CASEY TREES
URBAN TREE SELECTION GUIDE A Designer’s List of Appropriate Trees for the Urban Mid-Atlantic
TABLE OF CONTENTS Casey Trees Š 2015 Lead Authors Maisie Hughes - Casey Trees, Director of Planning & Design Emily Oaksford - Casey Trees, Planning Associate Mary Blakeslee - Casey Trees, Research Associate Reviewers
About the Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Growing Conditions
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Physical Characteristics
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Jessica Sanders, Ph.D. - Casey Trees, Director of Technical Services and Research Jim Woodworth - Casey Trees, Director of Tree Planting
Large Trees
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Sue Erhardt - Casey Trees, Director of Education Jim Sherald, Ph.D. - Casey Trees, Board of Directors
Medium Trees
Special Thanks
Small Trees
Douglas Tallamy, Ph.D. - University of Delaware, Professor & Department Chair of the Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology Denny Townsend, Ph.D. - USDA Agricultural Research Service (retired), Plant Geneticist
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Suitable Landscape Locations Habitat Indicators
Guide available at caseytrees.org
2CASEY TREES: URBAN TREE SELECTION GUIDE
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References + Index
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1
About This Guide This Urban Tree Selection Guide provides key information for selecting trees suitable for landscapes in the urban Mid-Atlantic. This region includes Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Virginia and the parts of New Jersey, New York and North Carolina that drain into related waterways of the central region. In this guide, trees are first grouped by size at maturity (Large, Medium and Small) and then alphabetically by scientific name. Each row provides information about the tree, including its growing conditions, physical characteristics, habitat indicators and recommended landscape locations. The guide also notes if the tree is native or evergreen. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service, only plants found in the United States before European settlement are considered to be native. Trees are considered evergreen if they keep their needles or leaves for more than one growing season.
Zone 5a
5b 7a
Zone 5b
New York City Ouercus robur Columnar `Fastigiata' Cylindrical, English verticalOak axis
greatly COLUMNAR exceeding horizontal Suggested for narrow sites. Shade produced can be limited due to lack of wide crown.
Top 3 for the DC Region Ouercus robur `Fastigiata' English Oak Juniperus virginiana Eastern Redcedar X Cupressocyparis leylandii Leyland Cypress
7b
Trenton Zone 6a
Harrisburg
Philadelphia
Zone 6b
Pittsburgh
6b
Dover Baltimore Washington, DC
Round Oak Rounded circular form, vertical and horizontal ROUND axis about XXequal
Ohio
Top 3 for the DC Region XX
7a 7b
5a
6b
5b
Richmond Zone 7a Zone 7b
Growing Conditions Hardiness Zones. The USDA’s Hardiness Zone Map divides the U.S. into 11 zones based on average minimal winter temperature. A plant’s Hardiness Zone refers to a plant’s ability to thrive in the corresponding map location. Heat Zones. The American Horticultural Society defines 12 regions in the continental U.S. by the average number of “heat days” (temperatures over 86°F) each zone will experience per year. The Mid-Atlantic region includes areas in Heat Zones 4, 5, 6 and 7. Zone 4, the Northernmost areas of the region, experiences 14-30 days over 86°F. The Southernmost areas of the region (Zone 7) experience 60-90 days over 86°F.
Platanus occidentalis Oval Sycamore Elliptic to egg-shaped, broadest at base, vertical OVAL axis exceeding Preferred for street horizontal tree. minimal pruning. by 2 Requires to 1 ratio Produces generous shade. Top 3 for the DC Region Liriodendron tulipifera Tulip Poplar (mature) Franxinus pennsylvanica Green Ash (mature) Crataegus phaenopyrum Washington Hawthorn
Ulmus Americana Vase American Elm Elliptic to egg-shaped, broadest at crown apex, VASE Preferred for street tree. vertical axis exceeding Requires minimal pruning. horizontal by 2 shade. to 1 ratio Produces generous Top 2 for the DC Region Ulmus Americana American Elm Zelkova serrata Japanese Zelkova
Soil Conditions. A tree’s preferred soil moisture level, drainage and pH level.
Hackberry, Celtis occidentalis The Hackberry can is a rapidly be found growing throughout tree native the upper to North half of America. the eastern It canUnited be found States, throughout the Great thePlains, upper and half southern of the Eastern Canada. United It isStates, a relative theofGreat the elm Plains tree,and andSouthern due to its Canada. rapid growth, The Hackberry’s it often makes barkaisgood street smooth tree. during Although youth. the As itHackberry’s matures, thebark barkis develops smooth during wart-like youth, marks it develops which later wart-like turn into marks rough, which corky, later irregular develop ridges. intoThe rough female corky, tree irregular produces ridges an abundance through maturity. of drupes, or berry-like fruits. These fruits ripen to deep purple and attract a variety of wildlife. The Hackberry is a lesser known tree, but a top performer that is also highly versatile in many urban landscape The Hackberry conditions. can endure The tree tough is resistant urban conditions, to Dutch withstand Elm Disease, heavy canwinds adaptand to its adapt soil to types various and soil withstand types. It makes heavyawinds good and street tough tree urban and can conditions. be used in bioretention or park landscapes.
