The City of Moscow Street Tree Selection Guide Creating Successful Streetscapes for the Future A Community Forestry Program of the Parks & Recreation Department 2018 3rd edition
Table of Contents Introduction................................................. 1-6 Planting and Tree Care......................................... 7-10 Legend...................................................... 11 Small Trees................................................... 12-16 Medium Trees................................................ 17-23 Large Trees................................................... 24-28 Additional resources........................................... 29
Introduction What is a Street Tree? The Community Forestry program was established to enhance the quality of life in Moscow by promoting the planting, protection, and care of Moscow s trees. Street trees are a major focus of the program as they provide a multitude of community benefits in terms of economics, the environment, and health. However, it is important to sustain our community forest for future generations, and this is becoming increasingly problematic with changes in climate and the uncertainty of invasive pests. To this end, tree diversity is necessary for a healthy forest. The more different kinds of trees that are planted, the less vulnerable the overall community forest will be to future environmental events. This guide provides recommendations for selecting street trees based on the above concepts. Street trees are defined as trees that will be planted along a street right-of-way, within the public domain. Care, maintenance, and obtaining the necessary permits for removals and planting of street trees in the public right of way is the responsibility of the adjacent property owner. This includes costs associated with removal, replacement, pruning, and pest control under Moscow City Code (5-8-10). The trees listed in this guide book are not meant to be all-inclusive, yet offer many choices. Featured trees were selected based on their adaptability to our climate, resistance to environmental factors, attractiveness, and size range. This guide also highlights: Benefits of planting large street trees Undesirable characteristics to avoid for street trees A flow chart to help you select the best tree for your space Spacing and location requirements per City code Planting, watering, and post care tips The provided information is intended to help ensure your tree s survival while also promoting sound community forestry practices and adhering to City code. Thank you for assisting our community in maintaining the Tree City USA status and advancing the Community Forestry program. Moscow Tree Commission 1
A Long Term Approach Plant Large Trees There is an unfortunate trend in cities with urban forests to plant only small trees which can lead to what some call the dwarfing of the urban forest. If you reach the recommendation of selecting a tree from the Large Trees section, congratulations you can help prevent the dwarfing of Moscow s urban forest! By planting large trees where adequate space is available, you can help perpetuate the following benefits for future generations: Provide shade and reduce energy cooling costs for nearby homes Provide cover and habitat for wildlife Reduce heat island effect by cooling asphalt and extending pavement life Reduce storm water runoff Encourage alternative transport Improve air quality Improve property values Promote physical and mental well being Ideal locations for large maturing street trees include centered in a planting strip that is more than six feet wide (pictured top left) or on a lawn-attached curb (pictured top right). Be sure to consider the spread of a tree s branches. Never plant a large tree if overhead wires are present. 2
Selecting the Right Tree for the Right Space Use the flow chart below to help you determine which category to select a tree from. Remember, street tree permits are required for planting a tree in a street right-ofway and can be obtained for free at the Moscow Parks and Recreation office or online. Completed forms can be mailed to Moscow Parks & Recreation, P.O. Box 9203; faxed to 208-883-4512; or delivered in person to 1724 East F. Street. Once your permit is approved by the Community Forestry Administrator, you may secure your desired tree and plant it. Please call the Parks and Recreation office at 208.883.7100 or 208.883.7084 if you have questions concerning the permit or planning process. Always check for underground utilities by calling 811 at least two business days before you dig. 3
