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Provo City » Provo City Government » Provo City Power » Forestry Division » Parking Strips Street Tree Selection Guide

Parking Strips Street Tree Selection Guide

Street Tree Selection Guide

Trees are a valuable component of our city. Trees clean the air we breath, muffle city noise, harbor wildlife in their canopies, cool houses with their dense shade, and increase property values. But perhaps most of all, trees provide a natural beauty which softens the harsh city landscape. Trees truly enhance the quality of life for all of Provo’s residents.

Unfortunately not all trees are properly planted and cared for. Growth characteristics including height, spread, and branching structure limit the usefulness of some trees in certain locations. Streets, buildings, and sidewalks also limit the space available for tree growth and must be considered when selecting a tree. Our goal should be to choose a tree that is well matched to the planting site so that it survives and becomes an asset to the community.

How to Select a Tree

Shade trees vary greatly in their growth characteristics. Learning about a tree’s shape, mature height, and spread will help in selecting the right tree for the right place. The idea is to first consider the planting site. Does the location have adequate irrigation? Are there any overhead wires? How wide is the parking strip? Once the location has been considered, it is then time to choose a tree from this guide that will best fit the location.

The trees in this guide are generally tolerant of local temperature extremes (hardiness) and have characteristics that make them useful as street trees. Each tree in the guide is listed with its botanical and common names followed by a short narrative with general information. All of the trees have been divided into classes dependent on the height, width, and spacing requirements that the trees will need at maturity. These divisions are described as follows:

Class I These are small trees which normally do not reach a large height or trunk diameter. They are authorized for planting in parking strips that are a minimum of four feet wide. Typical spacing between Class I trees is twenty-five feet. Many class I trees are small enough to be planted beneath overhead utility lines.

Class II This group consists of medium sized trees. These trees are not for planting under power lines or in parking strips less than six feet wide. Typical spacing between Class II trees is thirty-five feet.

Class III Many of these trees are long-lived and attain large height and trunk diameter. When selecting a tree from this class, be sure you have ample room to accommodate it at maturity. These trees are certainly not for planting under power lines or parking strips less than 10 feet wide. Typical spacing between Class III trees is 40-60 feet.

Where to Plant a Tree

If you wish to plant a tree in a parking strip, you are required to get a permit from the City Forester. This is done to ensure that trees have been matched to the site correctly. When planting a tree, place the tree in the center of the parking strip. This will allow the maximum amount of growing space and will reduce the potential for damage to sidewalks and curbs in the future. Once a tree is planted in a city parking strip, it becomes the property of the city. Pruning and other major maintenance of these trees is the responsibility of the Urban Forestry Division.

How to Plant a Tree

The best way to ensure a healthy and safe street tree is to start by planting the tree correctly. There are only a few things to remember when planting. Please follow these planting directions:

1. Obtain a permit from the Urban Forestry Division (852-6920) prior to planting any tree in a parking strip.

2. Select one of the species in the Tree Selection Guide for planting.

3. Before choosing the planting location contact Blue Stakes (800-532-5000) for location of underground utilities.

4. Dig planting hole at least twice the width of the root ball.

5. Prune circling or protruding roots and remove twine from canopy.

6. Handle root ball with extreme care. Minimize as much as possible any crumbling, cracking, and splitting of the root ball.

7. After gently placing the tree in the hole, remove wire and burlap if stability of the root ball allows. If not, remove only the top one or two rows of wire and an equal amount of burlap. Cut vertical slits in the burlap that remains. Do not fold burlap into the hole.

8. Use the soil removed from the hole to backfill. Minimize air pockets by removing soil clumps, rocks, sod, and folded burlap.