Light Conditions. The amount of sun and/or shade required for a tree to grow and thrive (Full Sun: direct sunlight for at least 6 hours a day during the growing season, Partial Shade: approximately 3-6 hours of direct sunlight, Shade: less than 3 hours of sunlight). Drought Tolerant. Trees that can generally survive several weeks between deep waterings (after a three-year establishment period).
Tilia cordata Pyramidal Littleleaf Linden Approaching triangular in outline, broadest at base PYRAMIDAL Generally requires pruning on lower branches.
Top 3 for the DC Region Tilia cordata Littleleaf Linden Pseudotsuga menziesii Douglasfir Taxodium distichum Baldcypress
Air Pollution Tolerant. Trees generally not harmed by airborne pollutants. Salt Tolerant. Trees generally not harmed by road and sidewalk deicers.
Nyssa sylvatica Spreading Black Gum with Mature tree crown a branch spread width of ROUND - SPREADING Produces ample shade. 35’ or Generally greater requires pruning
Zone 8a
USDA Hardiness Zones of the Mid-Atlantic Region This region includes Zones 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b and 8a. The coldest area in the region, Zone 5a, has average annual extreme minimum temperatures from -20°F to -15°F. The warmest area, Zone 8a, has an average minimum temperature range of 10°F to 15°F.
Physical Characteristics Height. The approximate mature tree height from the ground to the top of the crown under normal landscape situations (Large: 50 feet and greater, Medium: 35 to 50 feet, Small: 35 feet and under). Spread. A tree’s crown diameter. In plan view, it is the horizontal distance from one edge of the crown (dripline) to the other. Crown Form. The shape of a tree at maturity based on the outline of the crown as perceived in silhouette. Six basic crown forms plus an irregular form are used in this document with two additional qualifiers: variable and multi-stemmed.
on lower branches.
2 2CASEY CASEY TREES: URBAN Urban TREE Tree SELECTION selection GUIDE Guide
Top 3 for the DC Region Nyssa sylvatica Black Gum Acer rubrum Red Maple Quercus phellos Willow Oak
22
Large Trees (50’ and over)
Catalpa speciosa
Northern Catalpa
40 - 60’
20 - 40’
4 to 8
8 to 1
Deep, moist, welldrained
Fagus grandifolia
American Beech
50 - 70’
50 - 70’
4 to 9
9 to 1
Well-drained, acidic
Ginkgo biloba
Ginkgo
50 - 80’
30 - 40’
4 to 8
9 to 3
Adaptable
5
Gleditsia triacanthos
Honey Locust
30 - 70’
30 - 70’
4 to 9
9 to 1
Adaptable
46
Bioretention
Adaptable
Buffers / Screening
8 to 1
Parks / Lawns
4 to 8
Parking Islands
35 - 50’
Paved Plazas
60 - 80’
Suitable Landscape Locations
Streets
Number of Caterpillar Species
Salt Tolerant
Air Pollution Tolerant
Shagbark Hickory
Drought Tolerant
Heat Zones
Soil Conditions
Hardiness Zones
Light Conditions
Spread
Carya ovata
Evergreen
Common Name
Native
Scientific Name
Height
Fruit / Nut Producing
Habitat Indicators
Growing Conditions Crown Form
Physical Characteristics
Legend applicable
235
8
127
N/A information
not available
Light Conditions Full Sun Part Shade shade
Gymnocladus dioicus ‘Stately Manor’
Fruitless Kentucky Coffee Tree
50 - 70’
30 - 50’
3b to 8
9 to 2
Liquidambar styraciflua
American Sweetgum
60 - 75’
60 - 75’
5 to 9
10 to 1
Deep, moist, slightly acidic
N/A
35
35
oval
21
vase
Adaptable
5
Mature Crown Form N/A
35 columnar
Liquidambar styraciflua ‘Cherokee’
Cherokee Sweetgum
40 - 50’
25 - 30’
5 to 9
N/A
Deep, moist, slightly acidic
Liquidambar styraciflua ‘Rotundiloba’
Low Fruiting Sweetgum
60 - 75’
40 - 50’
6 to 9
N/A
Deep, moist, slightly acidic
N/A
Liriodendron tulipifera
Tuliptree, Tulip Poplar
60 - 90’
35 - 50’
4 to 9
9 to 2
Deep, moist, welldrained
N/A
Magnolia grandiflora
Southern Magnolia
60 - 80’
30 - 50’
7 to 9
11 to 1
Well-drained, rich, porous, acidic
N/A
21
Metasequoia glyptostroboides
Dawn Redwood
70 - 100’
15 - 25’
5 to 8
10 to 5
Moist, well-drained, slightly acidic
N/A
0
Pinus strobus
Eastern White Pine
50 - 80’
Platanus occidentalis
Sycamore
75 - 100’
75 - 100’
4 to 9
5 to 9
Platanus x acerifolia
London Planetree
70 - 100’
65 - 80’
5 to 8
N/A
Quercus alba
White Oak
50 - 80’
50 - 80’
3b to 9
8 to 1
Moist, well-drained, acidic
Quercus bicolor
Swamp White Oak
50 - 60’
50 - 60’
4 to 8
8 to 1
Acidic
Quercus coccinea
Scarlet Oak
60 - 80’
40 - 50’
5 to 8
9 to 4
Adaptable
20 - 40’
3 to 7
7 to 1
N/A
Casey Trees: Urban Tree selection Guide
pyramidal spreading irregular
Moist, well-drained
201
Deep, moist, welldrained soils
45
Adaptable
0
Swamp White Oak, Quercus bicolor The Swamp White Oak grows naturally in swamps, lowland forests and along streams. It has a shallow root system that does well in both moist and compacted soils. Planting this tree along rivers can help stabilize soils and establish wildlife habitats. The Swamp White Oak is well-suited for bioretention, is a beautiful specimen tree for parks and lawns, and it can also be used as a large street tree. The Swamp White Oak has a round crown and interesting bark: when young, its bark is flaky and peels back to reveal orange colors of the inner bark. The tree has dark green leaves that are silvery white on the bottom.