Street Tree Spacing & Location Requirements You ve obtained your free street tree permit and have chosen an appropriate tree given your location s constraints. Use this diagram from the City of Moscow Arboricultural and Specifications Guide, Moscow City Code (5-8-10), for further spacing and location requirements. Tree Lawn Detached Sidewalk Hedges are not allowed between the sidewalk and the curb and must be planted at least 5 behind the sidewalk. Municipal ordinance requires that all street trees be planted and maintained to meet public requirements. No tree plantings are allowed within this 40 sight triangle. Shrubs shall not exceed 36 in height above street level. 30 minimum spacing for large trees 10 minimum spacing for small trees Attached Sidewalk Public Right-of-Way (varies) Property Line 4
Selection of Featured Trees Selecting a tree for your home or property is one of the most important decisions you can make. Most trees can outlive the people who plant them, therefore the impact of this decision is one that can influence a lifetime. Trees selected for this guide have the following characteristics that are essential for them to establish and thrive in an urban streetscape: Drought tolerance Resistance to serious insect pests and disease Strong branching and structure Rounded, oval, upright forms Not all trees were destined for a street s right-of-way. The following species are not suitable street trees due to undesirable characteristics. Species Characteristic Poplar, Cottonwood, Willow, Maple (Silver and Box Elder) Elm (American and European), Ash (white, green, blue, and black), White-barked Birch Honey-locust (thorny varieties), Russianolive, Black walnut, Fruit trees Weak branching, high susceptibility to breakage from wind, ice, and snow Disease and pests (e.g. Dutch Elm Disease and emerald ash borer ) Litter and thorn problems Evergreens, Multi-stem tree forms, Weeping forms, Low-spreading forms Quaking Aspen, White poplar Norway Maple Maple (Red, Japanese), Katsura tree Sweeping branches that obstruct vehicle and pedestrian views Invasive spreading from root suckers Shallow roots that cause buckling and deterioration of sidewalks Low tolerance to drought 5
Tree Availability & Cultivars A major emphasis of this publication is to introduce residents to new species and new cultivars of those species that can thrive in the difficult environment of a streetscape. Many of these featured trees are available at local nurseries, but some may need to be special ordered due to limited inventory. It is hoped that demand from consumers like yourself, coupled with advocacy from the Moscow Tree Commission, will incentivize nurseries and growers into widening their tree inventory. As you search for a tree that fits your needs, you will see the word cultivar come up in some of the descriptions. A cultivar is a cultivated variety of a species that has been produced in cultivation by selective breeding. This breeding process is targeted at developing a tree with an improved and/or desirable characteristic(s). Cultivars not only perform better, but are more predictable with growing habits than their species counterpart in aspects like tree form, drought tolerance, flower blooms, pest resistance, etc. An example of a listed cultivar would be Bonfire Sugar Maple, Acer saccharum Bonfire. In this case Sugar Maple is the species and Bonfire is the name of the cultivar, bred for its wider environmental tolerance and brilliant fall color. 6
Best Planting Practices Before planting, be sure to have all underground utilities located prior to digging. Use the following steps to help your newly chosen street tree establish itself and thrive in its new environment. 1. Dig a hole at least twice as wide as the spread of the roots or diameter of the root ball, but no deeper than the root ball is tall. 2. Break up the soil outside the root ball. Since roots grow wide and shallow, this will ensure the roots will have an easier time penetrating and growing into the adjacent soil. 3. Planting for different tree types (see pictures below and instructions on the following page for each type): A. Container Grown B. Bare Root C. Balled & Burlapped 7
