Municipal “street tree”
There are some non-native trees that are particularly well suited to use as street trees. While not native (and therefore often less supportive of local biodiversity), they do not grow aggressively or invade our local ecosystems, and therefore are not considered invasive at this time. They can be a good choice for planting in Westchester in certain settings. For example, the London planetree (Platanus x acerifolia) and the gingko tree (Ginkgo biloba) are good choices for planting near streets, sidewalks and driveways with plenty of space for large mature trees. While they are non-native trees, they can tolerate harsh conditions and are not considered invasive at this time. Below is a selection from the list of “New York City Approved Street Trees” that are non-native and that are recommended for Westchester County:
Title: New York City Approved Street Tree List
Sponsor Organization: New York City Parks
Description: Database of approved street trees for planting in NYC.
| Botanical Name | Common Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Small non-native trees (under 30 feet) | ||
| Acer griseum | Paperbark maple | |
| Acer truncatum | Painted maple | |
| Chionanthus retusus | Fringe tree | |
| Cornus mas | Cornelian-cherry | |
| Malus ‘Cardinal’, ‘Prairiefire’, ‘Profusion’, ‘Spring Snow’, ‘Donald Wyman’, ‘Professor Sprenger’ | Crabapple | |
| Prunus ‘Okame’ | Okame cherry | |
| Prunus serrulata ‘Kwanzan’ | Kwanzan cherry | |
| Prunus ‘Snow Goose’ | Snow Goose cherry | |
| Large, non-native trees (over 30 feet) | ||
| Aesculus hippocastanum | Horse chestnut | |
| Aesculus octandra | Yellow buckeye |
Native to midwest and southeast US |
| Corylus colurna | Turkish filbert | |
| Fagus sylvatica | European beech | |
| Ginkgo biloba | Ginkgo | Plant males only |
| Metasequoia glyptostroboides | Dawn redwood | |
| Platanus x acerifolia | London planetree | |
| Quercus dentata | Daimio oak | |
| Quercus frainetto | Italian oak | |
| Quercus gambelii x macrocarpa | Hybrid oak developed by Dr. Nina Bassuk, Cornell University | |
| Quercus robur | English oak | Var. fastigiata is preferred for street tree plantings |
| Quercus shumardii | Shumard oak | Native to midwestern US |
| Quercus shumardii | Regal Prince oak | Recommended by Dr. Nina Bassuk, Cornell University |
| Taxodium distichum | Bald cypress | Native to southeastern US |
| Tilia cordata | Littleleaf linden | |
| Tilia tomentosa | Silver linden | |
| Tilia x euchlora | Crimean linden | |
| Aesculus x carnea ‘Fort Mcnair’ | Red horse chestnut | |
| Carpinus betulus | European hornbeam | |
| Magnolia ‘Butterflies’, ‘Elizabeth’ | Yellow magnolias | |
| Parrotia persica | Persian ironwood | |
| Stewartia koreana | Korean Stewartia |
To look up any of the trees on this list for photos and growing requirements, use the Woody Plant Database:
Title: Woody Plant Database
Sponsor Organization: Cornell University Urban Horticulture Institute
Description: Find the right tree for your site. Use this tool to help you choose the right tree, shrub or woody vine based on your site’s conditions. See photos and growing requirements of many trees using this tool.