Tree Planting

 

 

CITY OF CEDAR RAPIDS

TREE PLANTING LIST

 In alphabetical order by common name, followed by botanical name and recommended cultivars

(Revised 05/09/12)

 

The Cedar Rapids Municipal Code requires that new street (ROW) and parking lot trees shall be shade trees (overstory or mid-canopy species) unless overhead utilities do not allow planting of these trees [32.05.030 Development Standards].

Note: The use of trees native to Iowa and the Midwest is recommended wherever possible, particularly in larger yards and public greenspaces. Native trees are adapted to local growing conditions and ecosystems and often perform best over the long run. Most trees native to the Midwest (climate zone 4-5) should also perform well here in Iowa. The lists below also include many non-native tree species that are adapted well to this area and the stresses of urban environments. Exotic trees that exhibit invasive properties and are known to compete with native species are not included on the list. The best approach for selecting a tree to plant is to evaluate sunlight, soil volume and quality, water sources, and other physical conditions of the site. Planting success may vary with specific circumstances. None of the following lists are meant to be all inclusive. Requests to plant trees not included on this list will be handled by the City Arborist on a case by case basis.

PLEASE REFER TO THE RESTRICTED PLANTING LISTS AT THE END OF THIS DOCUMENT FOR SPECIES THAT ARE NOT ALLOWED TO BE PLANTED ON THE CITY RIGHT-OF-WAY (ROW) OR AS PART OF REQUIRED LANDSCAPING. 

 

OVERSTORY TREES (>= 1,600 sq. ft. of canopy at maturity): Overstory trees typically reach a diameter-at-breast- height (DBH) in excess of 25 inches and a height in excess of 60 feet at maturity. Per the Municipal Code,  the spacing requirement for planting is  40 feet on center between both existing and replacement trees. New trees are to be 2 inches DBH (diameter at breast height or 4.5 ft. above grade).Please note: Some species may not be permitted on the ROW but make fine private trees.

 

Baldcypress	Taxodium distichum	‘Shawnee Brave’
Catalpa, Northern *	Catalpa speciosa
Dawn Redwood	Metasequoia glyptostroboides	‘Gold Rush’
Elm, American/ Hybrid	Ulmus Americana/Ulmus x	‘New Horizon’, ‘Accolade’
Ginkgo   (male only)	Ginkgo biloba	‘Samurai’, ‘Saratoga’, ’Shangri-la’
Hackberry, Common	Celtis occidentalis	‘Prairie Pride’, ‘Chicagoland’
Hickory, Bitternut*	Carya cordiformis
Hickory, Mockernut *	Carya tomentosa
Hickory, Shagbark *	Carya ovata
Honeylocust	Gleditsia triacanthos inermis	‘Northern Acclaim’, ’Trueshade’
Horsechestnut	Aesculus hippocasteana	‘Baumanii’ (seedless)**
Kentucky Coffeetree	Gymnocladus diocus	PrairieTitan’,‘Espresso’(seedless)**
Linden, Silver*	Tilia tomentosa	‘Sterling’(Japanese beetle resistant)
Locust, Black	Robinia psuedoacacia	‘Chicago Blues’
Maple, Freeman	Acer x freemanii	‘Marmo’, ’Firefall’ (seedless) ***
Maple, Sugar	Acer saccharum	‘Crescendo’, ‘Flax Mill Majesty’
Oak, Black	Quercus velutina
Oak, Bur*	Quercus macrocarpa
Oak, MacDaniel’s	Quercus x macdanielli	‘Heritage’
Oak, Northern Red	Quercus rubra
Oak, Pin*	Quercus palustris
Oak, Swamp White	Quercus bicolor
Oak, White	Quercus alba
Sweetgum	Liquidambar styraciflua	‘Rotundaloba’ (seedless)**
Sycamore	Platanus occidentalis
Tulip Tree	Liriodendron tulipifera	‘Emerald City’
Walnut, Black*	Juglans nigra
Zelkova, Japanese	Zelkova serrata	‘Green Vase’, ‘Village Green’,

  

*These species are not approved for the parkway based on the restricted list for the city or due to recommendations by the Iowa DNR.