Best Planting Practices A. Container Grown Remove the tree from the container. If the roots are bound in a tight circle, uncoil them. Some roots may have to be cut to loosen the mass. Place the tree in the hole so that the top of the root ball is slightly higher than the surrounding ground. Adjust the tree until it is standing straight up and down. B. Bare Root Keep the bare roots moist at all times. Cut away any broken or unhealthy looking roots. Construct a 6 to 8 soil cone at the bottom of the hole (see circled area). Spread the roots evenly over the cone. The soil line on the trunk should be slightly higher than the surrounding ground. Add soil over the roots until the tree is straight and can stand on its own. C. Balled & Burlapped Place the tree in the hole so that the top of the root ball is slightly higher than the surrounding ground. Adjust the position of the tree so that it is straight stabilize it by adding soil around the bottom of the ball. Be gentle. Remove the twine from the trunk. Loosen the burlap and cut away the top 1/3 of the burlap and wire basket. 4. Backfill the planting hole with the soil that was originally dug out. When the hole is half filled, lightly tamp the soil around the roots or root ball to stabilize the tree. Add water to settle the soil and remove air pockets. Continue to backfill until hole is filled. Water again until soil is saturated. If the planting site is located on a slope, a raised ring of soil can be made around the hole to create a water-catching basin. 5. Place 2 to 4 inches of mulch (wood chips, bark chips, pine needles, etc.) over the planting site. Mulching provides multiple benefits for successful tree survival, such as improving root growth, conserving soil moisture, moderating soil temperature, reducing competition from weeds and keeping a mower deck away from the young tree trunk. 6. Most planted trees do not need staking. Root systems develop more strongly if the tree is allowed to sway in the wind. Stake the tree only for protection, such as in exposed, windy areas. Use two stakes opposite each and secure with slightly flexible material. Do not use wire or hosing material which can cut and depress into the trunk. Remove after the first year of growth. See the following page for additional guidance if your tree needs to be staked. 8
Best Planting Practices 2 to 4 inch (5 to 10 cm) layer of mulch Keep mulch 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5 cm) back from trunk Trunk flare Use two opposing, flexible ties when staking is necessary. Ties should be placed on the lower half of the tree and allow trunk movement. Gently pack backfill, using water to settle soil around the root ball. Remove containers, wrappings, wires, and ties. Set ball on firmly packed soil to prevent settling. 9
Caring for Your Tree Watering: All trees require supplemental watering for root establishment. Regular watering during the first three years is crucial to your tree s survival, and periodic, deep watering will help ensure its establishment. It is not recommended to rely solely on rainfall or lawn watering. Use the following guidelines to establish your tree and help it thrive: Apply water to all areas above growing roots and just beyond planting site radius to encourage root growth. Tree roots have the potential to grow far beyond the drip line, however roots only grow where the soil is moist. Roots do not grow through dry soil. Apply enough water to penetrate the soil to a depth of 18 to 24. This is where a majority of absorbing roots grow. Keep the soil around the tree moist, but not wet. Use a garden hose set at a trickle for best results. Check how deep the water has penetrated the soil. A metal rod or root feeder shaft will easily penetrate moist soil, but will have a difficult time with dry soil. Water at least once a week during the growing season. Adjust as needed to allow for soil type and seasonal condition. Water more often during periods of drought and hot weather. Pruning: Limit pruning to the removal of dead, broken, or crossing branches. Remove a branch just outside the branch collar (swollen area between trunk and branch or main stem). Never leave stubs or flush cuts. It is unnecessary and sometimes harmful to apply wound dressing or tree paint to the cut area after pruning. During its early growth, a young tree will also need training so that it may develop strongly attached branches. Fertilizing: It is recommended to not fertilize your tree during the first year after planting. If the tree is showing signs of nutrient deficiency, contact the Community Forestry Administrator for advice. Insects & Disease: Most problems with newly planted trees can be linked to improper watering, inferior tree stock, or a difficult planting site insects and disease cause the least problems. Keeping the tree in good health is the best protection against pests. If you suspect that the planted tree is suffering from insects or disease, contact the Community Forestry Administrator. 10