9. Thoroughly water. Allow water to soak deeply into the site.

10. Place 4 to 5 inches of mulch over the planting site. Avoid direct contact between mulch and the trunk of the tree.

11. Check moisture content of the backfill and root ball weekly to determine how much and how often to water.

12. To remove a tree from a container, gently lay it down. Push on the sides and bottom of the container to break contact between the root ball and container. Hold the trunk near the surface of the soil and push/pull the container away from the root ball. Slide the container off the root ball. Do not pull on the trunk. If the root ball is too large for this process it may be necessary to cut the container off after the tree is placed in the planting site.

13. Utah State University Extension Bulletin EC 460, Selecting and Planting Landscape Trees, is an excellent reference. Call USU at (801) 797-2251. The cost, including mailing, is $1.80.

What Not to Plant

There are some types of trees that have characteristics that are not suited to areas close to streets, sidewalks and buildings. These tree species are most suited for yards, parks or other natural areas and should not be planted along city streets. A list of trees not approved for planting along streets is found at the end of this guide. To obtain additional information about services provided by the Urban Forestry Division please call 852-6920.

Street tree species selection should be seriously considered when planting any trees near or around power lines. In most instances Class I trees are the preferred list to make selections from.

Class I Trees

These are small trees which normally do not reach a large height or trunk diameter. Most can be planted beneath power lines and in parking strips down to four feet wide. Typical spacing between Class I trees is twenty to thirty feet.

Botanical & Common Name

Height

Spread

Growth Rate

Remarks

Acer campestre                                                   Hedge Maple

25'

25'

Slow

A small tree that withstands urban conditions and is long lived. Foliage is dark green on top and fuzzy underneath. Leaves turn yellow and remain late into autumn.

Acaer ginnala                                      Amur Maple

15'

10'

Medium

Fall color is red to orange. Very cold hardy.

Acer grandindentatum                       Bigtooth Maple

25'

15'

Slow

This maple is native to our canyons and is adapted to our climate. Foliage turns brilliant red in the fall. Selections of tree-like forms should be used for street plantings.

Acer griseum                                       Paperbark Maple

25'

20'

Slow

A graceful tree with cinnamon colored bark which peels away to reveal reddish brown shades. Fall color is reddish brown.

Acer tataricum                                        Tatarian Maple

20'

15'

Slow to Medium

A graceful tree with cinnamon colored bark which peels away to reveal reddish brown shades. Fall color is reddish brown.

Aesculus pavia                                          Red Buckeye

20'

25'

Medium

A graceful tree with cinnamon colored bark which peels away to reveal reddish brown shades. Fall color is reddish brown.

Cercis canadensis                                    Eastern Redbud

25'

25'

Medium

Trunk is usually branched at the base with ascending branches and bright pink flowers in early May. Heart shaped leaves. Not a long lived tree.

Crataegus phaenopyrum               Washington Hawthorn

25'

25'

Medium

Leaves emerging in spring are reddish-purple changing to glossy dark green in summer. Flower display beginning in May while fruit sets in late summer and colors bright red in September.

Crataegus laevigata

English Hawthorn

15'

15'

Slow

This hawthorn has attractive flowers, fruit and growth habit. It grows with very few thorns. Choose nursery stock with a strong central leader for best results along streets.

Crataegus crus-galli 'inermis'                     Cockspur Hawthorn

20'

20'

Slow

This is a thornless variety of hawthorn that is native to the eastern U.S. Glossy deep green foliage with persistent red fruit. A good choice for locations near power lines.

Koelreuteria paniculata                 Goldenraintree

25'

20'

Fast

Large hanging yellow flowers in summer and papery lantern-like seed pods make this tree quite unique. Fall color is crimson, bronze.

Malus spp.                                                Flowering Crabapple

25'

20'

Fast

A very popular group of trees with varying degrees of white or red flowers. "Spring Snow" is a fruitless variety.

Prunus virginiana 'Canada Red'             Canada Red Cherry

25'

20'

Medium

Leaves emerge green and turn purple as the season progresses. Good natural branching characteristics. Suckering often occurs following establishment.

Syringa reticulata                                    Japanese Tree Lilac

25'

15'

Medium

Stiff branches and reddish brown bark. Attractive fragrant summer flowering.

