How to Choose Trees for Urban Environments

There is no universal list of trees that should — or should not — be planted in cities. A species that performs well in one region, streetscape, or soil type may be poorly suited to another. DeepRoot does not select tree species for individual projects, and the examples in this article should not be treated as prescriptions. Those decisions belong to landscape architects, urban foresters, arborists, municipal staff, and other professionals who understand the site and its regional context. The more useful approach is to begin with the conditions and objectives of the project, then develop an appropriate planting palette from there.

An urban tree should be selected for the site it will actually occupy, not an idealized version of it. Climate and hardiness zone are important, but so are sunlight, soil type, pH, drainage, available water, wind exposure, reflected heat, road salt, and the space available above and below ground. Existing infrastructure, local regulations, and anticipated maintenance should also inform the decision. As University of Minnesota Extension advises, matching species to soil, moisture, light, and available space is fundamental to long-term success.

It is equally important to consider the tree at maturity. A young tree may fit easily into a new streetscape, but its eventual height, canopy spread, trunk size, and rooting needs will determine whether it can remain there successfully. Mature dimensions should be considered alongside sidewalks, buildings, sightlines, lighting, overhead wires, underground utilities, and the space needed for pedestrian and vehicle movement. The International Society of Arboriculture’s guide to tree selection and placement offers a useful overview of how mature size and location should be evaluated together.

Once the site constraints are understood, the project team can ask what it wants the trees to accomplish. The priority might be creating a broad shade canopy, reducing heat, supporting habitat, helping manage stormwater, providing seasonal interest, defining a pedestrian space, or combining several of these benefits. Different trees have different strengths, and the best choice will depend on which outcomes matter most. Project goals can help narrow the possibilities, but they should always be considered alongside the practical realities of the site.

Selection should also contribute to a diverse and resilient urban forest. Repeating a small number of species across a neighborhood or city can increase vulnerability to pests, diseases, and changing environmental conditions. Diversity across species — and, where possible, genera and families — can help distribute that risk. The USDA Climate Hubs identifies species and structural diversity as an important component of urban-forest resilience. Diversity should not mean introducing poorly suited trees simply to increase the count, however; every selection still needs to work for its site.

A Few Species Worth Exploring

No tree species is appropriate for every region or project. Climate, soil, water, available rooting volume, local ecology, and project goals should all guide the final selection. The species below are simply a few possibilities worth exploring for urban environments.

TREE SPECIES	WHY IT'S WORTHY OF CONSIDERATION

*Kentucky coffeetree (Gymnocladus dioicus)*	A large, distinctive native shade tree with tolerance for pollution and a broad range of soils, making it a useful possibility for demanding urban sites where there is room for its mature canopy.
*Common hackberry (Celtis occidentalis)*	A sturdy, adaptable native shade tree suited to parkways, parks, and other larger planting areas. Its persistent fruit also provides food and habitat for birds.
*Swamp white oak (Quercus bicolor)*	A large native oak that can accommodate wet soils and occasional flooding, while established trees also tolerate salt, heat, and periods of drought. It can provide substantial long-term shade where adequate soil and canopy space are available.
*River birch (Betula nigra)*	One of the more heat-tolerant and adaptable birches, river birch is especially worth considering for rain gardens, riparian edges, and other moist, acidic, or periodically flooded sites. Its exfoliating bark also adds winter interest.
*Disease-tolerant elm cultivars (Ulmus* spp.)**	Disease-tolerant cultivars offer a way to reintroduce elm canopy to urban and community forests. Results from the multi-site National Elm Trial provide a useful starting point for identifying cultivars with promising regional performance.
*Thornless honeylocust (Gleditsia triacanthos* f. inermis)**	Its light, dappled canopy, broad soil adaptability, and tolerance of road salt can make thornless honeylocust useful in demanding streetscapes. It is best used as one component of a diverse urban tree palette.
*American hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana)*	A smaller native understory tree that can bring layered canopy, fall color, and distinctive bark to shaded landscapes, naturalized areas, and woodland-style urban plantings.
*Black tupelo, or black gum (Nyssa sylvatica)*	A medium-sized native tree with strong fall color and wildlife value. Its tolerance of heat, drought, wet and dry soils, and some salt makes it a flexible possibility for streets, parks, and shade plantings.
*Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba)*	Hardy, pest-resistant, and tolerant of salt, heat, drought, and alkaline soils, ginkgo can be a durable city tree. Nonfruiting male cultivars are generally preferred for public spaces.
*Turkish filbert, or Turkish hazelnut (Corylus colurna)*	A hardy tree suited to street plantings and other urban conditions. It adapts to different soil pH levels and tolerates heat, cold, and drought after establishment, with relatively few insect or disease problems.
*Persian parrotia, or Persian ironwood (Parrotia persica)*	A small-to-medium tree with multi-season foliage and bark interest, as well as tolerance for heat, drought, air pollution, and several soil types. It may be useful where a very large canopy tree would not fit.
*Kentucky yellowwood (Cladrastis kentukea)*	A medium-sized native shade tree with fragrant spring flowers and clear yellow fall color. It may be a strong fit for small-to-medium landscapes where shade and ornamental character are both priorities.

This list is intended as an introduction, not a comprehensive planting guide. DeepRoot defers to landscape architects, urban foresters, arborists, municipal staff, engineers, and other local professionals to determine which trees are appropriate for a particular site. For three additional possibilities with distinctive seasonal character, see Three Deciduous Conifers.

Finally, species selection is only part of the equation. Even a well-matched tree may struggle when its roots are confined to a small volume of compacted soil with inadequate water, oxygen, or drainage. Planning for sufficient high-quality soil and usable rooting space gives the selected tree a better opportunity to reach the mature size envisioned for the project. DeepRoot’s guide to soil volume targets for urban trees provides a starting point for that discussion. Choosing an appropriate tree and creating the conditions for it to grow should ultimately be treated as parts of the same design decision.

Sources and Further Reading

The characteristics and potential applications described in the table above were reviewed using the following resources:

The Morton Arboretum: Kentucky coffeetree, common hackberry, swamp white oak, thornless honeylocust, American hornbeam, ginkgo, Turkish filbert, and Kentucky yellowwood
NC State Extension: river birch, black tupelo, and Persian parrotia
U.S. Forest Service: Ten-Year Performance of the United States National Elm Trial