Legend The following pages provide you with descriptions of tree species and associated cultivars. Use the provided icons below to easily pick out trees that fit the aesthetics for your home and/or property. In cooperation with the City of Moscow s water conservation initiative, the Tree Commission has focused on listing trees that are adapted to drought and hot weather. The icons to the right show a tree s tolerance to drought. VT=Very Tolerant, T=Tolerant, M=Moderately Tolerant. Once your tree is established and thriving, use these icons as guides for continued water management. Drought Tolerance Tree Shapes Oval Pyramidal Irregular Vase Spreading Columnar Rounded Pollinator Friendly Power-Line Friendly Attracts Wildlife 11
Small Tree Section (25 & under) Suitable for areas with less than 4 wide planting spaces Good candidates for areas with overhead power lines 12
Common Name Scientific Name Trident Maple Acer buergerianum Rocky Mountain Maple Acer glabrum Big Tooth Maple Acer grandidentatum Tatarian Maple Acer tataricum Growth & Mature Size Height: 20 Spread: 20 Cold Hardiness: -20 F Height: 25 Spread: 13 Cold Hardiness: -20 F Height: 25 Spread: 20 Height: 20 Spread: 15 Cold Hardiness: -40 F Characteristics Foliage: Glossy green pale underside Fall Color: Orange to red General: A handsome, underutilized tree for confined spaces. Prefers full sun. Can grow in a wide range of soils and urban conditions making it a very desirable tree. Prune low spreading growth to encourage adequate sight clearance. Foliage: Medium green -orange to red General: A true Idaho native, this tree is quite shade tolerant, cold hardy, and exhibits attractive reddish twigs and winged seeds. Select or train for single-stem form for street tree. Foliage: Medium green Fall Color: Orange-red to red General: This maple is native to the Rocky Mountains including areas within southeastern Idaho. It is a relative of the sugar maple exhibiting a slower growth, excellent drought tolerance and intense fall color. Suitable cultivars of this species include Mesa Glow. Foliage: Medium green to orange-red General: An excellent tree for tough sites, adaptable to dry soil conditions. Flowers are followed by winged samaras (up to 1 long) that turn a showy red in summer/fall as they mature. In addition to the species being appropriate to plant, suitable cultivars include Pattern Perfect. 13
Common Name Scientific Name American Hornbeam Carpinus caroliniana Amur Maackia Maackia amurensis Pink/Red Flowering Crabapple Malus spp. White Flowering Crabapple Malus spp. Growth & Mature Size Height: 25 Spread: 20 Height: 25 Spread: 20 Cold Hardiness: -40 F Height: 15-25 Spread: 15-25 Height: 15-25 Spread: 15-25 Characteristics to bright orange-red General: A native tree to the eastern U.S., it is slow growing, tolerates wet soils, and grows best in partial shade. The tree develops a smooth gray bark similar to beech. Suitable cultivars of this species include Native and Uxbridge. Foliage: Medium green Fall Color: Medium green General: A compact, rounded tree for smaller landscapes. Very cold hardy, grows well in tough environments. Flowers in mid-summer when few others are in bloom. Suitable cultivar includes MaacNificent. Foliage: Green and burgundy -gold to bronze General: An adaptable tree. Cultivars have excellent disease resistance and form. Flower color ranges from light pink to deep red. Some have attractive, persistent small fruit. Suitable cultivars of this species include: Centurion, Profusion, Radiant, Red Barron, Rejoice, Royal Raindrops, Showtime, & Velvet Pillar. Foliage: Green -gold to bronze General: Similar to above, but these cultivars have pure white flowers. Attracts native pollinators and honey bees, especially in early spring. Suitable cultivars of this species include: Golden Raindrops, Harvest Gold, Marilee, Professor Sprenger, Red Jewel, Snowdrift, Sparkling Sprite, Sugar Tyme, & Tschonoskii. 14
