Right Tree Right Place
New Tree Planting
Planting the right tree in the right place is an investment in the future. Choosing the right tree and the best place to plant will help provide beautiful, healthy trees that need little maintenance. The temptation to plant a fast growing tree is great. However, these types of trees often develop problems prior to maturity because much of their energy is used in growth with little left over for defense of pests and diseases. Trees with slow to moderate growth rates are usually healthier, survive longer and able to tolerate attacks of pests and diseases. Good tree selection should accommodate site use and safety needs. When choosing a tree, consider the following:
Tree Function
Why are you planting the tree? A beautiful, well-maintained tree can add to the value of your home, as well as providing shade, flowers, fall colors, beauty, windbreak, energy conservation, a landscape border, wildlife habitat, or screening a neighboring view.
Tree Location
What is the mature size and shape of the tree? Trees are living organisms that grow larger each year increasing in height, canopy width, and size of root system. Plan for your tree to have room to grow in height and width by considering its mature size and shape. Tree canopies may be rounded, pyramidal, vase-shaped, broad (wider than tall), layered, weeping, oval (taller than wide) or shrubby. Trees require space to reach their full size without crowding buildings, sidewalks, overhead utility lines, neighboring properties and other plants. Consult a tree professional or tree publication to find out what size the plant will be at maturity before selecting the species.
Is this tree suitable as a street tree?
Large trees growing in the limited space along city streets cost cities and utilities millions of dollars each year in needed repairs to streets, walks, and sewers, and in pruning for road and overhead clearance. Contact city parks for street tree recommendations.
Will the tree block visibility in driveways or intersections?
Trees with low, spreading branches are appropriate for screens but not for placement along streets where good visibility and clearance is essential. Tree limbs can obscure street lights, traffic signs and signals, and dangerously restrict views of oncoming traffic.
Will the mature tree conflict with overhead utility lines?
Look up before you plant! Select small trees with mature heights of twenty feet or less. Trees that conflict with power lines increase pruning, maintenance costs and can cause power outages.
Will the roots uplift sidewalks or driveways, damage foundations or cause serious damage to sewer pipes and other underground utilities?
Large, fast growing trees with invasive root systems, such as poplars and willows can cause damage to sidewalks, driveways, sewer and septic systems, underground utilities and foundation and basement walls. This is not only expensive to repair, but can also create serious hazards for pedestrians. Call before you dig to locate underground utilities (1-800-424-5555).
Growing Conditions
Will the tree survive local climate and soil conditions? Does it require shade or sun? A wet or dry spot? Trees in the Spokane area should be hardy to USDA zone 5 (-15 to -20° F). The hardiness and adaptability of the tree species to climatic and site conditions play a significant role in the selection of the tree. The adaptability of the tree species to high and low temperatures, wind, soil conditions, moisture and other factors will affect survival.
Is there enough soil area to provide the tree the nutrients and space it needs to survive?
The majority of tree roots grow in the top twelve inches of soil and often spread two to three times the height of the tree. Trees thrive when they have enough soil that is well-drained, and contains the mineral elements, air, water, and organic matter required for healthy root growth. Without these conditions, trees are continuously under stress and their longevity will be shortened. Select trees suited to the site’s growing conditions.
Is the tree susceptible to disease or insects?
Insect pests and disease organisms affect almost every tree and shrub species. Fortunately, many insect pests and diseases are not life threatening to the tree. Many insects are beneficial to trees and shrubs. Every locality has its particular pest problems and their severity varies according to the current environmental conditions and the susceptibility of the tree. Trees under stress from environmental conditions such as drought may face increased susceptibility to pests. Select plants that are resistant to pests and diseases to minimize maintenance problems and reduce the need for treatments.
Selecting the Individual Tree
Trees offered for sale can vary greatly in quality. In most cases the tree should have a straight stem, be well branched, have an adequate living root system, be hardy to Spokane (USDA Zone 5) and show evidence of proper care while in winter storage or in the sales yard. A good specimen planted properly, and well maintained, will become established rapidly in the selected site. It is best to purchase trees from a nursery because they have the knowledge to help you select the right tree for the right place!
For more information contact: 363-5495
Ice Storm Recovery Team
Department of Natural Resources
Inland Northwest Arborist Association
Inland Empire Association of Landscape Architects
Spokane Parks & Recreation Department
Spokane County Conservation District
WSU Cooperative Extension/Spokane County
Washington Water Power
Washington Association of Landscape Professionals
TREES NOT RECOMMENDED FOR RESIDENTIAL, STREET SIDE PLANTING OR UNDER UTILITY LINES.
The following trees are not recommended for homeowner use and are not to be planted on any public rights-of-way in Spokane, Washington. These trees exhibit characteristics including, but not limited to:
Fast growing trees having weak, brittle wood that are subject to decay. Notorious for damage to curbs, sidewalks, and driveways.
| Common Name | Botanical Name |
| Cottonwoods, Aspen, or Poplars | Populus sp. |
| Willows | Salix sp. |
| Silver Maple | Acer saccharinum |
| Tree of Heaven | Ailanthus altissima |
| Boxelder | Acer negundo |
| Black Locust | Robinia pseudoacacia |
Severely attacked by insects or diseases that weaken or defoliate branches, decrease tree vigor and shorten lifespan.
| Common Name | Botanical Name |
| Boxelder | Acer negundo |
| Black Locust | Robinia pseudoacacia |
| Elms | Ulmus sp. |
| Birches | Betula sp. |
| American Sycamore | Platanus occidentalis |
| Russian Olive | Elaeagnus angustifolia |
Produce and drop large or messy fruit that may cause hazardous conditions for pedestrians and extra clean-up work for the homeowner/resident.
| Common Name | Botanical Name |
| Common Horsechestnut | Aesculus hippocastanum |
| Mountain Ash | Sorbus sp. |
Trees that experience chlorosis problems, or a yellow color in the leaves due to nutrient unavailability in alkaline soils.
| Common Name | Botanical Name |
| Pin Oak | Quercus palustris |
| Scarlet Oak | Quercus coccinea |
These conifer trees may not be the best choice along street sides, but may be ideal planted in residential yard areas - They become VERY large, can obstruct travel ways, reduce visibility, continuously dropping needles and/or cones true of most large conifers. If you have questions about planting a conifer in right-of-ways or private yards feel free to contact us, the Spokane Conservation District, or one of the Certified Arborists.
| Common Name | Botanical Name |
| Ponderosa Pine | Pinus ponderosa |
| Douglas Fir | Pseudotsuga menziesii |
| Colorado Blue Spruce | Picea pungens |
| White Fir | Abies concolor |
| Western Red Cedar | Thuja plicata |
