New Tree Selection Guide Available From TreeVitalize

As an Extension Urban Forester, we are often asked by shade tree commissions or homeowners to provide a short list of the "best" trees to plant along streets and homes. I know I have my favorites, but if we just told communities to plant x, y or z species of tree, we would continue with the promote the lack of diversity in our community forests that have led to major losses from diseases such as Dutch Elm Disease or insects attacks like what we have seen from Emerald Ash Borer. 

Harsh urban planting sites can have extremes in temperature, moisture, wind, light, soil conditions, and peoples' attitudes. Understanding these realities is crucial for successful tree planting and growth. A new publication from the TreeVitalize program titled "A Guide for Tree Selection, Planting and Care" is available to help municipal shade tree commissions and community volunteers select the best tree for a given location.

This new guide does much more than just provide a list of species that survive in urban conditions. It provides information about age and species diversity, transplanting methods, climate considerations, selecting the appropriately sized tree, spacing between plantings, and other design considerations. It next addresses preparing the site for tree planting, including tree pits and utilizing structural soils for ultra-urban plantings. Proper planting technique and aftercare is also explained before the publication provides lists of small, medium and large maturing tree species. The lists of species include information about their tolerance to de-icing salts and urban conditions along with information about their growth form, fall color, flowers, and notes about their use and potential issues. 

The "Guide for Tree Selection, Planting and Care" was prepared through a partnership between the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, TreePennsylvania, USDA Forest Service and Penn State Extension. To obtain a digital copy of the guide, email Vincent Cotrone at vjc1@psu.edu and request a copy. It will soon be made available at TreePennsylvania website