**Only this cultivar is approved for the ROW.

*** Only these two cultivars of Freeman Maple are allowed. Permission from the city arborist shall be requested prior to planting; approval will be given on a very limited basis.

 

MID-STORY/MID-CANOPY TREES (approx. 900 sq. ft. of canopy at maturity): Mid-canopy trees typically reach a diameter-at-breast-height (DBH) of 10 - 25 inches and a height of 30 - 60 feet at maturity. Per the Municipal Code, spacing requirement for planting is 40 feet on center between both existing and replacement trees. New trees are to be 2 inches DBH (diameter at breast height or 4.5 ft. above grade). Please note: Some species may not be permitted on the ROW but make fine private trees.

 

Alder, Black	Alnus glutinosa	‘Pyramidalis’, ’Fastigiata’
Alder, Manchurian	Alnus hirsute	‘Prairie Horizon’
Amur Corktree	Phellodendron amurense	‘Eyestopper’, ’His Majesty’,
Beech, European*	Fagus sylvatica	‘Cuprea’, ’Asplenifolia’, ‘Riversii’
Birch, River	Betula nigra	‘Heritage’, ‘Dura-Heat’
Birch, Yellow	Betula alleghaniensis
Black Gum/Tupelo	Nyssa sylvatica	‘Snow Flurries’, ‘Wildfire’
Buckeye                *	Aesculus sylvatica	‘Autumn Splendor’
Buckeye, Red *	Aesculus pavia
Buckeye, Ohio*	Aesculus glabra	‘Sunset’
Butternut*	Juglans cinerea
Catalpa, Purple*	Catalpa x erubescens	‘Purpurea’
Elm, Lace Bark	Ulmus parvifolia	‘Bosque’
Hardy Rubbertree	Eucommia ulmoides
Hophornbeam, American/Ironwood	Ostrya virginiana
Hornbeam, European	Carpinus betulus	‘Fastigiata’, ’Frans Fontaine’
Horsechestnut, Red *	Aesculus x carnea	‘Ft. McNair’, ’Autumn Splendor’
Japanese Pagodatree	Sophora japonica	‘Regent’, ‘Halka’
Katsura tree	Cercidiphyllum  japonicum	‘Red Fox’
Linden, American (+),*	Tilia americana
Linden, Crimean (+),*	Tilia x euchlora
Linden, Littleleaf (+),*	Tilia cordata	‘Shamrock’, ’Chancole’
London Planetree	Platanus x acerifolia	‘Exclamation’, ‘Ovation’
Magnolia, Cucumbertree	Magnolia acuminata
Maple, Black	Acer nigrum
Maple, Miyabe	Acer miyabe	‘State Street’
Oak, Bebb	Quercus x bebbiana
Oak, Chinkapin	Quercus muehlenbergii
Oak, English*	Quercus robur	‘Regal Prince’, ’Skymaster’
Oak, Hills/Northern Pin	Quercus ellipsoidalis	‘Majestic Skies’
Oak, Sawtooth	Quercus acutissima
Oak, Scarlet	Quercus coccinea
Oak, Shingle	Quercus imbricaria
Oak, Ware’s	Quercus x warei	’Chimney Fire’, ‘Nadler’
Turkish Filbert	Corylus colurna
Yellowwood, American	Cladrastis kentukea	‘Perkins Pink’

                            

 (+)-Due to excessive defoliation by Japanese beetle, there is a temporary restriction on Linden plantings.  Silver Lindens are allowed with permission of the City Arborist only, due to the resistance of the ‘Sterling’ cultivar.

*These species are not approved for the parkway based on the restricted list for the city or due to recommendations by the Iowa DNR.

 

UNDERSTORY AND ORNAMENTAL TREES (approx. 400 sq. ft. of canopy at maturity): Understory trees typically reach a diameter-at-breast-height (DBH) of <15 inches and a height of less than or equal to 30 feet at maturity. Per Municipal Code, spacing requirement is a minimum of 40 feet on center, between both existing and replacement trees. These trees are permitted only where site conditions do not allow the planting of overstory or mid-canopy trees. New trees are to be 1 1/2 inches DBH (diameter at breast height or 4.5 ft. above grade). These species will also be considered if the width of the parkway is 4 feet wide or less, pending review by the City Arborist. Please note: Some species may not be permitted on the ROW but make fine private trees.

