5 Perfect Trees For Streetside Planting

Urban trees are vitally important to the health and well being of the communities we live in. They help cool down cities, clean our air, increase our property values, and can even help us feel better when we have the blues. But not every tree is a good fit for planting along city streets.

Most municipalities will have a list of trees that are acceptable to plant between the sidewalk and the street. These trees will do little to no damage to city infrastructure. In case there is no such list, these are 5 trees that are safe to plant along city streets.

Please note that some of these trees may not be native where you live. It is always advisable to first check and see if planting a non-native tree is safe for the local environment.

Chinese Elm

Chinese elms are an excellent street tree that grows incredibly fast but are known to spread prolifically in some parts of the world. They tolerate urban stress, like air pollution, very well. They can thrive in dry or wet conditions and will adapt to nearly any kind of soil. They don’t usually suffer from pests, and while they are resistant to Dutch elm disease, they aren’t completely immune.

Japanese Zelkova

Like the Chinese elm, Zelkovas grow fast and are very tolerant of urban environments. The trees can grow large, which means they should be allotted ample space to grow. In the fall, their leaves explode into stunning orange, yellow, and red hues.

Paperbark maple

Many species of maple tree grow to be fairly large, but the paperbark maple is a bit more petite. It usually tops out at around 20 feet, which makes it ideal for streetside planting. The tree features a peeling, paper-like bark, as its name would suggest. In the fall, the leaves turn a stunning bright red color. You won’t likely be disappointed!

Shumard Oak

Shumard oak trees are large, tolerant of urban environments, can handle poor soil quality, and are long-lived. Multiple generations will get the opportunity to enjoy the oak tree you planted. Their foliage is orange and red in the fall. Oak trees are strong, hardy, and an excellent choice for a streetside tree.

Sugar maple

Sugar maples are one of the most popular trees in North America. They’re the state tree for New York, West Virginia, Vermont, and Wisconsin! These trees are excellent streetside trees. They’re valued commercially for their syrup but also burst into beautiful hues of yellow, red, and orange in the fall. It’s a solid addition to any urban environment.