United States Department of Agriculture

Selecting Tree Species for Planting in Areas Where ALB/EAB Are a Concern

Why a Replacement Tree Table

Recently Asian Longhorned Beetle (ALB) and Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) have had a significant impact on communities in 

the Northeastern and Midwestern United States. We received requests from communities for a list of trees that do 

well in urban environments and are not ALB or EAB host trees. To develop this list, we combined all the recommended 

replacement trees for areas where ALB has been found and added information on EAB tree replacement from the 

Michigan State University website. Information about each tree species was compiled from the references listed 

below the Replacement Tree Table. Drafts of the table were sent to urban forestry professionals and we used their 

suggestions to make edits.

To promote species diversity, we included many trees that do well in urban areas, but we also realize that the table 

does not include every non-host tree species. Users of the Replacement Tree Table are encouraged to use this as a 

starting reference for potential replacement trees and then to do their own research to identify species that fit their 

specific site characteristics and geographic area.

Planting Trees: Tips for Planning, Tree Selection, Planting, and Care

Tree planting is a critical component to help a community recover from a pest infestation or natural disaster. If 

properly planted and cared for, trees are a valuable and growing asset worth 31⁄2 times the investment! They “pay us 

back” by providing many benefits such as improved air quality, reduced stormwater runoff, energy savings and higher 

property values for homeowners.

Whether working in your yard, or doing a large community project, plant the right tree in the right place to ensure 

that the trees grow well, provide desired benefits and don’t conflict with infrastructure. There are many good 

references, but to help you get started, a partial list of recommended species is included below. 

The “Tree Owner’s Manual”, developed by the U.S. Forest Service, provides detailed information on the basic steps 

for tree selection, planting and maintenance. A copy of this can be down loaded at: www.treeownersmanual.info.

Basic steps to consider in tree planning, selection, planting, and care are:

 Plan –Work with knowledgeable professionals to develop a comprehensive reforestation plan. This can 

address prioritization of planting areas, planting and maintenance specifications, recommended species, 

working with partners and volunteers, inspecting work and documenting progress. Detailed planting site plans 

should be developed for specific areas.

 Assess Planting Site –Assess all aspects of the site that may affect the tree such as: rooting space, distance to 

buildings, sidewalks, utilities, and competing trees. Check for underground utilities through the location 

service in your area. Within 25 feet of overhead utility lines, plant only species with a small mature height. 

Consider the hardiness zone, soil type, drainage and pH. Check local ordinances that regulate planting on 

public property.

 Select Appropriate Species – There are many non-host species that make good choices for urban areas. Select 

a variety of species so that the future tree population is diverse and more resilient to stresses. Match the 

characteristics of the tree, including mature size, to the site. Consider what function you want the tree to 

serve shade, aesthetics, privacy, etc. Consult the many useful references, websites and listings to help with 

tree selection.

 Purchase Quality Trees and Handle Them Properly –Determine the type of stock that is best for your project 

and budget; bare root, potted, balled-and-burlapped. Work with a respected nursery and make sure the trees 

meet accepted standards. Tree stock should be protected during transportation and storage prior to planting. 

Warranties for tree survival and health are recommended.

 Plant the Tree Correctly –Prepare the appropriate size hole for the root ball—not too deep! Remove burlap 

and wire basket. Check for encircling roots. If trees must be staked, do it correctly and plan to remove all 

staking materials within one to two years. Mulch and water thoroughly at time of planting.

 Provide Care after Planting –Maintenance is critical for at least 3 years after planting. Water newly planted 

trees from spring through fall, as needed, based on the soil and natural rainfall. Prune young trees lightly, 

removing only dead or poorly located limbs. Protect trees from mowers, other equipment and construction 

damage. 

The Replacement Tree Table was developed by Angie Hammond, Forest Health Protection Technician, in July 2012 

and it was first revised in January 2016. Species recommendations can vary greatly, and the list of available trees is 

constantly changing. We plan to update this document periodically. Comments and suggestions are encouraged! 

Please email comments and suggestions to amhammond@fs.fed.us (Angie Hammond).

Please click here for an interactive version of the table: Tree Species to Consider for Planting in Urban Areas Where 

Asian Longhorned Beetle and Emerald Ash Borer Are a Concern.

Suggested References & Websites

Best Management Practices for Tree Planting

ANSI Standards for Nursery Stock and Transplanting

Principles and Practices of Planting Trees & Shrubs

All of the above references are available from The International Society of Arboriculture: http://www.isa-arbor.com/

International Society of Arboriculture educational website: http://www.treesaregood.org/home.aspx

U.S. Forest Service, Urban Forestry Program: http://www.na.fs.fed.us/urban

Your State Forester: http://www.stateforesters.org/

Society of Municipal Arborists: http://www.urban-forestry.com

Arbor Day Foundation: http://www.arborday.org

United States Department of Agriculture

Forest Service

Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry

Newtown Square, PA 19073

www.na.fs.fed.us

March 2014 (Rev. February 2016)

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
Tree Species to Consider for Planting in Urban Areas Where Asian Longhorned Beetle and Emerald Ash Borer Are a Concern

Common NameScientific NameCommon CultivarsLowest Hardiness ZoneLight RequirementsSoil PreferencesMature SizeGrowth RateMature Crown ShapeFlowersFoliageFruitBark/BranchUsesUrban Stress ToleranceSignificant Health IssuesPossible Negative QualitiesComments

American 

Arborvitae 

Thuja 

occidentalis

‘Techny’ many 

available

3 Full Sun Tolerant of 

Some 

Wetness and 

Acidic/Alkaline

Small, 

20' to 

30' tall 

(usually), 

10' to 

15' wide

Medium Conical Subtle Conifer, Small 

Scale Like 

Leaves in Flat 

Sprays

Inconspicuous Bark 

Attractive 

on Older 

Trees

Native, 

Screen, 

Windbreak

Leaf Miner, 

Bag Worm, 

Spider Mites, 

Foliar Burn 

on Very 

Harsh Sites

A Favorite 

Food of 

Deer

American 

Beech

Fagus 

grandifolia

4 Full Sun 

to 

Shade

Moist, Well 

Drained, 

Acidic Soil

Large, 

50' to 

70' tall, 

Up to 

120' 