 

American Smoketree	Cotinus obovatus
Amur Maackia	Maackia amurensis	‘Summertime’
Bald Cypress	Taxodium distichum	’Skyward’**
Crabapple (misc. cultivars)	Malus sp.	½ inch or smaller, non-pendulous
Dogwood, Flowering*	Cornus florida
Dogwood, Corneliancherry	Cornus mas	‘Golden Glory’
Dogwood, Kousa*	Cornus kousa
Dogwood, Pagoda*	Cornus alternifolia
Ginkgo	Ginkgo biloba (male only)	‘Chi Chi’**
Goldenraintree	Koelreuteria paniculata	‘Fastigiata’, September’
Hawthorn, Thornless Cockspur	Crataegus crus-galli inermis
Hawthorn, Washington*	Crataegus phaenopyrum
Hawthorn, Winter King Green*	Crataegus viridis	‘Winter King’
Hoptree/Waferash*	Ptelea trifoliata
Hornbeam, American. (Musclewood)	Carpinus caroliniana	‘J.N. Upright’, ‘Palisade’
Lilac, Japanese Tree	Syringa reticulata ssp. reticulata	‘Ivory Silk’, ‘Summer Snow’
Lilac, Peking (China Snow)	Syringa pekinensis
Linden, Mongolian (+),*	Tilia mongolica	‘Harvest Gold’
Magnolia, Edith Brogue	Magnolia grandiflora	‘Edith Brogue’
Magnolia, Sweetbay	Magnolia virginiana
Maple, Amur	Acer ginnala	‘Flame’, ‘Ruby Slippers’
Maple, Hedge	Acer campestre	‘Panacek’, ’Evelyn’
Maple, Korean	Acer pseudosieboldianum
Maple, Shantung	Acer truncatum	‘Norwegian Sunset’
Maple, Sugar	Acer saccharum	‘Sugar Cone’**
Maple Tartarian	Acer tartaricum	‘Summer Splendor’
Maple, Trident	Acer buergeranum	‘Aeryn’
Redbud, Eastern	Cercis canadensis	’Rising Sun’
Serviceberry	Amelanchier sp.	‘Cumulus’,’Snowcloud’
Seven Son Flower*	Heptacodium miconoides
White Fringetree*	Chionanthus virginicus
Zelkova, Japanese	Zelkova serrata	‘Wireless’**

 

*These species are not approved for the parkway based on the restricted list for the city or due to recommendations by the Iowa DNR.

** Must use this cultivar. Standard species will not be approved.

(+)-Due to excessive defoliation by Japanese beetle, there is a temporary restriction on Linden plantings.

 

PLANTING RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SPECIFIC LOCATIONS:

(Many trees below also are listed above; some are added because of their suitability for challenging locations.) Please note: All previous conditions apply regarding planting on the ROW, parking lots and other required landscaping.  Some species may not be permitted on the ROW but make fine private trees. These lists include both ornamental and overstory/mid-story species.

 

EVERGREEN SCREENING TREES: This list is for use in buffer strips and on private property only. As a rule, evergreens require full sun and do not perform well in shade or partial shade.

 

Arborvitae (White Cedar)	Thuja occidentalis	‘Nigra’, ‘Techny’
Fir, Balsam	Abies balsamea
Fir, Concolor/White	Abies concolor
Fir, Douglas	Pseudotsuga menziesii
Fir, Fraser	Abies fraseri
Hemlock, Eastern	Tsuga canadensis
Pine, Limber	Pinus flexilis	‘Vanderwolf’s Pyramid’
Pine, White	Pinus strobus
Red cedar, Eastern	Juniperus virginiana	‘Canaertii’
Spruce, Norway	Picea abies
Spruce, Serbian	Picea omorika
Spruce, White	Picea glauca	‘Densata’

COLUMNAR TREES FOR NARROW SPACES: (Canopy heights with columnar form can vary, but canopy width is typically 15-25 feet). Some of these cultivars may not be as hardy as the standard species.

