust * 40 40 30 40
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gymnocladus dioicus Expresso Kentucky Coffee Tree 50 35 40 53
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Halesia monticola Mountain Silverbell 40 25 18 24
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Koelreuteria paniculata Summerburst Goldenrain Tree 30 30 15 20
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Liquidambar styraciflua Rotundiloba Sweetgum 45 25 18 24
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Liriodendron tulipifera Emerald City Tulip Tree 60 30 48 64
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maackia amurensis MaacNificent Amur Maackia 25 20 12 16
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maclura pomifera inermis White Shield Osage Orange * 35 35 24 32
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Magnolia hybrid Galaxy Magnolia 30 10 12 16
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Malus sp. Adirondack Crabapple * 18 10 12 16
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Malus sp. Prairifire Crabapple * 20 20 12 16
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Malus sp. Purple Prince Crabapple 20 20 12 16
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Malus sp. Royal Raindrops Crabapple 20 15 12 16
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Malus sp. Zumi Calocarpa Crabapple * 20 24 12 16
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Metasequoia glyptostroboides Dawn Redwood 70 25 48 64
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nyssa sylvatica Afterburner Tupelo 35 20 24 32
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ostrya virginiana Autumn Treasure Hophornbeam * 40 25 18 24
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oxydendrum arboreum Sourwood 20 15 10 14
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Parrotia persica Vanessa Persian Parrotia 30 20 12 16
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Phellodendron amurense His Majesty Cork Tree 40 35 18 24
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Platanus x acerifolia Exclamation Planetree * 50 40 48 64
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prunus serrulata Amanogawa Cherry 20 20 10 14
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prunus nigra Princess Kay Canada Plum 18 12 12 16
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prunus subhirtella Autumn Flowering Cherry 25 22 12 16
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prunus sargentii Spire Cherry 35 10 12 16
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prunus x yedoensis Yoshino Cherry 30 30 12 16
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prunus x cistena Big Cis Plum 14 12 8 11
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pyrus calleryana Aristocrat Pear * 40 28 18 24
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pyrus calleryana Autumn Blaze Pear * 30 25 18 24
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pyrus calleryana Chanticleer Pear * 40 15 18 24
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pyrus calleryana Redspire Pear * 35 25 18 24
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quercus acutissima Sawtooth Oak 40 40 40 53
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quercus bicolor Swamp White Oak * 45 45 40 53
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quercus robur English Oak 50 40 40 53
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quercus robur hybrid Crimson Spire Oak 40 20 40 53
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quercus ellipsoiedalis Northern Pin Oak * 60 45 52 70
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Robinia pseudoacacia Purple Robe Locust * 50 32 48 64
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Robinia pseudoacacia Twisty Baby Locust * 18 18 24 32
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sassafras albidum Sassafras 40 30 30 40
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sophora japonica Regent Japanese Pagoda tree 50 45 36 48
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stewartia pseudocamellia Japanese Stewartia 20 15 12 16
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Styrax japonicus Snowcone Snowbell 25 20 12 16
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Syringa pekinensis China Snow Tree Lilac 20 20 12 16
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Syringa reticulata Ivory Silk Tree Lilac * 20 15 12 16
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Taxodium distichum Shawnee Brave Bald Cypress 55 20 40 53
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tilia americana Boulevard Linden * 50 25 36 48
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tilia americana Redmond Linden * 35 25 36 48
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tilia cordata Greenspire Linden * 40 30 24 32
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tilia tomentosa Sterling Linden * 45 35 30 40
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ulmus americana Princeton Elm * 60 40 45 60
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ulmus hybrid Accolade Elm * 70 60 45 60
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ulmus hybrid Commendation Elm * 60 50 40 53
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ulmus hybrid Frontier Elm * 40 30 30 40
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ulmus hybrid Triumph Elm * 55 45 45 60
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Zelkova serrata Musashino Columnar Zelkova * 45 35 24 32
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Zelkova serrata Village Green Zelkova * 40 40 24 32
Species Trade Height (ft) Crown Diameter Area (sf) Surface Name Spread Trunk (in)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acer campestre Hedge Maple * 30 30 12 16
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acer x freemanii Autumn Blaze Maple * 50 40 24 32
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acer x freemanii Celebration Maple * 45 20 24 32
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acer x freemanii Marmo Maple * 55 45 24 32
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acer glabrum Rocky Mountain Maple 25 15 6 8
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acer miyabei State Street Maple * 50 35 24 32
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acer nigrum Green Column Maple 50 20 30 40
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acer platanoides Deborah Maple * 45 40 36 40
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acer rubrum Armstrong Maple * 45 15 30 40
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acer rubrum Autumn Flame * 35 35 30 40
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acer rubrum Bowhall Maple * 40 15 30 40
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acer rubrum Karpick Maple * 40 20 30 40
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acer rubrum October Glory Maple 40 35 30 40
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acer rubrum Red Sunset Maple * 45 35 30 40
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acer rubrum Sun Valley Maple 40 35 30 40
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acer saccharum Apollo Maple 25 10 20 27 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acer saccharum Bonfire Maple 50 40 30 40
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acer saccharum Commemoration Maple 50 35 30 40
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acer saccharum Endowment Maple 50 20 30 40
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acer saccharum Green Mountain Maple 45 35 30 40
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acer saccharum Legacy 50 35 30 40
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acer saccharum Steeple Maple 45 20 30 40 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acer tataricum Rugged Charm Tatarian Maple * 25 20 12 16
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acer truncatum Norwegian Sunset Maple * 35 25 30 40
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aesculus x carnea Fort McNair Horsechestnut 70 30 48 64
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amelanchier laevis Snowcloud Serviceberry 25 15 5 10