Round
N/A
N/A
M
multi-stemmed
*
variable
Fruit / Nut Producing
532
fruit
532
berry
532
nut
3
Large Trees (50’ and over)
Quercus imbricaria
Shingle Oak
50 - 60’
50 - 60’
4 to 8
8 to 4
Adaptable
N/A
532
Quercus lyrata
Overcup Oak
45 - 50’
40 - 50’
5 to 9
8 to 4
Moist to wet loams
N/A
532
Quercus macrocarpa
Bur Oak
70 - 80’
70 - 80’
3 to 8
9 to 1
Adaptable
N/A
532
Quercus palustris
Pin Oak
65 - 70’
25 - 40’
4 to 8
7 to 3
Moist, rich, well drained, acidic
532
Quercus phellos
Willow Oak
40 - 60’
30 - 40’
5 to 9
9 to 3
Adaptable
532
Quercus rubra
Northern Red Oak
60 - 75’
60 -75’
3b to 7
9 to 5
Well-drained, sandy loam, slightly acidic
532
Bioretention
Adaptable
Buffers / Screening
9 to 5
Parks / Lawns
7 to 9
Parking Islands
70 - 100’
Paved Plazas
70 - 80’
Suitable Landscape Locations
Streets
Number of Caterpillar Species
Salt Tolerant
Air Pollution Tolerant
Southern Red Oak
Drought Tolerant
Heat Zones
Soil Conditions
Hardiness Zones
Light Conditions
Spread
Quercus falcata
Evergreen
Common Name
Native
Scientific Name
Height
Fruit / Nut Producing
Habitat Indicators
Growing Conditions Crown Form
Physical Characteristics
Legend applicable
532
N/A information
not available
Light Conditions Full Sun Part Shade shade
Mature Crown Form columnar
Robinia pseudoacacia
Black Locust
30 - 50’
10 -15’
4 to 8
9 to 3
Adaptable
Sophora japonica
Japanese Pagoda Tree
50 - 75’
50 - 75’
4 to 7
9 to 5
Loamy, well-drained
0
oval
Taxodium distichum
Common Bald Cypress
50 - 70’
20 - 30’
4 to 11
12 to 5
Moist, well-drained acidic
16
vase
Tilia americana
American Linden, Basswood
60 - 80’
30 - 55’
3b to 8
8 to 1
Moist, well drained
149
Tilia cordata
Littleleaf Linden
60 - 80’
30 - 50’
3b to 8
8 to 1
Deep, moist, fertile
149
72
Round
pyramidal spreading irregular
Tilia tomentosa
Silver Linden
50 - 70’
Ulmus americana ‘Jefferson’
Jefferson American Elm
60 - 80’
30 - 50’
4 to 7
8 to 2
Rich, moist preferred but adaptable
215
Ulmus americana ‘New Harmony’
New Harmony American Elm
60 - 70’
60 - 70’
5 to10
8 to 2
Rich, moist preferred but adaptable
215
Ulmus americana ‘Valley Forge’
Valley Forge American Elm
60 - 70’
60 - 70’
4 to 9
8 to 2
Rich, moist preferred but adaptable
215
fruit
Zelkova serrata
Japanese Zelkova
50 - 80’
50 - 80’
5 to 8
9 to 5
Moist, deep, pH adaptable
0
berry
Zelkova serrata ‘Green Vase’
Green Vase Zelkova
60 - 70’
40 - 50’
5 to 8
9 to 5
Moist, deep, pH adaptable
35 - 45’
4 to 7
9 to 1
Ginkgo, Ginkgo biloba This attractive tree has a pyramidal shape when young that spreads as it matures. Because of its form and tolerance to road salt, vehicular exhaust, nutrient-deficient soils and urban pollution, it performs well as a street tree. It is also good for urban parks and bioretention areas. The unique dichotomous fan-shaped leaves have extraordinary yellow color in the fall. Some people prefer the male Ginkgo tree because the female bears a malodorous fruit. However, the female tree’s fruit yields a nut meat that is edible and often used in herbal remedies.
Casey Trees: Urban Tree selection Guide
Deep, moist, fertile
149
N/A
0
M
multi-stemmed
*
variable
Fruit / Nut Producing
nut
4
medium trees (35’-50’)
The Yellowwood is native to the United States from the Carolinas to Oklahoma. The tree is adapted to air pollution and other urban conditions, making it a desirable, multi-functional tree that thrives in many landscapes. This tree has a broad rounded crown with spectacular cascading flowers. Its smooth gray bark and yellow autumn leaves also provide visual interest.