 

Bald Cypress	Taxodium distichum	‘Shawnee Brave’, ‘Skyward’
Beech, European	Fagus sylvatica	‘Red Obelisk’
Dawn Redwood	Metasequoia glyptostroboides
Crabapple	Malus sp.	‘Red Baron’,’Marilee’,‘Pink spires’
Crabapple, Siberian Columnar	Malus baccata	‘Columnari’
Crabapple, Tschonoski	Malus tschonoskii
Ginkgo (male only)	‘Princeton Sentry’
Goldenraintree	Koelreuteria paniculata	‘Fastigiata’
Hackberry, Common	Celtis occidentalis	‘Prairie Sentinel’
Honeylocust	Gleditsia triacanthos inermis	‘Street Keeper’
Hornbeam, European	Carpinus betulus	‘Fastigiata’
Linden, Littleleaf	Tilia cordata	‘Corinthian’
Maple, Black	Acer nigrum	‘Green Column’
Maple, Sugar	Acer saccharum	‘Endowment’
Oak, Bur	Quercus macrocarpa	‘Urban Pinnacle’
Oak, English	Quercus robur	‘Rose Hill’, Regal Prince’,
Oak, English/White	Quercus bimundorum	‘Crimson Spire’
Oak, Pin	Quercus palustris	‘Green Pillar’
Oak, Ware’s	Quercus x warei	‘Regal Prince’, ’Chimney Fire’
Sweetgum	Liquidambar styraciflua	‘Emerald Sentinel’, ’Happidaze’
Tulip Tree	Liriodendron tulipifera	‘Fastigiatum’
Zelkova, Japanese	Zelkova serrata	‘Musashino’

                                ‘ 

TREES SUITABLE FOR FLOOD PLAINS AND WET SITES: These species have variable degrees of tolerance to wet soils, from occasional pooling of water to regular flooding for a few days.  (See categories above for size of tree.)

Alder, Red	Alnus rubra
Bald Cypress	Taxodium distichum
Birch, River	Betula nigra
Blackgum, Tupelo	Nyssa sylvatica, Nyssa aquatica
Buckeye, Ohio	Aesculus glabra
Dawn Redwood	Metasequoia glyptostroboides
Dogwood, Pagoda	Cornus alternifolia
Elm, Hybrid American	Ulmus americana
Hackberry, Common	Celtis occidentalis
Hornbeam, American. (Musclewood)	Carpinus caroilniana
Kentucky Coffeetree	Gymnocladus diocus
Linden, American	Tilia americana
Maple, Amur	Acer ginnala
Oak, Bur	Quercus macrocarpa
Oak, Swamp White	Quercus bicolor
Redbud, Eastern	Cercis canadensis
Serviceberry	Amelanchier sp.
Sweetbay Magnolia	Magnolia virginiana
Sweetgum	Liquidambar styraciflua
Sycamore	Platanus occidentalis

  

TREES MODERATE OR GREATER TOLERANCE OF AEROSOL AND SOIL SALTS: (See categories above for size of tree.) Cultivars noted are tolerant. Otherwise, the species is tolerant.

Amur Maackia	Maackia amurensis
Bald Cypress	Taxodium distichum
Blackgum, Tupelo	Nyssa sylvatica, Nyssa aquatica
Catalpa, Northern	Catalpa speciosa
Ginkgo	Ginkgo biloba (male only)
Goldenraintree	Koelreuteria paniculata
Hackberry, Common	Celtis occidentalis
Hardy Rubbertree	Eucommia ulmoides
Honeylocust	Gleditsia triacanthos inermis
Horsechestnut	Aesculus hippocasteana	‘Baumanii’ (seedless)
Kentucky Coffeetree	Gymnocladus diocus
Lilac, Japanese Tree	Syringa reticulata ssp. reticulata	‘Ivory Silk’, ‘Summer Snow’
Lilac, China Snow Peking	Syringa pekinensis
Locust, Black	Robinia psuedoacacia
London Planetree	Platanus x acerifolia
Maple, Hedge	Acer campestre
Maple, Miyabe	Acer miyabe
Oak, Bur	Quercus macrocarpa
Oak, English	Quercus robur
Oak, MacDaniel’s	Quercus x macdanielli
Oak, Sawtooth	Quercus acutissima
Oak, Swamp White	Quercus bicolor
Oak, White	Quercus alba
Red cedar, Eastern	Juniperus virginiana
Serviceberry	Amelanchier sp.
Spruce, Serbian	Picea omorika
Spruce, White	Picea glauca
Sycamore	Platanus occidentalis
Walnut, Black	Juglans nigra
Zelkova, Japanese	Zelkova serrata	‘Village Green’

 

TREES THAT TOLERATE PARTIAL SHADE: Listed by genus unless noted (See categories above for size of tree.)