wide

Slow Rounded Subtle Simple, 

Glossy Green 

Top, Light 

Green 

Underside, 

Dead but 

Persists in 

Winter

3 Winged Nut 

Enclosed by 

Spikes, Prized 

By Wildlife

Light Gray, 

Smooth, 

Trunk is 

Short, 

Branches 

Frequently 

Touch 

Ground

Native, Lawn, 

Specimen, 

Parks, Wildlife

Intolerant of 

Wet or 

Compacted 

Soils

Beech Bark 

Disease

Fruit Can be 

a Litter 

Problem

Very Smooth 

Bark May Invite 

Vandalism 

American 

Hophornbeam 

Ostrya 

virginiana

4 Full Sun 

to Part 

Shade

Moist, Cool, 

Fertile, Slightly 

Acidic 

Medium 

to Large, 

30' to 

50' tall 

Slow Rounded Subtle Simple, Oval, 

Green Leaves

Looks Like 

Hops, Change 

From Green 

to Tan

Vertical 

Strips 

Exfoliate, 

Trunk 

Muscled 

Appearance

Native, Lawn, 

In Natural 

Areas

Intolerant of 

Salt and 

Severe Urban 

Stress

American 

Hornbeam 

Carpinus 

Caroliniana

‘Palisade’ 3 Full Sun 

to Part 

Shade

Deep, Fertile, 

Moist, Acidic 

Soil

Small, 

20' to 

30' tall, 

20' to 

35' wide

Slow Oval Narrow 

Dangling 

Clusters of 

White 

Flowers in 

Spring

Simple, 2" to 

4" Long, 

Oblong, 

Toothed, Fall 

Yellow, 

Orange, Red

Nutlets in a 

Leafy Cluster, 

Green, 

Mature to 

Brown in Fall

Smooth 

Light Gray 

Trunk, 

Vertical 

Ridges Give 

a Muscular 

Appearance

Native, Under 

Utility Lines, 

Confined 

Spaces, Street 

Tree, 

Specimen, 

Lawn, 

Woodlands

Sensitive to 

Drought, 

Compaction

Difficult to 

Transplant

American 

Sweetgum 

Liquidambar 

styraciflua

‘Moraine’ 

more cold 

hardy than 

species

5 Full Sun, 

Tolerate

s Some 

Shade

Chlorosis at 

Higher pH

Large, 

60' to 

80' tall,

40' to 

60' wide

Medium to 

Fast

Oblong to 

Rounded

Subtle Simple, Maple 

Like Leaf, Fall 

Color Showy

Spiny, Turn 

Brown, 

Persists In 

Winter

Deep 

Furrows 

Narrow 

Ridges, 

Twigs 

Sometimes 

Corky

Native, Lawn 

Tree, Shade 

Tree

Intolerant of 

Polluted Areas

Susceptible 

to Bleeding 

Bark 

Necrosis, Leaf 

Spot, Scale, 

Webworm, 

Caterpillars

Fruit Can be 

a Litter 

Problem

American 

Yellowwood 

Cladrastis 

kentukea

4 Full Sun Moist, Fertile, 

Well Drained

Medium 

to Large, 

30' to 

50' tall, 

40' to 

55' wide

Medium Broad, 

Rounded

Fragrant, 

White, Pea 

Like, in 

June, 

Maybe 

Not Each 

Year

Compound 

Leaf, Fall 

Color Yellow, 

Orange

Flat Pod up to 

4 Inches Long, 

Green to 

Brown in Fall

Smooth 

Light Gray, 

Short Trunk, 

Can Sun 

Scald

Native, Lawn 

Tree, 

Specimen

Sensitive to 

Drought, 

Compaction

Narrow 

Branch 

Angles, 

Sensitive to 

Canker and 

Verticillium 

Wilt

Prune in 

Summer to 

Avoid 

"Bleeding", 

Very Smooth 

Bark May Invite 

Vandalism 
Common Name

Scientific NameCommon CultivarsLowest Hardiness ZoneLight RequirementsSoil PreferencesMature SizeGrowth RateMature Crown ShapeFlowersFoliageFruitBark/BranchUsesUrban Stress ToleranceSignificant Health IssuesPossible Negative QualitiesComments

Amur 

Corktree* 

Phellodendron 

amurense

‘Macho’, ‘PNI 

4551’

4 Full Sun Tolerant of 

Most Soils and 

pH

Medium, 

30' to 

45' tall, 

wider 

than tall

Medium Broad, 

Spreading

Subtle, 

Male, 

Female 

Plants

Compound 

Leaf, Dark 

Green, Fall 

Unremarkable

Clusters of 

Pea Sized 

Fruit, Green 

to Black in 

Fall

Noticeable 

Ridges, 

Furrows, 

Short Main 

Trunk

Specimen, 

Vase Shape

Tolerant of 

Pollution, 

Drought

Pest Free Fruit Can be 

a Litter 

Problem

*Plant 

Conservation 

Alliance's Alien 

Plant Working 

Group reports 

invasive 

tendencies

Amur 

Maackia 

Maackia 

Amurensis

4 Full Sun Loose, Well 

Drained Soil, 

pH not a 

Concern

Small, 

20' to 

30' tall, 

wider 

than tall

Slow Rounded Small, 

Upright, 

White, Pea 

Like 

Flowers, 

June, July, 

Not Each 

Year

Compound 

Leaf, GrayGreen to 

Olive-Green, 

No Fall Color 

Change

Up to 3 Inch 

Long Flat Pod, 

Green to 

Brown

Showy Bark, 

Copper with 

Green 

Undertones, 

Exfoliates in 

Curls, or is 

Shiny

Fixes Nitrogen Japanese 

Beetles Will 

Feed on 

Foliage

Hard to 

Locate to 

Purchase

Baldcypress Taxodium 

distichum

‘Monarch of 

Illinois’ wide 

spreading, 

‘Shawnee 

Brave’ and 

‘Prairie 

Sentinel’ 