Casey Trees: Urban Tree selection Guide
3b to 9
9 to 1
Moist, well-drained, acidic
Deodar Cedar
40 - 70’
150’
7 to 8
9 to 7
Well-drained to dry
Celtis occidentalis
Hackberry
40 - 60’
40 - 60’
3 to 9
9 to 1
Rich, moist, withstands alkaline conditions
Cercidiphyllum japonicum
Katsura
40 - 60’
20 - 30’
4 to 8
8 to 1
Rich, moist, welldrained
N/A
N/A
applicable
N/A information
not available
N/A
Light Conditions
0
Full Sun
43
Part Shade 0 shade
Cladrastis kentukea
American Yellowwood
30 - 50’
40 - 55’
4 to 8
9 to 1
Adaptable, welldrained
Cryptomeria japonica
Japanese Cedar
40 - 60’
30 - 40’
5 to 8
9 to 4
Moist, rich, welldrained
N/A N/A
0
Mature Crown Form N/A
0 columnar
Diospyros virginiana
Common Persimmon
35 - 60’
25 - 35’
7 to 10
9 to 1
Adaptable, welldrained
Ilex opaca
American Holly
40 - 50’
20 - 40’
5 to 9
9 to 1
Average, medium, well-drained
Juniperus virginiana
Eastern Red Cedar
40 - 50’
10 - 20’
3b to 9
9 to 1
Adaptable
Maclura pomifera ‘White Shield’
White Shield Osage Orange
20 - 40’
20 - 40’
4 to 9
10 to 1
Adaptable
Nyssa sylvatica
Black Gum, Black Tupelo
30 - 50’
20 - 30’
4 to 9
9 to 7
Moist, well-drained, acidic
26
9 to 6
Moist, well-drained, drought resistant
0
N/A
46
N/A
39
oval
42
vase
N/A
No
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Round
pyramidal
8
spreading irregular
Pistacia chinensis
Chinese Pistache
30 - 35’
Prunus x yeodensis
Yoshino Cherry
35 - 45’
30 - 40’
5b to 8a
8 to 3
Well-drained, acidic
Quercus muehlenbergii
Chinkapin Oak
40 - 50’
50 - 60’
5 to 7
8 to 2
Well-drained upland, weakly acidic to alkaline
N/A
Quercus nuttalli
Nuttall Oak
40 - 60’
40 - 50’
6b to 8b
N/A
Well-drained, acidic, extended flooding
N/A
6 to 9
Legend
297
12
Cedrus deodara
25 - 35’
Bioretention
40 - 60’
Buffers / Screening
40 - 70’
Parks / Lawns
River Birch
Parking Islands
Betula nigra
N/A
Paved Plazas
Moist, well-drained
Suitable Landscape Locations
Streets
9 to 1
Number of Caterpillar Species
3b to 9
Fruit / Nut Producing
40 - 60’
Salt Tolerant
40 - 60’
Air Pollution Tolerant
Heat Zones
Red Maple
Drought Tolerant
Hardiness Zones
Soil Conditions
Spread
Light Conditions
Height
Acer rubrum
Evergreen
Common Name
Native
Scientific Name
M
American Yellowwood, Cladrastis lutea/kentukea
Habitat Indicators
Growing Conditions Crown Form
Physical Characteristics
N/A
0
532
N/A
532
M
multi-stemmed
*
variable
Fruit / Nut Producing fruit berry nut
5
small trees (35’ and under)
Shadblow Serviceberry
5 - 20’
15 - 20’
4 to 9
7 to 1
Moist, well-drained, acidic
124
4 to 9
9 to 1
Moist, well-drained, acidic
124
5 to 8
8 to 6
Moist, well-drained, acidic
Bioretention
124
Buffers / Screening
Bogs, swamps
Parks / Lawns
7 to 1
Parking Islands
3 to 7
N/A
Paved Plazas
Moist, well-drained, acidic
Drought Tolerant
9 to1
Suitable Landscape Locations
Streets
Number of Caterpillar Species
Fruit / Nut Producing
Salt Tolerant
Air Pollution Tolerant
Soil Conditions
4 to 9 M
Amelanchier canadensis
Light Conditions
Heat Zones
15 - 25’
Hardiness Zones
15 - 25’
Habitat Indicators
Growing Conditions Crown Form
Downy Serviceberry
Spread
Amelanchier arborea
Height
Common Name
Evergreen
Scientific Name
Native
Physical Characteristics
Legend applicable
124
N/A information
not available
M
Amelanchier x grandiflora
Apple Serviceberry
15 - 25’
15 - 20’ M
Amelanchier laevis
Allegheny Serviceberry
15 - 25’
15 - 25’ M
Asimina triloba
Pawpaw
15 - 20’
30 - 40’ M
Carpinus caroliniana
American Hornbeam
20 - 30’
20 - 30’
3b to 9
9 to 1
Moist, well-drained, acidic
Cercis canadensis
Eastern Redbud
25 - 30’
25 - 35’
4 to 9
9 to 6
Moist, well-drained
6 to 8
9 to 3
Adaptable, good drainage
4 to 9
9 to 1
Deep, moist, acidic
Light Conditions Full Sun Part Shade shade
N/A
N/A
68
Mature Crown Form 19 columnar
Chionanthus retusus
Chinese Fringetree
15 - 25’
20 - 25’
Chionanthus virginicus
White Fringetree
25 - 30’
25 - 30’
Cornus florida
Flowering Dogwood
20 - 30’
20 - 30’
5 to 9
9 to 3
Wet, acidic, welldrained
Cornus kousa
Kousa Dogwood
20 - 30’
20 - 30’
5 to 8
8 to 5
Well-drained, acidic
Crataegus phaenopyrum
Washington Hawthorn
25 - 30’
20 - 25’
4 to 8
10 to 1
N/A
N/A
0
Round
8
oval
118
vase
M
N/A
0
Yes
No
Yes
No
No
168
No
No
Yes
No
No
pyramidal spreading
Moist, fertile
irregular
Crataegus spp.