Common Name Scientific Name Persian Parrotia Parrotia persica Pink Flair Cherry Prunus sargentii cultivar JFS-KW58 Royal Burgundy Cherry Prunus serrulta cultivar Royal Burgundy Krauter Vesuvius Plum Prunus cerasifera cultivar Krauter Vesuvius Growth & Mature Size Height: 25-30 Spread: 10-20 Cold Hardiness: -20 F Height: 25 Spread: 15 Cold Hardiness: -40 F Height: 20 Spread: 15 Cold Hardiness: -20 F Height: 20 Spread: 15 Characteristics Foliage: Green and textured -orange to red General: An interesting tree with unusual form and texture. Fall color is impressive with a bright mix of various colors. Grows best in full sun. In addition to the species being appropriate to plant, suitable cultivars include: Persian Spire, Ruby Vase, and Vanessa. Fall Color: Orange-red General: The hardiest of the flowering ornamental cherries. Its pink blossoms are as spectacular as its fall colors. The tree is an improved cultivar of Sargent Cherry. Foliage: Dark purple Fall Color: Scarlet red to bronze purple General: Grows best in full sun. This flowering cherry cultivar exhibits soft pink blossoms set against rich deep purple foliage each spring. The leaves turn vibrant shades of bright scarlet in the autumn. Foliage: Dark purple Fall Color: Dark purple General: An excellent drought tolerant, flowering, purple-leaved plum cultivar. It produces a spring bloom of light pink flowers. Maintains strong branching and an upright, rounded form. 15
Common Name Scientific Name Mt. St. Helens Plum Prunus cerasifera cultivar Frankthrees Ivory Silk Japanese Tree Lilac Syringa reticulata cultivar Ivory Silk Japanese Zelkova Zelkova serrata Growth & Mature Size Height: 20 Spread: 20 Height: 25 Spread: 20 Cold Hardiness: -40 F Height: 25 Spread: 18-36 Cold Hardiness: -20 F Characteristics Foliage: Dark purple Fall Color: Deep dark purple General: This cultivar has an improved structure that better withstands trunk splitting from strong winds and storms. Light pink flowers grace the top of the tree during the spring. Fall Color: Dark green to yellow-brown General: A tree form of the lilacs. Showy, fragrant, creamy white flowers bloom in upright panicles to 12 long in early summer. Select single stem specimens and plant in full sun for best results. Foliage: Bright green and finely textured General: Compact and semi-dwarf, this is an excellent tree for tight spaces in the landscape. Similar in appearance to the American elm. Grows at a medium rate and has exfoliating bark. Suitable cultivars of this species include City Sprite and Wireless. *Please note that there are additional cultivars of this species listed under the Large Tree section.* 16
Medium Tree Section (26 to 50 ) Suitable for areas with 4 to 6 wide planting spaces 17
Common Name Scientific Name Miyabei Maple Acer miyabei Greencolumn Maple Acer nigrum cultivar Greencolumn Sugar Maple Acer saccharum Sunset Maple Acer truncatum x platanoides Growth & Mature Size Height: 50 Spread: 40 Height: 45 Spread: 15 Height: 50 Spread: 40 Height: 35 Spread: 25 Characteristics General: A tough, adaptable tree. Exhibits deeply furrowed corky bark and has shown excellent heat and drought tolerance. Suitable cultivars of this species include Rugged Ridge & State Street. Foliage: Light green to apricot orange General: This upright, black maple cultivar can fit into tight street spaces. Similar looking to Sugar Maple, but more heat and drought tolerant. Will grow in narrow spaces and displays excellent fall color. As with all maples, its flowers give way to winged samaras. Foliage: Medium to dark green Fall Color: Orange to red General: A tree with good tolerance for cold and drought. Tree forms also include oval and columnar shapes. Canopy provides good shade. Suitable cultivars of this species include Autumn Fest, Autumn Splendor, Bonfire, Commemoration, Endowment, Legacy, & Northern Flare. Foliage: Glossy green and deep purple -orange to maroon to reddishbronze General: A cross between a small Asian maple and the Norway maple, its best qualities include fall color, heat tolerance, and nice branch structure. Suitable cultivars of this species include Norwegian Crimson & Urban. 18
Common Name Scientific Name Briotii Red Horsechestnut Aesculus carnea cultivar Briotii Growth & Mature Size Height: 27 Spread: 30 Characteristics to brown General: Has striking rose-red, cone-shaped flower clusters that bloom in May. Low hanging limbs should be pruned to allow for sight clearance. Snowcloud Serviceberry Amelanchier laevis cultivar Snowcloud European Hornbeam Carpinus betulus Yellowwood Cladrastis kentukea Height: 28 Spread: 20 Height: 45 Spread: 30 Height: 40 Spread: 40 Cold Hardiness: -20 F Fall Color: Scarlet General: This cultivar of a popular shrub is selected for its single stem and upright tree form. Foliage exhibits a red tint in spring while clusters of white flowers cover its crown. Birds enjoy a feast of purplish blue berries in late summer. General: Tree features include heat and drought resistance and an upright, symmetrical, formal appearance. It holds its color well through hot, summer days. Suitable cultivars of this species include Emerald Avenue, Fastigiata, and Native Flame. Fastigiata is narrow when young but later widens to a dense oval shape. Foliage: Bright green General: An urban tolerant tree that can withstand alkaline soils and has very few pests. Displays showy cascades of fragrant, white blooms in spring. Flowers are a significant source of nectar for bees. 19