narrow crowns

5 Full Sun Wet Swampy 

Areas, 

Standing 

Water, Acid 

Soils, Chlorotic 

above pH 7.5

Large, 

50' to 

70' tall

Medium Pyramid 

to Conical, 

Some 

With Flat 

Tops

Up to 5 

inch 

Clusters of 

Flowers in 

March, 

April

Deciduous 

Conifer, Airy 

Texture, Fall 

Good RedBrown 

Round Cones 

Up to 1 Inch 

Diameter, 

Green to 

Brown 

Bark 

Fissured, 

Red-Brown, 

Buttressed 

Trunk Base, 

Root 

"Knees" in 

Wet Sites 

Native, Wet 

Sites, Lawn, 

Specimen, 

Shade, Very 

Wind Tolerant

Tolerant of 

Compaction

Spider Mites

Bitternut 

Hickory

Carya 

cordiformis

4 Full Sun 

to Part 

Shade

Deep, Well 

Drained

Large, 

50' to 

75' tall

Medium Narrow, 

Oval, 

Irregular

Subtle Compound 

Leaf, 5 to 9 

Serrated 

Leaflets 6" to 

10" Long, Fall 

Showy 

Yellow-Gold

Round 1 Inch 

Diameter Nut

Gray to 

Brown With 

Shallow 

Ridges, 

Stout Gray 

Stems

Native, Lawn,

Specimen, Fall 

Color, 

Wildlife, 

Wood

Difficult to 

Transplant, 

Fruit Can be 

a Litter 

Problem

Blackgum/

Tupelo 

Nyssa sylvatica 4 Full Sun 

to Part 

Shade

Moist, Well 

Drained, 

Acidic Soil

Medium 

to Large, 

30' to 

50' tall, 

20' to 

30' wide

Slow Pyramid

with Flat 

Top 

Crown

Subtle Simple, Oval, 

Toothed 

Edge, Glossy 

Dark Green, 

Fall Showy 

Red

Blue-Black 

Drupe on 

Female Trees, 

Birds Eat

Irregular, 

Block Like 

Bark, 

Horizontal 

Branching

Native, Lawn, 

Specimen, 

Street, Fall, 

Wildlife

Decreased 

Growth With 

Soil

Compaction 

and pH Above 

6

Leaf Spot, 

Leaf Miner, 

Rust

Difficult to 

Transplant, 

Fruit Can be 

a Litter 

Problem

Bur Oak Quercus 

macrocarpa

‘Clemons’ 3 Full Sun Prefers 

Alkaline Soil 

but Tolerant 

of Most Soils 

and pH

Large, 

70' to 

80' tall, 

70' to 

80' wide

Slow Broad Subtle Simple, 

Rounded 

Lobes

1"Acorn With 

Fringed Cup

Gray-Brown 

and Flaky, 

Twigs 

YellowBrown, 

Corky

Native, Shade 

or Specimen

Intolerant of 

Soil 

Compaction, 

Intermediate 

Tolerance of 

Drought, Heat, 

Pollution

Transplant 

Shock Can 

Last Years
Common Name

Scientific NameCommon CultivarsLowest Hardiness ZoneLight RequirementsSoil PreferencesMature SizeGrowth RateMature Crown ShapeFlowersFoliageFruitBark/BranchUsesUrban Stress ToleranceSignificant Health IssuesPossible Negative QualitiesComments

Carolina 

Silverbell 

Halesia 

tetraptera 

(Formerly 

Halesia carolina 

and Halesia 

monticola)

‘Arnold Pink’, 

‘UConn 

Wedding 

Bells’, ‘Silver 

Splash’, 

‘Variegata’ 

also var. 

monticola

5 Full Sun 

to Part 

Shade

Moist, Well 

Drained, 

Acidic Soil

Medium, 

30' to

40' tall, 

25' to 

35' wide

Medium Round to 

Broad

Single 1/2" 

White, 

Hanging 

Clusters, 

Early 

Spring 

Simple 2" to 

5" Long, 

Toothed 

Edge, Dark 

Green Color, 

Fall YellowGreen

4 Winged, 1" 

Long,

Matures from 

Green to Tan, 

Persists in 

Winter

Steel Gray 

With White 

Stripes

Native, Under 

Utility Lines, 

Confined 

Spaces, 

Specimen, 

Lawn

Chinese 

Juniper 

Juniperus 

chinensis

‘Hetzii’, 

‘Pfitzeriana’

4 Full Sun Well Drained Large, 

50' to 

60' tall, 

20' wide

Slow to 

Medium

Conical Subtle Conifer, Short 

Scale Like 

Needles

Pale Blue, 

Berry Like 

Cones, 

Mature to 

Brown

Brown, 

Ridges and 

Furrows, 

Peels in 

Thin Strips

Screen, 

Specimen

Kabatina and 

Phomopsis 

blights

Crabapple Malus spp ‘Adams’, 

‘Donald 

Wyman’, 

‘Prairifire’, 

many others. 

Choose for 

disease 

resistance, 

persistent fruit

4 Full Sun Well Drained Small, 

10' to 

30' tall, 

10' to 

35' wide

Medium Rounded, 

Oval, or 

Vase 

Shape 

Depending 

on Cultivar

Single or 

Double, 

White, 

Pink or 

Red, 

Spring

Simple 1" to 

2" Long, 

Green to 

Reddish 

Green

1/4" to 2" 

Apples 

Various 

Shades of 

Red, Orange, 

or Yellow

Variable 

Depending 

on Cultivar

Depending on 

Cultivar, 

Under Utility 

Lines, 

Confined 

Spaces, Street 

Tree, 

Specimen, 

Lawn, Check 

Cultivar to See 

if Native

Depending on 

Cultivar Can 

Be Good

Some 

Susceptible 

to Apple 

Scab, 

Fireblight, 

Cedar-Apple 

Rust

Fruit Can Be 

Messy

Cucumber 

Magnolia

Magnolia 

acuminata

‘Butterflies’, 

‘Elizabeth’, 

‘Gold Crown’, 

‘Ultimate 

Yellow’

4 Full Sun 

to Part 

Shade

Fertile, Moist 

Soil

Large, 

50' to 

80' tall, 

50' to 

80' wide

Fast Pyramid, 

Becoming 

Open

About 3" 

Greenish 

White 

Flowers in 

Spring, 

Fragrant, 

Hidden by 

Leaves

Simple, 6" to 

12" Long, 

Oval, 

Yellowish 

Green, Fall 

YellowBronze

Showy, 2" to 

3" Cucumber, 

Red Seeds, 

Persists in 

Winter 

Thin Bark, 

Grey-Brown 

Ridged and 

Furrowed

Native, Lawn 

Tree, 

Specimen, 

Shade, Park

Intolerant of 

Extreme 

Drought or 

Wetness and 

Pollution

Scale, Thin 

Bark

Dawn 

Redwood 

Metasequoia 

glyptostroboides

‘National’, 

‘Sheridan 

Spire’

4 Full Sun Moist, Slightly 

Acidic Soil

Large, 

65' to 

85' tall, 

25' to 

40' wide

Fast Conical Subtle Deciduous 

Conifer, 1/2" 

Long, 

Medium to 

Bright Green 

Needles, Fall 

Pinkish Tan to 

Reddish 

Bronze

1" Cones, 

Light Blue 

Maturing to 

Brown

Trunk Base 

Braided, 

Shredded 

Reddish 

Brown Bark

Specimen, 

Lawn, Shade, 

Screen

Tolerant of Air 

Pollution

Japanese 

Beetles Will 

Feed on 

Foliage, 

Spider Mites 

on Dry Soil
Common Name

Scientific NameCommon CultivarsLowest Hardiness ZoneLight RequirementsSoil PreferencesMature SizeGrowth RateMature Crown ShapeFlowersFoliageFruitBark/BranchUsesUrban Stress ToleranceSignificant Health IssuesPossible Negative QualitiesComments

Eastern Larch Larix laricina 1 Full Sun Moist, Well 

Drained, 

Acidic Soil, but 

Tolerant of 

Wet

Large, 

50' to 

80' tall, 

20' to 

30' wide

Slow to 

Medium

Pyramid Subtle Deciduous 

Conifer, 1" 

Long, Blue -

Green 3 Sided 

Needles 

Clustered on 

Spurs, Fall 

Showy Yellow

3/4' to 1' 

