What are Good Trees to Plant Near a Street?

Check with Municipality and Utilities

• Some trees are restricted or banned in certain areas. Check with municipalities before planting. Many cities offer on-site inspection, free advice on choosing and planting trees, and help in obtaining a planting permit. Take into account overhead and underground electric, telephone, cable, water, sewer and gas line. Look into any watering restrictions that may apply, as newly planted trees require extra care.

Check with Neighbors

• Consult our neighbors before choosing a tree that may create unwanted shade or have branches that encroach on their property. They may also not want to rake leaves dropped or blown from your yard. Driveway visibility is important for your home, as are those on either side of you and. In an area with snow removal, make sure that trees are situated far enough away from street and driveway salts.

Trees for City Street

• City lots need smaller trees to keep from encroaching on others' territory and interfering with streetlights and signs. Choose pollution tolerant trees such as Thornless Shademaster Honey Locust and Aristocrat Callery Pear, as urban air quality is an issue. Both species also endure drought and salt. The Honey Locust's fine leaves turn yellow in the fall, while the Callery Pear's white blossoms of make a dazzling display in early spring.

Trees for Town or Suburb Streets

• While the smaller trees of city streets can easily be grown in a town or suburban setting, so can larger, more spreading trees. Norway maples are dense, compact shade trees with leaves that are green, yellow, reddish-purple or variegated. The Princeton Sentry ginkgo is a narrow, columnar tree that casts only light shade and boasts brilliant-yellow fall color. The Profusion crabapple's fruit is a favorite food source of birds in winter.