Prunus serrulata                                        Flowering Cherry

25'

15'

Medium

Vase shaped branching and beautiful floral display are characteristics of this tree. Deep green foliage is attractive in spring and summer. Drought tolerant.

Prunus ceressifera                             Flowering Plum

20'

15'

Medium

Vase shaped branching and beautiful floral display are characteristics of this tree. Deep green foliage is attractive in spring and summer. Drought tolerant.

Class II Trees

Trees that are usually considered medium sized and are normally planted for their shade and aesthetic contribution. These trees are not for planting under power lines or in parking strips less than six feet wide. Typical spacing between this class of tree is thirty to forty feet.

Botanical & Common Name

Height

Spread

Growth Rate

Remarks

Acer plantanoides

Norway Maple

45'

35'

Medium
Dark green summer foliage, can turn yellow in fall. A very popular and well known tree casting dense summer shade. Many different varieties are available.

cv. 'Columnare'

Columnar Norway Maple

40'

15'

Medium
A dense, columnar variety of the species.

cv. 'Cleveland' or

'Emerald Queen

45'

30'

Fast
Upright oval-headed form with superior branching habit.

cv. 'Globosum'

Globe Norway Maple

20'

20'

Slow
Low crowned form of the species. Good for use near overhead utility wires.

Acer pseudoplatanus

Sycamore Maple

30'

25'

Medium
A tree with very similar characteristics as Norway Maple. Leaves resemble the leaves of the American Sycamore.

Acer nigrum

Black Maple

45'

25'

Slow
Similar in characteristics to the sugar maple but more tolerant of climatic conditions in Provo. Foliage has a drooping form and fall color is good.

Aesculus x carnea

Red Horsechestnut

40'

35'

Slow

This tree is valued for its flowering in the spring. More heat and drought tolerant than most other Horsechestnuts.

Aesculus octandra

Yellow Buckeye

40'

25'

Slow
Symmetrical and attractive.

Celtis occidentalis

Common Hackberry

45'

35'

Fast
Stately tree with a straight trunk and bright green foliage turning yellow in the fall. A reliable tree under windy conditions. Vase shaped form.

Pyrus calleryana

Flowering Pear

30'

25'

Fast
An outstanding flowering tree with glossy leaves that turn scarlet in the fall. Spring flowering is white.

cv, 'Aristocrat'
40'

28'

Fast
Grows fast; pyramidal form

cv, 'Chanticleer'
40'

16'

Fast
More compact and upright; fall color is red-purple

Fraxinus pennsylvanica

Green Ash

60'

40'

Fast
This tree is extremely hardy and grows under many different conditions. Reliable and tough in the urban landscape.

cv. 'Marshall Seedless'
45'

35'

Fast
A seedless variety of green ash.

cv. 'Patmore"
55'

45'

Fast
Crown is more broad than Marshal.

cv. 'Urbanite'
35'

Ginkgo biloba

Maidenhair Tree

35'

Medium

Distinctive fan-shaped light green leaves are soft in appearance. Autumn color is bright yellow. Ginkgo is one of the most ancient trees on earth.

cv. 'Princeton Sentry'

cv. 'Autumn Gold'

Gleditsia triacanthos inermis

Honeylocust

45'

40'

Fast
A hardy tree with finely textured leaves. Produces filtered shade. Tolerant of salt, heat, drought, and other urban stresses.

cv. 'Shademaster'

cv. 'Skyline'

cv. 'Sunburst'

Gymnocladus dioica

Kentucky Coffeetree

55'

30'

Medium
Open spreading tree that is tolerant of drought, heat, and wind. Seed pods may become a maintenance consideration.

cv. 'Expresso'          Mostly seedless, more vase-shaped than the species.

Morus alba

White Mulberry

35'

30'

Medium
Tolerant of heat and alkaline soil. Select only fruitless varieties as fruiting mulberries produce fruit that stains sidewalks and cars.