Common Name Scientific Name Turkish Filbert Corylus colurna Tricolor European Beech Fagus sylvatica Roseomarginata Ginkgo Ginkgo biloba Goldenraintree Koelreuteria paniculata Growth & Mature Size Height: 40 Spread: 30 Height: 30 Spread: 20 Cold Hardiness: -20 F Height: 50 Spread: 30 Height: 35 Spread: 30 Cold Hardiness: -20 F Characteristics Foliage: Green General: Once established after several years of supplemental watering, this tree becomes quite drought tolerant. Remains green and vigorous when other trees are showing signs of drought/ scorch. It is relatively free of insect or disease problems. The nuts are edible. Foliage: Varigated purple Fall Color: Copper General: The colorful foliage of this tree is its main attraction. Purple leaves have irregular rose and pinkish white margins. It performs best when growing in locations favored by indirect light. Foliage: Bright green & fan shaped Fall Color: Bright yellow General: A slow-growing, durable tree for difficult environments. Select and plant only male trees as the fruit from female trees has an unpleasant odor. Suitable cultivars of this species include Autumn Gold, Golden Colonnade, Magya, The President, & Princeton Sentry. Foliage: Medium green General: Native to China, Japan, and Korea. Extremely drought tolerant, it thrives in tough urban environments and an astonishingly wide range of soil conditions. Known for its footlong clusters of yellow flowers that appear in summer, one of just a few trees to flower at such a time. Fruit are air-filled capsules resembling Japanese lanterns. 20
Common Name Scientific Name Black Tupelo Nyssa sylvatica American Hophornbeam Ostrya virginiana Cork Tree Phellodendron amurense Sargent Cherry Prunus sargentii Growth & Mature Size Height: 30-45 Spread: 20-25 Height: 40 Spread: 20 Cold Hardiness: -40 F Height: 30-45 Spread: 30-50 Height: 40 Spread: 35 Characteristics and glossy Fall Color: Bright scarlet General: Young trees have pyramidal shape with horizontal branches & a straight trunk. Also has an oval form. Tolerant of drought and compacted soils. Flowers provide bees food in early to late spring. Cultivars are seedless. Suitable cultivars of this species include Firestarter, Green Gable, Gum Drop, & Red Rage. General: Pest resistance, drought tolerance, and a strong structure are qualities found on this tree. Prune low drooping branches to provide sight clearance. The fruit, a nutlet, resembles the fruit of hops, hence the name, Hophornbeam. In addition to the species being appropriate to plant, Suitable cultivars include Autumn Treasure. Foliage: Medium green General: Recommended cultivars of this tree have more durable upright forms and are seedless. The species should be avoided for street tree planting due to a low spreading crown and messy fruit. Older trees have deeply ridged and furrowed bark. Suitable cultivars of this species include Eye Stopper & His Majesty. Fall Color: Bronze-orange to orange-red General: Native to Japan, this tree is hardier than other Japanese cherries. Also has rounded form. Single flowers are pink and bloom in spring. Other attractive features include a rich, polished, mahogany colored bark. Suitable cultivars of this species include Columnaris. 21