Cones, Light 

Brown

Small Scaly 

Gray to 

ReddishBrown 

Patches, 

Horizontal 

Branches

Native, 

Natural Areas, 

Grown in 

Groups

Tolerant of 

Salt Spray, 

Intolerant of 

Heat, Drought, 

Pollution, 

Shade

Larch Sawfly 

Most 

Destructive 

Pest, Larch 

Case-Bearer 

Cause of 

Extensive 

Mortality In 

Some Areas

Cool Summers 

Required

Eastern 

Redbud 

Cercis 

canadensis

‘Forest Pansy’ 4 Full Sun 

to Part 

Shade

Moist, Well 

Drained

Small, 

25' to 

30' tall, 

25' to 

35' wide

Medium Round to 

Broad 

With Flat 

Top

Showy, 

PurplePink, PeaLike in 

Early 

Spring 

Before 

Leaves, 

Late April 

or May

Simple, Heart 

Shaped, 3" to 

5" Long and 

Wide, Bright 

Green, 

Matures to 

Dark Green, 

Fall Yellow

2" to 3" Flat 

Pods, Mature 

From Green 

to Brown in 

October

Brown Bark, 

On Older 

Branches, 

Bark Peels 

to Show 

Orange Bark

Native, Under 

Utility Lines, 

Confined 

Spaces, Street 

Tree, 

Specimen, 

Lawn, 

Woodlands

Avoid Very 

Hot, Dry 

Locations

Canker, 

Verticillium

Wilt, Leaf 

Spot, 

ScaleTends to 

be Short 

Lived Under 

Chronic 

Stress

Fruit Can be 

a Litter 

Problem

Only Plants From 

Northern Seed 

Sources Are 

Hardy in Zones 4 

and 5

Eastern 

Redcedar 

Juniperus 

virginiana

‘Grey Owl’, 

‘Skyrocket’ 

3 Full Sun Tolerant of 

Most Soils and 

pH

Medium 

to Large, 

40' by 

50' tall, 

8' to 15' 

wide

Medium Conical Subtle Conifer, Scale 

Like Pointed 

Needles, 

Cedar Smell

Light Blue, 

Berry Like 

Cones

Reddish 

Brown, 

Shreds in 

Long Strips

Native, 

Screen, 

Windbreak, 

Specimen, 

Difficult Sites

Tolerant of 

Drought, Heat, 

Salt 

BagWorm, 

Cedar-Apple 

Rust, 

English Oak Quercus robur ‘Fastigiata’ 5 Full Sun Tolerant of 

Most pH and 

Drought

Large, 

60' to 

80' tall, 

50' to 

70' wide

Slow to 

Medium

Rounded 

and Broad

Subtle Simple 3" to 

5" Long, 

Rounded

Lobes, Dark 

Green Top, 

Pale 

Underside

1" to 2" Oval 

Acorns on 

Long Stalks

Short Trunk, 

Furrowed 

Dark Gray 

Bark

Lawn, Shade 

Tree

Tolerant of 

Pollution, 

Drought

Powdery 

Mildew on 

Leaves

Fruit Can be 

a Litter 

Problem

Flowering 

Dogwood 

Cornus florida ‘Cherokee 

Daybreak’, 

‘Cherokee 

Sunset’

5 Full Sun 

to Part 

Shade

Moist, cool, 

fertile, slightly 

acidic with 

organic 

matter 

Small, 

30' tall, 

30' wide 

or wider

Medium Rounded 

to Flat 

Topped

4" White 

Flowers in 

May 

Before 

Leaves

Simple, Oval, 

Fall Showy 

Red or 

Reddish 

Purple

Bright Red 

Shiny Fruits, 

Eaten by Birds

Bark Small 

Raised 

Blocks, 

Branching 

Almost 

Horizontal 

Native, Lawn, 

Patio, 

Specimen, 

Natural Areas, 

4 Season 

Appeal

Intolerant of 

Heat, Drought, 

Pollution, Salt

Anthracnose, 

Borer, 

Mildew, 

Crown Rot, 

Canker

Health 

Issues, 

Possibly 

Over Used
Common Name

Scientific NameCommon CultivarsLowest Hardiness ZoneLight RequirementsSoil PreferencesMature SizeGrowth RateMature Crown ShapeFlowersFoliageFruitBark/BranchUsesUrban Stress ToleranceSignificant Health IssuesPossible Negative QualitiesComments

Ginkgo Ginkgo biloba ‘Lakeview’, 

‘Princeton 

Sentry’

3 Full Sun Tolerant of 

Most Soils and 

pH

Medium 

to Large, 

40' to 

80' tall, 

30' to 

40' wide

Medium Conical, 

Spreading 

With Age

Subtle Simple 2" to 

3"Long, Fan

Shaped 

Leaves, Bright 

Green, Fall 

Yellow, Tend 

to Drop At 

Once

Male and 

Female Trees, 

Females Bear 

Fruit, Very 

Foul Order

Gray-Brown 

With Ridges

Specimen, 

Lawn, Shade, 

Possibly 

Street Tree 

Tolerant of 

Drought, Heat, 

Salt, Pollution 

Fruit is Foul 

Smelling

Gray 

Dogwood 

Cornus 

racemosa

‘Cuyzam’, 

‘Ottzam’

4 Full Sun 

to 

Shade

Tolerant of 

Dry to Wet 

Soils

Small, 

10' to 

15' tall, 

10' to 

15' wide

Medium Irregular 

Broad 

Spreading 

Shrub, 

Some 

Cultivars 

"Tree 

Like"

Many 

Small 

White 

Flowers in 

Clusters, 

June

Simple 2" to 

4"Long, Oval, 

Fall Reddish 

Purple in Full 

Sun

Small White 

Fruit, Eaten 

by Birds, 

Stems 

Holding Fruit 

Showy Red, 

Last During 

Winter

Matures to 

Light Gray, 

Bark and 

Branching 

Have 

Winter 

Interest

Native, 

Border, 

Hedge, 

Difficult or 

Natural Areas, 

Wildlife Food 

and Shelter

Very 

Adaptable

Hawthorne Crataegus 

species

Crataegus 

viridis ‘Winter 

King’, 

Crataegus 

laevigata 

‘Crimson 

Cloud’, 

Crataegus 

crusgalli var. 

inermis

4 Full Sun Tolerant of 

Most Soils and 

pH

Small, 

15' to 

30' tall, 

10' to 

35' wide

Medium Oval to 

Rounded

White or 

Pink, Some 

Smell Foul

Simple, 1" to 

4" Long, Fall 

Yellow, 

Orange, Red, 

or Purple

1/4" to 1" 

Red, Apple 

Like

Can Have 

Long Thorns

Native* See 

Comments, 

Street Tree, 

Possibly 

Under Utility 

Lines, 

Specimen, 

Lawn

Toughest of 

Small 

Flowering 

Trees, 

Relatively Long 

Lived on 

Urban Sites

Select 

Disease 

Resistant 

Cultivars

Long 

Thorns, Not 

All Have 

"Tree Form"