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Betula nigra Dura-Heat Birch * 40 30 28 37
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Betula nigra Heritage Birch * 40 30 28 37
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Betula papyrifera Renaissance Oasis Birch 40 30 24 32
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Betula papyrifera Prairie Dream Birch 40 30 24 32
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Carpinus betulus Emerald Avenue Hornbeam * 35 25 15 20
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Carpinus betulus Frans Fontaine Hornbeam * 35 15 15 20
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Carpinus caroliniana Native Flame Hornbeam 30 20 12 16
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Celtis occidentalis Magnifica Hackberry 50 40 30 40
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cercidiphyllum japonicum Katsura 40 40 20 27
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cladrastis kentukea Yellowwood 30 40 30 40
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cornus hybrid Venus Dogwood 25 20 20 27
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cornus kousa Aurora Dogwood 24 20 20 27
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Corylus colurna Turkish Hazelnut 50 25 20 27
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Crataegus crus-galli Thornless Cockspur Hawthorn * 25 25 12 16
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Crataegus x mordenensis Toba Hawthorn * 20 20 12 16
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Crataegus phaenopyrum Washington Hawthorn * 25 20 12 16
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Eucommia ulmoides Emerald Pointe Rubber Tree 45 45 24 32
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fagus sylvatica Fastigate Beech 45 15 36 48
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fagus sylvatica Rivers Purple Beech 50 40 40 53
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ginkgo biloba Presidential Gold Ginkgo 50 40 36 48
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ginkgo biloba Princeton Sentry Ginkgo * 40 15 36 48
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gleditsia triancanthos Shademaster Honeylocust * 45 35 30 40
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gleditsia triancanthos Skyline Honeylocust * 40 40 30 40
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gymnocladus dioicus Expresso Kentucky Coffee Tree 50 35 40 53
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Halesia monticola Mountain Silverbell 40 25 18 24
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Koelreuteria paniculata Summerburst Goldenrain Tree 30 30 15 20
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Liquidambar styraciflua Rotundiloba Sweetgum 45 25 18 24
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Liriodendron tulipifera Emerald City Tulip Tree 60 30 48 64
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maackia amurensis MaacNificent Amur Maackia 25 20 12 16
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maclura pomifera inermis White Shield Osage Orange * 35 35 24 32
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Magnolia hybrid Galaxy Magnolia 30 10 12 16
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Malus sp. Adirondack Crabapple * 18 10 12 16
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Malus sp. Prairifire Crabapple * 20 20 12 16
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Malus sp. Purple Prince Crabapple 20 20 12 16
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Malus sp. Royal Raindrops Crabapple 20 15 12 16
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Malus sp. Zumi Calocarpa Crabapple * 20 24 12 16
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Metasequoia glyptostroboides Dawn Redwood 70 25 48 64
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nyssa sylvatica Afterburner Tupelo 35 20 24 32
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ostrya virginiana Autumn Treasure Hophornbeam * 40 25 18 24
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oxydendrum arboreum Sourwood 20 15 10 14
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Parrotia persica Vanessa Persian Parrotia 30 20 12 16
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Phellodendron amurense His Majesty Cork Tree 40 35 18 24
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Platanus x acerifolia Exclamation Planetree * 50 40 48 64
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prunus serrulata Amanogawa Cherry 20 20 10 14
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prunus nigra Princess Kay Canada Plum 18 12 12 16
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prunus subhirtella Autumn Flowering Cherry 25 22 12 16
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prunus sargentii Spire Cherry 35 10 12 16
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prunus x yedoensis Yoshino Cherry 30 30 12 16
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prunus x cistena Big Cis Plum 14 12 8 11
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pyrus calleryana Aristocrat Pear * 40 28 18 24
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pyrus calleryana Autumn Blaze Pear * 30 25 18 24
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pyrus calleryana Chanticleer Pear * 40 15 18 24
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pyrus calleryana Redspire Pear * 35 25 18 24
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quercus acutissima Sawtooth Oak 40 40 40 53
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quercus bicolor Swamp White Oak * 45 45 40 53
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quercus robur English Oak 50 40 40 53
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quercus robur hybrid Crimson Spire Oak 40 20 40 53
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quercus ellipsoiedalis Northern Pin Oak * 60 45 52 70
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Robinia pseudoacacia Purple Robe Locust * 50 32 48 64
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Robinia pseudoacacia Twisty Baby Locust * 18 18 24 32
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sassafras albidum Sassafras 40 30 30 40
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sophora japonica Regent Japanese Pagoda tree 50 45 36 48
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stewartia pseudocamellia Japanese Stewartia 20 15 12 16
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Styrax japonicus Snowcone Snowbell 25 20 12 16
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Syringa pekinensis China Snow Tree Lilac 20 20 12 16
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Syringa reticulata Ivory Silk Tree Lilac * 20 15 12 16
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Taxodium distichum Shawnee Brave Bald Cypress 55 20 40 53
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tilia americana Boulevard Linden * 50 25 36 48
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tilia americana Redmond Linden * 35 25 36 48
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tilia cordata Greenspire Linden * 40 30 24 32
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tilia tomentosa Sterling Linden * 45 35 30 40
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ulmus americana Princeton Elm * 60 40 45 60
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ulmus hybrid Accolade Elm * 70 60 45 60
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ulmus hybrid Commendation Elm * 60 50 40 53
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ulmus hybrid Frontier Elm * 40 30 30 40
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ulmus hybrid Triumph Elm * 55 45 45 60
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Zelkova serrata Musashino Columnar Zelkova * 45 35 24 32
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Zelkova serrata Village Green Zelkova * 40 40 24 32
The asterisk (*) denotes trees that are extremely tough and will tolerate most urban soils. All other trees will do well in suburban soil locations and urban sites with improved soil.