Common Name Scientific Name Aristocrat Pear Pyrus calleryanna cultivar Aristocrat Swamp White Oak Quercus bicolor Prairie Statue Oak Quercus x bimundorum cultivar Midwest Growth & Mature Size Height: 30 Spread: 20 Height: 50 Spread: 50 Height: 45 Spread: 30 Characteristics and glossy Fall Color: Deep red General: Aristocrat is the only ornamental pear cultivar recommended for planting as it's structure is more resistant to storm breakage. Adaptable to a wide range of soil conditions, including heavy clays. Displays creamy white flowers in the spring, completely covering the tree. Foliage: Green -brown to reddish General: A tough oak for our area. Tolerant of urban conditions including soil compaction, wet soils and drought. Popular with wildlife due to its acorns. Features include attractive peeling bark, especially on young trees, and leaves with wavy margins. -orange to red General: A cold-hardy hybrid of English Oak and White Oak. Its fall color is an attractive feature along with its broad, pyramidal form. Shingle Oak Quercus imbricaria Cold Hardiness: -40 F Height: 50 Spread: 50 Cold Hardiness: -20 F and glossy to rusty red General: This tree is not easily recognized as an oak due to its willow-like, un-lobed leaves. Because of its very strong wood, it is not subject to storm damage. The leaves often persist through winter and assist with screening or wind protection. 22
Common Name Scientific Name Skymaster English Oak Quercus robur cultivar Pyramich English-White Oak Quercus robur x alba American Linden Tilia americana Silver Linden Tilia tomentosa New Horizon Elm Ulmus cultivar New Horizon Growth & Mature Size Height: 50 Spread: 25 Cold Hardiness: -20 F Height: 45 Spread: 15-35 Height: 35-50 Spread: 20-35 Cold Hardiness: -40 F Height: 45 Spread: 35 Cold Hardiness: -20 F Height: 45 Spread: 30 Characteristics -brown General: A beautiful English oak cultivar that is narrow when young becoming pyramidal-shaped with age. It maintains a strong central leader as it matures. Exceptionally drought tolerant once established. Fall Color: Orange-red and rusty red General: Selections have strong upright growth and tolerate harsh, urban conditions. Also has a columnar form. A good tree to plant when above ground space may be limited. Suitable cultivars of this species include Forest Knight & Streetspire. Foliage: Medium green and heart-shaped General: Listed cultivars have more of an upright form than the species. Flowers are a significant source of nectar for bees. Suitable cultivars of this species include American Sentry, Boulevard, Continental Appeal, & Legend. Foliage: Green with pale underside General: Yellow-white fragrant flowers are a good food source for pollinators. In addition to the species being appropriate to plant suitable cultivars include Green Mountain & Sterling. General: Resistant to Dutch elm disease. Smaller in stature than other elm cultivars. Foliage take on a rusty-red tint in fall. Branches are slightly arching. 23
Large Tree Section (50 & over) Suitable for areas that are 6 wide or greater Good candidates for areas with no overhead power lines or sight clearance issues 24
Common Name Scientific Name Hackberry Celtis occidentalis Thornless Honeylocust Gleditsia triacanthos variety inermis Kentucky Coffeetree Gymnocladus dioicus London Planetree Platanus x acerifolia Growth & Mature Size Height: 55 Spread: 35 Cold Hardiness: -40 F Height: 60 Spread: 40 Height: 50-60 Spread: 30-40 Height: 60-75 Spread: 50-70 Cold Hardiness: -20 F Characteristics Foliage: Medium green General: Listed cultivars are well-adapted to tough urban conditions. Corky ridges form on trunk and branches. Fruit is persistent and is popular with winter birds. Tree also attracts many butterfly species. Magnifica cultivar develops a large, arching canopy similar to an elm. Suitable cultivars of this species include Magnifica, Prairie Pride, & Prairie Sentinel. Foliage: Medium green General: An adaptable tree that can grow in a variety of conditions. Develops an airy crown providing dappled shade that allows grass to grow beneath. Foliage is finely texture. Cultivars are thornless and seedless. Suitable cultivars of this species include Imperial, Shademaster, Skyline & Street Keeper. Foliage: Green General: It has a high tolerance to drought, difficult soils, and other urban stresses. Plant seedless, male cultivars to avoid messy fruit. Suitable cultivars of this species include Espresso, JC McDaniel, Prairie Titan, & Stately Manor. Foliage: Medium green -brown General: This tree is a hybrid of the American Sycamore and an Asian Planetree. Like sycamore, this tree has mottled, peeling bark. Listed cultivars show good resistance to anthracnose, a damaging fungal disease. Suitable cultivars of this species include Bloodgood, Columbia, Exclamation, Liberty, Ovation, & Yarwood. 25