*Native Species 

Include: 

Crataegus 

crusgalli, 

Crataegus mollis, 

Crataegus nitida, 

Crataegus 

phaenopyrum,Cra

taegus 

succulenta, 

Crataegus viridis

Higan Cherry Prunus 

subhirtella

‘Autumnalis’ 5 Full Sun Moist, Acidic, 

Well Drained, 

Small to 

Medium, 

20' to 

35' tall, 

20' to 

35' wide

Fast Rounded Showy 

Double 

Pink in 

Early 

Spring 

Before 

Leaves

Simple, 

Oblong 2" to 

4" Long, Dark 

Green, Fall 

Yellow to 

Bronze

Oval Black, 

Not Showy, 

Attracts Birds

Showy Bark, 

Dark Brown 

With 

Horizontal 

Lines

Under Utility 

Lines, 

Confined 

Spaces, Street 

Tree, 

Specimen, 

Lawn

Tolerant of 

Pollution, 

Some 

Tolerance of 

Drought, Heat 

Many Insect 

and Disease 

Problems 

Including 

Black Knot

Tends to be 

Short Lived

Honeylocust Gleditsia 

triacanthos var.

inermis 

‘Imperial’, 

‘Shademaster’, 

‘Skyline’

4 Full Sun Deep, Moist, 

Neutral pH

Large, 

50' to 

60' tall, 

50' to 

60' wide

Fast Broad 

Oval

Subtle Compound 

Leaves, Bright 

Green, Lacy, 

Fall Showy, 

Clear Yellow

Long Brown 

Pods, Usually 

Few on 

Clutivars

Attractive 

Bark, GrayBrown, 

Long Flat 

Strips 

Separated 

by Furrows

Native, Lawn 

Tree, Street 

Tree if Space, 

Allows 

Filtered Light 

to Reach 

Ground 

Beneath

Tolerant of 

Pollution, Salt

Bagworm, 

Spider Mites, 

Webworm, 

Pod Gall 

Midge, 

Cankers

var inermis

Should be 

Thorn Free, 

Overused in 

Past
Common Name

Scientific NameCommon CultivarsLowest Hardiness ZoneLight RequirementsSoil PreferencesMature SizeGrowth RateMature Crown ShapeFlowersFoliageFruitBark/BranchUsesUrban Stress ToleranceSignificant Health IssuesPossible Negative QualitiesComments

Japanese Tree 

Lilac 

Syringa 

retculata

‘Ivory Silk’, 

‘Summer 

Snow’

3 Full Sun Well Drained, 

Slightly Acidic

Small, 

20' to 

30' tall, 

15' to 

25' wide

Medium Rounded Showy, 

Fragrant, 

White, in 

Early 

Summer

Simple 2" to 

4" Long

Tan Capsules 

in Clusters

Gray-Brown 

With 

Horizontal 

Lines, Twigs 

Stout, Shiny

Under Utility 

Lines, 

Confined 

Spaces, Street 

Tree, 

Specimen, 

Lawn

Some 

Resistance to 

Mildew, 

Scales, and 

Borers

Japanese 

Zelkova 

Zelkova serrata ‘Green Vase’, 

‘Schmidtlow’, 

‘Village Green’

5 Full Sun Well Drained, 

Deep, Fertile, 

Moist Soil

Large, 

50' to 

70' tall

Medium Vase 

Shape

Subtle Simple, Long 

Thin Oval 

Shape, Fall 

Showy Bronze 

to Reddish 

Purple 

Inconspicuous Showy, 

Gray Bark 

Exfoliates to 

Show 

Orange 

Inner Bark

Under Utility 

Lines, 

Confined 

Spaces, Street 

Tree, 

Specimen, 

Lawn

Tolerant of 

Compaction, 

Drought, Heat, 

Pollution

Japanese 

Beetles, Not 

Immune to 

Dutch Elm 

Disease and 

Bacterial 

Canker

Can Have 

Twig Die 

Back Due to 

Cold

Kentucky 

Coffeetree 

Gymnocladus 

dioicus

Few cultivars; 

they are male 

with elm-like 

branching

4 Full Sun Deep, Moist, 

Rich Soil But 

Will Tolerate 

Others

Large, 

55' to 

75' tall, 

40' to 

50' wide

Medium Oval Whitish 

Clusters, 

Subtle

Compound, 

Blue-Green 

Leaflets, Fall 

Sometimes 

Showy

4" to 10" 

Pods on 

Female Trees

Gray, 

Textured 

Bark, Stark 

Silhouette

Native, Lawn, 

Shade, Parks, 

Specimen

Tolerant of 

Drought, 

Pollution, Salt

Sheds Pods 

and Leaves 

at Different 

Times 

Kousa 

Dogwood 

Cornus kousa ‘Milky Way’, 

‘Summer Stars’

5 Full Sun Moist, Cool, 

Fertile, Slightly 

Acidic with 

Organic 

Matter 

Small, 

30' tall, 

30' wide 

or wider

Medium Rounded About 4" 

Wide, 

White 

Turning to 

Pink, Early 

June, Very 

Long 

Bloom 

Time

Simple, Oval, 

Fall Showy 

Red or 

Reddish 

Purple

Showy, Green 

Pendant Fruit, 

Ripens to Red 

From Late 

August to 

October 

Older Bark 

Exfoliates 

Revealing 

Gray-Tan to 

MahoganyBrown Bark

Lawn, Patio, 

Specimen, 

Four Season 

Appeal

Some 

Tolerance of 

Drought 

Littleleaf 

Linden 

Tilia cordata ‘Greenspire’, 

‘Glenleven’ 

4 Full Sun 

to Part 

Shade

Well Drained, 

Deep, Fertile, 

Moist Soil, 

Tolerates 

Wide pH, 

Compaction

Large, 

50' to 

60' tall, 

35' to 

55' wide

Medium Oval Small 

Yellow 

Flowers in 

Drooping 

Clusters, 

Bloom 

Early 

Summer

Simple, 2" to 

3" Long, 

Heart Shaped, 

Dark, Shiny 

Green, Fall 

Yellow-Green

Round, Cream 

Colored 

Nutlet

Gray-Brown 

with Ridges 

and 

Furrows

Specimen, 

Lawn, Shade, 

Street Tree, 

Parking Lots

Tolerant of 

Compaction, 

Sensitive to 

drought, salt

Japanese 

Beetles, 

Aphids, Sooty 

Mold

Attracts 

Bees When 

Blooming

Magnolia Magnolia 

soulangiana 

‘Alba Superba’, 

‘Alexandrina’, 

‘Brozzonii’, 

‘Verbanica’

