The City of Moscow Street Tree Selection Guide
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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-of- way 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 Municipal ordinance requires that allowed between the all street trees be planted and sidewalk and the curb maintained to meet public and must be planted requirements. at least 5’ behind the sidewalk. 30’ minimum spacing No tree plantings are allowed within this for large trees 40’ sight triangle. Shrubs shall not exceed 36” in height above street level. 10’ minimum spacing for small trees Attached Public Right-of-Way (varies) Sidewalk 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 Weak branching, high susceptibility to and Box Elder) breakage from wind, ice, and snow Elm (American and European), Ash (white, Disease and pests (e.g. Dutch Elm Disease green, blue, and black), White-barked Birch and emerald ash borer ) Honey-locust (thorny varieties), Russian- Litter and thorn problems olive, Black walnut, Fruit trees Evergreens, Multi-stem tree forms, Sweeping branches that obstruct vehicle Weeping forms, Low-spreading forms and pedestrian views Quaking Aspen, White poplar Invasive spreading from root suckers Norway Maple Shallow roots that cause buckling and deterioration of sidewalks Maple (Red, Japanese), Katsura tree 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 cultivaris 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 B. Bare Root C. Balled & Burlapped • Remove the tree from the • Keep the bare roots moist • Place the tree in the hole container. If the roots are at all times. so that the top of the root bound in a tight circle, ball is slightly higher than uncoil them. Some roots • Cut away any broken or the surrounding ground. may have to be cut to unhealthy looking roots. loosen the mass. • Adjust the position of the • Construct a 6” to 8” soil tree so that it is straight— • Place the tree in the hole cone at the bottom of the stabilize it by adding soil so that the top of the root hole (see circled area). around the bottom of the ball is slightly higher than ball. Be gentle. the surrounding ground. • Spread the roots evenly over the cone. The soil line • Remove the twine from • Adjust the tree until it is on the trunk should be the trunk. standing straight up and slightly higher than the down. surrounding ground. • Loosen the burlap and cut away the top 1/3 of the • Add soil over the roots burlap and wire basket. until the tree is straight and can stand on its own. 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.