SELECTING A TREE

Evergreen trees keep their leaves or needles during winter. Conifers are evergreen trees with needles or scales for leaves. Broad–leaf evergreens are trees such as Madrone or Southern magnolia that keep their leaves year round but don’t have needles.

For help with conifer selection, check out our Conifer Guide.

Deciduous trees lose their leaves in winter. Many have leaves that turn bright colors before they fall off. They are ideal for planting on the south or west side of a house. Sunlight warms the house in winter and the tree shades the house in summer.

Trees come in many shapes and sizes. Pyramid, lollipop, columnar, oval, vase, and weeping are the most common shapes.

Flowering trees are wonderful additions to the landscape adding large-scale color during bloom–time.

Dogwoods (Cornus), Redbuds (Cercis), Flowering Cherries (Prunus) & Magnolias are all lovely choices.

Maples (Acer) warm the skies in fall with a range of unbeatable glowing colors, as do Crape Myrtles (tree-guide), Redbuds (Cercis) and Ginkgoes. Coral Bark Maple (Acer palmatum ‘Sango Kaku’).

Himalayan Birch (Betula jacquemontii) and Birchbark Cherry (Prunus serrulata) have interesting bark in winter. Many trees hold fruit into winter and provide food for wildlife.

Before heading into the nursery to choose a tree, consider the following:

Always call 811 before digging to check for underground utility lines.
Observe light patterns in potential planting areas throughout the day. Pay attention to the direction the site is facing and to existing structures or trees that provide shade.
Trees should be planted 10-15 ’ away from the house and 5 ’ away from patios or fences.
What areas do you prefer more privacy or more openness?
If the area where a tree is being planted has existing plantings, the new additions to the bed should share the same water needs. Drought tolerant plants go together, and water dependent should do the same
Make Notes & Take Photos! All of this information is important to the nursery staff who may help in making your tree choice, so gather it together and bring it when you shop.

TREE SELECTION RESOURCES

Tree Selection Guide

Drought Tolerant Trees
Evergreen Trees
Trees 15-25 Feet

Street Trees

Street trees are planted in the area between your sidewalk and the street.

Choosing the right street tree is a big decision, and the City of Portland offers a list of approved options to help you narrow the possibilities.

Street trees are selected to fit differing sizes of parking strips, taking into consideration the existence of power lines. Portland Nursery carries most of the trees suggested by the City of Portland, but usually the caliper sizes are smaller; our trees are mostly 1”-1 ½” in caliper.

Tree availability is seasonal with early spring offering the largest selection.

Learn about permits and procedures for street tree planting or removal.

Treebate

Did you know that the City of Portland will reimburse you for part of the cost when you plant a tree in your yard? Treebate is a seasonal program available between September 1 and April 30 of the following year to coincide with the best time of the year to plant.

Every tree planted in Portland contributes to clean rivers and healthy watersheds. Plant an eligible tree on a residential property and Environmental Services will credit your city water/sewer utility bill for half the purchase price.

Learn more about the Treebate program.