5 Full Sun Moist, Deep, 

Fertile, With 

Organics

Small, 

Up to 

30' tall

Medium Rounded Very 

Showy, 

Large, 

White, 

Pink, or 

Purple, 

Early 

Spring, 

Sometimes 

Fragrant

Simple, Oval, 

3" to 7" Long, 

Green, Fall 

Yellow-Brown

4" Long, 

Knobby, 

Orange-Red 

Seeds, 

Mature Early 

Fall

Smooth 

Silver Gray

Under Utility 

Lines, 

Confined 

Spaces, 

Specimen, 

Lawn

Tolerant of 

Pollution

Scale, Sooty 

Mold

Soft Wood 

Prone to 

Damage 

from Heavy 

Snow or Ice, 

Quite 

Common
Common Name

Scientific NameCommon CultivarsLowest Hardiness ZoneLight RequirementsSoil PreferencesMature SizeGrowth RateMature Crown ShapeFlowersFoliageFruitBark/BranchUsesUrban Stress ToleranceSignificant Health IssuesPossible Negative QualitiesComments

Magnolia Magnolia 

stellata 

‘Star’,‘Royal 

Star’, 

‘Centennial’

4 Full Sun Moist, Deep, 

Fertile, With 

Organics

Small, 

15' to 

20' tall, 

10' to 

15' wide

Medium Rounded 

to Oval

Very 

Showy, 3" 

to 4" 

White to 

Pink, Light 

Fragrance

Simple, 2" to 

4" Long, 

Oblong 

Reddish 

Green 

Knobby Fruit, 

2" Long, 

Orange-Red 

Seeds Mature 

Early Fall

Smooth 

Silver Gray

Under Utility 

Lines, 

Confined 

Spaces, 

Specimen, 

Lawn

Tolerant of 

Pollution

Scale, Black 

Mildew, Leaf 

Blight, Leaf 

Spots, Leaf 

Scab

Soft Wood 

Prone to 

Damage 

from Heavy 

Snow, or 

Ice,

Magnolia Magnolia 

virginiana 

‘Milton’, 

‘Ravenswood’, 

‘Henry Hicks’

5 Full Sun Requires 

Acidic Soil, 

Tolerates Wet 

Soils

Small, 

10' to 

30' tall

Medium Rounded 

to 

Pyramid

2" to 3" 

White 

Flowers, 

Hidden by 

Leaves, 

Lemon 

Scent,

SemiEvergreen to 

Deciduous, 

Simple, 5" 

Long, Oval, 

Bright Green

Reddish 

Green 

Knobby Fruit, 

2" Long, 

Orange-Red 

Seeds Mature 

Early Fall

Smooth 

Dark Gray

Native, Under 

Utility Lines, 

Confined 

Spaces, 

Specimen, 

Lawn, Natural 

Areas, Wet 

Soil

Avoid 

Windswept 

Areas

Possible 

Winter 

Injury in 

Zone 5, Not 

Heavy 

Bloomer

Overcup Oak Quercus lyrata 5 Full Sun Tolerates 

Damp Soils

Medium 

to Large, 

40' to 

60' tall, 

40' to 

60' wide

Medium Pyramid 

to 

Rounded

Subtle Simple, 6" to 

10" Long, 

Rounded 

Lobes

1" Long 

Acorn, Almost 

Enclosed by 

Rough Cup

GrayBrown, 

Scaly

Native, Lawn, 

Shade, Parks, 

Specimen

Caterpillars,

Oak Wilt

Acorns Can 

be a Litter 

Problem

Pignut 

Hickory

Carya glabra 4 Full Sun 

to Part 

Shade

Well Drained, 

Fertile,

Large, 

50' to 

60' tall, 

25' to 

35' wide

Medium Narrow 

Oval

Subtle Compound 

Leaves 8" to 

12" Long, 

Leaflets 

Toothed 

Edge, YellowGreen, Fall 

Yellow

3/4" to 1" 

Long Nut, 

Edible 

Smooth 

Gray-Brown 

With 

Ridges, 

Stout Stems

Native, Lawn, 

Shade, 

Specimen, 

Park, Wildlife, 

Wood

Difficult to 

Transplant, 

Fruit Can be 

a Litter 

Problem

Pin Oak Quercus 

palustris

‘Crownright’, 

‘Green Pillar’

4 Full Sun Requires 

Acidic Soil

Large, 

55' to 

75' tall, 

40' to 

55' wide

Medium Oval Subtle Simple, 3" to 

6" Long, 

Pointed 

Lobes, Fall 

Bronze or Red

1/2" Acorns Lower 

Branches 

Grow 

Down, 

Upper 

Branches 

Grow Up

Native, Lawn, 

Shade, Parks, 

Specimen

Some 

Tolerance of 

City 

Conditions, 

Tolerant of 

Sulfur Dioxide

Iron Chlorosis 

on Alkaline 

Soils, Horned 

Oak Gall

Descending 

Lower 

Branches 

Can Restrict 

Pedestrians

Purple Leaf 

Plum 

Prunus 

cerasifera

‘Mount St. 

Helens’, 

‘Newport’, 

‘Thundercloud’

5 Full Sun Well Drained 

Acidic Soil

Small, 

15' to 

30' tall, 

15' to 

25' wide

Medium to 

Fast

Broad, 

Spreading

Showy, 1", 

Usually 

Pink, Can 

Be White, 

Fragrant, 

Early 

Spring

Simple, Oval, 

About 2" 

Long, Reddish 

Purple, Some 

Are Shiny 

Green

1" Reddish 

Drupe, 

Matures Late 

Summer, 

Birds Like

Dark 

Reddish 

Brown

Specimen, 

Container

Tolerant of 

Drought , 

Intolerant of 

Compaction

Aphids, 

Borers, Scale, 

Caterpillars, 

Canker, Leaf 

Spot, Black 

Knot 

Short Lived
Common Name

Scientific NameCommon CultivarsLowest Hardiness ZoneLight RequirementsSoil PreferencesMature SizeGrowth RateMature Crown ShapeFlowersFoliageFruitBark/BranchUsesUrban Stress ToleranceSignificant Health IssuesPossible Negative QualitiesComments

Red Oak Quercus rubra 3 Full Sun Well Drained 

Acidic Sandy 

Soil

Large, 

60' to 

80' tall, 

40' to 

65' wide

Slow After 

Transplanted, 

Then Fast

Broad 

Oval

Subtle Simple, 5" to 

8" Long, 

Pointed 

Lobes, Shiny 

Green, Fall 

Mix of Tan, 

Yellow, Red

1" Acorn Shallow 

Fissures and 

Ridges, 

Inner Bark 

Red

Native, Lawn, 

Shade, Parks, 

Specimen, 

Street, Wood

Tolerant of 

Drought, Heat, 

Salt, 

Compaction, 

Pollution 

Caterpillars, 

Oak Wilt

Acorn Litter 

Can Be 

Heavy

Sargent 

Cherry 

Prunus sargentii ‘Accolade’ 5 Full Sun 

to Part 

Shade

Moist, Acidic, 

Well Drained, 

Small to 

Medium, 

25' to 

40' tall, 

25' to 

40' wide

Fast Broad, 

Spreading

Showy, 2" 