Hawthorn
20 - 30’
Ficus carica
Fig
10 - 15’
10 - 20’
7b to 11
N/A
Well-drained, light to medium soils
Halesia monticola
Mountain Silverbell
20 - 40’
15 - 35’
5 to 8
8 to 4
Medium moist, welldrained, acidic
Hamamelis virginiana
Common Witch Hazel
20 - 30’
20 - 25’
3b to 8
8 to 1
Most, well-drained
6 to 9
9 to 4
Medium moist, welldrained, slightly acidic
20 - 35’
3 to 8
10 to 1
Green Vase Zelkova, Zelkova serrata ‘Green Vase’ This winner of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society’s Styer Award, the Green Vase Zelkova is a fast growing cultivar of the Japanese Zelkova. Resistant to Dutch Elm Disease, it has been promoted as a substitute for the American Elm. It is also resistant to drought and harsh winters. The Green Vase Zelkova has a unique grayish white to grayish brown bark. The tree’s young bark is smooth with lenticels. As the tree matures, its bark exfoliates to reveal an orange-brown inner bark. The ascending branch structure makes it an excellent street tree and a nice addition to parks and lawns.
Casey Trees: Urban Tree selection Guide
Adaptable
M
Ilex x attenuata ‘Fosteri #2’
Fosters Holly
20 - 30’
10 - 20’
168
N/A
N/A
8
7
N/A
63
No
No
Yes
Yes
No
M
multi-stemmed
*
variable
Fruit / Nut Producing fruit berry nut
6
small Trees (35’ and under)
20 - 30’
Magnolia virginiana
Sweetbay Magnolia
10 - 20’
10 - 20’
*
Well-drained
3
6 to 9
11 to 6
Well-drained
3
4 to 9
9 to 5
Well-drained, rich, porous, acidic
5 to 9
9 to 6
Wet, swampy acidic
4 to 8
9 to 1
Well-drained, adaptable
4a to 8a
N/A
Moist, well-drained, acidic
308
3b to 9
9 to 5
Moist, well-drained, acidic
94
N/A
Bioretention
20 - 30’
11 to 6
Buffers / Screening
Saucer Magnolia
6 to 9
Parks / Lawns
Magnolia soulangiana
*
3
Parking Islands
15’
Well-drained
Paved Plazas
15’
11 to 7
Suitable Landscape Locations
Streets
Tuscarora Crapemyrtle
Number of Caterpillar Species
Lagerstroemia indica ‘Tuscarora’
*
Fruit / Nut Producing
20’
Salt Tolerant
20’
Air Pollution Tolerant
Natchez Crapemyrtle
6 to 9
Drought Tolerant
Lagerstroemia indica ‘Natchez’
Soil Conditions
15’
Light Conditions
20’
Heat Zones
Muskogee Crapemyrtle
Hardiness Zones
Spread
Lagerstroemia indica ‘Muskogee’
Habitat Indicators
Growing Conditions Crown Form
Common Name
Native
Scientific Name
Height
Evergreen
Physical Characteristics
Legend applicable
N/A information
not available
Light Conditions Full Sun
21
Part Shade
N/A
21
M
Malus domestica
Apple - edible
10 - 35’
Variable
Malus spp.
Flowering Crabapple
15 - 25’
10 - 20’
Many different
*
shade
N/A
308
Mature Crown Form columnar
Ostrya virginiana
American Hophornbeam
25 - 40’
15 - 25’
Prunus x ‘Okame’
Okame Cherry
15 - 25’
20’
6b to 9b
9 to 5
Adaptable
N/A
0
oval
Prunus avium
Sweet Cherry
15 - 30’
15 - 30’
3 to 8
8 to 1
Moist well-drained, moderately acidic pH
N/A
456
vase
Prunus cerasus
Sour Cherry
10 - 30’
10 - 20’
4 to 8
8 to 1
Moist well-drained, moderately acidic pH
N/A
456
Prunus domestica
Plum
15 - 25’
15 - 25’
5 to 8
8 to 3
Moist, well-drained
N/A
0
0
0
Round
pyramidal spreading irregular
Flowering Dogwood, Cornus florida The Flowering Dogwood is native to the mid-Atlantic region but can be found from Southern Maine to Northern Florida and from Eastern Kansas and Eastern Texas. The tree is well-loved for its beautiful white, pink or red bracts, which are smaller specialized leaves that are arranged in groups of four around the tree’s true flowers. The bracts are often mistaken for flowers, but the tree’s flowers are small and greenish yellow. In the spring, the flowers and bracts open before the leaves, creating a stunning show. The Flowering Dogwood thrives on a site with some afternoon shade, and it does not do well in extreme heat.