Metasequota glyptostroboides

Dawn Redwood

70'

35'

Fast
Fern-like foliage gives this tree a fine texture. Bark is reddish-brown and scaly. Lower limbs must be removed on trees planted in parking strips.

Phellodendron amurense

Amur Corktree

40'

30'

Fast
Interesting furrowed bark. Canopy casts filtered shade. Thrives under urban conditions. Tolerant of dry soils.

cv. 'Macho' This seedless form has good growth characteristics.

Sorbus aucuparia

European Mountain Ash

25'

20'

Medium
An ornamental tree with white flowers in summer followed by orange berries in the fall and winter.

Sophora japonica

Japanese Pagoda

35'

30'

Fast
Round headed tree with yellow flowers in clusters in late August. Tolerant of urban conditions. Fruit may become a maintenance consideration.

Aesculus glabra

Ohio Buckeye

30'

30'

Carpinus betulus

European Hornbeam

40'

30'

Medium
An exceptional tree for street planting. Formal appearance and seldom needs pruning. Fall color is yellow / orange. Bark is smooth gray.

cv. 'Fastigiata' More compact and narrow than the natural forms.

Cladastis kentukea

Yellowwood

40'

40'

Medium
Tolerant of many soil conditions. Fragrant white flowers in May.

Fagus sylvatica

European Beech

30'

25'

Slow
Dark green to purple glossy foliage. Bark is smooth gray. Variety 'Pendula' should not be planted in parking strips.

cv. 'Asplenifolia' Cut leaf variety that is fern like and gold - brown in the fall.

cv. 'Autropunica'
Has purplish - bronze or copper colored leaves.

cv. 'Riversii' Dark purple leaves that turn bronze in the fall.

cv. 'Roseo-Marginata' Leaves are green edged with pink and cream colors.

Class III Trees

Many of these trees are long-lived and attain large height and trunk diameter. When selecting a tree from this class, be sure you have ample room to accommodate it at maturity. These trees are not for planting under power lines or parking strips less than 10 feet wide. Typical spacing between Class III tress is 40 - 60 feet.

Botanical & Common Name

Height

Spread

Growth Rate

Remarks

Catalpa speciosa

Northern Catalpa

60'

40'

Fast
A fast growing tree with heart-shaped leaves and conspicuous white flowers in June. Can withstand hot, dry conditions. Fruit is a long pod.

Fagas grandiflora

American Beech

60'

55'

Slow
Thin, smooth gray bark. Very similar to the European Beech but larger and has bigger leaves. Golden bronze fall color.

Liquidambar styraciflua

Sweetgum

60'

45'

Fast

Glossy green star-shaped leaves turn yellow in the fall. Twigs have cork-like bark. Fruit is a spiny ball which may be a maintenance concern.

cv. 'Moraine' Hardy variety with fast growth and red fall color.

Liriodendron tulipifera

Tulip Tree

80'

45'

Fast

A large tree of the magnolia family. Flowers born high in the tree. Leaves are bright green and resemble a tulip. Its fast growth can lead to weak wood.

Quercus bicolor

Swamp White Oak

50'

35'

Medium
A open headed tree that is excellent for moist or wet soils. Foliage is green on top and dusty white on bottom. Leaves turn brown in the fall.

Quercus macrocarpa

Bur Oak

70'

65'

Slow
A grand tree with large lobed leaves. Adaptable to a wide range of conditions and is tolerant of dry soils, air pollution and temperature extremes. A valuable tree for urban wildlife.

Quercus robur

English Oak

55'

45'

Fast
A stately tree with small lobed leaves. Thick bark is furrowed and gray. Tolerant of many soil conditions. A long-lived tree.

cv. 'Fastigiata'    Upright, columnar form of the species.

Quercus rubra

Northern Red Oak

50'

45'

Medium
A strong tree with dense green foliage that turns to red in the fall. A valuable tree for urban wildlife.