Single Pink 

in May

Simple, 3" to 

5" Long, Oval, 

Dark Green, 

Fall Showy 

Yellow, 

Orange or 

Red

1/2" Red to 

Black Drupe, 

Birds Like

Reddish 

Shiny Bark, 

Looks 

Polished

Specimen, 

Lawn, Shade, 

Parking Lot

Some 

Tolerance of 

Drought 

Caterpillars, 

Black Knot 

Disease 

Sawtooth Oak Quercus 

acutissima

‘Gobbler’, var. 

chenii

6 Full Sun Well Drained 

Acidic Soil, 

Also pH 

Tolerant

Medium 

to Large, 

40' to 

60' tall

Medium Rounded, 

Spreading

Subtle Simple, 

Oblong, 

Toothed 

Margins With 

Bristles, Fall 

Brown-Yellow

1" Enclosed 

Acorn

Brown 

Ridged, 

Furrowed 

Bark

Shade, Lawn, 

Park, Wildlife

Tolerant of 

City 

Conditions

Some Years 

Acorn Litter 

Can Be 

Heavy

Scarlet Oak Quercus 

coccinea

4 Full Sun Well Drained 

Sandy Acidic 

Soil

Large, 

75' tall, 

45' wide

Medium Rounded Subtle Simple, 7 

Lobes With 

Bristles, Fall 

Showy Scarlet

1" Acorn, Half 

Covered by 

Cup

Gray-Black, 

Furrows 

and Ridges

Native, Shade, 

Lawn 

Intolerant of 

Pollution

Acorns Can 

be a Litter 

Problem

Serbian 

Spruce 

Picea omorika 4 Full Sun Moist, Well 

Drained With 

Organic 

Material

Large, 

50' to 

60' tall, 

20' to 

25' wide

Slow Conical Subtle Conifer, 1" 

Long Needles

1 1/2" Cones Dark Brown 

to Black, 

Peeling Thin 

Scales

Specimen, 

Screen

Tolerant of 

Pollution

Sometimes 

Borers, 

Aphids, No 

Strong 

Winter Winds

Serviceberry Amelanchier 

species

Amelanchier 

canadensis

and 

Amelanchier 

laevis have 

several 

cultivars

4 Full Sun 

to 

Shade

Well Drained, 

Moist, Acidic 

Soil

Small, 

15' to 

30' tall, 

15' to 

25' wide

Medium Oval White, In 

Hanging 

Clusters, 

Early 

Spring 

Before 

Leaves

Simple, 1" to 

3" Long, Oval, 

Toothed 

Edge, Fall 

YellowOrange to 

Red

Small Red to 

Purple, Apple 

Like, Birds 

Like

Attractive 

Bark, Gray 

With 

Streaks of 

Color

Native* See 

Comments, 

Under Utility 

Lines, 

Confined 

Spaces, Street 

Tree, 

Specimen, 

Lawn, 

Woodlands

Intolerant of 

Heat, Sensitive 

to Salt, 

Compaction, 

Drought, 

Pollution

Fireblight, 

Mites and 

Scales A 

Problem if 

Poor Site

*Native Species 

Include: 

Amelanchier 

arborea, 

Amelanchier 

alnifolia, 

Amelanchier 

canadensis, 

Amerlanchier 

laevis
Common Name

Scientific NameCommon CultivarsLowest Hardiness ZoneLight RequirementsSoil PreferencesMature SizeGrowth RateMature Crown ShapeFlowersFoliageFruitBark/BranchUsesUrban Stress ToleranceSignificant Health IssuesPossible Negative QualitiesComments

Shagbark 

Hickory

Carya ovata 4 Full Sun 

to Part 

Shade

Deep, Fertile, 

Well Drained

Large, 

Up to 

80' tall, 

to 50' 

wide

Medium Oval Subtle Compound 

Leaves 8" to 

14" Long, 

Leaflets Oval, 

Toothed 

Edge, YellowGreen, Fall 

Showy 

Yellow-Gold

1 1/2" Nut, 

Thick Shell, 

Edible

GrayBrown, 

Older Bark 

Forms Long 

Plates That 

Peel From 

The Tree

Native, Lawn, 

Shade, 

Specimen, 

Park, Wildlife, 

Wood

Difficult to 

Transplant, 

Fruit Can be 

a Litter

Problem

Snow Goose 

Cherry 

Prunus serrulata ‘Kwanzan’, 

‘Snowgoose’ 

5 Full Sun Well Drained, 

Adaptable

Small, 

20' to 

25' tall, 

20' to 

25' wide

Medium Broad, 

Spreading

Single, 

White, 

Early 

Spring 

Before 

Leaves

Simple, Oval, 

Bright Breen, 

Fall Yellow to

Red

1/4" Blue 

Black 

Cherries, 

Inconspicuous

Showy Bark, 

Gray-Brown 

to Reddish 

Brown With 

Horizontal 

Lines

Under Utility 

Lines, 

Confined 

Spaces, Street 

Tree, 

Specimen, 

Lawn

Many Insect 

and Disease 

Problems 

Including 

Black Knot

Short Lived

Stewartia Stewartia

pseudocamellia

‘Ballet’, 

‘Cascade’, 

‘Milk and 

Honey’

5 Full Sun, 

Afterno

on 

Shade

Well Drained, 

Moist, Acidic 

Soil

Small to 

Medium, 

Up to 

40' tall, 

20' wide

Slow Pyramid 

to Oval

Showy, 

Single 

White, 

June -

August

Simple, Oval, 

Toothed 

Edge, Dark 

Green, Fall 

Showy 

Yellow, Red, 

Purple

Brown 

pointed 

Capsule, 

Persistent, 

Not Showy

Bark Peels 

to Camo 

Pattern of 

Orange, 

Green, Gray

Lawn, 

Specimen 

Intolerant of 

Heat, Drought 

Difficult to 

Establish, 

No 

Afternoon 

Sun

Stewartia ovata

is Native 

Swamp White 

Oak 

Quercus bicolor ‘Asjes’, ‘Long’ 4 Full Sun 

to Part 

Shade

Acidic Soil, 

Swampy 

Conditions, 

Chlorosis at 

High pH

Large, 

60' to 

80' tall, 

50' to 

80' wide

Medium Oval Subtle Simple, 4" to 

8" Long, 

Rounded 

Lobes, Fall 

Yellow-Brown

1" Acorn GrayBrown, 

Deep 

Furrows, 

Short Trunk

Native, Lawn, 

Shade, 

Specimen, 

Park

Tolerant of 

Drought, Salt, 

Compaction 

Infrequently 

Caterpillars, 

Oak Wilt, 

Anthracnose, 

and Borers

Heavy Acorn 

Crops Every 

3 to 5 Years

Swiss Stone 

Pine 

Pinus cembra ‘Columnaris’, 

‘Nana’