 

Hornbeam, American. (Musclewood)	Carpinus caroliniana
Hophornbeam, American / Ironwood	Ostrya virginiana
Amur Maackia	Maackia amurensis
Birch, River	Betula nigra
Buckeye	Aesculus sp.
Dogwood	Cornus sp.
Hornbeam, American/Musclewood	Carpinus caroliniana
Maple, Amur	Acer ginnala
Redbud, Eastern	Cercis canadensis
Serviceberry	Amelanchier sp.

 

TREES THAT TOLERATE DRY CONDITIONS: Listed by genus unless noted (See categories above for size of tree.)

Catalpa, Northern	Catalpa speciosa
Elm, American/ Hybrid	Ulmus Americana/Ulmus x
Hackberry, Common	Celtis occidentalis
Hawthorn	Crataegus sp.
Honeylocust	Gleditsia triacanthos inermis
Hophornbeam, American / Ironwood	Ostrya virginiana
Kentucky Coffeetree	Gymnocladus diocus
Locust, Black	Robinia psuedoacacia
Maple, Amur	Acer ginnala
Maple, Freeman	Acer x freemanii	‘Autumn Blaze’
Oak, Bur	Quercus macrocarpa
Oak, Chinkapin	Quercus muehlenbergii
Oak, Hills/Northern Pin	Quercus ellipsoidalis

  

 TREES RESISTANT TO DEER DAMAGE: It is important to note that “resistant to” does not mean “immune to”. If deer are hungry enough, they will feed on these species. Deer will “rub” any species of tree.

 

Elm, American/ Hybrid	Ulmus Americana/Ulmus x
Ginkgo (male only)	Ginkgo biloba
Hawthorn	Crataegus sp.
Honeylocust	Gleditsia triacanthos inermis
Kentucky Coffeetree	Gymnocladus diocus
Locust, Black	Robinia psuedoacacia
Magnolia	Magnolia sp.
Maple	Acer sp.
Oak	Quercus sp.
Tulip Tree	Liriodendron tulipifera

RESTRICTED PLANTING LISTS:

 

PROHIBITED TREES: The following classes and types of trees shall not be planted on the ROW or as part of required landscaping.  With the exception of Red Maple, it is recommended that any specific Genus/species listed below also not be planted on private property.

Ash (All species and cultivars)	Fraxinus sp.
Austree	Salix alba x matsudana
Birch, White/Paper	Betula  papyrifera
Boxelder	Acer negundo
Conifers (evergreen species)
Cottonwood	Populus deltoides
Elm, Siberian	Ulmus pumila
Empress Tree/Princess Tree	Paulownia tomentosa
Fruit and Nut trees over 1"	(walnut, apple, etc.)
Maple, Red (All hybrids and cultivars)	Acer rubrum
Maple, Silver (All hybrids and cultivars)	Acer saccharinum
Mountainash	Sorbus Americana
Mulberry (All species and cultivars)	Morus sp.
Multi-Stem/Clump Form Trees
Pear (All species and cultivars)	Pyrus sp.
Poplar (All species and cultivars)	Populus sp.
Russian Olive	Elaeagnus angustifolia
Tree of Heaven	Ailanthus altissima
Trees with thorns on the main stem or lower canopy
Willow (All species and cultivars)	Salix sp.
Woody, bushy shrubs

 

THE PLANTING OF THE FOLLOWING SPECIES IS TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED IN THE PUBLIC ROW: Contact the City Arborist for more information on this moratorium.

 

Catalpa (All species and cultivars)	Catalpa sp.
Linden (All species and cultivars)	Tilia sp.
Oak, Pin	Quercus palustris