Recommended Street Trees

There is no single perfect street tree that can be recommended for any situation. The selection of a species should be made based on matching its desired characteristics to the conditions of the planting site. This is a concept summed up in the phrase, "Right tree, right place."

To find the right tree, begin by examining your purpose for planting it. Common purposes include shade, rainwater interception, improved air quality, aesthetics, and wildlife habitat. It may even be a combination of reasons. After determining the purpose evaluate the planting location. What is the soil type? How much space will the tree have to grow into? How wet or dry is the soil, typically?

Matching your objectives to the site conditions can produce a long list of potential species. That list can be narrowed by refining desired tree characteristics such as desired fall color, time of flowering, flower color, or whether it produces fruits, nuts, or seed.

Many lists of recommended trees for planting exist. These lists, such as the NC Urban Tree List, should serve as a starting point and be refined to meet your purpose for planting.  There are lists focused on resistance to high winds while others are focused on resistance to breakage in ice storms. Lists exist for planting near or under power lines. Other lists include species that tolerate wet areas and areas where salt spray must be considered. And some lists recommend trees that are less likely to be eaten by deer. There have even been some tools developed that help you to create your own list.