Casey Trees: Urban Tree selection Guide
Prunus persica
Peach
10 - 25’
10 - 25’
4 to 9
9 to 5
Moist, well-drained, sandy, neutral pH
Prunus serrulata ‘Kanzan’
Kwanzan Cherry
15 - 25’
20 - 25’
5 to 8
9 to 4
Damp, well-drained fertile
Pyrus pyrifolia
Asian Pear
30’
20’
4 to 9
9 to 1
Moist, well-drained, slightly acidic
Syringa reticulata
Japanese Tree Lilac
20 - 30’
15 - 25’
3 to 7
8 to 3
Loose, well-drained, slightly acidic
Viburnum prunifolium
Blackhaw Viburnum
10 - 15’
10 - 15’
3 to 9
N/A
M
Adaptable
N/A
N/A
N/A
138
0
104
M
multi-stemmed
*
variable
Fruit / Nut Producing fruit berry nut
7
Suitable Landscape Locations
Habitat Indicators
Streets. The planting space between the street and the sidewalk. Trees with columnar, oval or vase-shaped crowns that are resistant to compacted soils, road deicers and the heat reflected off dark roadways make good street trees.
Fruit or Nut Producing: trees that Producing. Trees that produce produce fruits fruits or or nuts. nuts. Berries (which are a type of fruit) and nuts provide a food source for songbirds and other animals. In this guide, trees that“fruit” produce fruits are edible by humans. the term refers to trees that produce fruits that are edible for humans. Species Hosted: the number of different butterfly,
Parks / Lawns. Parks (land for public use and recreation) and lawns (private property) are open spaces that provide ample and healthy rooting space for trees. Due to their generally non-compacted, nutrient and moisture rich soil, they are prime locations for larger canopy trees and trees with shallow root systems.
Common Bald Cypress, Taxodium distichum The Bald Cypress grows naturally from Southern Maryland to Florida, to Eastern Texas and up the Mississippi River Valley. While the tree is at home in swamps, it also does well on dry sites, streets and in bioretention. The Bald Cypress is a deciduous conifer and loses its leaves in the fall. The mature Bald Cypress has a wide trunk flare, which helps to stabilize it in waterlogged or flooded soils. The bark is gray brown to reddish brown with a stringy vertical texture. The Bald Cypress is known for its woody protrusions, or “knees,” that grow up from its roots. In wet sites, the knees are believed to help oxygenate the trees roots.
CASEY TREES: URBAN Urban Tree TREE selection SELECTION GUIDE Guide
Suggested Trees for Biodiversity (Genus) Suggested Trees for
Buffers / Screening. A landscaping strategy that often uses evergreen trees to naturally reduce noise or visual pollution and create privacy between dwellings or differing land uses. Evergreen trees used as buffers should be pruned according to spacing and desired level of privacy. This guide recommends both evergreen and deciduous trees for this category.
Biodiversity - Quercus; Oak(Genus)
Bioretention. Depressions or shallow basins in the landscape that slow and treat stormwater runoff onsite. Trees that perform best in bioretention require little maintenance, are salt and drought tolerant and can survive up to three days of standing water.
- Populus, Aspen, Poplar
- Quercus, Oak Plum, Peach Prunus; Cherry, - Prunus, Fruit Trees Salix; Willow - Salix, Betula;Willow Birch - Betula, Populus;Birch Poplar
455 455
358 358
411 411
400
300
300
Tot
200
100
0
Populus; Populus;Poplar Aspen, cottonwood, poplar
- Quercus nuttalli, Nuttall Oak MEDIUM
400
Betula; Betula;Birch Birch
- Betula nigra, River Birch MEDIUM
500
Salix; Salix;Willow Willow
- Quercus bicolor, Swamp White Oak LARGE
500
456 456
- Taxodium distichum, Common Baldcypress LARGE
Trees and serveplants as habitats can serve andas food a sources home forfor bees, beneficial butterflies, animals birds, and or insects. Inthe squirrels; an vegetation ongoing study, itselfDr. serves Doug as food Tallamy, for herbivores, entomologist and the at the University of herbivores serve Delaware, as foodexamined for larger plant genera and the moth and animals. butterfly caterpillar species they Doug Tallamy, entomologist at the attracted. this study, native University Through of Delaware, has shown treesmost haveinsects been found host a that prefertoplants more range of caterpillar nativediverse to the region/climate in which species. their species evolved. Due these initial findings, In anto on-going study, Tallamy has Tallamy’s research can be used ranked plant genera based on the as an indicator of and a tree’s ability to number of moths butterflies supportdeveloping biodiversity. found on vegetation (both native and non-native).
Prunus; Plum, Peach Prunus;Cherry, Cherry, peach, plum, almond
Trees help to mitigate stormwater runoff, absorb pollutants, prevent erosion and improve infiltration. By directing stormwater runoff into infiltration planters that feature trees, designers can create spaces where trees can thrive and help keep streams and rivers cleaner.