Tilia americana

American Linden

55'

35'

Medium
Large, heart shaped leaves cast dense summer shade. Fragrant flowers appear in the summertime.

cv. 'Redmond" A pyramidal form and fast growth.

Tilia cordata

Littleaf Linden

45'

40'
Medium A compact pyramidal tree with sturdy upright growth. More heat and drought tolerant than other lindens. Dense foliage produces dense summertime shade.

cv. 'Chancellor'

cv. 'Glenleven' Upright narrow form that is dense and symmetrical.

cv. 'Greenspire' Larger leaves and more spreading than the species.

cv. 'Corzam'    Columnar form with smaller, thicker leaves.

Tilia tomentose

Silver Linden

60'

40'

Medium
White underside of leaves give this tree its name. Tolerates heat and drought well. Trunk is smooth and gray.

cv. 'Green Mountain' Rapidly growing tree that is heat and drought tolerant.

cv. 'Sterling' Excellent form and resistant to leaf eating insects.

Platanus x acerifolia

London Planetree

90'

60'

Fast
A towering tree with strong roots and branches. Bark peels off in patches. Hardy and attractive in winter.

cv. 'Bloodgood' A common disease resistant form.

Ulmus parvifolia

Lacebark Elm

50'

30'

Medium
The tree has flaky bark and smaller leaves than American Elm. Is often confused with Siberian Elm, which is not approved for planting in parking strips.

cv. 'Ohio' More cold hardy than the species.

Zelkova serrata

Japanese Zelkova

70'

70'

Fast
A handsome, vase-shaped member of the elm family. Fall color is yellow / orange. Adaptable to different soil conditions and tolerant of drought and wind.

cv. 'Halka' Resembles American Elm.

cv. 'Green Vase' Rapid growth and good vase shaped form.

cv. 'Village Green' Rapid growth and insect resistant.

Aesculus hippocastanum

Common Horsechestnut

60'

45'

Medium

Casts dense summertime shade. Showy flowers in May.

cv. 'Baumannii'

Long-lasting flowers and seedless.

Trees Not Authorized for Street Planting

The following species are not to be planted in any parking strip in Provo without the written consent of the City Forester. These trees exhibit characteristics including but not limited to: extreme insect or disease susceptibility, soft or brittle wood, and/or limited cold or heat hardiness. Such problems often lead to excessive maintenance costs, hazards to other trees and potential public safety hazards.

Botanical & Common Name

Remarks

Acer negundo

Boxelder Maple
Soft wood that is subject to decay. Harbor box elder bugs which are a nuisance.

Acer saccharinum

Silver Maple
Becomes chlorotic our local soils. Soft wood and decay problems.

Ailanthus altissima

Tree of Heaven
Very brittle wood and weak branching. Seeding makes this tree invasive.

Eleagnus angustifolia

Russian Olive
Thorns, fruit, and growth habit are unsuitable for street tree use.

Gleditsia triacanthos

Thorned Honeylocust
Hazardous thorny branches. Messy seed pods. Select thornless varieties for planting along City streets.

cv. 'Sunburst'
Susceptible to many pests.

Populus

Cottonwood, Aspen, and Poplars
Trees in this family have soft wood and are subject to decay. Shallow roots.

Robinia pseudoacacia

Black Locust
Extremely susceptible to boring insects. Brittle wood..

Robinia ambigua "Purple Robe"

Purple Robe Locust
Very brittle wood. Susceptible to boring insects.

Salix

Willow
Soft wood subject to decay. Shallow roots. Ahpids.

Ulmus pumila

Siberian Elm
Brittle wood and weak branching. Invasive spread from seeding. Commonly referred to as Chinese Elm.

Evergreens
Block clear vision between pedestrians and vehicle traffic. Often spread too wide for parking strips.

Orchard Trees Fruit drop on sidewalks can be hazardous to pedestrians and a maintenance concern.