3 Full Sun Well Drained 

Loamy Soil

Small, 

25' to 

30' tall, 

10' to 

20' wide

Slow Pyramid 

to Open, 

Flat 

Topped

Subtle Conifer, 3" 

Long Needles, 

Twisted, BlueGreen to Light 

Green

3" Long 

Cones, VioletBrown

Young 

Stems 

OrangeBrown 

Hairy, 

Mature to

Dark

Screen, 

Specimen, 

Groupings

Hard to 

Locate to 

Purchase

Tulip Tree Liriodendron 

tulipifera

5 Full Sun Deep, Fertile, 

Moist

Large, At 

Least 90' 

tall

Medium Oval but 

Irregular

2" to 3" 

YellowGreen, 

Tulip 

Shaped, At 

Top of 

Tree

Simple, 5" to 

8" Long and 

Wide, 4 

Lobed, Bright 

Green, Fall 

Showy Yellow

Cone Shaped, 

Matures from 

Green to 

Brown in Fall, 

Persistent

Gray, 

Furrowed, 

White 

Between 

Furrows

Native, Lawn, 

Shade, Needs 

Large Area

Intolerant of 

Hot Dry Sites

Aphids, Sooty 

Mold, Scale
Common Name

Scientific NameCommon CultivarsLowest Hardiness ZoneLight RequirementsSoil PreferencesMature SizeGrowth RateMature Crown ShapeFlowersFoliageFruitBark/BranchUsesUrban Stress ToleranceSignificant Health IssuesPossible Negative QualitiesComments

Turkish Filbert Corylus colurna 4 Full Sun Well Drained 

Loamy Soil

Medium 

to Large, 

40' to 

50' tall, 

20' to 

25' wide

Medium Pyramid 2" to 3" 

Drooping 

Clusters, 

Early 

Spring

Simple, 6" 

Long, Oval, 

Dark Green, 

Fuzzy, Fall 

Yellow to 

Purple-Red

1/2" Enclosed 

Nut, Matures 

in Fall, Edible

Pale Brown 

Flaky Bark, 

Stems Gray, 

Fuzzy

Street Tree, 

Specimen, 

Lawn, 

Woodlands

Tolerant of 

Heat, Drought, 

Pollution

Upright White 

Pine 

Pinus strobus 

‘Fastigiata'

Pinus strobus 

‘Fastigiata’

3 Full Sun Moist, Well 

Drained, 

Acidic Soil

Large, At 

Least 60' 

tall, 20' 

wide

Fast Pyramid, 

Flat Top

Subtle Conifer, 4" 

Long Needles, 

Medium 

Green

6" Brown 

Cone With 

Silver Tips

Gray-Brown 

Furrows

Native, 

Specimen, 

Lawn, Shade, 

Windbreak, 

Screen

Intolerant of 

Compaction, 

Salt Spray, 

Pollution, 

Poorly Drained 

Soils, and 

Alkaline pH

Blister Rust, 

Weevil

Not Urban 

Tolerant

White Fir Abies concolor 3 Full Sun Deep Well 

Drained With 

Adequate 

Moisture

Large, 

50' x 75' 

tall, 20' 

to 30' 

wide

Slow to 

Medium

Pyramid Subtle Conifer, 2" to 

3" Long 

Needles, 

Blue-Green

4" to 5" 

Narrow 

Cones, 

Shatter When 

Mature

Light Gray, 

Smooth, 

Trunk is 

Short, 

Branches 

Frequently 

Touch 

Ground

Native, Lawn, 

Shade, 

Specimen, 

Park, Screen

Tolerant of 

Heat, Drought, 

Pollution, 

Intolerant of 

Compaction

Spruce 

Budworm, 

Tussock 

Moth, Bark 

Beetles, 

Fungi

White Oak Quercus alba 4 Full Sun Well Drained, 

Acidic Soil

Large, 

60' to 

80' tall, 

60' to 

80' or 

more 

wide

Slow Rounded Not 

Showy, 

Can Be 

Messy

Simple, 4" to 

8" Long, 

Rounded 

Lobes, Fall 

Showy 

Purple-Red

1" Elongated 

Acorns

Light Gray 

Flaky, 

Irregular 

Branching

Native, Lawn, 

Shade, 

Specimen, 

Park, Wildlife, 

Wood

Caterpillars Acorns Can 

be a Litter 

Problem

Urban Tree Replacement References Used

Websites:

Invasive Plant Atlas of New England: http://www.eddmaps.org/ipane/

Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States: http://www.invasiveplantatlas.org/trees.html

Landowner Fact Sheets at Virginia Tech: http://cnre.vt.edu/dendro/LandownerFactsheets/index.htm

North Carolina State University Tree Information: http://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/category/trees/

Northern Nurseries, Inc. Wholesale Distribution Centers: http://www.robertbaker.com/

Recommended Alternatives to Ash Trees for Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, Michigan State University: http://www.emeraldashborer.info/files/e2925.pdf

UConn Plant Database of Trees, Shrubs, and Vines: http://hort.uconn.edu/

University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension, Kentucky Trees: http://dib.uky.edu/hort/?q=Native-Trees-of-Kentucky

Urban Horticulture Institute, Cornell University: http://www.hort.cornell.edu/uhi/outreach/recurbtree/index.html

USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Plant Database: https://plants.usda.gov/java/

Weeds Gone Wild: Alien Plant Invaders of Natural Areas: http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien
Publications:

Handbook of Landscape Tree Cultivars, Willet N. Wandell

Landscaper’s Guide to Asian Longhorned Beetle and its Host Trees, Bruce L. Parker, Margaret Skinner

Manual of Woody Landscape Plants, Their Identification, Ornamental Characteristics, Culture, Propagation and Uses, Michael A. Dirr

Recommended Small Trees for Planting Under Low Overhead Utility Lines or Confined Spaces, National Grid 

Selecting Trees for Urban Landscape Ecosystems: Hardy Species for Northern New England Communities, State of New Hampshire Department of Resources

and Economic Development, Division of Forests and Lands

Street Tree Factsheets, Henry D. Gerhold, Norman L. Lacasse, Willet N. Wandell

Urban Tree Selection Manual, A Guide for Selecting Trees for the Urban Environment, John Alexopoulos, Paula Stahl, Robert Ricard

Recommended Planting Lists in Asian Longhorned Beetle Regulated Areas:

Recommended tree planting list for the ALB quarantine zone and surrounding areas compiled by the New Jersey Forest Service

Species Recommended for Tree Planting in ALB Regulated Areas-New York, New Jersey, Illinois 

Handouts to Property Owners Fall 2010, Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation

Notes:

Mature Size Ranges: Small Trees are under 30', Medium Trees are 30' to 45', Large Trees are over 45'

Native Classification Reference: Manual of Woody Landscape Plants, Their Identification, Ornamental Characteristics, Culture, Propagation and Uses, Michael A. Dirr