- Liquidambar styraciflua, American Sweetgum LARGE
Trees and Biodiversity 557 557
Trees and Bioretention
Suggested Trees for Bioretention (Species)
600
Quercus; Quercus;Oak Oak
Parking Islands. Parking lot tree spaces. Trees with an upright form that are heat, salt and drought tolerant are recommended. Trees that can litter the parking lot with fruit, branches or large leaves are avoided. Small or medium trees are best, unless the parking lot is designed to provide substantial soil volume for larger trees.
skipper, moth caterpillar species that of a tree Number ofand Caterpillar Species. The number butterfly, supports (a potential indicator of tree’s ability to support skipper and moth caterpillar species that a tree biodiversity). supports, which can be an indicator of a tree’s ability to support biodiversity.
Number caterpillar species Numberofof moths and butterflies
Paved Plazas. Spaces near or adjacent to office and retail buildings that are surrounded by paving. Trees that are low-maintenance and salt and pollutant tolerant perform best in these areas.
200
100
0
Tree Genus Tree Genus; Common Name
8
REFERENCES + INDEX The trees featured in this guide were drawn from more than 200 tree species planted or recommended by D.C.’s Urban Forestry Administration; Arlington County, Virginia; Prince George’s County, Maryland and Casey Trees. Information about each tree is drawn primarily from the Manual of Woody Landscape Plants Fifth Edition and Native Trees, Shrubs, and Vines for Urban and Rural America. Other sources were consulted to provide additional information. Web sources were accessed between January and November 2014.
Works Cited Appleton, Bonnie, et al. “Screening.” Virginia Cooperative Extension . Publication 430-025. 2009. Web. 2 Oct. 2014. <http:// pubs.ext.vt.edu/430/430-025/430-025.html> Beckerman, Janna and Rosie Lerner. “Salt Damage in Landscape Plants.” Purdue Extension. ID-412-W. West Lafayette: Purdue University Cooperative Extension, 2009. Web. 2 October 2014. <https://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/ID/ID412-W.pdf>
Images cover Erin. Ginkgo Trees & Rowhouses. 2013. Flickr. Web 2 Oct. 2014. <https://www.flickr.com/photos/ ekelly80/10769096175/in/set-72157639333515454> pg 2 Singleton, Marcela. Hackberry at Mc Donagh 15 School. n.d. Dirt Garden. Web. 2 Oct. 2014. <http://dirtgarden.wordpress. com/2011/10/03/trees-of-the-french-quarter/> pg 3 Haegele, Liz. Quercus bicolor. n.d. The Scott Arboretum’s Garden Seeds. Web. 2 Oct. 2014. <http://blogs.scottarboretum. org/gardenseeds/2008/06/quercus-bicolor/> pg 5 Spruce, Jon. Yellowwood. 2012. Philly Trees. Web. 2 Oct. 2014. <http://phillytrees.blogspot.com/2012/06/quick-picksthree-trees.html> pg 6 Viljoen, Marie. Fall in Brooklyn. N.d. 66 Square Feet (Plus). Web. 2 Oct. 2014. <http://66squarefeet.blogspot. com/2010/10/fall-in-brooklyn.html> pg 7 P Walk. St. Dogwood. 2014. Washington DC Trees. Web. 2 Oct. 2014. < http://www.washingtondctrees.com/> pg 8 Marritz, Leda. Ginkgo. 2011. Deep Root. Web. 2 Oct. 2014. <http://www.deeproot.com/blog/blog-entries/the-best-streettrees-reader-edition-results> City of Berkeley. Rain Garden. n.d. City of Berkley, CA. Web. 2 Oct. 2014. <http://www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/Public_Works/ Sewers_-_Storm/Watershed_Resources.aspx>
Brand, Mark. “Plant Database.” UCONN Plant Database. University of Connecticut. 2014. Web. 2 May 2014. <http://www.hort. uconn.edu/Plants/>.
Garden Ally. Downtown-Views. 2011. The Garden Alley. Web. 2 Oct. 2014. <http://gardenally.blogspot.com/2011/11/ downtown-views.html>
Dirr, Michael. A Manual of Woody Landscape Plants. 5th ed. Champagne: Stipes Publishing, LLC. 1998. Print.