Common Name Scientific Name Forest Green Oak Quercus frainetto cultivar Schmidt Urban Pinnacle Oak Quercus macrocarpa cultivar JFS-KW3 Chinkapin Oak Quercus muehlenbergii Red Oak Quercus rubra Growth & Mature Size Height: 60 Spread: 50 Cold Hardiness: -20 F Height: 55 Spread: 30 Cold Hardiness: -40 F Height: 60 Spread: 50 Cold Hardiness: -20 F Height: 65 Spread: 50 Cold Hardiness: -40 F Characteristics Foliage: Deep green and glossy to brown General: Traits include drought tolerant and urban adaptability. Its strong central trunk gives it a stately and symmetrical appearance, having earned the title as one of the best looking trees of summer. Foliage has deeply lobed leaves. and glossy General: This cultivar of the large, spreading Bur Oak is recommended for street tree planting due to its upright, oval form and petite acorns. Like its parentage, this tree exhibits exceptional tolerance for droughty conditions. to yellow-brown General: Native to the eastern U.S., one of many oaks suitable for streetscapes. Flowers are borne separately on the same tree in April and May. Male flowers are clusters of hanging catkins. Female flowers are inconspicuous tiny spikes found in the axils of new leaves. Fall Color: Red General: A good street tree that performs quite well in the city environment, tolerating the most difficult sites, including those with compacted soils. Has a medium to fast growth rate. Provides food and shelter for many types of wildlife. 26
Common Name Scientific Name Shumard Oak Quercus shumardii Bald Cypress Taxodium distichum American Elm Ulmus americana Accolade Elm Ulmus davidiana variety japonica cultivar Morton Growth & Mature Size Height: 55 Spread: 40 Cold Hardiness: -20 F Height: 60 Spread: 20-30 Height: 60-70 Spread: 50 Height: 60 Spread: 40 Characteristics Fall Color: Red General: Similar to the red oak, this adaptable tree has been successfully grown in the toughest of environments. Performs well in places where other oaks perform poorly. Makes a dramatic fall statement, with leaves turning brilliant red to redorange. Foliage: Bright green Fall Color: Rusty orange General: Unlike most cone-bearing trees, Bald Cypress loses its needles each winter and grows a new set in spring. Needles are lacey and one of its outstanding characteristics. Hardy and tough, this tree will adapt to a wide range of soil types and conditions. In addition to the species being appropriate to plant, suitable cultivars include Shawnee Brave. General: Listed cultivars show very good resistance to Dutch elm disease. The graceful, stately shape of the species American Elm is still evident in these selections. Suitable cultivars of this species include Jefferson, New Harmony, and Princeton. and glossy General: This selection was bred by crossing various American, European, and Asian elm species. It is resistant to Dutch elm disease. Introduced by the Morton Arboretum in Chicago. Maintains most of the features of the American elm, yet grows somewhat more compact. 27
Common Name Scientific Name Triumph Elm Ulmus cultivar Morton Glossy Japanese Zelkova Zelkova serrata Growth & Mature Size Height: 60 Spread: 40 Height: 45-60 Spread: 30-40 Cold Hardiness: -20 F Characteristics and glossy General: Strong, upright branching makes this elm cultivar easy to train for good structure when young. Softly arching branches develop as the tree matures. This tree has very good resistance to Dutch elm disease and good drought tolerance. Foliage: Green Fall Color: Orange, rusty red, or yellow General: Cultivars of the species tend to grow more upright, yet still retain the desired vase shape. Showy fall colors, a graceful shape, cold hardiness, and drought tolerance characterize some of their best attributes. Especially appealing is their smooth gray bark which exfoliates with age to reveal an orange-brown inner bark. Suitable cultivars of this species include Green Vase, Musachino Columnar, & Village Green. *Please note that there are additional cultivars of this species listed under the Small Tree section.* 28
Additional Resources Moscow has received the National Arbor Day Foundation s Tree City USA Award and Tree City USA Growth Award for excellence in community forestry management. Parks & Recreation Community Forestry Program Phone: 208.883.7100 Address: 650 North Van Buren Street, Moscow, ID 83843 Website: www.ci.moscow.id.us/parks-rec/pages/community-forestry.aspx Moscow Tree Commission Phone: 208.883.7098 Email: tree@ci.moscow.id.us Website: www.ci.moscow.id.us/commissions/pages/tree.aspx University of Idaho Extension Forestry Phone: 208.885.7718 Email: extfor@uidaho.edu Website: www.uidaho.edu/extension/forestry Idaho Department of Lands Community Forestry Program Coeur d Alene Staff Office Phone: 208.769.1525 Website: www.idl.idaho.gov/forestry/community-forestry/index.html 29