Green Works. Rockwood Water Reservoir: n.d. Greenworks. Web. 2 Oct. 2014. <http://greenworkspc.com/works/ waterwastewater/rockwood-water-resevoir/>
District of Columbia. Green Infrastructure Standards. Washington: District of Columbia Department of Transportation, 2014. Web. 2 October 2014. <http://ddot.dc.gov/GreenInfrastructure>. Hightshoe, Gary. Native Trees, Shrubs, and Vines for Urban and Rural America. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1988. Print. Kress, Stephen. The Audubon Society Guide to Attracting Birds: Creating Natural Habitats for Properties Large and Small. 2nd ed. Ithaca or London: Cornell University Press, 2006. Print. Ladybird Johnson Wildlife Center. University of Texas at Austin, 2014. Web. 2 Oct. 2014. <http://www.wildflower.org/>
Helms, Kanoa. Mineral Wells Picnic Area. 2009. Daily Venture. Web. 2 Oct. 2014. <http://www.dailyventure.com/travel/ Griffith-Park-the-Heart-of-Los-Angeles> Swill. Untitled. 2010. Southwest…The Little Quadrant That Could. Web. 2 Oct. 2014. <http://www.swtlqtc.com/2010/05/ wells-to-hold-campaign-event-on-sunday.html> Streets of Washington. Ginkgo trees on Cumberland Street, NW. 2011. Flickr. Web. 2 Oct. 2014. <https://www.flickr.com/ photos/streetsofdc/6338558934/in/photostream/>
Learn 2 Grow. Preferred Commerce, 2006-2014. Web. 2 Oct. 2014. <http://www.learn2grow.com> State of Maryland. Maryland Department of the Environment, Water Management Administration. Maryland Stormwater Design Manual: Appendix A. Landscaping Guidance for Stormwater BMPs - General Landscaping Guidance. Baltimore M.D.: MDE, 2009. Web. 2 May 2014. <http://www.mde.state.md.us/programs/Water/StormwaterManagementProgram/ MarylandStormwaterDesignManual/Pages/Programs/WaterPrograms/SedimentandStormwater/stormwater_design/ index.aspx> Missouri Botanical Garden. 2014. 2 Jun 2014. <www.mobot.org> Natural Resources Conservation Service Connecticut. “Native, Invasive, and Other Plant-Related Definitions.” U.S. Department of Agriculture. 2002. Web. 1 Nov 2014. http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/ct/technical/ecoscience/ invasive/?cid=nrcs142p2_011124 Natural Resources Conservation Service Connecticut. “Plant Hardiness Zone Map – US Map 300 dpi (CMYK).” U.S. Department of Agriculture. 2002. Web. 1 Nov 2014. <http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/ct/technical/ecoscience/ invasive/?cid=nrcs142p2_011124> North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service. Gardening.ces.ncsu.edu. NC State University A&T State University. 2014. Web 2 Jun 2014. <http://extensiongardener.ces.ncsu.edu/spotlight/plant-database/>. “Map Downloads.” Planthardiness.ars.usda.gov U.S. Department of Agriculture. n.d. Web. 2 May 2014. <http://planthardiness.ars. usda.gov/PHZMWeb/Downloads.aspx> Seiler, John and John Peterson. “Tree Identification Factsheets.” Forest Biology and Dendrology Education. VirginaTech Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation. 2010. Web. 2 May 2014. <http://dendro.cnre.vt.edu/>. Slattery, Britt E., Kathryn Reshetiloff, and Susan M. Zwicker. Native Plants for Wildlife Habitat and Conservation Landscaping Chesapeake Bay Watershed. Annapolis: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Chesapeake Bay Field Office. 2003. Print. Tallamy, Douglas. Bringing Nature Home: How to Sustain Wildlife in Our Gardens. Portland or London: Timber Press, 2007. Print. Tallamy, Douglas. “Bringing Nature Home.” Plantnative.com. 2009. Web. 2 Oct. 2014. <plantnative.com>
CASEY TREES: URBAN TREE SELECTION GUIDE
Common Name Index Apple: 7 Bald Cypress, Common: 4 Basswood (Linden, American): 4 Beech, American: 3 Birch, River: 5 Black Gum (Black Tupelo): 5 Catalpa, Northern: 3 Cedar, Deodar, Japanese: 5 Cherry, Kwanzan, Okame, Sour, Sweet: 7 Cherry, Yoshino: 5 Crabapple, spp.: 7 Crapemyrtle, Muskogee, Natchez, Tuscarora: 7 Dogwood, Flowering, Kousa: 6 Elm, Jefferson American, New Harmony American, Valley Forge American: 4 Fig: 6 Fringetree, Chinese, White: 6 Ginkgo: 3 Hackberry: 5 Hawthorn, spp., Washington: 6 Hickory, Shagbark: 3 Holly, American: 5 Holly, Fosters: 6
Hophornbeam, American: 7 Hornbeam, American: 6 Katsura: 5 Kentucky Coffee Tree, Fruitless: 3 Lilac, Japanese Tree: 7 Linden, American (Basswood), Littleleaf, Silver: 4 Locust, Black: 4 Locust, Honey: 3 Magnolia, Saucer, Sweetbay: 7 Magnolia, Southern: 3 Maple, Red: 5 Oak, Chinkapin, Nuttall: 5 Oak, Bur, Northern Red, Overcup, Pin, Shingle, Southern Red, Willow: 4 Oak, Scarlet, Swamp White, White: 3 Osage Orange, White Shield: 5 Pagoda Tree, Japanese: 4 Pawpaw: 6 Peach: 7 Pear, Asian: 7 Persimmon, Common: 5 Pine, Eastern White: 3 Pistache, Chinese: 5
Planetree, London: 3 Plum: 7 Redbud, Eastern: 6 Redcedar, Eastern: 5 Redwood, Dawn: 3 Serviceberry, Allegheny, Apple, Downy, Shadblow: 6 Silverbell, Mountain: 6 Sweetgum, American, Cherokee, LowFruiting: 3 Sycamore: 3 Tulip Poplar (Tuliptree): 3 Viburnum, Blackhaw: 7 Witch Hazel, Common: 6 Yellowwood, American: 5 Zelkova, Green Vase, Japanese: 4
9
CASEY TREES
WHO WE ARE Casey Trees is a Washington, D.C. nonprofit with a mission to “restore, enhance and protect the tree canopy of the nation’s capital.” We pursue our mission through education, community action and research.
3030 12th Street, NE Washington, DC 20017 202.833.4010 caseytrees.org